2016By Ken Fang on

Sports Illustrated’s Richard Deitsch broke the news this week:

So that means we’ll have a new artist singing the now-iconic song that has been played after each NCAA Nationaal Championship Game since 1987. Except for 2010 when CBS tapped Jennifer Hudson, Luther Vandross’ rendition of “One Shining Moment” has been used since 2003.

Asides from the original version by David Barrett and Teddy Pendergrass in the 1990’s, CBS has been selective on who sings the song that traditionally ends the college basketball season. The Jennifer Hudson version was so heavily criticized that CBS/Turner reinstated the Luther Vandross version in 2011.

Now with Turner airing the National Championship Game for the first time this year, it wants to put its own stamp on “One Shining Moment.”

There was speculation that Turner would go in another direction and choose another song for the National Championship, but it announced before the tournament that it would keep “One Shining Moment.”

Turner will have an announcement later this week surrounding the song, but for now, here’s last year’s version with Luther to get you through to Saturday:

About Ken Fang

Ken has been covering the sports media in earnest at his own site, Fang's Bites since May 2007 and at Awful Announcing since March 2013.

He provides a unique perspective having been an award-winning radio news reporter in Providence and having worked in local television.

Fang celebrates the four Boston Red Sox World Championships in the 21st Century, but continues to be a long-suffering Cleveland Browns fan.

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