Fox Sports secures Villanova Athletics rights deal

The Fox Sports division of US network Fox has agreed a multimedia rights deal with the athletics division of Villanova University.

Under the long-term agreement, the terms of which were not disclosed, Fox Sports will serve as the exclusive sales and marketing representative of the university’s Wildcats sports teams.

Villanova Sports Properties, a new entity created within the Fox Sports College Properties division, will manage the rights.

Fox Sports is also in the process of identifying a general manager and staff who will be embedded in the Villanova Athletics department.

Fox Sports already serves as the television and multimedia rights holder of the Big East Conference, the intercollegiate division in which Villanova Wildcats teams compete.

Kris Kassel, vice-president of the Fox Sports College Properties, said: “What is particularly unique about this relationship is the ability to grow the already elite brand through a mix of media and multimedia offerings. This will provide tremendous opportunities for Villanova to grow its brand locally, regionally, and nationally, and also for advertisers to benefit from a more impactful platform.”