ESPN and the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) have reached a 12-year agreement for exclusive rights to every conference-controlled football and men’s basketball game, plus women’s basketball and Olympic sports matchups, and conference championships. The agreement, which begins in 2011-12 and continues through 2022-23, was announced by George Bodenheimer, President, ESPN, Inc. and ABC Sports, and John Swofford, ACC Commissioner. It will result in approximately 4,800 ACC events over the 12 years on ESPN’s television outlets, digital and mobile platforms, syndication and more.
Among the entities included are: ESPN, ESPN on ABC, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN3.com, the new ESPN 3D network, ESPN Mobile TV, ESPN GamePlan, ESPN FULL COURT, ESPN International, ESPN Deportes, ESPN Classic and ESPN.com. Numerous events will be produced in high definition across ESPN HD, ABC HD, ESPN2 HD and ESPNU HD.
Additionally, through a new sublicense arrangement with ESPN, Raycom Sports will continue its long-standing position as the syndication home of ACC content for over-the-air and regional cable network distribution in the ACC market and beyond. Raycom Sports will also continue to manage the ACC’s official corporate partner program and the exploitation of its digital assets, including www.theACC.com, the official conference web site.
ESPN has been televising ACC content since the first year of the network in 1979-80. Highlights of the new agreement include:
Football on national TV: Regular-season action on Saturday afternoon and nights, primetime Thursdays, Labor Day Monday and the ACC Football Championship Game;
Men’s basketball on national TV: The most games ever across the ESPN networks, highlighted by both regular-season matchups of the storied Duke-North Carolina rivalry each year; for the first time, full national telecasts on all games televised on an ESPN platform (had been local market blackouts on handful of telecasts); a new weekly Sunday franchise on ESPNU; every regular-season intra-conference game and the entire conference tournament produced and distributed via ESPN and Raycom Sports;
Women’s basketball: A record number of women’s regular-season basketball games and the addition of the entire conference tournament;
Olympic sports: An expanded commitment to the league’s 22-sponsored Olympic sports with regular-season and championship telecasts, highlighted by baseball, softball, lacrosse, and men’s and women’s soccer;
Syndication: Syndication rights for ACC football, basketball and Olympic sports action for over-the-air and regional cable network distribution in ACC markets and beyond via an agreement with Raycom Sports and through potential sublicense agreements with other national outlets;
Digital media: Exclusive ACC football, men’s and women’s basketball, and Olympic sports games as well as simulcasts on ESPN3.com. Live ACC games, including football and basketball, on ESPN Mobile TV;
ESPN 3D: Live ACC action on ESPN 3D, ESPN’s newest network and the first 3D network to launch in the industry;
Additional outlets: ACC action on ESPN International, ESPN GamePlan, ESPN FULL COURT, ESPN Classic and ESPN Deportes; and extensive content rights for ESPN.com.
“Some of ESPN’s most memorable moments have featured the ACC and we’re proud to extend our long-term relationship with this great conference and Raycom,” Bodenheimer said.
ACC Commissioner John Swofford said, “We are excited to be continuing our partnership with ESPN and Raycom Sports. This agreement allows our schools to reach significantly new financial heights while also showcasing more ACC content and coverage than ever before across traditional and new media platforms.”
"We are very excited to continue our 30 year partnership with the ACC and ESPN," said Ken Haines, President and CEO of Raycom Sports. "Throughout the ever-changing landscape of sports television, we have always prided ourselves on the long term relationships we have with both the ACC and ESPN."
Following are the key details of the new agreement:
Football
With exclusive rights to every conference-controlled football game, ESPN will serve as the national cable and broadcast TV home for the conference and distributor of syndication telecasts via an agreement with Raycom Sports. With the agreement granting rights to every matchup, there is flexibility where games can be distributed on a weekly basis throughout the season. Outlets will include:
ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC: The networks will televise ACC games each week, including Thursday, Saturday and a Labor Day Monday telecast each season. The ACC Football Championship Game will continue to be televised each year on ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC.
ESPNU: The 24-hour college sports network, currently distributed in more than 70 million households, will continue to televise ACC football.
