Sept. 27, 2012
IRVINE, Calif. - The Big West Conference and FOX Sports Networks today announced a long-term media rights agreement that makes Prime Ticket, FOX Sports West, and FOX Sports San Diego the exclusive regional TV partners for Big West Conference sports commencing with the current 2012-13 season.
"It's a great day for San Diego State, the Big West Conference and FOX Sports," SDSU director of athletics Jim Sterk said. "Fans will know where to catch the Aztecs on TV. The minimum coverage is from Northern California to the Mexican border to Hawaii to Vegas. That is a great footprint for us, but it can expand as the different regional sports networks pick up the event. Just like the Midway (men's basketball game), it's originating here with FOX (Sports) San Diego and it's going to 118 million homes with the regional sports networks that are going to pick up the game."
Beginning in the 2013-14 campaign, at least 32 events per year will be televised when San Diego State joins the Big West. A minimum of 12 Aztec men's basketball games will be added to the selection of events for Prime Ticket, FOX Sports West, and FOX Sports San Diego. Additional events and non-game programming specials are slated to appear on other FOX Sports platforms.
Additionally, FOX Sports Networks, in conjunction with the Big West, will launch the conference's free-to-access video streaming platform this November. The digital offering will deliver up to 800 live events each academic year, including certain men's and women's basketball games and women's volleyball matches not selected for TV, as well as many other conference athletic events.
This coming season, SDSU men's basketball program will appear twice nationally on Fox Sports Networks. San Diego State will open the season against Syracuse on the USS Midway on Friday, Nov. 9, with Dick Enberg and Steve Kerr on the call. Erin Andrews will serve as the sideline reporter.
Later in the month the Aztecs will once again appear on Fox Sports when they travel north to face USC on Sun., Nov. 25.
A minimum of 20 Big West Conference marquee events this season will be showcased across Prime Ticket, FOX Sports West, and FOX Sports San Diego, including regular season men's basketball games, four men's basketball tournament quarterfinal games, and the women's basketball tournament championship game, as well as the soccer and track and field championships.
"This agreement with FOX continues a partnership that began more than 15 years ago," said Big West Conference Commissioner Dennis Farrell. "The Big West's continued growth and stability contributed to the overall expansion of the package and the increased exposure through the cable and digital platforms will only enhance the conference brand."
"We're proud to be long-term partners with the Big West Conference," said Steve Simpson, senior vice president and general manager, FOX Sports West and Prime Ticket. "The schools that represent the conference are an ideal complement to the regionally relevant programming focus of FOX Sports West and Prime Ticket and we look forward to showcasing multiple sports and the remarkable student-athletes that represent the Big West."
"Teaming with the Big West is great news for our San Diego audience," said Henry Ford, Senior Vice President and General Manager of FOX Sports San Diego. "With the addition of San Diego State to the Conference in 2013, FOX Sports San Diego becomes the regional home for Aztec sports for many years to come."