CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – The University of Northern Iowa Athletics and its multimedia rights partner, Learfield Sports’ Panther Sports Properties, today announced a new radio home in Des Moines for football and men’s basketball and a new television partner in Davenport for football during the 2014-15 athletic season.

KBGG (1700 AM) The Champ has committed to be UNI’s radio flagship in Des Moines for the next three years, bringing a full schedule of football and men’s basketball game action to fans for the first time. KGCW-TV in Davenport also marks its partnership debut with UNI, broadcasting all six football games on the Panther Sports Network, presented by Casey’s General Store.

The Davenport CW affiliate will be joined by WOI-DT ABC Channel 5 for fans in the Ames and Des Moines markets; KCRG-TV ABC Channel 9 in the Cedar Rapids market and KCAU-TV ABC Channel 9 in the Sioux City market. The Cedar Falls Cable Division also will produce Panther games for the statewide network and for distribution through Cedar Falls Utilities (CFU) Cable TV. The CFU distribution complements the company’s existing UNI Athletics’ partnership via Panther Sports Properties, Learfield Sports’ entity in Cedar Falls that directly manages the rights relationship.

“We’re thrilled to add these two media outlets to our affiliates line up as we continue to provide our fans the best quality and reach,” said UNI Director of Athletics Troy Dannen. “It’s important for us to constantly evaluate what we can bring to our loyal and passionate fan base, and again, I’m pleased that we’ve landed The Champ in Des Moines and Channel 26 in Davenport… a great start to the season!”

The television agreements are effective for the 2014-15 athletic season and encompass all six home football games and one volleyball game (September 24, 2014 vs Iowa State), as well as three additional athletic events to be announced later. Each of the television outlets will broadcast the abovementioned games live on their respective channels – CFU 15 and HD415, KCRG 9.2, WOI Channel 5 D-2, KCAU Channel 9 D-2. KGCW-TV Channel 26 in Davenport will only carry football. Cedar Rapids’ ABC affiliate also will broadcast UNI’s 30-minute weekly show, Panther Sports Talk, featuring interviews with head coaches, student-athlete features and other UNI sports’ highlights. In Eastern Iowa, the show airs at 11 p.m. every Sunday night on KCRG and throughout the week on 9.2 and Cedar Falls Community Television.

“Without a doubt, we know UNI fans in the greater Des Moines area will be pleased to know their Panthers will be broadcast on Iowa’s Sports Leader, and in Davenport, we expect there are many ecstatic fans and alumni ready to turn to CW for all the game action,” said Panther Sports Properties’ General Manager Brian Gabel. “This is a great day as we strive to bring them the best offerings to catch their favorite team.” UNI

Panther Sports Properties is a property of Learfield Sports, which manages the multimedia rights for 99 collegiate properties and titles the prestigious Learfield Sports Directors’ Cup with award co-founders NACDA and USA Today. Learfield’s multimedia rights encompass numerous content distribution platforms to deliver the passion of college athletics across radio, television and digital networks to fans globally. For more about the company, its 40-year history and comprehensive portfolio, visit learfieldsports.com.