ESPN, ACC Reach Agreement on Orange Bowl Coverage

http://sportsmediajournal.com/ Off the heels of agreements with the Rose and Sugar Bowls, ESPN announced today that it has reached a 12-year deal with the ACC to telecast the Orange Bowl. Beginning in 2015 the game will be played either December 31 or January 1 and feature the conference champion from the ACC against an opponent from the SEC, Big Ten or Notre Dame. As with the other two bowls ESPN will have multi-platform rights to the Orange Bowl each year no matter what is determined to be the exact post-season bowl rotation as part of the future format. “A game pitting the ACC champion against the SEC, Big Ten or Notre Dame ensures a great match up for sports fans,” said John Skipper, ESPN President, “The Orange Bowl has a great history and we are very proud to be part of extending that into the next decade.” “We are pleased to have finalized our long-term partnership which brings tremendous exposure and value to the ACC and our member institutions”, said ACC Commissioner John Swofford, ”The opportunity to partner with ESPN to showcase the game on either New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day provides us with a terrific way for fans to ring in the New Year in South Florida.” Eric Poms, Orange Bowl Committee chief executive officer, added, “Our continued media partnership with ESPN is of great importance to the Discover Orange Bowl property. The worldwide leader in sports brings the optimal platform to annually showcase one of college football’s great traditions.”