ESPN reached a deal with the Mobile Arts and Sports
Association (MASA) to secure national TV rights to the
Senior Bowl through 2006. The pact with MASA will include
exclusive telecast rights, radio broadcast rights and
Internet rights (ESPN). In Atlanta, Prentis Rogers writes
the deal is believed to be for $500,000 per year, an
increase of 150% for the game, which was previously
broadcasted by Turner Sports. Turner Sports VP Greg Hughes
said of the move: "We made a strategic decision not to air
the game, and we wish the Senior Bowl well." The move
leaves Turner with only the MicronPC Bowl, which is "in its
final year with the network" (ATLANTA CONSTITUTION, 5/17).
SPONSOR END: In Mobile, AL, Tommy Hicks reports the
deal gives ESPN "the right to sell a title sponsorship for
the game," but it "does not, however, mean" that supermarket
chain and Senior Bowl sponsor Delchamps' "association with
the game is ending." Senior Bowl President & CEO Steve Hale
said that the deal "will lead to more exposure for
Delchamps," which will retain its association with the game
"as the local presenting sponsor." Hale: "In the past,
Delchamps had no direct link to the broadcast of the game.
It received no mention during the telecast and no exposure.
Now, Delchamps will receive on-field signage as well as
signage around the stadium" (MOBILE REGISTER, 5/17).
MICRON ECONOMICS: Raycom Sports CEO Ken Haines said
Tuesday that the MicronPC Bowl, played at Pro Player
Stadium, "was nearly moved" to Ericsson Stadium for 2000,
but the game, which "hasn't drawn well," will receive "one
more chance" at Pro Player (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 5/17).
CAROLINA BLUES? In Charlotte, David Scott notes the ACC
made 143 basketball appearances on national or regional TV
last season, "far more than any other conference." The Big
East "had the second most, with 81." Raycom's Haines, whose
company produces the ACC's basketball TV package with
Jefferson Pilot Sports, said that the ACC's TV ratings "were
down" for the '99-2000 season, from a 6.2 rating in the
ACC's "geographic region" in '98-99, to a 6.0 average rating
this past year. Haines said that the Charlotte market
averaged a 8.0 rating, lower than Greensboro (11.0) and
Raleigh-Durham (12.0). Haines attributes the dip in ratings
this year to the "scarcity of ACC teams in the Top 25 during
the season" (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 5/17).
