TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Sun Sports, UF Reach Agreement

ADVERTISEMENT

By MICK ELLIOTT | The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 16, 2008

TAMPA - Sun Sports and the University of Florida have reached an agreement that will give the regional television network marketing rights to all Gators athletics, including GatorZone.com, arena signage and corporate sponsorships.

The 10-year agreement is believed to be worth more than $82 million to the UF athletic department.

In turn Sun Sports, a regional sports network that reaches 6 million homes in Florida, receives a list of multimedia rights that includes everything from local TV, broadband and radio to on-site signage and corporate partnerships.

Florida fans will not notice any changes in the already-existing television partnership between the two parities. The network will continue UF programming that includes Sunday's "Breakfast With the Gators," and live nonconference basketball game broadcasts.

What changes is Florida, one of the most marketable schools in the Southeastern Conference, no longer will negotiate with sponsors and advertisers. Sun Sports now owns those negotiation rights, putting all media-promotion outlets under a single umbrella.

"To be able to take and aggregate the signage, internet and corporate partners' rights along with the television gives us significantly more opportunity to do creative things," said Cathy Weeden, senior vice president/general manager of Sun Sports and FSN Florida. "It is a significant deal. Florida, in the state and across the country, is a highly thought of institution and strong brand. So it's a relationship we are very proud of."

Florida athletic director Jeremy Foley is on vacation and could not be reached.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT