The newly signed eight-year agreement between the Big 12 Conference and ESPN comes as especially good news to the league’s men’s basketball coaches.
Beginning with the 2008-09 season, ESPN2 will show a weekly Big 12 game on Wednesday nights during conference play. That will provide a second evening of national prime- time exposure for the conference each week, joining the Big 12’s traditional “Big Monday” telecasts on ESPN.
The addition of another nationally televised game each week figures to help Big 12 recruiting, especially considering the league has so many new coaches. Entering the upcoming season, eight of the league’s 12 head coaches will be in their first or second seasons in the conference. That includes newcomer Jeff Bzdelik of Colorado.
“This (new agreement) really excites me,” Bzdelik said Thursday. “Obviously, the more you can get in front of a national audience, it’s a win- win not only for your program but the conference as well.”
In addition to Monday and Wednesday nights, ESPN or ESPN2 will continue to televise a Big 12 men’s basketball game Saturday afternoons.
The long-term agreement, announced Thursday, extends an 11-year relationship between the Big 12 and ESPN. It also involves ABC.
The agreement extends ABC’s telecast of the Big 12 football championship game and ESPN’s airing of the league’s men’s basketball tournament. ABC will have the first pick of 19 Big 12 football games each season.
Additional coverage of Big 12 women’s basketball and other sports on ESPN’s family of networks – including ESPNU – are part of the new agreement, which continues through the 2015-16 school year.
Financial details of the agreement were not disclosed.
“We took a hard look at a variety of television options,” Big 12 commissioner Kevin Weiberg said. “Our membership feels strongly that this agreement with ABC/ESPN provides the broadest national exposure and is easily accessible to our fans.”
Tom Kensler can be reached at 303-954-1280 or tkensler@denverpost.com.
