Clemson Again Suspending JMI Sports Deal After Learfield Protest

Clemson for a second time late last month awarded its multimedia rights to JMI Sports, and the incumbent, Learfield, for the second time has filed a protest. Clemson’s procurement office issued a notice on Nov. 28 that it had awarded its campuswide media and marketing rights to San Diego-based JMI in a seven-year deal worth $68M. But in a subsequent letter filed Friday, Clemson said the award was suspended because of another protest. It was not clear specifically what aspect of the bidding process was being protested or how long it would take to resolve it.
 
Clemson went through a similar process back in the spring when it issued its rights to JMI the first time and Learfield protested. That protest resulted in a new bid. Learfield has owned the rights at Clemson since ‘01 and its rights at the school are owned jointly with IMG College, although Learfield takes the lead on managing the property.