Reported this morning by Sports Business Journal and just made official by the Pac-12 Conference, we find that ESPN Radio has won the rights to air the first-ever Pac-12 Football Championship Game in December. Earlier this year, it was announced that Fox would air the Championship on TV, however, radio rights had not been awarded until now. No financial terms have been disclosed.
This agreement covers the 2011 game. No word on future Pac-12 Conference Championship Games for now. In the meantime, ESPN Radio adds to its college football portfolio which includes a Game of the Week, several of ESPN’s bowl games and the BCS.
We have the official press release from the Pac-12 Conference below.
ESPN Radio to Broadcast Inaugural Pac-12 Football Championship Game
The Pac-12 has partnered with ESPN Radio to broadcast the inaugural Pac-12 Football Championship Game December 2, 2011, it was announced today.
“ESPN does a terrific job covering college football and we are very excited about partnering with ESPN Radio to broadcast our championship game,” Pac-12 Commissioner Larry Scott said. “With their great reach across the country, their presence on satellite radio and their promotional strength, we expect an expansive audience for the first-ever Pac-12 Football Championship Game.”
ESPN Audio is the country’s largest sports radio network, providing more than 9,000 hours of talk and event content annually to 24 million listeners a week on more than 700 stations, including owned stations in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and Dallas, and more than 350 full-time affiliates.
“We are pleased to partner with the Pac-12 to present its inaugural Championship game,” Mo Davenport, Senior Vice President of ESPN Audio, said. “ESPN Audio has many ways to reach sports fans, with a strong network of full-time affiliates, satellite and many digital audio platforms. The Pac-12 Championship compliments our strong presence in college football, which concludes this season with the BCS National Championship game in New Orleans.”
The Pac-12 Championship brings the total of college football games on ESPN Radio this season to 47, including 22 bowls and the BCS National Championship game.
The game will be played on the home field of the team with the best overall conference record. Kickoff is scheduled for 5:20 p.m. PT.
Currently working on links right now.