Syndication: ESPN will sublicense games to Raycom Sports and potentially to additional national outlets. As part of the agreement, Raycom Sports will produce and distribute a package of games for over-the-air syndication and for the first time, an additional package of games through regional cable syndication in the ACC markets and beyond.
ESPN3.com: Exclusive ACC game presentations as well as simulcasts will be offered on the broadband network.
ESPN 3D: ACC matchups will be part of the live schedule of games offered on the new service.
ESPN Mobile TV: Extensive ACC content, including highlights and live game simulcasts will be presented on mobile phones.
ESPN International and ESPN Deportes: The deal includes global rights to present live games and encore presentations across ESPN’s International platforms and domestic Spanish-language rights for ESPN Deportes, ESPN’s 24-hour, U.S.-based network.
ESPN GamePlan: The out-of-market college football service will continue to offer an extensive weekly schedule of ACC games.
ESPN Classic: The network may televise live ACC games as well as historic and immediate encore presentations.
ESPN.com: Extensive ACC content, including highlights, will be presented online.
Men’s Basketball
As the exclusive rightsholder to all conference-controlled men’s basketball games, ESPN will offer more ACC men’s basketball than ever before, including every intra-conference matchup and an extensive schedule of inter-conference action on one of its platforms or through sublicense agreements with Raycom Sports or other national outlets. The deal also includes the continuation of the annual ACC/Big Ten Challenge event. Similar to football, as a result of the acquisition of exclusive men’s basketball rights, there is flexibility where games can be distributed. Outlets will include:
ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPNU: The networks will combine to offer numerous intra-conference games, highlighted by top showdowns, including both Duke-North Carolina contests, plus several conference controlled inter-conference matchups with no blackouts (the previous agreement included select blackouts in the ACC market). Highlighting the schedule will be a new weekly ESPNU Sunday telecast and the continuation of ACC action on ESPN’s Super Tuesday, Wednesday Night Hoops, Thursday Night Showcase and Saturdays. ESPN will also retain the rights to all ACC Tournament games for distribution across ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPNU (with no blackouts).
Syndication: Similar to football, ESPN will sublicense games to Raycom Sports and potentially to additional national outlets. As part of the agreement, Raycom Sports will produce and distribute a significant package of intra-conference games through over-the-air syndication and a series of matchups through regional cable networks.
ESPN3.com: Exclusive ACC game presentations as well as simulcasts will be offered on the broadband network.
ESPN 3D: ACC matchups will be part of the live schedule of games offered on the new service.
ESPN Mobile TV: Extensive ACC content, including highlights and live game simulcasts will be presented on mobile phones.
ESPN International and ESPN Deportes: The deal includes global rights to present live games and encore presentations across ESPN’s International platforms and domestic Spanish-language rights for ESPN Deportes, ESPN’s 24-hour, U.S.-based network.
ESPN FULL COURT: The out-of-market college basketball service will offer extensive weekly coverage of the ACC.
ESPN Classic: The network may telecast live ACC games as well as historic and immediate encore presentations.
ESPN.com: Extensive ACC content, including highlights, will be presented online.
Women’s Basketball
ESPN will expand its coverage of regular-season women’s basketball across its platforms and televise the conference semifinals and championship for the first time on an ESPN network. In addition, ESPN will sublicense games to Raycom Sports.
ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPNU: ACC teams will appear on ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPNU. In addition, ESPN will acquire the rights to the women’s conference championship game for coverage on ESPN or ESPN2, while the semifinals will be aired on ESPN, ESPN2 or ESPNU.
ESPN3.com: Exclusive ACC game presentations as well as simulcasts will be offered on the broadband network.
Syndication: Through an agreement with ESPN, Raycom Sports will produce and distribute a series of regular-season games and all early rounds of the conference tournament to regional cable networks.
Olympic Sports
ESPN will televise more of the 22 ACC-sponsored Olympic sports than ever before, increasing its coverage to include regular-season and conference championship events.
ESPN and ESPN2: The networks will have first selection of regular-season events each year (events are to be determined).
ESPNU: A package of regular-season events will be televised annually, highlighted by lacrosse, baseball, softball, volleyball, soccer and others.
