Well, not really. Not yet. But it is coming! August 2014 is the announced kick off date. SEC Commissioner Mike Slive held a media extravaganza to announce the new networks with the head football coaches of all 32 SEC member universities in attendance. Slive was joined by ESPN president John Skipper to make the historic announcement.
The deal comes on the heels of a seven year domination by the SEC of the college football rankings and championships. No other conference in NCAA sports even comes close. Although Slive declined to reveal any financial details of the agreement with ESPN, the deal is set to run all the way through 2034 which makes it the longest sports rights contract in the history of televised sports in the US.
The new SEC network is projected to air 45 football games in its first season….that’s 3 games every regular season football Saturday. Say bye-bye to just seeing your favorite SEC teams playing in the afternoon. In 2014 we will have SEC games going mornings, afternoons and evenings as well. All in an attempt to quench the insatiable thirst of SEC fans to see their favorite teams on TV.
There will also be over 100 men’s basketball games televised in that first season as well as numerous other college athletic events throughout the year including 60 women’s basketball games, 75 baseball games. The new network will provide 24/7 digital broadcasting and will air over 1000 sporting events in its first year alone as well as studio specials and original content such as SEC Storied.
The technical aspects and the network’s digital presence will all be managed and distributed exclusively by ESPN and will be headquartered in ESPN’s regional studios in Charlotte, North Carolina.
The SEC has already created a website called getsecnetwork.com on which customers of rival cable and satellite TV companies can demand that their carriers provide the new SEC Network for them. ESPN and the SEC have reached distribution agreements with AT&T U-Verse to carry their programming.
“The SEC Network will provide an unparalleled fan experience of top quality SEC content presented across the television network and it’s accompanying digital platforms,” stated Slive. “We will increase exposure of SEC athletics programs at all 14 member institutions, as we showcase the incredible student-athletes in our league. The agreement for a network streamlines and completes an overall media rights package that will continue the SEC’s leadership for the foreseeable future.”
