Central Michigan University Athletics
MAC Strikes TV Deal With ESPN, Inc.
July 12, 2000
CLEVELAND--The Mid-American Conference and ESPN, Inc., have struck a multi-year programming and production deal.
The package guarantees the MAC more than 30 national regular and post-season appearances in football and men's basketball during the span of the agreement (2000-2003).
Included in the deal are exclusive rights to both the MAC football and men's basketball championship games as well as a minimum of five regular-season football games and nine regular-season basketball appearances over the next three years.
In addition, the 2000 MAC football championship game is set to be televised on ABC Sports on Dec. 2 at 1 p.m., from Huntington, W. Va. The game will be the first of the day on ABC's college football tripleheader on Dec. 2, followed by the Big 12 Conference and the Southeastern Conference championship games.
A new format for the men's basketball tournament was also announced. Eight teams advance to Cleveland's Gund Arena after first-round games on campus sites on Monday, March 5. The quarterfinals are set for Thursday, March 8, semifinal games will be played on Friday, March 9, and the title contest is on Saturday, March 10. The championship game will be televised on ESPN 2.