ESPN has announced a new 12 year agreement to air the Orange Bowl. Add this to the previously announced 12 year agreements for the Rose and Sugar Bowls and ESPN is bringing most of college football biggest games into its fold. ESPN has been airing the three bowls since 2010 and its current deals will end after the 2014 bowl season. In 2015, the college football playoff will begin and it’s expected that ESPN will gain the rights to that as well.
The Orange Bowl will pit the champion of the Atlantic Coast Conference against an opponent from the Big Ten, SEC or Notre Dame and be played either on New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day, depending on the BCS rotation.
Just like its deals with the Rose and Sugar Bowls, ESPN has the rights to air the Orange Bowl on its multiple platforms, radio, TV, online, mobile, tablets, gaming systems and any technology that has yet to be invented during the 12 year period.
Here’s the ESPN announcement.
ESPN Reaches 12-Year Agreement with ACC for Orange Bowl
Yearly Matchup on ESPN Outlets Through 2026ESPN has reached a 12-year agreement with the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) for the Orange Bowl in South Florida. The agreement, which begins in January 2015, will showcase the Orange Bowl across ESPN’s platforms through 2026. Each year, the game will be played either December 31 or January 1 and feature the conference champion from the ACC against an opponent from the SEC, Big Ten or Notre Dame.The news was announced today by John Skipper, ESPN President, and ACC Commissioner John Swofford.ESPN will have the rights to the Orange 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 Orange Bowl on ESPN 3D and around the world via ESPN International.“A game pitting the ACC champion against the SEC, Big Ten or Notre Dame ensures a great match up for sports fans,” Skipper said, adding, “The Orange Bowl has a great history and we are very proud to be part of extending that into the next decade.”Swofford said, “We are pleased to have finalized our long-term partnership which brings tremendous exposure and value to the ACC and our member institutions. The opportunity to partner with ESPN to showcase the game on either New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day provides us with a terrific way for fans to ring in the New Year in South Florida.”Eric Poms, Orange Bowl Committee chief executive officer, added, “Our continued media partnership with ESPN is of great importance to the Discover Orange Bowl property. The worldwide leader in sports brings the optimal platform to annually showcase one of college football’s great traditions.”ESPN had previously announced new 12-year agreements for the Rose Bowl and Sugar Bowl, both of which also begin in 2015.
That will do it.
