NEW YORK (CNN/Money) - The NCAA men's basketball tournament, one of the premier sporting events in the nation, will go on as scheduled regardless of war with Iraq.

That's according to Myles Brand, president of the NCAA, who briefed reporters on a conference call late Tuesday.

"We see no reason ... to make any alterations in plans," Brand said. "We will go forward and play the games when and if war breaks out."

Brand said discussions on the matter with Tom Ridge, the secretary of Homeland Security, determined that it was more important not to let war disrupt the event watched by millions.

"It's in the best interest of the country to go forward," Brand said.

The first round begins in earnest on Thursday. President Bush said Saddam Hussein must leave Iraq by Wednesday or face a U.S.-led invasion.

CBS, the Viacom (VIA: Research, Estimates) unit that has broadcast rights to the tournament, is said to be working on a deal to shift games to ESPN and ESPN2 in the event of war. CBS did not immediately return a call requesting comment.

This year is the first year a of a new 11-year, $6.2 billion rights deal between CBS and the NCAA.

The Sept. 11 terrorist attacks led officials to postpone Major League Baseball and National Football League games for about a week.