U of L Completes Television Agreement with WHAS11
May 20, 2004 | General
May 20, 2004
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The University of Louisville Athletic Association, Inc., has completed a five-year agreement with WHAS11 in Louisville, for the rights to its local sports telecasts, its basketball and football coaches' shows, and a general athletic department show for the 2005-2010 seasons. The agreement also includes an option for two five-year renewals upon completion of the contract.
"We're very much looking forward to this new partnership in providing extensive programming and promotional support for our university," said U of L Vice President and Director of Athletics Tom Jurich. "This package and the vision of Bob Klingle will improve the ability of Cardinal fans to follow all of our teams. Our local television package is among the finest in the country and is a wonderful complement to the national television coverage we receive."
"Our sports partnership with the University of Louisville combines two great local teams ... Cardinal sports and Coverage You Can Count On", said WHAS11 Vice President and General Manager Bob Klingle. "In this relationship we now have the opportunity to partner with one of the country's great sports programs and growing educational institutions. At the same time, we're looking forward to supporting Athletic Director Tom Jurich and President James Ramsey in their agenda to grow and positively impact the region."
WHAS11, an ABC network affiliate owned by Belo Corp., will televise live all men's basketball games which are not contracted by BIG EAST or national networks. In addition, football away games which are permitted to be televised under league restrictions will be aired live. WHAS11 has also increased the coverage of other U of L varsity sports events, airing at least 10 games on its station or a third-party outlet.
The agreement includes eight monthly, general U of L athletic department shows. A weekly 30-minute, in-season coach's show with Football Coach Bobby Petrino and Basketball Coach Rick Pitino continues in the new contract. Other considerations provided include extensive on-air promotional time, highlight video presentations for pre- and post-season football and men's basketball luncheons, and mass media advertising and promotion for the university.
WHAS11 also previously televised Cardinal sports programming for seven years from 1981-85 and 1987-90. U of L has one year remaining with WDRB/WFTE, the Cardinals' current television rights-holder, to air local telecasts for the 2004-05 season. WDRB/WFTE has televised U of L sports for the past 14 years and from 1985-87.
