The Atlantic 10 Conference has released its new TV package, which includes eight-year partnerships with ESPN, CBS Sports Network and NBC Sports Group. The agreements, which will begin in 2013-14, will provide over 192 total basketball exposures, including 146 men’s basketball appearance and coverage of both basketball championships.
“Our commitment to basketball at the highest level has allowed us to leverage our national exposure in the best way possible for the Atlantic 10,” A-10 Commissioner Bernadette V. McGlade said in a statement. “Partnering with ESPN, CBS Sports Network and NBC Sports Network for the next eight years is truly a historic moment for the A-10 and its member institutions.”
Up to 30 men’s basketball games will be broadcasted on ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPNU, 54 on CBS Sports Network and 50 on NBC Sports Network. ESPN, who has sublicensed the men’s basketball championship to CBS Sports since 2010, will retain the rights to both the men’s and women’s basketball championship games. CBS Sports Network will carry the semifinals of both championships, while NBC Sports Network will produce the quarterfinals.
“The Atlantic 10 is a very deep conference with a proven track record of success at the highest levels of the sport,” ESPN Senior Vice President of College Sporst Programming Burke Magnus said. “This long-term extension will continue to serve fans with the Conference’s premier content across ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPNU into the next decade.”
“The Atlantic 10 has been a terrific partner and we’re proud to continue showcasing action from one of the top college basketball conferences for many years,” CBS Senior Vice President of Programming Dan Weinberg said. “Our partnership has been an unquestioned success, and with the quality of basketball throughout the conference now stronger than ever, we’re excited to annually feature an extensive line-up of games.”
The NBC Sports Group agreement includes a six-game package for the upcoming season. Games listed on the original schedule as A-10 TV, including Saint Louis University’s games on Feb. 2 versus Dayton and March 9 vs. La Salle, will be featured on NBC Sports Network.
“These agreements, which will allow our fans the ability to watch Atlantic 10 basketball on national television more than ever before, further separates and solidifies the A-10 as the best basketball-centric conference in the country,” McGlade said. “This deal also provides the A-10 increased control over future intellectual property rights and positions the league to be digital innovators. Having completed the national television agreements, my primary focus will now be on securing partnerships for the future A-10 digital network we are contemplating as well as our A-10 corporate partner program.”
Here is a rundown of the A-10’s new agreement as provided by the Atlantic 10:
Terms
- Eight-year agreement.
- 2013-14 athletic season through 2021-22 athletic season.
Finances
- Not Disclosed
- Provides a significant increase in the Conference’s television rights
Platforms
- ESPN, CBS Sports Network, NBC Sports Network
- Additional Commitments through NBC Sports Network’s Regional Sports Networks
Basketball Regular Season Programming
- 146 men’s basketball exposures and 46 women’s basketball exposures.
- ESPN/ESPN2/ESPNU: 14 regular season men’s basketball games; Two women’s basketball games
- CBS Sports Network: 25 national men’s basketball games; Eight women’s basketball games
- NBC Sports Network: 25 national men’s basketball games; Six women’s basketball games
Basketball Championship Programming
- ESPN for men’s and women’s championship finals
- CBS Sports Network for men’s and women’s championship semifinals
- NBC Sports Network for men’s and women’s championship quarterfinals
Olympic Sports Programming
- Provisions of the new agreements provide for national exposure for a variety of Olympic sports events
