CBS Cut Away Miami Finals At Third Set Tiebreak

Written by: Bob Larson Tennis on 2nd April 2013

Sony Open tennis tournament on Key Biscayne, Florida

CBS Cut Away Miami Finals At Third Set Tiebreak

epa03646370 David Ferrer of Spain returns the ball to Andy Murray of Great Britain during their men's final match at the Sony Open tennis tournament in Miami, Florida, USA, 31 March 2013. Murray defeated Ferrer. EPA/ERIK S. LESSER |

Tennis fans across the United States were upset as CBS ended their coverage of Sunday’s Sony Open final in Miami just before eventual champion Andy Murray and David Ferrer began their third set tie-break because the network was contractually obligated to show the Elite Eight NCAA basketball game between Michigan Wolverines and Florida Gators beginning at 2 pm EST.

This year the NCAA moved its March Madness basketball tournament back a week this year but Turner Broadcasting is paying $771 million annually for men’s NCAA tournament rights.

But CBS officials are insistent they did everything possible to show as much tennis as possible and it was only the fact the match extended an unusually long two hours and 45 minutes that forced them into pulling the plug before the end.

A spokesman stated the start of the basketball game was delayed until 2:23 PM, and the tip-off didn’t actually occur until 2:24 PM. Next year, to avoid any repetition, the Miami men’s final will start at 11 EST next year to possibly avoid conflict with Elite Eight games.

“Although we wish the match could have been shown in its entirety we understand that these situations do arise,” Adam Barrett, Sony Open Tournament Director said in a statement. “We will continue to work with our television partners to provide the most complete television coverage to our global audience.”

The conclusion of Murray’s win was screened on the Tennis Channel but ESPN turned down their option of screening the final.