ESPN Reaches 12-Year Agreement with ACC for Orange Bowl Telecast

By: Caryn Robbins Nov. 15, 2012

ESPN has reached a 12-year agreement with the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) for the Orange Bowl in South Florida. The agreement, which begins in January 2015, will showcase the Orange Bowl across ESPN's platforms through 2026. Each year, the game will be played either December 31 or January 1 and feature the conference champion from the ACC against an opponent from the SEC, Big Ten or Notre Dame.

The news was announced today by John Skipper, ESPN President, and ACC Commissioner John Swofford.

ESPN will have the rights to the Orange Bowl each year no matter what is determined to be the exact post-season bowl rotation as part of the future format. Those rights include television, ESPN Radio, ESPN Mobile TV and on smartphones, tablets, online and on Xbox LIVE via WatchESPN. Additionally, ESPN has secured rights to distribute the Orange Bowl on ESPN 3D and around the world via ESPN International.

"A game pitting the ACC champion against the SEC, Big Ten or Notre Dame ensures a great match up for sports fans," Skipper said, adding, "The Orange Bowl has a great history and we are very proud to be part of extending that into the next decade."

Swofford said, "We are pleased to have finalized our long-term partnership which brings tremendous exposure and value to the ACC and our member institutions. The opportunity to partner with ESPN to showcase the game on either New Year's Eve or New Year's Day provides us with a terrific way for fans to ring in the New Year in South Florida."

Eric Poms, Orange Bowl Committee chief executive officer, added, "Our continued media partnership with ESPN is of great importance to the Discover Orange Bowl property. The worldwide leader in sports brings the optimal platform to annually showcase one of college football's great traditions."

ESPN had previously announced new 12-year agreements for the Rose Bowl and Sugar Bowl, both of which also begin in 2015.