ESPN, MEAC announce multi-year partnership appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference and ESPN have agreed to a new multi-year media rights extension that will keep the conference’s football and basketball championships on ESPN platforms through the 2030-31 academic year. The announcement was made during MEAC Football Media Day, just one week after the Southwestern Athletic Conference announced a similar long-term extension with ESPN during its own media day.
Advertisement
The renewed agreement continues ESPN’s longstanding relationship with the MEAC while ensuring the conference maintains a national television platform for many of its premier athletic events.
“The MEAC has a proud history and continues to play an important role in the HBCU sports landscape,” said Mallory Kenny, ESPN’s director of programming and acquisitions. “This agreement reflects ESPN’s commitment to providing meaningful exposure for the conference and ensuring fans can follow its premier football and basketball competition across our networks.”
Watch sports LIVE with fuboTV (free trial)
MEAC Commissioner Sonja Stills said the agreement represents another step forward for the conference and its member institutions.
Advertisement
“This agreement is an exciting step forward for the MEAC and reinforces the strong relationship we have built with ESPN to showcase the excellence of our student-athletes, coaches and member institutions,” Stills said. “This continued partnership will provide our programs with a national platform while creating more opportunities for our fans to engage with MEAC competition and championship moments.”
The announcement comes as the conference continues expanding its media footprint. During MEAC Media Day, the conference also unveiled the MEAC Network, a new digital platform that will stream conference games not selected for ESPN or other national television partners, giving fans broader access to MEAC competition throughout the season.
The new media rights agreement mirrors the momentum across HBCU athletics, with both the MEAC and SWAC now securing long-term partnerships with ESPN that extend through the 2030-31 academic year.
Related: Shawn Gibbs says North Carolina A&T is embracing championship expectations in Year 2
Related: DeSean Jackson addresses future of Norfolk State, Delaware State game in Philadelphia
