Western Kentucky AD Todd Stewart believes Conference USA's new rights deal with NFL Network is "huge" for the league. NFL Net is replacing beIN Sports as a conference partner. Stewart said, "There were positives to beIN, but it was still challenging. A lot of people didn't get that (channel). It was frustrating for us at the end of the year that they weren't sending broadcasters to the venue. It's not really trending in the direction you'd want it to trend in. So we've gone from an international station that specializes in soccer to now the premier football network. Being associated with that brand will be great" (BOWLING GREEN DAILY NEWS, 6/10).
SEEING RED: Louisville AD Vince Tyra said that the school's football team will be the "subject of a multi-episode all-access television program this fall." A production company that has "worked with" UL coach Scott Satterfield before approached the school about shooting the program, to which the school "gave its blessing." The show "doesn't yet have a title," but it will air on ESPN's ACC Network, set to launch Aug. 22 (WDRB.com, 6/10).
RAINBOW CONNECTION: Hawaii is in talks with KKEA-AM/FM for an "extension of their radio rights contract." The current five-year deal runs out at the end of the month, though KKEA "has an exclusive negotiating window for a three-year extension." UH is set to earn $200,000 this year as part of the deal valued at $900,000 (Honolulu STAR-ADVERTISER, 6/12).
