In Midst Of Overhaul, Conference USA Extends Media Deals With CBS, ESPN
Thursday, November 10, 2022 at 07:42PM By Barry Janoff
November 10, 2022: Conference USA, which is undergoing major realignment, today unveiled a five-year multi-media rights extension with CBS Sports and ESPN, which begins with the 2023-24 season.
Conference USA said the deal “emphasizes accessibility, opportune scheduling models, national linear and digital exposure and increased revenue.”
Financial terms of the alliances were not shared.
Conference USA membership said it approved a “linear television-friendly scheduling format for football that sees all October league match-ups played on midweek evenings.”
Broadcast partners will share Conference USA ’s October weeknight football games on linear television across CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN2 or ESPNU.
“This is a major step forward for Conference USA in terms of our multimedia rights as it relates to streamlined exposure, accessibility for our fans and greater financial resources for our members,” commissioner Judy MacLeod said via the organization.
“Building on our strong relationships with CBS and ESPN enabled us to provide increased exposure and consistent broadcast homes for our membership and fans as we continue to see the landscape of Conference USA and college athletics evolve.”
The deal comes as Conference USA is experience an overhaul in its university members.
Conference USA universities Charlotte, FAU, North Texas, Rice, UAB and UTSA are leaving for the AAC.
Marshall, Old Dominion and Southern Miss are moving to the Sun Belt. 
CBS Sports said it is also "probable" that the Conference will lose Western Kentucky and Middle Tennessee to the MAC.
Current Conference USA members Florida International, Louisiana Tech, Middle Tennessee State, UTEP and Western Kentucky will be joined over the next two seasons by Jacksonville State, Kennesaw State, Liberty, New Mexico State and Sam Houston State.
“Conference USA has been a key partner for nearly two decades and we are pleased to extend our longstanding relationship,” Dan Weinberg, evp-programing, CBS Sports, said via the network.
“As the primary television home of Conference USA, we are excited to showcase the conference’s best across sports throughout the year.”
According to Weinberg, “This new deal adds even more live games and events to our CBS Sports Network lineup and we look forward to crowning champions in football, men’s and women’s basketball, baseball and softball for years to come.”
CBS Sports Network will also carry Conference USA championship games for baseball and softball.
ESPN will carry eight midweek football games per season via the October midweek scheduling.
In addition, ESPN+ or ESPN3 will carry all additional regular season football games, while also serving as the exclusive digital home for all of Conference USA’s Olympic sports — such as soccer, volleyball, baseball, and softball — including all other conference tournament games not part of the CBS Sports package.
ESPN networks will also broadcast a minimum of five regular season men’s basketball games and one regular season women’s basketball game on its linear networks.
In addition, ESPN holds digital rights to all additional women’s regular season basketball games and all men’s basketball regular season games beyond CBS Sports Network’s selections.
“ESPN is thrilled to continue its association with Conference USA and improve its selections to offer better and more games than ever before,” Nick Dawson, ESPN vp-programming and acquisitions, said via the network.
“Our combination of industry leading linear networks and digital platforms will feature hundreds of events across multiple sports each year, providing C-USA, its member institutions, student-athletes and fans unmatched simplicity and access to their favorite C-USA teams and games.”
Conference USA retained Octagon to assist with the CBS and ESPN deals.
CBS Sports and ESPN said the full schedule of games and their corresponding distribution outlets will be unveiled at a later date.
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