Conference USA & Fox Sports Announce New Television Contract

Huge news from the C-USA athletic offices as the league has announced a 5 year contract with Fox Sports. Fox Sports has agreed to air 20 C-USA football games over their networks (including Fox Sports Southwest in El Paso) from 2011 through the 2015-16 season. Also, the league will have 10 mens basketball games, and 5 womens, shown over the Fox family of sports networks. The C-USA Football Championship Game will also move to Fox Sports.

As realignment talk continues to swirl, note that this deal will be huge for the Houston Cougars and Rice Owls who should be featured prominently on Fox Sports Houston. If Houston stays, the C-USA West should stay in tact.

According to the Orlando Sentinel's Iliana Limon (EP Shoutout!); the new deal will bring in $14.5 million. C-USA has already signed a secondary TV deal with CBS College Sports, so we will still have games there. Now, no C-USA games will be shown on ESPN. But, know that the old contract brought in only $9.5 million annually. So, now the C-USA will see a huge revenue increase, have more games aired, and have vastly superior regional flexibility in broadcasting. This is a big deal.

over 1 year ago Adrian Mac 3 comments 0 recs |

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Two Things

1. Good to see you back in action A-MAC. Things had gotten a little quiet around here with only me posting stuff.

2. Nice move for C-USA. I mean I really would’ve liked to see more games and more money from ESPN, but in a sense, beggars can’t be choosers. Either way, hopefully this translates to more UTEP games also, and not just Memphis basketball games, and UCF and Houston football games.

by asalom on Jan 5, 2011 1:20 PM MST reply actions

Thanks A-

And I think this looks like a good deal; I loved seeing C-USA on ESPN,but we has what , like 5 C-USA games on ESPN this year? Now we get 20 on Fox and the chance for more regional coverage. Also, it will be nice to see 10 C-USA basketball games aired; now we only get Memphis once or twice and the occasional C-USA game.

Oh, and $5 million more for the leagues 12 schools. Not too shabby.

Axes Up. Miner Rush - For UTEP Miners Fans

by Adrian Mac on Jan 5, 2011 1:39 PM MST up reply actions

Also....

There is more access to FSSW and the other related Fox Sports channels than CBSCS Television. This really is a bigger deal and provides way more viewing access for many, which also contributes to the recruiting process.

by MinerMike on Jan 5, 2011 1:43 PM MST reply actions

Network Bar

Miner Rush -

For Miner Fans, By Miner Fans #witease