MOBILE, Ala. — The Sun Belt Conference, of which South Alabama is a member, has reached a new agreement with ESPN that extends the partnership through the 2011-12 academic year and expands national television exposure for the league’s football and basketball programs.
The deal, announced in February, takes effect at the start of the 2009-10 academic year. ESPN remains the exclusive national television home of the Sun Belt.
“The Sun Belt Conference’s negotiation with ESPN, Inc. is one of the most significant events in the conference’s 33 year history,” Sun Belt Commissioner Wright Waters said. “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.”
Football
The agreement guarantees the Sun Belt a minimum of two conference-controlled football games each year on ESPN or ESPN2. Upon request, the conference will make two midweek games available to ESPN and ESPN2.
ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPNU may select additional games after the first three weeks of the season through a 12-day rolling window, meaning selections are made by the second Monday before each Saturday telecast. ESPN Regional Television retains the right to produce, distribute and syndicate up to five Sun Belt football games a year.
Sun Belt teams have appeared in several nationally televised games on ESPN networks in recent seasons. Troy beat Missouri and Oklahoma State in national telecasts and played in the 2006 R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl. Florida Atlantic became the first Sun Belt team to win bowl games in consecutive years, taking the 2007 R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl and the 2008 Motor City Bowl.
Men’s Basketball
ESPN has televised the Sun Belt men’s basketball championship game for 29 consecutive seasons, its longest such relationship with any conference. The new agreement keeps the championship game on ESPN or ESPN2 and continues the league’s presence during ESPN’s championship week coverage.
The deal provides a 25 percent increase in guaranteed annual exposure for men’s basketball on ESPN and ESPN2, with a minimum of four appearances a year. ESPN Regional Television retains the right to produce, syndicate and distribute up to eight men’s basketball games annually.
Women’s Basketball
For the first time, Sun Belt women’s basketball is guaranteed national exposure on an ESPN network. ESPNU will air the women’s championship game or regular-season games each year.
Olympic Sports
ESPN retains first selection rights on all other Sun Belt sports.
What It Means for South Alabama
South Alabama’s basketball teams and other varsity programs compete in the Sun Belt, and the Jaguars’ men’s and women’s basketball teams play their home games at the Mitchell Center. The university is also preparing to launch football this fall under head coach Joey Jones, with home games at Ladd-Peebles Stadium.
