The ACC will air some football and basketball games on The CW, and the move “embodies the fan-friendly mantra that sports enterprises often voice,” according to David Teel of the RICHMOND TIMES-DISPATCH. Sources said that the new four-year agreement“doesn’t alter the conference’s balance sheet” and there is “no revenue gained or lost” in the deal. Teel wrote The CW is “a seamless fit.” Atlanta-based Gray Television purchased Raycom in January 2019 and has “long-standing ties with Nexstar Media Group,” which purchased 75% of The CW last October. Raycom CEO Hunter Nickell said it was a “natural connection for the leadership at Gray Television and Nexstar to talk about the ACC opportunity for The CW.” Nickell: “That’s where it took off. When there was mutual interest, things moved quickly, which was great.” The CW’s 13 football games this season “represent 11.7% of the ACC’s 112-game inventory” (RICHMOND TIMES-DISPATCH, 7/21).
ACC's rights deal with The CW seen as fan-friendly option
