The biggest news of the day — and perhaps the summer? — was the announcement of the ESPN deal that completes the league’s TV package for the two revenue sports. The release was all over twitter and the various league message boards. Here is ESPN’s version if you would like to go there.
The important parts:
Football
45 CUSA Football games on ESPN digital platforms including 32 on ESPN+
The notable final week has these interesting matchups:
| Sat, Nov. 24 | 1 p.m. | Old Dominion at Rice | ESPN+ |
| 3 p.m. | Southern Miss at UTEP | ESPN+ | |
| 3 p.m. | UAB at Middle Tennessee | ESPN3 | |
| 7:00 p.m. | North Texas at UT-San Antonio | ESPN+ |
Basketball
CUSA Mens’ and Women’s basketball will play 85 regular season games and “exclusive coerage of both conference championship’s first rounds.”
Other
Men’s and women’s soccer championship playoff games, volleyball, baskeball, and softball will be on the ESPN platfoms. The olympic sports will also be on highlight shows.
Price
“Fans can subscribe to ESPN+ for just $4.99 a month (or $49.99 per year).”
What it means
Along with the CBS/Stadium/Facebook deal, this shakes out to a net positive for the league. CBS Sports has the big games while ESPN takes the inventory previously alloted to the in-house CUSA.TV, a hit-or-miss proposition that was not nearly the fan-friendly option that ESPN provides. ESPN+ is an added cost, but if you were springing $10-a-month for the league option you come out ahead with better access. The ESPN App is the industry leader in generic sports broadcasting and much easier to use.
This is a win.
Meanwhile, the league announced the broadcast schedule so you can browse that selection and determine if ESPN+ is worth your cash or if you will stick with the stuff on the channels you may already have.
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