“The Sun Belt Conference’s negotiation with ESPN, Inc. is one of the most significant events in the conference’s 33-year history,” said Sun Belt Commissioner Wright Waters.  “There have been many great steps taken in the history of this league including the Sun Belt becoming a member of the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision and the Bowl Championship Series.  I firmly believe that this new deal and our partnership with ESPN, Inc. is another important step for the success of the Sun Belt Conference.”

“We are thrilled to remain the exclusive national television home for the Sun Belt Conference,” said Burke Magnus, ESPN senior vice president, college sports programming.  “Through this extensive agreement, ESPN’s long relationship with the conference will continue to grow with additional coverage across our multiple platforms, including ESPNU.”

The new agreement will give the Sun Belt Conference’s rising football league a minimum of two games on either ESPN or ESPN2.  Additionally, ESPN Regional Television will have the right to produce, distribute and syndicate up to five football games each year. ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPNU, the 24-hour college sports network, will also be granted additional opportunities to select games to air.  This trio of networks will be granted a 12 day rolling window during the season to select additional games to televise.   Games available for selection are after the third Saturday of the season.  This provides the Sun Belt Conference additional opportunities for exposure previously not available.    

ESPN and the Sun Belt Conference have a long history as partners in men’s basketball.  ESPN will televise the conference’s men’s basketball championship game for the 29th consecutive season in 2009, marking its longest affiliation with any conference in the country.

ESPN will continue to air the Sun Belt Conference men’s basketball championship game and the new deal will also create additional appearances for the league’s men’s basketball programs.  Sun Belt Conference men’s basketball teams will now make a minimum of four appearances annually on ESPN or ESPN2.  Additionally, ESPN Regional Television maintains the right to produce, distribute and syndicate up to eight men’s basketball games annually.  

Sun Belt Conference women’s basketball, long one of the conference’s most successful sports, will also benefit greatly from the new deal. Sun Belt Conference women’s basketball teams will make a minimum of two appearances annually on ESPNU.  This is the first time women’s basketball is guaranteed national exposure on an ESPN network in the history of the Sun Belt Conference.  ESPNU will televise either the league’s women’s basketball championship game, or up to two regular season games.

Detailing the Sun Belt Conference-ESPN Agreement

·        The Sun Belt Conference maintains national exposure on the most prominent all sports network.
·        As an emerging football league there is now a greater chance for inclusion in national telecasts on ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPNU through the 12 day rolling window.
·        60% increase in the number of games/appearances over the current ESPN agreement.
·        There is the potential for the SBC to have over 40 appearances on the ESPN through ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU and ESPN Regional Television each academic year.

Football

·        The Sun Belt Conference receives guaranteed national exposure on ESPN or ESPN2 with a minimum of 2 Sun Belt controlled games a year.
·        Upon request the Sun Belt Conference will make available two midweek games to ESPN/ESPN2.
·        Through a 12 day rolling window (i.e., by the second Monday preceding each Saturday telecast date) ESPN may select additional games to air after the first three weeks of the season for inclusion on ESPN, ESPN2 or ESPNU.  Previously this option did not exist.

Men’s Basketball

·        25% increase in guaranteed annual exposures on ESPN and ESPN2.
·        Continued relationship with ESPN for championship week.  The Sun Belt Conference has the longest relationship with ESPN for its men’s championship game than any other conference in the country.  The men?s championship game will continue to air on ESPN or ESPN2.

Women’s Basketball

·        First time women’s basketball is guaranteed national exposure on ESPNU.
·        ESPNU will air either the women’s championship game or at minimum one women’s regular season game.

Olympic Sports

·        ESPN retains first selection rights on all other sports.

Syndication

·        ESPN Regional Television retains the rights to produce, syndicate and distribute up to eight men’s basketball games a year.
·        ESPN Regional Television retains the right to produce, syndicate and distribute up to five football games a year.

About the Sun Belt Conference
While there are 31 NCAA conferences that sponsor multiple sports, the Sun Belt is one of only eleven to participate in the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) and Football Bowl Subdivision.  The Sun Belt was formed in 1976 with six members competing in four men’s sports, and today comprises 13 institutions of higher learning while sponsoring 19 championship sports for men and women.  

Sun Belt Conference Membership
University of Arkansas-Little Rock, Arkansas State University, University of Denver, Florida Atlantic University, Florida International University, University of Louisiana, University of Louisiana at Monroe, Middle Tennessee State University, University of New Orleans, University of North Texas, University of South Alabama, Troy University, and Western Kentucky University.

Matthew L. Hebert
Assistant Sports Information Director
University of Louisiana

Cox Communications Athletics Center
201 Reinhardt Drive
Lafayette, LA   70506