University of Georgia seals extension with IMG, JMI

The University of Georgia’s athletics division has sealed a long-term extension of its multimedia and marketing rights partnership with the IMG College division of the IMG agency and US collegiate marketing agency JMI Sports.

According to the Onlineathens.com website, the 10-year deal covers the 2017-18 to 2026-27 seasons and will be worth $152.5m (€142m). Georgia’s previous deal with IMG College and JMI Sports was due to expire on June 30.

The deal covers radio broadcasts of Georgia’s American football, men’s and women’s basketball and baseball matches, as well as a weekly radio coaches’ show, an American football and men’s basketball coaches’ television show and an athletics television show. Some digital rights and some website rights will also be included.

Citing a copy of the contract, Onlineathens.com said the deal would earn Georgia at least $12.8m for 2017-18, with increases each year until 2026-27, by which point the university will make at least $15.7m. The annual royalty amounts for the 2017-18 campaign reportedly include $11m for multimedia rights, $1.4m for new media and $400,000 for seat-back rights.

The university’s previous multimedia rights deal with IMG was worth $92.8m over the course of eight years.