Minnesota men’s and women’s basketball and men’s hockey sign three-year radio rights agreement
The University of Minnesota Department of Athletics and its multimedia rights holder, Learfield Sports’ Gopher Sports Properties, announced today a three-year agreement with 1500 ESPN Twin Cities to broadcast Gopher men’s hockey and men’s and women’s basketball games.
The agreement will include the 2014-15, 2015-16 and 2016-17 athletic seasons, with Gophers games to be broadcast on 1500 ESPN.
“This extension of our agreement confirms how we have enjoyed our relationship with 1500 ESPN and the platform they provide for our men’s hockey and basketball programs,” said Director of Athletics Norwood Teague. “We believe that working with 1500 ESPN provides our programs an outstanding multimedia platform to reach our fans and alumni. Beyond the games themselves, 1500 ESPN will continue to provide showcase programming for these teams, including coaches’ shows and other content to engage Gopher fans all year long.”
The agreement covers live, regular-season broadcast rights for every men’s hockey, men’s basketball and fifteen (15) women’s basketball games through the three-year period, along with post-season programming based on broadcast rights availability. Additionally, each sport will continue to have weekly in-season coaches’ radio shows and other original programming. Included are weekly Gopher basketball and Gopher athletics hour-long shows.
“We are excited to extend our partnership with the University of Minnesota and Learfield Sports,” said Dan Seeman, vice president of Hubbard Broadcasting. “Gopher athletics is woven into the very fabric of 1500 ESPN; when you consider the great heritage of Gopher sports and Hubbard Broadcasting, it’s the perfect fit.”
“1500 ESPN has proven to be a great radio partner for Gopher Hockey and Basketball, and we believe fans will be pleased to know they can continue to follow Gopher basketball and hockey in the Twin Cities through this fall and beyond,” said Greg Gerlach, general manager for Gopher Sports Properties, which oversees all aspects of the Gopher Radio Network including talent and the statewide affiliates.
Gopher 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.