Rebs-TeleSouth Sign 10 Year Deal

I am sure the only marketing move they will continue to know how to do is throw t-shirts in the stands at basketball games. But I guess the contract is an improvement. I just hope they get the radio worked out in Memphis that is our second largest market from alumni, and the largest media market we have, yet it is tough to find Rebel basketball and baseball games on the radio at some points during the year.

On a side note, it is being reported that Richard Cross has left the radio crew. I really liked Richard, especially in baseball, he seemed to be pretty knowledgeable of the sport. There is no telling what fool they will bring in now to be the color guy.

(UMAA)OXFORD, Miss. -- The Ole Miss Athletics Department and TeleSouth Communications have agreed to an extension and expansion of multi-media rights for the next 10 years. The new contract, which has a guaranteed investment by TeleSouth of $27 million over the 10-year period, runs from July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2017.



“After communicating with several media rights vendors, I believe this TeleSouth relationship is in the best interest for Rebel athletics,” Ole Miss Athletics Director Pete Boone said.

The new contract represents a significant increase in revenues to Ole Miss Athletics from TeleSouth for marketing and broadcast fees.

“I have been pleased with the aggressive revenue generation TeleSouth has exhibited,” Boone said. “In 2002 Ole Miss Athletics received $325,000 and in 2007 we received $810,000. The first year of this contract the athletic department will receive a minimum of $1,050,000. I’m confident in the continued strong growth of the revenue figure over the life of the contract.”

TeleSouth is providing an additional $2.8 million in capital improvements, and additional financial considerations are based upon revenue generated by TeleSouth. TeleSouth has also invested $2.25 million to procure the rights for the existing video board at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium to further increase revenues to the University.

According to Jones, TeleSouth will also be investing in several capital improvements at the University over the life of the contract, including the addition of LED ribbon boards at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium and Tad Smith Coliseum, and additional funding for upgrades to the existing video board at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium