Fox Sports Ropes Pact with Oklahoma State

Continuing to expand its relationship with Big 12 schools, Fox Sports has struck a deal with Learfield Spors for various tertiary rights to Oklahoma State action.

The multiyear deal, financial terms of which were not disclosed, encompasses one annual football game to air on a Fox Sports platform, which could include Fox Sports Oklahoma, Fox Sports Southwest, Fox Sports Southwest Plus and nationally on Fox College Sports. Oklahoma State’s home football opener against Savannah State telecast on Fox College Sports on Sept. 1 officially kicked off the partnership in Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Arkansas.

Fox Sports platforms also will distribute all available men’s basketball games, up to 20 Olympic sports, and additional non-game programming mutually selected by Fox Sports and Oklahoma State. Selected non-game programming may include any of OSU’s 30-minute, sports magazine shows: Cowboy Football Roundup, Cowboy Basketball Roundup, Cowgirl Basketball Roundup and OSU Spring Sports Roundup.

“Our deal with Fox Sports enables more than 9 million viewers in a four-state region and beyond to enjoy live Oklahoma State athletics programming,” said Learfield Sports’ chief content officer Joe Ferreira in a statement. “This is an outstanding opportunity to help extend the Cowboys’ visibility on all levels, and we’re excited to help bring the drama of OSU sports to millions of fans through this television partnership.”

The agreement with Learfield Sports still allows Oklahoma State to retain streaming rights on its official athletics website, www.okstate.com, for any event not selected for distribution by Fox Sports or any Fox Sports-designated platform.

“We’re excited to partner with Oklahoma State,” noted Fox Sports Southwest senior vice president/general manager Jon Heidtke.  “This exclusive agreement helps reinforce Fox Sports Oklahoma as the preeminent sports television network in the state and allows us to showcase compelling Cowboys programming across the region on Fox Sports Southwest.” 

Over the past two months, Kansas State, Baylor, Texas Tech, TCU and Oklahoma have all announced programming pacts with Fox.