ESPN3.com: Numerous, exclusive regular-season events plus simulcasts will be offered annually, including lacrosse, baseball, softball, volleyball, soccer, and others.
Championships: ESPN, ESPN2 or ESPNU will televise the conference championship games in softball and baseball while ESPNU will offer the men’s lacrosse semifinals and championship, and men’s and women’s soccer championship matchups. Other championships may be selected for ESPN platforms or distributed by Raycom Sports to regional cable networks.
ESPN, Inc.
ESPN, Inc. is the world’s leading multinational, multimedia sports entertainment company featuring a portfolio of over 50 multimedia sports assets. The company is comprised of six domestic television networks (ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNEWS, ESPNU, ESPN Classic & ESPN Deportes), ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU & ESPNEWS HD simulcast services, ESPN Regional Television, ESPN International (46 networks, syndication, radio, web sites), ESPN Radio, ESPN.com, ESPN The Magazine, ESPN Enterprises, ESPN PPV, ESPN Zones (sports-themed restaurants), and other growing new businesses including ESPN3.com (Broadband, formerly ESPN360.com), ESPN Mobile Properties, ESPN on Demand and ESPN Interactive. Based in Bristol, Conn., ESPN is 80 percent owned by ABC, Inc., which is an indirect subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company. The Hearst Corporation holds a 20 percent interest in ESPN.
ACC
The Atlantic Coast Conference, now in its 58th year of competition, is one of the strongest and most competitive intercollegiate athletics conferences in the country. The ACC sponsors competition in 25 sports for its 12 member institutions: Boston College, Clemson, Duke, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Maryland, Miami, North Carolina, NC State, Virginia, Virginia Tech and Wake Forest. Since the league’s inception in 1953, ACC schools have captured 120 national championships, including 64 in women’s competition and 56 in men’s. In addition, NCAA individual titles have gone to ACC student-athletes 130 times in men’s competition and 91 times in women’s action.
Raycom Sports
Raycom Sports is a leading independent sports sales & marketing, syndication, event management and production firm. Raycom is the current television rightsholder of ACC men's basketball and syndicated football telecasts through 2011. Raycom Sports' parent company Raycom Media, located in Montgomery, AL, owns and operates 39 television stations covering over 12 percent of the United States across 18 states.
Category Archives: Duke Football
Interview with Duke Prospect Desmond Floyd
Desmond Floyd is a 6’4” 240 pound defensive end from Union, South Carolina. He recently attended Duke’s summer football camp and has received a scholarship offer.
BDN: Can you describe some of your strengths and weaknesses as a player?
DF: My strength is definitely pass rushing, and my weakness is probably my strength right now.
BDN: What are some of the things you’re working on for your senior year?
DF: I’ve been working on my pass rush moves, getting faster and stronger, and coming off the block better.
BDN: As you approach your college decision, what are you looking for in a school?
DF: Good academics first and then the community around the school. For football, the facilities and coaching staff are most important.
BDN: When are you planning to make your college decision?
DF: Whenever I’m comfortable with my choice. I was hoping to maybe decide before the season, but I want to be sure of my decision.
BDN: Which camps have you recently attended?
DF: Wake Forest and Duke in the past month.
BDN: Can you tell me a little bit about those camps?
DF: I got an offer at the Wake Forest camp. I didn’t get to see much of the campuses or talk with the coaches at either camp. It was mostly just working and seeing how the coaching staff coaches.
BDN: Can you talk briefly about some of the ACC schools who are recruiting you?
DF: Wake Forest - their academics are very good and they have a winning reputation in football. Duke – has top of the line academics and a program on the rise. North Carolina State – I just got to see their stadium, I don’t know much about them academically. Maryland has offered me, but I haven’t visited.
BDN: Being from South Carolina, what have you heard from the in-state schools?
DF: I don’t have an offer from Clemson. I have an offer from South Carolina and I really like their coaching staff and they have nice facilities.
BDN: Is there anything else that college football fans should know about you?
DF: Academics come first and I’m a hard worker.
BDN: Thanks very much for your time and good luck with your college decision.
DF: Thank you, sir.
