Old Dominion football on NFL Network?
It’s too soon to say, but Conference USA announced Monday that it has reached an agreement to carry 10 games on the network, with one game per week on Saturday afternoons.
The four-year agreement adds to C-USA’s stable of media partners, which also includes CBS Sports Network, Stadium, Facebook and ESPN streaming.
“While exploring new media options for football, NFL Network stood out as an excellent opportunity for national exposure,” commissioner Judy MacLeod said. “We look forward to showcasing our conference through their tremendous platform and reach.”
Financial terms were not released. Revenue from media rights has dropped since ODU joined the league. The Monarchs received $1,058,585 in media rights for fiscal year 2016, but just $241,201 for fiscal year 2018, according to budgets provided to the Virginia Auditor of Public Accounts.
A rights deal signed last March included a “significant” increase that sources put at roughly $200,000 per school.
CBS Sports carried nine regular-season games in 2018, as well as the league championship. The network also produced three games for Facebook. Stadium broadcast 15 games, seven of which were available exclusively on Facebook.
Streaming services ESPN3 and ESPN+ carried roughly 45 football games.
The 2019 TV schedule will be announced “at a later date,” the release said.
