CORALVILLE, Iowa – Hawkeye Sports Properties, University of Iowa Athletics’ exclusive multimedia rights holder, announced today a partnership extension with Journal Broadcast Group, calling for AM 590 Omaha’s ESPN Radio to carry the Hawkeyes for another three years.
The new term goes into effect with the upcoming 2013-‘14 athletic season. The 5,000-watt ESPN affiliate will continue its presence on the Hawkeye Radio Network, which is overseen and managed by Hawkeye Sports Properties, Learfield Sports’ local entity. In addition to broadcasting all related programming for University of Iowa football, the station will air all men’s basketball games and coach’s shows under the new agreement. Other broadcasts include the weekly Hawk Talk and Daily Hawkeye Update.
“It’s hard to believe three years have already passed since we started airing Iowa Hawkeye football,” said Mark Todd, AM 590 director of operations. “We’re proud and excited to continue our alliance with Learfield Sports and Hawkeye football for another three years, while expanding our coverage with Hawkeye basketball. We’re thrilled to have the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Big Ten take a more prominent role on one of the biggest signals in the Midwest.”
“AM 590 has been a great partner for us, serving Hawkeye fans in both western Iowa and eastern Nebraska, spanning six states and 222 counties,” said Hawkeye Sports Properties’ General Manager Gabe Aguirre. “We know fans in that reach also must be thrilled to have men’s basketball coverage starting this fall as well.”
In addition to the University of Iowa, Learfield Sports holds the respective multimedia rights for seven additional Big Ten Conference members – Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, Northwestern, Penn State, Purdue and Wisconsin. Its Big Ten Sports Properties’ entity drives the corporate partner platform for the conference as well. Learfield Sports’ collegiate portfolio totals more than 50 collegiate institutions and associations. The company also titles the Learfield Sports Directors’ Cup and provides exclusive sports programming to more than 1,100 U.S. radio stations. For more, visit learfieldsports.com.