UND 'in conversations' about athletics TV deal

Apr. 29—GRAND FORKS — UND's four-year television rights deal with Midco Sports to broadcast athletics games is coming to an end this summer.

But the contract includes a pair of two-year options that could extend the agreement.

UND athletic director Bill Chaves said discussions have begun.

"We're not ready to announce anything at this point in time," Chaves said. "But certainly, we've been working on that. We're certainly in conversations right now."

If the sides exercise the option, it will extend the contract through the 2027-28 sports season. In 2028, there's another option that would take the contract through 2029-30, the last possible year of the current deal.

If either side declines the option, UND would have to issue a request for proposals and begin a new process for its television rights.

Midco Sports paid $2 million for UND's broadcast rights over the last four years. The contract also included other major financial commitments.

Among them: a $500,000 donation to the Champions Club, $200,000 in upgraded broadcast equipment at the Betty Engelstad Sioux Center, $250,000 for a Midco Sports set and broadcast equipment in Ralph Engelstad Arena for pregame, postgame and intermission productions, $250,000 for upgraded production vehicles, $20,000 for a fiberoptic extension to Bronson Field for soccer broadcasts, $50,000 annually to employ UND students to assist in basketball and volleyball broadcasts and $100,000 annually in sponsorships.

Midco Sports broadcasts every men's hockey and football home game. It also does some UND football road games and at least 13 men's basketball, 13 women's basketball, six volleyball, six softball and four soccer games per year.

Midco also produces behind-the-scenes shows for men's hockey and football.

Midco Sports has been UND's television home for more than a decade.

In 2012, UND signed a five-year, $1 million deal with Midco ($200,000 per year). In 2017, it extended that contract for another five years for $1.425 million ($285,000 per year).

UND and Midco signed the current deal in 2022 at $500,000 per year.