U.S. college sports conference the Pac-12 is "about to get a lot more airtime in China," according to Scott Soshnick of BLOOMBERG. Alibaba Group acquired the rights to broadcast Pac-12 sports across China through '24, "part of a growing effort by the schools to market their teams -- and their academic programs -- to potential Chinese students and their parents." Pac-12 Commissioner Larry Scott said that the goal "is growing interest in our universities overseas, and particularly in China. Sports play a valuable role in bringing exposure and interest." The deal "marks the first time a college sports network will be made available in China." Alibaba will show 175 live events and 100 hours of original programming annually, "some of it via Youku Tudou, also known as the YouTube of China." The slate of sports "will include football, men’s basketball, women’s volleyball, gymnastics, swimming, lacrosse and beach volleyball," the conference said. The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. It also includes an extension of Alibaba’s sponsorship of the annual Pac-12 China Basketball Game through '20. This year’s game pits UCLA against Georgia Tech on Nov. 11 in Shanghai (BLOOMBERG, 10/5).