Under the deal, ESPN networks, including ESPN, ABC, ESPN2 and ESPNU will show more than 300 regular-season games and 45 championships. The agreement will double the number of football games aired on ESPN networks and quadruple the number of men's basketball games.
WAC commissioner, Karl Benson, said: “For the past five years, WAC football has benefited greatly from the exposure it has received from ESPN. The WAC values its relationship with the 'leader in college sports' and is confident that this extension will allow WAC football to continue to be a prominent player in the BCS.
"But just as important, this deal will finally get the WAC's men's basketball teams the type of national exposure it deserves. And finally, for the first time ever, women's basketball regular-season games will be aired on the ESPN networks along with the championship contests for volleyball and women's basketball."
ESPN’s current contract runs until the 2009-10 season, although both parties have said that they will work to integrate the specifics of the new deal into the 2008-09 and 2009-10 academic years. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, but Benson said the deal represented a ‘significant percentage increase’.
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