CBS Sports Network has acquired the rights to telecast college football and basketball games from the American Athletic Conference through a sub-licensing agreement with ESPN. We haven’t heard the term American Athletic Conference much as of yet, basically it’s the non Catholic 7 teams from the Big East. The Catholic 7 will retain the Big East moniker.
The American Athletic deal provides for 30 men’s basketball games per year, except for the first year, which calls for 25 games. CBS Sports Network also will telecast a minimum of 13, and maximum of 15 football games beginning with the 2014 season.
“This deal adds high quality college football and basketball games to CBS Sports Network’s already extensive line-up of live event programming,” said David Berson, President, CBS Sports. “We’re proud to extend our relationship with the American Athletic Conference and look forward to showcasing exciting action on CBS Sports and CBS Sports Network beginning this season.”
With this deal, CBS Sports Network’s 2013-14 college basketball schedule includes five games featuring defending NCAA Champion Louisville. The agreement also includes five women’s basketball games per year with three appearances this season by defending NCAA Women’s Champion UConn. Earlier this year, CBS Sports also signed a long-term deal to broadcast American Athletic Conference men’s basketball games.
The American Athletic Conference comprises the following 10 schools:
Central Florida; Cincinnati, Connecticut, Houston, Louisville, Memphis, Rutgers (until next year when they join the Big Ten), Southern Methodist, South Florida, and Temple.
In 2014-15, East Carolina, Tulane and Tulsa become full members. Navy joins for football only in 2015. The American Athletic Conference is a member of the BCS.
Paul M. Banks is the owner of The Sports Bank.net, an affiliate of Fox Sports. An analyst for 95.7 The Fan, he also writes on Chicago sports media for Chicago Now. President Obama follows him on Twitter (@paulmbanks)