ISP Sports, Univ. Of Georgia Close To Lucrative Rights Deal

Deal With ISP Sports Would Raise UGA's Media Rights And Marketing Revenue To Around $10M

The Univ. of Georgia (UGA) and ISP Sports are in the final stages of negotiations to group UGA's marketing and media rights "into a blockbuster long-term package that would be among the most lucrative in the country," according to Michael Smith of SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL. Though specifics of the contract are still being worked out, sources said that UGA "already makes in excess of $8[M] annually from its marketing and media rights, and the new deal with ISP will include a raise in revenue." A guarantee of $9-10M a year "would put Georgia's deal in a similar revenue class with Florida and Texas," both of which earn around $10M annually. The UGA contract would be ISP's most expensive deal to date. Smith notes any announcement "isn't expected until around the Final Four in early April at the earliest." UGA's current deals are with "multiple rights holders and run through July 30, 2010." The radio rights are owned by "longtime partner WSB-AM in Atlanta, which has broadcast the Bulldogs since 1939 and owned the rights to their radio network since 1995." Cox Communications owns WSB, which is "expected to remain the flagship radio station," as well as the rights for the coaches TV shows. Those deals "earn the school $4[M] in revenue." ISP "already owns Georgia's marketing and sponsorship rights, which pay $3.5[M] annually" (SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL, 3/9 issue). UGA Associate AD/External Affairs Alan Thomas said that "even if the assembling and selling go to ISP," UGA would have "'a strong desire' for the broadcasts to stay on WSB." In Atlanta, Tim Tucker notes that "could be accomplished by the station becoming a network affiliate." Thomas said that UGA plans to grow advertising revenue on the digital side by "increasing the content it produces for delivery via the Internet and wireless devices" (ATLANTA CONSTITUTION, 3/10).