https://sunbeltsports.org/news/2021/7/2 ... rship.aspx

NEW ORLEANS — Sun Belt Commissioner Keith Gill announced during his annual State of the Conference on Thursday that the conference has extended its media rights deal with ESPN. The deal now runs through the 2030-31 academic year. The new agreement will result in a more than 50 percent increase in the number of Sun Belt football games that appear on ESPN's linear offerings (ABC, ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPNU), with 40 percent of those new opportunities being broadcast on a Saturday.

Unsure on the price point, but overall positive news!

Hopefully this means our “marquee” conference games (ULL, Coastal, etc.) won’t have to be played Tuesday thru Friday!

Saint3333 wrote: ↑

Thu Jul 22, 2021 12:28 pm

https://sunbeltsports.org/news/2021/7/2 ... rship.aspx

NEW ORLEANS — Sun Belt Commissioner Keith Gill announced during his annual State of the Conference on Thursday that the conference has extended its media rights deal with ESPN. The deal now runs through the 2030-31 academic year. The new agreement will result in a more than 50 percent increase in the number of Sun Belt football games that appear on ESPN's linear offerings (ABC, ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPNU), with 40 percent of those new opportunities being broadcast on a Saturday.

Unsure on the price point, but overall positive news!

What is the likelihood that this deal was made in response the potential OU/Texas jump to the SEC? Is ESPN hedging its bets in case their darling AAC gets poached into oblivion by the BIG12? Regardless, it sounds like good news for APP and the Belt right now!

mo money, mo exposure...

Saint3333 wrote: ↑

Thu Jul 22, 2021 12:28 pm

https://sunbeltsports.org/news/2021/7/2 ... rship.aspx

NEW ORLEANS — Sun Belt Commissioner Keith Gill announced during his annual State of the Conference on Thursday that the conference has extended its media rights deal with ESPN. The deal now runs through the 2030-31 academic year. The new agreement will result in a more than 50 percent increase in the number of Sun Belt football games that appear on ESPN's linear offerings (ABC, ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPNU), with 40 percent of those new opportunities being broadcast on a Saturday.

Unsure on the price point, but overall positive news!

That is good news. I assume this was done before his contract extension and then announced now during media days leading up to the start of the athletic season.

Captain Morgan wrote: ↑

Thu Jul 22, 2021 2:43 pm

mo money, mo exposure...

Let's just hope no one puts the balm on.

McLeansvilleAppFan wrote: ↑

Thu Jul 22, 2021 4:47 pm

Saint3333 wrote: ↑

Thu Jul 22, 2021 12:28 pm

https://sunbeltsports.org/news/2021/7/2 ... rship.aspx

NEW ORLEANS — Sun Belt Commissioner Keith Gill announced during his annual State of the Conference on Thursday that the conference has extended its media rights deal with ESPN. The deal now runs through the 2030-31 academic year. The new agreement will result in a more than 50 percent increase in the number of Sun Belt football games that appear on ESPN's linear offerings (ABC, ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPNU), with 40 percent of those new opportunities being broadcast on a Saturday.

Unsure on the price point, but overall positive news!

That is good news. I assume this was done before his contract extension and then announced now during media days leading up to the start of the athletic season.

I may be wrong but I think the math works out to two new games for the sunbelt on Saturday. 50% and 40% sounds great but I think our number was 10...50% of 10 is 5 and 40% of 5 is 2. Someone check my math. My 10 game original number may be wrong as well.

NeersBy90 wrote: ↑

Thu Jul 22, 2021 1:47 pm

Saint3333 wrote: ↑

Thu Jul 22, 2021 12:28 pm

https://sunbeltsports.org/news/2021/7/2 ... rship.aspx

NEW ORLEANS — Sun Belt Commissioner Keith Gill announced during his annual State of the Conference on Thursday that the conference has extended its media rights deal with ESPN. The deal now runs through the 2030-31 academic year. The new agreement will result in a more than 50 percent increase in the number of Sun Belt football games that appear on ESPN's linear offerings (ABC, ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPNU), with 40 percent of those new opportunities being broadcast on a Saturday.

Unsure on the price point, but overall positive news!

What is the likelihood that this deal was made in response the potential OU/Texas jump to the SEC? Is ESPN hedging its bets in case their darling AAC gets poached into oblivion by the BIG12? Regardless, it sounds like good news for APP and the Belt right now!

Maybe so. Apparently that deal had been in the works for a few months behind the scenes without Texas A&M knowing it was coming.

ESPN is clearly behind these conference moves. Did they extend the SBC contract and add games knowing the SBC would expand?

Saint3333 wrote: ↑

Wed Jul 28, 2021 9:14 pm

ESPN is clearly behind these conference moves. Did they extend the SBC contract and add games knowing the SBC would expand?

Could you imagine if the SBC went full court press for the first "mid-major" super conference?

App State
Arkansas State
Georgia State
Louisiana Monroe
South Alabama
Georgia Southern
Coastal Carolina
Texas State
Louisiana
Troy

Go and poach someone like:
Tulane
Lousiana Tech
Old Dominion
Marshall
Memphis
Middle Tennessee State

East:
App
Coastal
Southern
Ga St
Ga So
Middle Tenn
Marshall
Old Dominion

West:
Texas St
ULM
Louisiana
Tulane
Memphis
Arkansas State
Troy
Memphis

I am sure you could think of better schools to invite, but...overall an interesting conversation/thought that will likely not actually happen.