Monday Musings – Future Dukies, football thoughts, summer ballin’
Good Monday Morning Blue Devil Nation! I trust most of you put the hangover of the US teams soccer loss behind you by now. I understand why so many nations talk of every little mistake and throw players under th.... what? You don't like soccer? Okay, okay, it's time for more Monday Musings.
The Duke Blue Devils are well represented in the FIBA America's tournament where incoming freshmen Josh Hairston and Kyrie Irving are donning the USA uniform. Team USA destroyed Mexico 114-38 last evening where Kyrie Irving totaled 14 points to go with 6 rebounds and 4 assists in 15:49 of play. His future teammate Josh Hairston chipped in with 11 points, 4 rebounds in 14:02. Two key Duke prospects also contributed in the easy win. Austin Rivers tossed in 16 points in 17:06 of play while Quincy Miller led the Americans in minutes with 25:00 which translated into 15 points and 6 rebounds. Interestingly, Miller is rooming with Irving and Rivers. It should be fun to watch this teams progress.
I'll be heading over to Duke for Coach Krzyzewski's annual summer address where he fields all kinds of questions from a media throng. Be sure to check in later this afternoon for what Coach had to say.
After reading a pre season football magazine, I noticed that Wake Forest opens with Presbyterian on a Thursday evening. The significance is that they once again find a way to get a few extra days of preparation before facing Duke at home on September 11th. This is a key early ACC matchup for both squads.
Another thing I noticed is that Duke's schedule is once again one of the nation's toughest, ranked ninth in the country. That made me wonder who scheduled the likes of Richmond and Elon instead of VPI and Western Carolina in season openers. Elon is ranked between 2nd and 6th nationally in FCS pre season polls.
It appears that Duke's Jon Scheyer will get a shot to make the Washington Wizard's as he'll be playing summer league ball for them. Still awaiting official word
Did you know that Duke lost just four players to injury last season? That put them in a three way tie for the second least injuries in the nation folks! The law of averages cannot possibly be as kind to the football devils this season, but we can certainly hope for the best. With a lack of depth on the defensive front, staying healthy will be a key for that position.
On a more positive note, the Duke offensive line is showing signs of progress and is deeper than in years past. With some key youngsters casting their lot with Duke of late, it's clear that Coach has this position looking up with a bright future ahead.
Duke loses very little from this seasons projected offensive starters and that means that Duke fans will likely see steady offensive production on the field for this season and next. The key for that to happen is quarterback play, but the Blue Devils have some good young depth at the position led by Sean Renfree.
Anybody got any extras for Bama?
One last thing ... plenty of prospect interviews coming at BDN Premium and we're still running a one month trial period for those interested. Join now and talk Duke Athletics on our most rational members only message board where you'll stay in the know.
Prospect Chris Tavarez looking for a home away from home
Chris Tavarez is a 5'11” 193 pound strong safety prospect from Westlake High School in Atlanta, Georgia. Chris played outside linebacker as a junior, and is being recruited by several schools to play safety. His strengths on the field are his aggressiveness, hits, and instincts. Heading into his senior year, Chris is working to improve his speed, hoping to clock a 4.3 second 40 yard time (down from about 4.5), and is always working on his fluidity and fundamentals.
Chris missed most of the spring evaluation period while he was in New Zealand, filming a new Disney movie, and thus, his recruitment is a little behind schedule. He's looking for a school with “academics first, with coaches who understand the student-athlete concept.” Since his return, Chris has been getting a lot of attention from big-name academic and football programs, including Duke, Maryland, Kentucky, Harvard, Tulane, Princeton, Connecticut, Oklahoma State, Stanford, and Oregon. He plans on making several visits over the next few weeks to find a place where he'll feel “still at home” when not on the football field. Academically, Chris has an interest in sports journalism, but is still pretty much undecided on a collegiate major. He's looking for a football program that will take him “to the next level in football.”
Though Chris has received lots of interest from schools over the past few months, “Duke was the first to offer and I'm a loyal person,” he said, “I went up there for junior day and they showed me so much love. All the coaches on the staff knew me. They sent me a huge envelope with a letter written by every coach on why they liked me.” During his visit, he was also able to sit down and talk to Coach Cutcliffe. Growing up in Atlanta, Chris has a lot of respect for the ACC, noting that they “play differently than the SEC” and praising the conference for promoting the student-athlete.
