This is our other big news of the day. ESPN announcing it has signed a 12 year extension to keep the Rose Bowl under the Disney wing until 2026. This new extension will take effect in 2015.
ABC started airing the Rose Bowl, aka The Granddaddy of Them All, in 1989. It became an all-cable event in 2011. Now it’ll remain with ESPN through 2026.
The announcement.
ESPN Reaches Long-Term Extension with Pasadena Tournament of Roses, Big Ten and Pac-12
Rose Bowl Game on ESPN Outlets Through 2026
ESPN has reached a 12-year extension with the Pasadena Tournament of Roses, the Big Ten Conference and the Pac-12 Conference to continue the company’s long-standing relationship with the Rose Bowl Game, one of college football’s most popular events. The agreement, which begins in January 2015, will include rights to the annual Rose Bowl Game across ESPN’s platforms through 2026. Each year, the game will be played January 1 at 5 p.m. ET/2 p.m. PT (or on January 2 in years when January 1 is a Sunday) and will feature the champions from the Big Ten and Pac-12.The news was announced today by John Skipper, ESPN President, Libby Wright, Chair of the Rose Bowl Management Committee, Big Ten Commissioner Jim Delany and Pac-12 Commissioner Larry Scott.Whatever is determined to be the exact post-season bowl rotation as part of the future format, ESPN will have the rights to the Rose Bowl Game each year. The previous eight-year Rose Bowl deal has two more seasons remaining (2013 Rose Bowl Game, 2014 Rose Bowl Game and 2014 BCS National Championship) within the current post-season structure. ESPN (or ABC) has televised the Rose Bowl Game since 1989.ESPN will showcase the Rose Bowl Game on 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 Rose Bowl Game on ESPN 3D and around the world through ESPN International.“The Rose Bowl Game is one of sport’s most meaningful and celebrated events,” Skipper said. “Extending our relationship long term with such a prestigious brand will play a significant role in the way fans continue to define ESPN – as the leading destination for college football all year long.”Wright added, “The Tournament of Roses is thrilled to extend our agreement with ESPN to broadcast the Rose Bowl Game. Since 1989, the Rose Bowl Game has witnessed tremendous success with our partners at ESPN, which includes year-round, multi-platform promotion. ESPN is truly the leader in sports and its support of our brand and product over the years has strengthened our position in post-season college football. As we prepare for the 100th Rose Bowl Game in 2014, we look forward to new beginnings with a partner we consider family and continuing to showcase to the world the passion, strength, tradition and honor unique to our game.”“We’re excited that the Rose Bowl Game will continue to be featured on ESPN through 2026,” Delany said. “The Big Ten and Pac-12 have a tremendous history of exciting matchups on New Year’s Day in Pasadena that dates back more than a century. We look forward to continuing the great tradition of featuring the Rose Bowl Game on ESPN, which has been a Big Ten partner since launching in 1979.”“As we usher in the new era of a college football playoff, it is gratifying to know that the Rose Bowl will continue to be the premier Bowl game in college football,” Scott said. “With the signing of this landmark long-term broadcast agreement with ESPN, the history, tradition and success of the Rose Bowl Game will be assured for many years to come.”
That’s it.
