The athletics division of the University of California, Los Angeles has agreed a 10-year extension to its multimedia rights partnership with the WME-IMG agency.
The new contract includes the 2016-17 to 2025-26 academic years and incorporates WME-IMG’s continued representation and management of game broadcasts and coaches' shows, along with corporate partnerships and naming rights, stadium and venue signage, game promotions and hospitality.
UCLA Athletics said that from the time the initial deal with ISP, which merged with IMG in 2010, was signed in 2005-06 to today, the athletic department’s expense budget has doubled from $48m (€42m) to a projected total of $96m by the end of 2015-16.
UCLA director of athletics Dan Guerrero added: “With WME's acquisition of IMG still relatively new, we have yet to see the full potential of this industry juggernaut and look forward to growing alongside them. Their substantial financial commitment ensures that UCLA Athletics will continue in its ability to best serve the student-athlete, fostering both an athletic and academic experience that is second to none.”