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July 7, 2008
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IMG/Barry Frank Will Represent BCS In TV Contract Negotiations

IMG's Barry Frank To Represent
BCS In Next Round Of TV Talks

The BCS has selected IMG Sports Media and Exec VP/Media Sports Programming Barry Frank to represent the property in the next round of media negotiations, according to Michael Smith of SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL. Fox will have an "exclusive 30-day negotiating period that is expected to begin this fall" to extend the deal, which runs through January 2010. If the negotiations do not "produce a new agreement, the BCS will negotiate with other prospective partners." Sources said that ABC/ESPN is expected to make a "lucrative offer to regain the BCS rights that it lost in the previous contract." With Fox and ABC/ESPN expected to "duel for the rights, the fee will likely take a significant jump from the $330[M], four-year deal that is currently in effect, especially with ratings that have delivered the highest non-NFL numbers of the year." Frank: "The BCS is one of the top two most valuable properties in U.S. sports, with the Super Bowl." Frank and ACC Commissioner and BCS Coordinator John Swofford will be "on point for the BCS's TV negotiations." The BCS "solicited representation proposals, which were made in writing over the last six to eight weeks." Sources said that Wasserman Media Group, former ABC/ESPN Exec VP/Collegiate Sports Chuck Gerber and former CBS exec Kevin O'Malley "were also considered." O'Malley represented the BCS in its most recent negotiations on the TV deal with Fox. Smith notes IMG represents Swofford and the ACC on its TV matters. Terms of the IMG/BCS arrangement were not available (SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL, 7/7 issue).

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