Michigan State, one of the last Power 5 schools to "manage its multimedia rights in-house, has agreed to outsource those rights to Fox Sports," according to sources cited by Michael Smith of SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL. Sources said that both sides "have agreed to the basics of a long-term deal that will be in excess of 10 years." The arrangement "is thought to be among the most lucrative multimedia rights deals in the country," meaning MSU "could earn" up to $15M annually. That is a "steep increase" over the $6-7M a year the school "had been making by managing and selling their own rights." MSU AD Mark Hollis has "staunchly advocated for the in-house model because of the flexibility and independence that comes with it." However, Hollis has "conceded that Michigan State was leaving guaranteed money on the table by not going with a third party." The deal with MSU "is expected to include most of the traditional inventory," such as the school's "radio network, corporate sponsorship, game-day hospitality, publishing and in-venue signage." The deal "is far enough along that Fox already has hired" Gonzaga Associate AD/External Operations Kris Kassel as GM to oversee the MSU property (SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL, 2/15 issue).
THESE ARE MY RIGHTS: Smith also reports UCF will "create an in-house team to manage its media, corporate sponsorships and marketing." UCF has "been working for more than a year to build a structure that will, in theory, generate more net revenue from its rights than a third party would." UCF has "already notified its rights holder, IMG College, which has owned the rights" since '01, that it "will not be renewing its contract." UCF Senior Associate AD & CRO Matt DiFebo "will oversee" the property. DiFebo is "leading UCF's search" for a GM and a team of four to five sales execs, which he "expects will grow over time." The unit "has to be up and running by July 1 when UCF takes control of its rights from IMG, but DiFebo expects the hiring process to move faster than that" (SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL, 2/15 issue).
SIGNING ON: Colorado State AD Joe Parker yesterday announced the school will continue to be represented by Learfield, which has been CSU's exclusive rights holder since February '14. The partnership includes marketing through venue signage, event sponsorships, hospitality, TV, digital engagement, radio broadcasts and coaches' shows. In addition to CSU, Learfield has a conference-wide relationship with the Mountain West, and individual rights agreements with other league members Boise State, Nevada, New Mexico, San Diego State, San Jose State, Utah State and Wyoming (CSU).
