Just announced today by ESPN and the SEC Network, the new college sports network that will launch in August will pick up the first three rounds of next year’s SEC Tournament. It means that all games will be available nationally for the first time.
Before ESPN purchased the exclusive rights, Raycom and Lincoln Financial had the syndication rights and would air the quarterfinals and semis throughout the conference footprint. Then when ESPN took over syndication rights, it would air the first round through the quarterfinals either as “SEC Network” or “SEC TV” games with ABC taking over the semifinals.
Now with the SEC Network ready to launch, it will air at least eight exclusive men’s basketball games of each conference member during the regular season and the 1st Round, 2nd Round and Quarterfinals will air on the new cable network while the semifinals and final would air on an ESPN network. This year, the semifinals are airing on ABC with the SEC Championship being shown on ESPN.
Here’s the official announcement.
Future SEC Men’s Basketball Tournament Early Rounds to Air Exclusively on SEC Network
The Network’s Opening Night of Men’s Basketball Set with Doubleheader Nov. 14
In 2015 and beyond, the SEC Network, ESPN’s soon-to-launch network devoted to the Southeastern Conference, will exclusively air the first three rounds of the SEC men’s basketball tournament. The expanded coverage will mark the first time the entire tournament will be nationally televised.
“This is an example of the in-depth basketball coverage the SEC Network will give fans across the country,” said SEC commissioner Mike Slive. “From November 14 through early March, fans will be able to turn to the SEC Network to follow their favorite SEC basketball teams.”
The multiplatform network will launch August 14, 2014 and showcase more than 100 SEC men’s basketball games annually. The debut of SEC men’s college basketball games on the SEC Network has been set for Friday, Nov. 14. The 2014 men’s basketball season will tipoff with a doubleheader featuring Kentucky and current No. 1 Florida*. Opponents and game times will be announced by the schools at a later date.
In total, the SEC Network will feature at least eight exclusive appearances of each men’s basketball team in the SEC next season.
“The SEC Network will provide more coverage of SEC men’s basketball than ever before,” said Justin Connolly, ESPN senior vice president, college networks. “From the season’s opening night through the first three rounds of the SEC tournament, we’ll surround SEC basketball fans with great action all season long.”
That’s all.
