AMHERST, Mass. – Announced by University of Massachusetts Athletics on Thursday, in conjunction with its multimedia rights holder, Learfield’s UMass Sports Properties, a national television and digital distribution plan is in place for four football home games in 2016 via a partnership with American Sports Network (ASN).
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For the Mississippi State, Tulane and Louisiana Tech games, all set for 3:30 p.m. kick times, ASN will partner with NESN to distribute in the New England market. A similar clearance will be in place for the Boston College game with TV info announced in the coming weeks. All four games will be available on the ESPN3 platform and the WatchESPN App.

“Our partnership with ASN will provide our football program with unprecedented television coverage,” Director of Athletics Ryan Bamford said. “In addition to airing regionally and nationally on television, our fans will have access to our games on ESPN3 and the WatchESPN App. As we continue to build momentum for our football program, having multiple viewing options to showcase the Minutemen is a priority.”

As previously announced, Massachusetts football opens the 2016 season at Florida on Sat., Sept. 3. Game time is set for 7:30 p.m. on the SEC Network, UMass’ first of at least five nationally televised contests. Television details for the Minutemen’s remaining two home games and five away games will be announced at later dates.

“We anticipate the total television and digital coverage for our entire 2016 season will reach the greatest distribution since our move to FBS in 2012,” Bamford added.

ASN partners include major regional sports networks such as Comcast SportsNet Chicago, Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic, Altitude, Cox Sports, as well as broadcast stations in major markets across the U.S. ASN carries a strong distribution footprint with approx. 38 million households for the 12 p.m. ET window and approx. 70 million households for the 3:30 p.m. ET window.

For continued coverage of UMass football, follow the program on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook (@UMassFootball).

About American Sports Network
American Sports Network is a sports programming division of Sinclair Networks Group, LLC, a division of Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. ASN produces broadcasts of sporting events, including multiple NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II football, ARCA Racing Series, local high school sports under the “Thursday Night Lights” and “Friday Night Rivals” brands, Major League Soccer’s Real Salt Lake City and DC United franchises, and the college football Arizona Bowl. The company, which launched in 2014, produced more than 375 events last year and is now a dedicated 24/7 broadcast network in 22 markets. For more information, visit ASN’s website at www.americansportsnet.com.

About Learfield
An industry leader for more than four decades, Learfield has a deep presence in the college athletics landscape nationwide. In addition to UMass, it manages the multimedia and sponsorship rights for more than 120 collegiate institutions, conferences and arenas, and supports athletic departments at all competitive levels as title sponsor of the prestigious Learfield Directors’ Cup. Learfield also provides its collegiate partners access to professional concessions and ticket sales; licensing and trademark consulting; digital platform expertise; and venue and technology systems through its affiliated companies. For more about Learfield’s history, businesses and career opportunities, visit www.learfieldsports.com.