ESPN, the major US network, has renewed its long-term broadcast partnership with US college sports’ Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) through the 2035-36 academic year.
The Disney-owned sports broadcaster exercised its option to extend the league’s base rights agreement and will continue as the ACC’s media partner.
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The ESPN and ACC relationship has spanned more than 35 years and includes the ACC Network which was launched in August 2019.
ACC Network, a collaboration between ESPN and the conference, is one of only three national and fully distributed conference networks.
The ACC now has 18 members after Stanford University, the University of California-Berkeley, and Southern Methodist University all joined at the start of the 2024-25 academic year.
Stanford and California defected from Pac-12 and became the fifth and sixth teams to leave that conference for the ACC in 2024, following the universities of Arizona, Arizona State, Utah, and Colorado announcing their departure. Southern Methodist University left the American Athletic Conference.
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By GlobalDataJim Phillips, ACC commissioner, said: “We appreciate the ongoing partnership with ESPN and their enduring commitment that further solidifies the ACC as a premier league in all facets.
“The extension showcases the importance of our long-standing relationship. The resolve from both parties to further enhance the partnership through innovation and creativity to continue to drive additional value remains our top priority.”
ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro added: “We are pleased to extend our media rights agreement with the ACC through 2036, continuing our longstanding relationship.
“We remain committed to serving the ACC, its member schools, student-athletes, and fans via comprehensive live game coverage, storytelling, and broad exposure across our array of networks and platforms, including ACC Network. The ACC is a pillar of ESPN’s leading commitment to college sports and we are thrilled to continue the partnership over the next decade.”
