BYU, ESPN In Discussions To Renew Contracts Before Football Season

Contract discussions between BYU and ESPN have "intensified the past few weeks, perhaps so BYU can make a news splash" about renewed deals at its June 18 football media day, according to Jay Drew of the SALT LAKE TRIBUNE. The school and the media outlet have "two separate contracts -- one for bowl placement and the other for the broadcasting of up to five BYU football home games per year" -- both of which will "expire at the conclusion" of the '19 season. BYU AD Tom Holmoe said that there are "no foreseeable snags or complications that could derail the deal" at this point. Holmoe said that despite the school's "recent downturn in football," ESPN has "never wavered in the current partnership." BYU officials have "stressed that the amount of money they get from ESPN is far less important to them than the exposure that the network provides." The original deal with ESPN was a "cornerstone of BYU's move to independence." However, one of the "drawbacks" is that ESPN "gets to choose the kickoff times" (SALT LAKE TRIBUNE, 6/10).