Big Sky Conference, Root Sports Announce Contract Extension

The Big Sky Conference and the AT&T Sports Networks have agreed to a multi-year extension to continue their partnership to air Big Sky football beginning with the 2017-18 season. All games will air on its Root Sports-branded regional networks.

The extension continues a relationship that is entering its sixth year. Root Sports will air a minimum of eight games each season with at least one of those games slated to include the league’s defending football champion.

“The Big Sky is pleased to announce its continued partnership with Root Sports as the league’s football premiere TV network and appreciates the long-standing relationship,” says Big Sky Conference commissioner Andrea Williams. “The conference enjoys the Emmy-winning production and commitment of Root Sports to bring high quality football programming to our alum and fans across the country.”

As part of the agreement, Big Sky football fans will have the opportunity to watch archived copies of the games on the league’s streaming network 30 days after the game airs on television.

”We are excited to continue our partnership with the Big Sky Conference. Working with the conference allows us to bring fans some of the most competitive, regionally-relevant FCS football in the country,” says Mark Jorgensen, Senior Vice President & General Manager of Root Sports.

To date, the partnership has yielded two Emmy Awards for outstanding television production. All games will continue to be delivered with production value.

A formal announcement of the contract extension will be made later today during the Seattle Mariners spring training game against the Oakland Athletics. Big Sky Conference Commissioner Andrea Williams will join the broadcast live from the Root Sports studio.