With its new deal with ESPN, the Ivy League is set to get a lot more national exposure.
Credit: Chase SuttonThe Ivy League might not be a power conference, but its new media deal helps it resemble one.
Earlier today, the conference signed a 10-year deal with ESPN for the broadcasting giant to be the exclusive national media rights partner of the conference. The deal will feature over 1,100 games annually across ESPN programming. Additionally, ESPN will broadcast at least 24 events each year on its linear networks, which include ESPN2, ESPNU, and other mainstream outlets.
Aside from the typical ESPN channels viewers get on their television, most of those Ivy League events will be featured on ESPN+, a new direct-to-consumer subscription service similar to ESPN3.
ESPN+ is a new app the company is launching to feature a wide range of content from the network for a more personalized viewer experience. Ivy League fans will be able to see hundreds of events from other sports besides basketball and football.
Still, basketball and football fans will be able to watch every conference matchup, with six men's basketball and six football games being broadcast on one of ESPN's networks. Additionally, ESPN+ only costs $4.99 per month, compared to the Ivy League Network, which costs $10 per month, while also streaming more content.
“This takes us to the new level in providing an opportunity for all of our sports,” Ivy League Executive Director Robin Harris said in a statement after signing the deal.
The deal will begin in the 2018-19 season and is great news for fans who want to stay more connected with Ivy League athletics.
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