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ESPN Signs Pact With Big 12 Conference

Apr 26, 2007  •  Post A Comment

ESPN signed a new eight-year agreement with the Big 12 Conference that will put a variety of sports on 14 platforms beginning in 2008.

ABC, ESPN and ESPN2 will air Big 12 games, while ESPNU—the company’s college sports network—will increase its coverage of the conference. Games will also appear on ESPN Regional Television, ESPN360.com, ESPN PPV, ESPN.com, ESPN Mobile Properties, ESPN International.

ABC will cover the Dr. Pepper Big 12 Football Championship and ESPN will air the Phillips 66 Big 12 Men’s Basketball Championship.

“The Big 12 will receive more exposure than it’s ever had,” said John Wildhack, ESPN executive VP of programming and acquisitions. “We are delighted to creatively serve the passionate fan bases that support the great schools in this top conference.”

“We took a hard look at a variety of television options,” said Kevin Weiberg, commissioner of the Big 12 Conference. “Our membership feels strongly that this agreement with ABC/ESPN provides the broadest national exposure and is easily accessible to our fans.”

“This arrangement builds on the 11-year relationship we have enjoyed with the network,” he said, “and provides continued financial growth.”