Here's the press release from Kansas Athletics discussing their media rights contract.
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-relea...-57949547.html
LAWRENCE and LEXINGTON, Ky., May 4 /PRNewswire/ -- Kansas Athletics
will receive more than $65 million over the next 10 years as part of a new
multi- media rights collaboration with Host Communications Inc. and ESPN
Regional Television (ERT). The agreement involves an extension of the
current rights agreement through 2017 and the assignment of the current
Kansas Athletics-ERT agreement to HOST, which has developed a strategic
alliance with ERT for the Kansas property.
"We are delighted to be represented by two of the finest names in
college sports," Kansas Athletics Director Lew Perkins said. "ESPN is
recognized as a leader in college sports television, and HOST is a pioneer
in collegiate marketing, recognized as one of this country's top sports
marketing agencies. Together, they give Kansas Athletics a great one-two
punch that will result in high-quality programming, innovative game-day
promotions, effective sponsorships and creative new opportunities for fans
to enjoy the Jayhawks."
The agreement replaces Kansas Athletics' current agreement with ERT,
which was scheduled to run through June 2012. HOST will manage the property
on a day-to-day basis. ERT will remain active in the property and will
manage the television production and distribution.
"This agreement provides Kansas Athletics with an outstanding
multi-media rights opportunity," said Pete Derzis, senior vice president
and general manager of ESPN Regional Television. "We are pleased to
continue our excellent relationship with KU and look forward to working
with the university well into the future."
"Kansas is one of the premier athletics programs in the nation," said
Tom Stultz, president and chief executive officer of HOST. "We are thrilled
and honored that KU and ESPN have chosen to work with HOST. We look forward
to being part of the Jayhawk family for a long time."
Under the agreement, HOST will sell, produce, and distribute radio
broadcasts for Kansas Athletics. HOST will also have the right to sell,
produce and distribute coaches' shows, television broadcast of games,
game-day programs, hospitality opportunities, venue signage, corporate
sponsorship and Internet.
About Kansas Athletics
The University of Kansas considers intercollegiate athletics to be an
integral part of the University. Their existence provides students,
faculty, alumni and friends an opportunity to share in the life of the
collegiate community.
Kansas Athletics, with its 18 sports and 500 student-athletes, shares
with the University of Kansas a single, unifying goal: Unparalleled
Excellence. As part of its mission, Kansas Athletics is committed to
advancing the University's goals, ensuring athletics will be conducted in
harmony and conformity with the University's educational mission, while
being recognized as the national model for collegiate athletics. Additional
information can be found at
http://kuathletics.com
About ESPN
ESPN Regional Television is the nation's largest syndicator of
collegiate sports programming. ERT produces more than 900 sporting events
annually, including football, basketball, NCAA events, golf and NHRA
events, which accounts for more than 2,200 live and/or original hours of
programming. In addition to event ownership, ERT is the production
headquarters for ESPNU, the 24-hour college sports network; syndication
rightsholder and producer of national, regional and local shows for college
conferences (e.g., the Big 12 and the BIG EAST).
About Host Communications
Founded in 1972, Host Communications Inc. holds multi-media rights at
the University of Arizona, Furman University, University of Kansas,
University of Kentucky, University of Michigan, University of Nebraska,
Oklahoma State University, Rice University, University of Tennessee,
University of Texas, the Southeastern Conference, NCAA Football, and the
National Football Foundation and the College Football Hall of Fame.
The Lexington, KY-based company also manages five associations, more
than 30 web sites and has a publishing division that produces more than 700
publications annually including all of the NCAA championship souvenir
programs. Additional information may be found online at
http://www.hostcommunications.com.
HOST is a subsidiary of Triple Crown Media, Inc., a public company
traded on NASDAQ (TCMI) and also based in Lexington. In addition to the
collegiate sports marketing and the association management businesses, TCMI
also owns and operates six daily newspapers in Georgia. Additional
information may be found online at
http://www.triplecrownmedia.com.