11.14.2002 Conference USA Signs Deal with CSTV
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CSTV: College Sports Television (www.cstv.com), the nation's first 24-hour all-college sports network, and Conference USA (www.c-usasports.com) jointly announced today that they have reached a multi-year, multi-sport programming agreement by which CSTV will have the rights to telecast live up to 17 men's and women's sports encompassing regular season and conference championships action.
"Conference USA is excited about beginning a long-standing relationship with CSTV," said Brenda Weare, interim commissioner of Conference USA. "We look forward to providing quality programming to CSTV so our sports programs can gain valuable and added exposure."
CSTV's deal with Conference USA will enable it to televise live the action of men's and women's championships in cross country, golf, indoor and outdoor track and field, soccer, swimming and diving and tennis, as well as men's baseball and women's softball and volleyball.
"C-USA boasts some of the most intense intercollegiate rivalries to be found anywhere in the country," said Brian Bedol, President, CEO and co-founder of the network. "We are thrilled to have the opportunity to tap into the excitement of C-USA, and deliver the action into the homes of millions of fans nationwide."
Including Conference USA, CSTV has struck exclusive programming agreements with more than 23 college conferences including America East, Atlantic 10, Big Ten, Big 12, Big East, Big Sky, Big South, Big West, Colonial Athletic Association, Gateway Football League, Horizon League, Metro Atlantic Athletic, Mid-Continent, Mountain West, Northeast, Ohio Valley, Southern, Southland, Sun Belt, West Coast, the Western Athletic Conference, and the Central Collegiate Hockey Association. The agreements cover more than 250 U.S. colleges and universities.
"Since our initial announcement to build the nation's first 24-hour cable network for college sports, we have been committed to presenting college sports as a 'year-round Olympics' featuring the 'best of the best' in college action," said Chris Bevilacqua, executive vice president and co-founder of CSTV. "Our partnership with C-USA is yet another step toward fulfilling that promise."
About CSTV
CSTV: College Sports Television is a new cable network dedicated to the "best of the best" in college sports. Scheduled to launch on February 23rd, 2003, CSTV will feature exclusive programming 24 hours a day covering every major conference from coast to coast, and the games and championships of 25 different men's and women's sports. CSTV was co-founded by President/CEO Brian Bedol and chairman Stephen Greenberg, and co-founder/EVP Chris Bevilacqua. Mr. Bedol and Mr. Greenberg were co-founders of Classic Sports Network, which they later sold to ESPN. Mr. Bevilacqua is a former senior executive with Nike Inc. where he headed that company's successful foray into the college market. CSTV is online at www.cstv.com.
About Conference USA
Now in its eighth season, Conference USA sponsors 19 sports and includes 15 schools that span 13 states, more than any other Division I Conference. The league has produced 44 postseason bids in men's and women's basketball (24 NCAA, 20 NIT), 17 bowl bids in football and numerous NCAA appearances in other sports, including trips to the men's soccer final four and the world series in both baseball and softball. Off the field, more than 6,000 student athletes have been named to Commissioner's Honor roll or received the Commissioner's Academic Medal, indicative of outstanding achievement in the classroom.