USU signs exclusive athlethics marketing partner
For the first time, USU has outsourced its multimedia rights collectively. Starting in the 2007-2008 academic year, Dallas-based Learfield Sports will be USU’s exclusive athletics marketing partner. The deal runs through 2012.
Learfield Sports will administer USU’s rights under the name Aggie Sports Properties. This means ASP will handle live television broadcasts, coaches shows, live radio play-by-play broadcasts, coaches radio shows, facility signage, corporate hospitality, print sponsorships, event marketing, corporate sponsorship and official Web site advertising.
“We see our partnership with Learfield Sports as a great opportunity for Utah State athletics,” Randy Spetman, the director of athletics at USU, said. “Aggie athletics is at a crossroad, and this helps take us to the next level.”
Learfield Sports is a division of Missouri-based Learfield Communications, Inc. Learfield Communications got its start in sports marketing in 1975. Its first client was the University of Missouri, which is still with Learfield today.
“We’re pleased to welcome Utah State to the Learfield Sports family,” Greg Brown, president of Learfield Sports said. “The university has an outstanding athletics program, and we look forward to working closely with them in the years to come.”
Learfield Sports also manages multimedia rights for several other universities and associations. Western Athletic Conference members Fresno State, University of Idaho and San Jose State are Learfield Sports clients. The Black Coaches Association, University of Oklahoma, University of Minnesota and Penn State are also with them.
Learfield Sports provides sports programming to over 1,000 radio stations in the United States and specializes in venue naming rights, market research and sales consultation.