BIG WEST INKS TV DEAL WITH NCSN
IRVINE, CA-- The Big West Conference (www.bigwest.org) recently announced that it has reached a multi-year programming agreement with the nation's first 24-hour all-college sports network, the National College Sports Network (NCSN). As part of the agreement, NCSN will have the rights to cover championships, tournaments, events and regular season games across a variety of men's and women's sports of the Big West's member schools.
"The Big West Conference is extremely proud of its success and tradition in a number of men's and women's sports that don't normally receive national television exposure. This agreement will allow those sports this valuable opportunity," said Big West Conference Commissioner Dennis Farrell.
The Big West is the 11th major college conference to strike an agreement with the soon-to-be-launched cable network. NCSN will cover the action of both men's and women's basketball, cross-country, golf, outdoor track and field, soccer, swimming and diving, and tennis. Also showcased will be men's baseball, in addition to women's softball, and volleyball.
"Since our initial announcement last month to build the nation's first 24-hour cable network for college sports, the response by college sports fans, athletes, administrators and athletic directors has been extraordinary," said Brian Bedol, President, CEO and co-founder of the network. "Today we are one important step closer to delivering on our promise to be the home of college sports in this country."
Other conferences that have signed multi-year agreements with NCSN include the Big East, Big Ten, Big 12, Atlantic 10, Northeast, Ohio Valley, Southland, Mid-Continent, Big South, and West Coast. In addition, NCSN just announced a precedent-setting agreement for the exclusive programming rights to football games featuring a consortium of Division 1-AA schools. Other programming deals are in the works.
"The agreement between the Big West and NCSN continues to support our vision that there is real value to conferences and universities from national exposure for their athletic programs and well-deserving student athletes," said Chris Bevilacqua, executive vice president and co-founder of NCSN. "Working towards our goal to become the "best of the best" of college sports, the members of the Big West are a welcome and exciting addition to NCSN's programming mix."
"Over the years, our conference has created a unique niche for itself by achieving a strong national reputation in a number of sports that aren't always in the spotlight," said Long Beach State Director of Athletics Bill Shumard. "The coaches, student-athletes and fans affiliated with the Big West Conference will be delighted with this new opportunity with NCSN."
The National College Sports Network (NCSN) is the first cable network devoted exclusively to college sports, including a significant commitment to women's sports. It was co-founded by Brian Bedol, Stephen Greenberg and Chris Bevilacqua. Mr. Bedol and Mr. Greenberg were co-founders of Classic Sports Network, which they later sold to ESPN. Mr. Bevilacqua is a former senior executive with Nike Inc. where he headed that company's successful foray into the college market. NCSN is headquartered in New York City. It is expected to launch during the first quarter of 2003. |
