Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes
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As ESPN VP of Programming Dave Brown put it, "it's a great day...to be back in business with BYU."
The school, the network, the West Coast Conference, the Western Athletic Conference and Notre Dame were all a part of multiple agreements announced today.
BYU is going independent in football and now has an eight-year for home football games to be available on the ESPN family of networks. BYU will join in the WCC in 11 other sports. BYU will be assisted by the WAC in scheduling football games in 2011 and 2012. And BYU will play a six-game series with Notre Dame concluding in 2020 (a start date is TBA, but not before 2012).
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You can click on the audio link in the "Cougar Cuts" box to hear the press conference in its entirety. You will also hear interviews with BYU head hoops coach Dave Rose and WCC Commissioner Jamie Zaninovich.
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Highlights of BYU's new arrangements, from a BYU release:
: an 8-year deal with ESPN to televise Cougar football on the sports leader's family of networks. ESPN has agreed that any BYU games it doesn't select may be televised live on BYUtv.
: BYU's national fan base will be able to view same-day rebroadcasts on BYUtv of every home game and any away game to which ESPN has rights through conference agreements with the host team.
: BYU has agreed to a six-game deal through 2020 with Notre Dame football that will bring the Fighting Irish to Provo.
: each year, a minimum of three games will be carried on ESPN, ESPN2, or ABC. Additional games will be on ESPNU. At least one game each season will be carried live on BYUtv.
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"BYU is nationally recognized as an outstanding university and for the history and tradition of its premier athletic programs," said Burke Magnus, ESPN senior vice president, college sports programming. "Once BYU decided to chart an independent course for football, we both recognized it is a good opportunity to build and grow our strong 30-year relationship. With this agreement, college football fans around the country will see the quality and pageantry of BYU as well as the passion and enthusiasm of its supporters."
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This is a bit of a busy day with some obligations I have at the BYU Football complex and later tonight back here at the stadium for our radio broadcast of "BYU Football with Head Coach Bronco Mendenhall," so let me briefly sum up some of the highlights today's proceedings, as I Tweeted them earlier.
From BYU AD Tom Holmoe:
BYU's decision to go independent in football and join the WCC in other sports was motivated by "access and exposure... this entire enterprise and endeavor was not about money."
On why BYU made this move now: "We knew we could not let this window of opportunity pass us by.
On the move to the WCC: "The WCC is a great fit for us." (Holmoe added that 58% of BYU alumni live in WCC four-state footprint).
Holmoe noted that the WAC will assist BYU with football scheduling in 2011 and 2012.
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From ESPN VP of Programming Dave Brown:
After reciting some of BYU's past wins on BYU: "We're anxious to rekindle the partnership; we look forward to being part of a tremendous and storied program in BYU Football."
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From WCC Commissioner Jamie Zaninovich:
On BYU's addition to the WCC: "This is truly an exciting and historic day for the WCC; it has been an exhilarating day for all of us."
On why BYU: "BYU is a great fit for the West Coast Conference," adding that there are three main reasons for the fit, "athletically and philosophically."
1) BYU is the 9th private, faith-based institution in the WCC
2) BYU will be immediately competitive in all WCC sports
3) BYU is truly a national brand"
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BYU head coach Dave Rose says he's impressed by the WCC's "commitment to men's basketball; it is a men's baskebtall league.
"I really enjoyed being in the Mountain West Conference; I'll miss those competitive games that we played... I look forward to the new challenge. We look forward to our relationship with Gonzaga."
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