The Southeastern Conference has hired Evolution Media and CAA as its exclusive media advisors. What does that mean exactly? The short version is that it means that the conference wants to know what it can do to get more money out of its top package of games when the television contract with CBS runs out.
That deal is in place for a bit longer. It doesn’t end until 2023, but some industry analysts believe that at $55 million per year, CBS isn’t paying as much for the package as it is actually worth. The most recent deal, which was signed in 2013, took the SEC Network into account, and no longer gives CBS exclusive access to the SEC in the 3:30 pm Eastern window, but rarely can the SEC Network game at that time compete with CBS’s offering.
Conference Commissioner Greg Sankey said in a press release that the SEC’s relationships with CBS and ESPN make it necessary to ensure the league is getting the most out for its TV products.
More than ever before, SEC fans have greater access to view Conference programming as a result of the SEC’s existing broadcast agreements and the development of new technology,” said SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey. “These realities make it increasingly important for the SEC to engage a sophisticated media advisor with expertise to assist the Conference in considering a media strategy in the years ahead.
“Evolution Media and Creative Artists Agency provide the SEC with exceptional media advisory expertise and their record of success is an indication of the many healthy relationships they maintain across all aspects of traditional and emerging media, which will help us maximize the Conference’s future opportunities,” Sankey said.
