WAC, ESPN Near Deal On Contract Extension, Expansion Of Coverage
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| WAC, ESPN Nearing Deal To Expand Coverage |
The Western Athletic Conference (WAC) and ESPN are soon expected to announce “a significantly upgraded and expanded contract extension,” according to Ferd Lewis of the HONOLULU ADVERTISER. WAC officials held a conference call Thursday “apparently to approve a deal in principle,” potentially bringing to a close negotiations with ESPN that had been ongoing “for several months.” The new deal “is expected to run from 5 to 7 years and, on top of a several-fold increase in rights fees, include heavily expanded exposure for conference teams.” The previous deal, which was set to expire after the '09-2010 academic year, was for six years and saw the conference receive $900,000 per year. However, “as important as the money has been, WAC members have, especially in men’s basketball, long sought additional exposure.” Whereas under the current contract the WAC has been guaranteed only three broadcasts per season, the new deal “is expected to more than triple the opportunities.” Lewis noted the new package also "could double" the recent average of 10 football telecasts per season, and it “would likely include more midweek games" (HONOLULU ADVERTISER, 7/11).
WAC-KY GOOD DEAL: In Boise, Brian Murphy wrote the prospective deal is “a complete victory for the WAC and its nine members.” The last deal “did nothing for the league’s bottom-tier members, as some teams ... did not receive any money (or exposure) from the contract” (IDAHO STATESMAN, 7/12).
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