CBS moves start of NCAAs to ESPN because of war

[James_F]

http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaab/news?slug=ap-ncaatournament-tv&prov=ap&type=lgns

March 20, 2003
NEW YORK (AP) -- CBS moved the start of its NCAA men's basketball tournament coverage to cable channel ESPN on Thursday because of news coverage of the war in Iraq.

At noon EST, when CBS Sports' pregame show was scheduled to start, the network told viewers looking for NCAA action to tune instead to ESPN.

The day's first game, between Marquette and Holy Cross in the Midwest Regional at Indianapolis, tipped off at 12:20 p.m. EST on ESPN -- with CBS announcers and production.

[John Corn]

Good choice. When 9/11 happened I think it was appropriate to cancel for awhile. There was a great monologue by a sportscaster (can't remember who) who said it was time to bring sports back and begin the healing....it was a great piece, wish I could remember who it was.