Feb. 4, 2008
The University of South Carolina Board of Trustees authorized an “Intent to Award” to be issued for a nine-year, $50 million contract that names ISP Sports and Learfield Communications, Inc. as the multimedia and advertising rights holder for Gamecock Athletics through 2017, it was announced today.
“We are ecstatic with this proposed new agreement,” said Athletics Director Eric Hyman. “A significant amount of time and effort has gone into the bid process and we came away with an agreement that will put us among the nation’s elite in terms of revenue generated for our multimedia rights. The increased amount of revenue we will receive will give us the opportunity to continue to attract and hire some of the best coaches in the country and will provide us with some flexibility to provide additional budget dollars in areas that directly impact the student-athlete.”
South Carolina is currently in the fifth and final year of an agreement with ISP/Learfield that is expected to gross $11 million in revenue for Gamecock Athletics. The new deal marks a 150 percent increase in revenue per year to the athletics department over the previous contract.
“Each of the companies that bid on the rights spoke about the potential of South Carolina Athletics,” continued Hyman. “They all have great confidence in the program’s ability to achieve at a high level in the near future. They see the commitment to athletics by the University, the outstanding and loyal Gamecock Nation, and the vision we have for the future.”
ISP Sports/Learfield Communications develops, produces and markets a variety of sponsorship opportunities at the University of South Carolina, including live radio play-by-play and call-in shows, advertising in athletics department publications and on the official department web site (www.gamecocksonline.com), signage in university athletics facilities and hospitality and game promotions at home events.
“We are very pleased to extend our agreement with the University of South Carolina, which we feel is an indication of the strong partnership between our company and the university,” said Ben Sutton, Chairman and CEO of ISP, America’s Home for College Sports. “We have great confidence in Eric Hyman’s leadership and believe this is a relationship that will continue to grow and prosper in the future.”
Based in Winston-Salem, N.C., ISP Sports is the nation’s largest and fastest growing collegiate sports marketing company, currently serving as the multimedia rights holder for close to 50 major college athletic programs, conferences and bowl games.