Chris hopes to make his decision sometime during the fall, but admits that he has “lots of places to visit and a lot of homework to do” before making a final decision.
For Chris' highlight video, visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2X77y-RXl6I.
Duke Football picks up a verbal from OL Matt Skura
DURHAM- The Duke Blue Devils landed a center this afternoon when Matt Skura phoned in his intentions to play in Durham. Skura is 6-3.25, 281 rising senior at Worthington Kilbourne High School in Columbus, Ohio.
"They came to me with a scholarship offer at the end of their camp and I just thought it was the right fit where you are surrounded with really good people," said Skura.
I decided today would be the perfect opportunity to call in and confirm my commitment to Coach Luke today. Skura plays guard in high school but was recruited to play center at Duke. "After getting to know some of the offensive lineman and coaches I felt really comfortable and it was a warm experience."
When asked by Blue Devil Nation to describe his game in his own words, Skura replied, "I'd say I'm physical and that's how I like to play, I have great technique and work hard giving 100% in the weight room and in the classroom."
Skura picked Duke over several other schools recruiting him including: Cincinnati, Indiana, Michigan, Michigan State, Toledo and Ohio.
Stay tuned for more football recruiting at BDN.
Monday Musings – Gbinije improves, recruiting is hot and more
It's that time of year when many people are taking their vacations and enjoying the first day of summer. As we have said before, many think this is a slow time of year for Duke Athletics, but think again. Just this weekend we covered the NBAPA Top 100 Camp in Charlottesville from beginning to end to bring you the best coverage available. Our members already have four interviews and camp updates to peruse with no less than 6 more interviews to come.
That's not all! The Duke Football staff held the second leg of their camp this past weekend and as the dog days of July and August creep in, we'll concentrate on the hottest prospects that Cutcliffe and his staff are after. Duke Football Recruiting is alive and well and they are pounding the trail to find kids to help take the program to new levels. FWIW, we'll also take a look at proposed stadium and facility improvements in the near future and of course, we'll be front and center when football practice begins. A long time ago, I pushed all Duke football fans to a particular forum and now we want all to know that BDN loves Duke Football and this is the place to be if you follow the program.
It looks like Glenn "Doc" Rivers may step down from the Celtics job to watch his sons play basketball and be home more often. The word is that Doc will stay close to hoops through broadcasting and he has not officially made any decision as of this morning. Of course, Duke is hot after his son Austin Rivers, a player you can read the latest on our premium message boards.
I was really impressed at how much Michael Gbinije improved on his game when I viewed him this weekend. I have a new name for him, "G- Smooth," for he is a cool customer when on the hardwood. Gbinije finished as the camps 6th best scorer and he by no means was looking for his shot everytime down the court as some where. We have an interview up with Gbinije where he talks improvement and playing with Kyrie Irving and Josh Hairston during the USA U-18 team trials.
BDN will cover the N.C. Pro Am in force this year just as we've done every year since it's inception. No Duke site has covered the event like we have and we will be there to bring you updates for thirsty Duke fans. We look forward to seeing our Blue Devils on the court again and this year promises to be one of the best at this event which we'll talk more of as it gets closer to tip off.
Just a suggestion, but take time to realize how awesome the national championship was for the 2010 Duke Men's Basketball team. These titles do not grow on trees, so wallow in the light all summer long for once next season tips off it is but a wonderful memory. Just ask UNC fans how long the celebration can last and be sure and bask in the feel good vibes that have come from a fabulous feat.
Speaking or Kyrie Irving and Josh Hairston and the USA U-18 team, BDN will cover the teams efforts. Word is that Kyrie Irving is everything people thought he might be. Let's not forget Coach K and the big boys either! Here is the Herald Sun's Bryan Strickland with a piece on Coach K.
If you are sitting on the fence about joining our premium section, why not try out our one month special and see if it's for you. We think you'll enjoy full site access as our off season coverage grows red hot as summer begins.
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