ESPN Keeps Sugar Bowl In The Fold For 12 More Years

ESPN has announced a new agreement with the Big 12 and SEC for the Sugar Bowl starting with the January 2015 game. The two conferences had originally made an agreement for the champions of their two leagues to meet in New Orleans in what was going to be called the Champions Bowl. The BCS then folded the Champions into the established Sugar Bowl. With ESPN about to sign with the BCS for the college football playoff system and the Sugar about to be one of the “contract” bowls, it’s only natural that the Alleged Worldwide Leader bring in what will most likely be one of the games that will be part of the BCS mix.

ESPN will have all rights to the Sugar Bowl including TV, radio, online, tablets, mobiles, gaming consoles and any other technology that comes into fruition between now and then.

Here’s the press release.

ESPN Reaches 12-Year Agreement with SEC and Big 12 for Sugar Bowl

Annual Game on ESPN Outlets Through 2026

ESPN has reached a 12-year agreement with the Southeastern and Big 12 Conferences for the Sugar Bowl (previously referred to as Champions Bowl) in New Orleans. The agreement, which begins in January 2015 with the inaugural game between the two conference champions, will include rights to the Sugar Bowl across ESPN’s platforms through 2026. Each year, the game will be played January 1 in prime time.

The news was announced today by John Skipper, ESPN President, SEC Commissioner Mike Slive and Big 12 Commissioner Bob Bowlsby.

ESPN will have the rights to the Sugar Bowl each year no matter what is determined to be the exact post-season bowl rotation as part of the future format. Those rights include television, ESPN Radio, ESPN Mobile TV and on smartphones, tablets, online and on Xbox LIVE via WatchESPN. Additionally, ESPN has secured rights to distribute the Sugar Bowl on ESPN 3D and around the world via ESPN International.

“Given the history of excellence by teams in the SEC and Big 12, we recognized the value in securing long-term rights to the Sugar Bowl,” Skipper said, adding, “The matchup will provide college football fans with a memorable way to start the New Year on ESPN’s many platforms.”

Slive said, “The matchup between the SEC and the Big 12 in the Sugar Bowl on ESPN creates a new tradition for college football fans on New Year’s Night. We are very excited about this new venture and look forward to competing against the Big 12 in the Sugar Bowl on ESPN.”

Bowlsby added, “ESPN has a rich post-season college football history. The long-term commitment of our partners from ESPN, the SEC, and the Sugar Bowl to this game assures its stature as a marquee event among college athletics.”

Paul Hoolahan, Chief Executive Officer, Sugar Bowl, said, “The Sugar Bowl is delighted to extend our partnership with ESPN to present this stellar game between top representatives of two perennial powerhouse conferences.”

ESPN had previously announced a new, 12-year agreement for the Rose Bowl, also beginning in 2015.

There you have it.

About Ken Fang

Ken has been covering the sports media in earnest at his own site, Fang's Bites since May 2007 and at Awful Announcing since March 2013. He provides a unique perspective having been an award-winning radio news reporter in Providence and having worked in local television. Fang celebrates the three Boston Red Sox World Championships in the 21st Century, but continues to be a long-suffering Cleveland Browns fan.

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