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Ohio State agrees to big rights deal

Mon, 03/30/2009 - 21:29 by Shruti Sharma

Colunbus, Ohio -- Ohio State University officials Monday announced a rights partnership deal that is worth at least $110 million to the university over the next 10 years.

Ohio State Director of Athletics Eugene Smith said the agreement with IMG Worldwide and RadiOhio has a total value of $128 million, with $110 million guaranteed. The school said it is the largest such deal in collegiate sports.

Previous rights agreements were worth about $3 million a year to Ohio State, The Columbus Dispatch said.

"This arrangement helps to ensure the long-term financial stability of Ohio State athletics by continuing to fund our 36-sport program," Smith said.

The agreement goes into effect July 1 and runs through 2019. IMG and RadiOhio will manage and market all rights associated with publishing, radio game play-by-play and coaches' shows. It includes corporate sponsorships, signage,
on-site marketing opportunities and coaches' endorsements.

The deal doesn't include programs and events covered by contracts with the Big Ten Conference or the NCAA, Ohio State said.

Copyright 2009 by United Press International.

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