ACC Network Set to Launch in 2019

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - ESPN and the Atlantic Coast Conference will launch the ACC Network - a comprehensive linear and digital network, it was announced today by ACC Commissioner John Swofford and ESPN President John Skipper at the conference's annual Football Kickoff media event in Charlotte, N.C.

The 20-year partnership will provide ACC fans unprecedented access to live events via a comprehensive, multi-platform network. It also provides for the extension of the conference's existing rights agreement with ESPN to 2036. ESPN is the ACC's exclusive worldwide rights holder.

Beginning in August 2016, fans can access more than 600 exclusive live events from across the conference via a digital live-events channel 'ACC Network Extra', immediately available to users who have access to ESPN3 via WatchESPN and the ESPN app, with that number growing each year. More than 1,300 ACC events will be distributed across the platforms in 2019 when the linear network launches.

NC State Director of Athletics, Deborah A. Yow
"The ACC Network will offer our loyal fans a whole new level of access to Wolfpack teams and their competitions, something they have been vocal about wanting. The potential added revenue that we expect will eventually be distributed to further enhance the experience for our student-athletes on all 23 of our NC State teams."

NC State Chancellor, Dr. Randy Woodson
"Creation of the ACC Network is a great step forward for this outstanding conference and all its member institutions. Beyond the beneficial funding the new agreement provides, the network will also elevate the visibility of the ACC and expose more of the country to the excellence of athletics and academics at our universities."

NC State Football Coach Dave Doeren
"This is a very exciting time to be coaching in the ACC. The addition of a league network is going to help further extend our profile and be an enormous help in recruiting. There are so many great stories at NC State, and this network will give us the opportunity to share them even more broadly."

NC State Men's Basketball Coach Mark Gottfried
"This is huge for our league. The ACC is already the most visible basketball league throughout the country. Having a network only solidifies our position among the most powerful brands in all of sports."

NC State Baseball Coach Elliott Avent
"This is an incredible moment for our league in terms of expanding our visibility and exposing a greater audience to learn about our legendary conference. There are so many great stories, whether it be here at NC State, or in our league, and this gives us an outlet to bring those stories to life once again. From a recruiting standpoint , it's a tremendous addition , and it's very exciting for our fans who will be able to see much more of a great product in ACC athletics."

NC State Women's Basketball Coach Wes Moore
"I think this has been anticipated for a while, and it's exciting to finally see it come to pass for us. I think that it is a great opportunity for NC State, as well as the ACC, to market our products. From a recruiting standpoint, being aligned with ESPN gives us great coverage and exposure. Women's basketball in particular, has really grown because of TV exposure, so it is exciting to know that we are going to be maxed out as far as ability to reach homes all across the country. It will expand our footprint.

"This adds excitement to our program. It gives our players more exposure and gives their families an opportunity to see them play, so it's just a win-win-win situation.

"You've got to give our administration a lot of credit for their planning. I know that some of the decisions made in the renovations of Reynolds Coliseum were with an ACC Network in mind. I think that we will be able to put a great product on the air once Reynolds is completed because everything has been planned so well."

NC State Wrestling Coach Pat Popolizio
"The word 'Excitement' is an understatement. The potential this network brings for branding and exposure for the ACC will certainly position us for national prominence. As one of the Power 5 conferences, an ACC Network will be a perfect avenue to showcase our talented student-athletes in all sports. It will certainly help ACC Wrestling achieve more national recognition."

NC State Softball Coach Shawn Rychcik
"The addition of the ACC Network is huge for our program and the league due to the added exposure. People who have never seen us play will now be able to and it will help grow our brand. It also helps in recruiting because parents will be able to see most of their student-athletes' games when they are not able to attend."

Linear Network Programming
The linear network will feature 450 exclusive live events including 40 regular-season football games, more than 150 men's and women's basketball games, more than 200 other regular-season contests and tournament games from across the conference's 27-sponsored sports, plus a complement of news and information shows and original programming. ESPN has been televising ACC content since 1979 and has exclusive rights to every conference-controlled football and men's basketball game, plus women's basketball and conference sports matchups, as well as all ACC championship events.

"We look forward to working with our longtime partners at the ACC to create a network that reflects the depth and quality of its athletes and teams, and serves the fans who passionately support them. We are proud and excited to add the ACC Network to our industry-leading college content offerings," said John Skipper, ESPN President.

"On behalf of the ACC Council of Presidents, Faculty Athletics Representatives and our ACC Television Committee, we are tremendously pleased to further enhance our long-term partnership with ESPN that includes the creation of the ACC Network and ACC Network Extra, and positions the conference for the long-term future," said ACC Commissioner John Swofford. "This partnership continues to be a win-win for ESPN and the ACC. ESPN is the premier provider in sports content and this agreement will deliver unprecedented coverage to our fans, while highlighting our quality student-athletes, coaches and institutions."

Additional details about the network will be announced in the coming months.

About ESPN, Inc.
ESPN is the only network to have rights agreements with 29 NCAA Division I conferences including long-term rights deals with each of the Power 5 conferences, the NCAA and the College Football Playoff. ESPN, Inc., is the world's leading multinational, multimedia sports entertainment company featuring a portfolio of more than 50 multimedia sports assets. The company comprises eight U.S. 24-hour television networks (ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNEWS, ESPNU, ESPN Classic, ESPN Deportes, Longhorn Network and SEC Network). Other businesses include ESPN Events, ESPN International (24 networks, syndication, radio, digital), ESPN Radio (broadcast, satellite, digital), digital services (ESPN.com plus a variety of sport-, college-, and market-specific sites; multi-screen WatchESPN and ESPN3; plus mobile TV and video, apps, alerts and messaging), ESPN The Magazine and consumer products. Based in Bristol, Conn., ESPN is 80 percent owned by ABC, Inc., which is an indirect subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company. The Hearst Corporation holds a 20 percent interest in ESPN.

About the ACC
The Atlantic Coast Conference, now in its 64th year of competition and 15 members strong, has long enjoyed the reputation as one of the strongest and most competitive intercollegiate conferences in the nation. ACC members Boston College, Clemson, Duke, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Louisville, Miami, North Carolina, NC State, Notre Dame, Pitt, Syracuse, Virginia, Virginia Tech and Wake Forest continue to build upon the cornerstones on which the league was founded in 1953 with a consistent balance of academics, athletics and integrity. The ACC currently sponsors 27 NCAA sports - 14 for women and 13 for men - with member institutions located in 10 states. For more information, visit theACC.com and follow @theACC on Twitter and on Facebook (facebook.com/theACC).

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