Van Wagner Sports & Entertainment has won the multimedia rights at Liberty Univ., making VWSE the sales agency for the Lynchburg, Va., school in athletics and across campus. VWSE Exec VP/Collegiate Services Mike Palisi struck the deal with Liberty AD Ian McCaw. VWSE will have rights to integrate corporate sponsorship into all levels of traditional athletic inventory, including radio broadcasts, digital, venue signage, marketing, hospitality and promotional rights. In addition, Liberty will work with VWSE on developing university assets as well. McCaw said the private school, which is not releasing deal points, had conversations with multiple rights holders before deciding to go with VWSE. Liberty, a member of the Big South Conference, currently plays football at the FCS level but will transition to an FBS independent beginning next year.
NEW DEAL FOR MEAC: The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference has hired Collegiate Sports Management Group to sell corporate sponsorships and assist with other marketing and revenue-generation endeavors. CSMG, the firm founded by CEO Michael Schreck and COO Ray Katz, now has rights to two conferences and two colleges at the D-I level and several more properties at the D-II level. MEAC Commissioner Dennis Thomas negotiated the deal for the Norfolk-based conference that sponsors 16 sports. The new partnership officially kicks in July 1.
