WAC Announces New Media Rights Deal With ESPN

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The Western Athletic Conference announced a new media rights agreement with sports broadcasting company ESPN.

The two parties announced the deal on August 24.

Local universities, Dixie State and Utah Valley, are currently members of the WAC. Southern Utah will leave the Big Sky and join the WAC in 2022.

According to a conference statement, the new contract is multi-year agreement that will result in more than 500 WAC events on ESPN+ and ESPN’s app annually.

“The WAC and ESPN have a long history together and it’s exciting to continue that relationship into the future,’ said WAC commissioner Jeff Hurd. “ESPN remains the gold standard when it comes to sports and this multi-year agreement will continue to assist in the WAC’s growth nationally.”

WAC Reaches New, Expanded Media Rights Agreement with @ESPN. https://t.co/aZ1FcdOYmy pic.twitter.com/cAn6AsxhKe

— The Western Athletic Conference (@WACsports) August 24, 2021

“As the WAC expands its fan base into new markets across the country, we’re pleased to continue ESPN’s association with the conference, which started more than three decades ago. With more than 500 annual events included in this new agreement, we look forward to showcasing the WAC’s talented student-athletes and member institutions,” said Dan Margulis, ESPN senior director, programming and acquisitions.

In addition to the coverage on ESPN+ and the ESPN app, the ESPN will broadcast select WAC men’s basketball games and conference’s basketball tournaments on its linear networks. All of the WAC’s home football and basketball games will broadcast via ESPN properties.

ESPN has reached a multi-year, multi-platform rights agreement with @WACsports

🗓 500+ events on @ESPNPlus & the ESPN App
🏀 Men's & women's basketball tournament championship games on ESPN networks

More: https://t.co/KR1vzVAAkh pic.twitter.com/XTDWmckE50

— ESPN PR (@ESPNPR) August 24, 2021

“Enhancing our relationship with ESPN allows fans around the WAC and the country to see our stellar brand of college sports,” added WAC executive director of broadcasting Eric Danner. “ESPN+ has grown exponentially in the past three years and we are thrilled to now have hundreds of regular season events and WAC championship productions associated with the strongest brand in sports.”

ESPN+ requires a subscription of $6.99 per month or $69.99 per year. ESPN+ is also available in bundles with the Disney+ and Hulu streaming services.