The SEC maintains that it is "happy with its partnership with ESPN," two years into their 15-year deal, but the conference "has signaled interest to evaluate changes that could bring more exposure and money,” according to Jon Solomon of the BIRMINGHAM NEWS. The Pac-12 recently signed a deal with ESPN and Fox estimated to be "financially greater than the SEC’s.” In addition, the Pac-12 “plans to create its own network.” This fall, the Univ. of Texas and ESPN will “launch the Longhorn Network, worth $300 million over 20 years to Texas.” SEC Commissioner Mike Slive said that the conference will “discuss with ESPN the ‘atmosphere’ in college sports television ‘at some appropriate time.’” Slive said, “It’s a chance for the two of us to sit down together and look at what’s going on in the world of intercollegiate athletics and television at the time, in the event that changes in technology and other options are available. It’s a chance to discuss whether or not any adjustments should be made in how we do things.” ESPN Senior VP/College Sports Programming Burke Magnus noted that the agreement with the SEC "calls for a 'look-in' review after the first five years but can occur sooner.” He said, “They don’t reopen the deal. There’s no outs. It’s an opportunity for both of us to really take stock of where we are and see what we could be doing better.” Slive said the SEC’s agreement with ESPN “prevents a school from creating its own network.” Univ. of Florida AD Jeremy Foley said, "Now at some point in time could you explore (a Florida Gators network)? Who knows what the future holds? Four years ago, nobody thought the television packages would be what they are today. So at some point in time, sure, you’re going to explore that.” When asked if the SEC might be interested in its own network, Slive said, “We’ll sit down at some point and do a look-in and see where we are. I’m going to leave it right there" (BIRMINGHAM NEWS, 6/8).
WEST COAST CUSTOMS: ESPN and the West Coast Conference yesterday announced an eight-year rights agreement extension for enhanced coverage of men’s and women’s basketball and Olympic sports. As part of the deal, the WCC will receive a minimum of 48 men’s basketball appearances, including telecasts of its men's basketball tournament on ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPNU. Additionally, at least five events annually across women’s basketball, soccer, volleyball and baseball will air on ESPN, ESPN2 or ESPNU (THE DAILY). In San Jose, Jon Wilner reported the WCC agreement is the “most extensive ESPN basketball deal ever signed by a non-football conference.” The “record number of appearances will help with recruiting, reputation and postseason access” (MERCURYNEWS.com, 6/8). YAHOO SPORTS’ Jeff Eisenberg noted if the “emergence of Gonzaga as a national power and the rise of secondary powers like Saint Mary’s and Portland made the WCC attractive to TV networks in the past few years, then the addition of BYU has only strengthened the league’s position.” The WCC’s relationship with ESPN “is one of the reasons it made sense for BYU basketball to join the league in the first place when the school decided to make its football program an independent” (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 6/8). ESPN has an eight-year deal with BYU to air the school’s home football games (THE DAILY).
