CBS Sports Lands Broadcast Rights to Big East Basketball

CBS Sports has acquired the rights to televise Big East Conference college basketball games on the CBS Television Network and CBS Sports Network through a sublicensing agreement with Fox Sports. The multi-year agreement begins with the 2013-2014 college basketball season and continues through 2018-2019.

Beginning with the 2014-2015 season, the deal provides for up to 30 men’s basketball games per year combined on CBS Sports and CBS Sports Network.  CBS Sports can broadcast up to five games each year, with CBS Sports Network airing the remaining contests as part of the agreement.

In the first year of the deal for the 2013-2014 season, CBS Sports will broadcast two games and CBS Sports Network will air 18 match-ups.  Both CBS Sports and CBS Sports Network will have access to non-conference and conference games. Also, CBS Sports Network will air a minimum of two women’s games per year, as well as select Olympic sports.

“We are excited about our new agreement with Fox, which extends our 30-year relationship with the Big East Conference,” said Sean McManus, Chairman, CBS Sports.  “Today’s announcement continues our recent string of new agreements strengthening our programming, and further solidifying CBS Sports as the leader in college basketball.”

CBS Sports’ two BIG EAST games include Butler at Georgetown on Saturday, Feb. 8 (1:00 PM, ET) andMarquette at Villanova on Sunday, March 2 (2:00 PM, ET).  CBS Sports Network’s 2013-2014 slate of BIG EAST games includes multiple appearances from Marquette, Georgetown, Villanova and St. John’s.  Highlights include:

• Villanova at Seton Hall – Wednesday, Jan. 8
• Georgetown at Xavier – Wednesday, Jan. 15
• Marquette at Butler – Saturday, Jan. 18
• Seton Hall at St. John’s – Thursday, Jan. 23
• Georgetown at Seton Hall – Thursday, Feb. 20