ESPN and the Missouri Valley Conference have extended their media rights agreement for five years, through the 2028-2029 academic year.
That will provide enhanced coverage of a minimum of 875 conference events per year across ESPN platforms.
“The five-year extension of the ESPN-MVC media rights agreement emphasizes a long-term collaboration that has worked successfully for decades,” said MVC commissioner Jeff Jackson.
Jackson cited the innovation and brand promotion relationship as steadfast in a climate of change, particularly in the "linear and digital-live-event production space."
ESPN keeps the rights each year to the State Farm Men’s Basketball Tournament semifinals and title game, and MVC Women’s Basketball Tournament.
The Missouri Valley Conference Men’s Basketball Championship game will continue to be broadcast on CBS and streamed live on Paramount+. This upcoming year will be the 20th consecutive season CBS Sports has presented the championship game. CBS Sports Network will televise the semifinals and a package of regular-season games each year.
The business relationship between the Valley and ESPN began in 1986.
“ESPN continues to embrace our vision to tell our story in the best way possible with nuances…” said Jackson. “Those elements combined with the continued priority for The Valley on ESPN confirm the recognition by ESPN of the strength of the Missouri Valley Conference brand.”
