Arkansas Sports 360 - ArkansasSports360.com

7/28/2010 at 4:48pm

IMG Worldwide Inc., a global sports, entertainment and media company, says it is buying ISP Sports, a U.S. college media rights management company that broadcasts Arkansas Razorbacks sporting events.

IMG Worldwide Inc., a global sports, entertainment and media company, says it is buying ISP Sports, a U.S. college media rights management company that broadcasts and hold advertising rights to Arkansas Razorbacks sporting events.

In a news release, IMG said "a definitive purchase agreement" has been approved and signed by both parties. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Razorback Sports Properties (RSP), the local division of ISP would be included in the sale.

Little impact is expected at the local level, according to RSP general manager Ryan Gribble.

ISP of Winston-Salem, N.C., has marketing agreements with 60 college athletic programs including Alabama, Auburn, Duke, Georgia, Notre Dame, UCLA and Virginia Tech. ISP is entering its third season of a $73 million, 10-year agreement with the Razorbacks.

The deal, signed in 2008, was among the first major initiatives of Athletic Director Jeff Long, and represented a 67 percent increase in the yearly media revenue the university received in 2007, when UA football and basketball games were broadcast by Little Rock ABC affiliate KATV-TV, Channel 7's Arkansas Razorbacks Sports Network.

IMG said ISP will be combined with IMG's existing college sports group, which provides marketing, licensing and media services to universities. IMG is the right's holder for the Southeastern Conference.

More on how the sale of ISP will impact Razorback Sports Properties here.

Tagged: ISP Sports, IMG Worldwide, media, Business, marketing, Arkansas Razorbacks, Arkansas Razorbacks Sports Network, ABC, KATV