Kansas Athletics to Receive $65 Million from New Multi-Media Rights Contract with Host Communications and ESPN Regional Television
April 16, 2007
LAWRENCE, Kan. and LEXINGTON, Ky. – Kansas Athletics will receive more than $65 million over the next 10 years as part of a new multi-media rights collaboration with Host Communications Inc. and ESPN Regional Television (ERT), Kansas Athletics Director Lew Perkins announced today.<?xml:namespace prefix=”o” ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office”?>
The new agreement involves an extension of the current rights agreement through 2017 and the assignment of the current Kansas Athletics-ERT agreement to Host Communications Inc., which has developed a strategic alliance with ERT for the Kansas property.
“We are delighted to be represented by two of the finest names in college sports,” Perkins said. “ESPN is recognized as a leader in college sports television, and Host is a pioneer in collegiate marketing, recognized as one of this country’s top sports marketing agencies. Together, they give Kansas Athletics a great one-two punch that will result in high-quality programming, innovative game-day promotions, effective sponsorships and creative new opportunities for fans to enjoy the Jayhawks.”
The new agreement replaces Kansas Athletics’ current agreement with ERT, which was scheduled to expire in June 2012. Host will manage the property on a day-to-day basis. ERT will remain active in the property and will manage the television production and distribution.
“This agreement provides Kansas Athletics with an outstanding multi-media rights opportunity,” said Pete Derzis, senior vice president and general manager of ESPN Regional Television. “We are pleased to continue our excellent relationship with KU and look forward to working with the university well into the future.”
“Kansas is one of the premier athletics programs in the nation,” said Tom Stultz, president and chief executive officer of Host. “We are thrilled and honored that KU and ESPN have chosen to work with Host. We look forward to being part of the Jayhawk family for a long time.”
Under the agreement, Host will sell, produce, and distribute radio broadcasts for Kansas Athletics. Host will also have the right to sell, produce and distribute coaches’ shows, television broadcast of games, game-day programs, hospitality opportunities, venue signage, corporate sponsorship and Internet.
About Kansas Athletics
The University of Kansas considers intercollegiate athletics to be an integral part of the University. Their existence provides students, faculty, alumni and friends an opportunity to share in the life of the collegiate community.
Kansas Athletics, with its 18 sports and 500 student-athletes, shares with the University of Kansas a single, unifying goal: Unparalleled Excellence. As part of its mission, Kansas Athletics is committed to advancing the University’s goals, ensuring athletics will be conducted in harmony and conformity with the University’s educational mission, while being recognized as the national model for collegiate athletics.
Kansas Athletics’ mission includes the creation of a stimulating, multi-cultural environment that nurtures the human potential, the mental well-being and spirit of every student-athlete, while enhancing the University’s commitment to disciplined inquiry, intellectual diversity and uncompromising integrity.
Additional information can be found at kuathletics.com
About ESPN
ESPN Regional Television (ERT) is the nation’s largest syndicator of collegiate sports programming. ERT produces more than 900 sporting events annually, including football, basketball, NCAA events, golf and NHRA events, which accounts for more than 2,200 live and/or original hours of programming. In addition to event ownership, ERT is the production headquarters for ESPNU, the 24-hour college sports network; syndication rightsholder and producer of national, regional and local shows for college conferences (e.g., the Big 12 and the BIG EAST).
In addition, ESPN Regional Television owns and operates several other sporting events. Examples include the MEAC/SWAC Challenge, five NCAA post-season Bowl games: the Pioneer PureVision Las Vegas Bowl, Sheraton Hawaii Bowl, Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl, New Mexico Bowl, and Papajohns.com Bowl. ERT also owns and operates several other major events including the Old Spice Classic, O’Reilly Auto Parts All College Classic, Dick’s Sporting Goods Spartan Clash, ESPNU Invitational Series presented by ConocoPhillips and the ESPN National Golf Challenge presented by Callaway Golf.
About Host Communications
Founded in 1972, Host Communications Inc. holds multi-media rights at the University of Arizona, Furman University, University of Kansas, University of Kentucky, University of Michigan, University of Nebraska, Oklahoma State University, Rice University, University of Tennessee, University of Texas, the Southeastern Conference, NCAA Football, and the National Football Foundation and the College Football Hall of Fame.
The Lexington, KY-based company also manages five associations, more than 30 web sites and has a publishing division that produces more than 700 publications annually including all of the NCAA championship souvenir programs. Additional information may be found online at www.hostcommunications.com.
HOST is a subsidiary of Triple Crown Media, Inc., a public company traded on NASDAQ (TCMI) and also based in Lexington. Stultz also serves as president and chief executive officer of TCMI. In addition to the collegiate sports marketing and the association management businesses, TCMI also owns and operates six daily newspapers in Georgia. Additional information may be found online at www.triplecrownmedia.com.
