Big South signs TV deal with Sinclair Broadcast Group

The Big South Conference has entered into a new three-year television broadcast arrangement with the Sinclair Broadcast Group, it was announced by Sinclair President & CEO David Smith and Big South Conference Commissioner Kyle B. Kallander.  The broadcasting agreement will begin with the 2014-15 athletic season and puts the Big South on the new American Sports Network (ASN), a collegiate sports initiative to be broadcast on a number of Sinclair’s broadcast television stations.

The arrangement specifically highlights football and men’s basketball, with coverage of additional Big South sports to be announced.  Sinclair will distribute these games solely located in the Conference’s footprint of Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina, as well as new jersey (football only).  In 2015, Georgia will be added for football-only distribution.  Sinclair’s broadcast stations will either be carrying the games and original content as part of the primary program lineup (generally on the Company’s CW and MyNet affiliates) or as part of second channels (sub-channels of the primary station’s signal).

Under the agreement, Sinclair Broadcast Group will televise a minimum of 18 games during the course of the academic year featuring every Big South member institution.  A minimum of six football games and seven men’s basketball games will be televised, with five games from other sports – including at least three women’s events.

“Our new relationship with Sinclair provides opportunities to substantially enhance exposure for Big South Conference live sporting events in our communities,” said Kallander.  “This is clearly a positive development for our college sports programs, our communities, and especially our student-athletes.  Their stories of accomplishment, service, and leadership are compelling and inspire us on a daily basis.”

“Broadcasters serve and are closely connected to their communities, of which the Big South Conference is an integral part,” added Sinclair Networks COO Doron Gorshein.  “We believe there is significant value and consumer appeal for live sporting events from these important institutions, and we can offer expanded distribution through our broadcast platforms, as well as on potential new platforms, deepening our connection to our communities.  We’re proud to be working with the Big South Conference on this initiative, which combines compelling local sports and related content, with enhanced localism, diversity, and positive social purpose.”