Learfield, Capitol Broadcasting Ink 10-Year Deal With N.C. State Athletics

LEARFIELD SPORTS grabs the rights to another major college athletics program with the signing of NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY to a 10-year multimedia rights agreement with WOLFPACK SPORTS PROPERTIES, LLC, a joint venture between LEARFIELD and CAPITOL BROADCASTING COMPANY, owners of Sports WCMC (99.9 THE FAN), Sports WDNC-A (620 THE BUZZ), Spanish Sports WCLY-A (ESPN DEPORTES), AC WRAL (MIX 101.5), CBS affiliate WRAL-TV, and FOX affiliate WRAZ-TV (FOX 50)/RALEIGH-DURHAM. 

The deal is worth a minimum of $49 million over the 10 years to the school.  MIX 101.5 remains the WOLFPACK's flagship under the deal, which also includes new LED Fascia displays at CARTER-FINLEY STADIUM.

NC STATE Dir./Athletics DEBBIE YOW said, "We are pleased that this new arrangement for WOLFPACK Athletics keeps in place our particularly strong radio network and the valuable corporate relationships CAPITOL has built over the years, while adding the expertise of industry leader LEARFIELD SPORTS.  This new arrangement brings us many benefits, including an increase in the annual financial guarantee to STATE and a promising revenue share formula, while maintaining our excellent working relationship with CAPITOL BROADCASTING COMPANY."

"DEBBIE YOW asked us to consider a new business model, and we are joining forces with LEARFIELD SPORTS to realize her vision. This puts NC STATE in a strong position for the next decade," said CAPITOL CEO JAMES F. GOODMON.  "For WOLFPACK fans, our partnership of 30 years endures. MIX 101.5 continues as the flagship station, and WRAL television will air the coach's show on Sunday evenings. The CBC stations in CHARLOTTE (CW affiliate WJZY-TV and MY NETWORK TV affiliate WMYT-TV (MY TV 12) and WILMINGTON (CBS affiliate WILM-LD, Top 40 WAZO (Z107.5), AC WILT (SUNNY 104.5), Rhythmic Oldies WKXB (JAMMIN' 99.9), Sports WMFD-A (ESPN RADIO 630 THE ZONE), and Triple A WUIN (98.3 THE PENGUIN)) are on board, too."

"NC STATE has a terrific legacy, and we're certainly pleased for the opportunity to represent the school and work alongside our friends at CAPITOL BROADCASTING," said LEARFIELD Pres./CEO GREG BROWN.  "DEBBIE YOW has been a leader in college athletics for years, and we look forward to teaming with her and the entire NC STATE athletics team."

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