WBNS Radio Sports Contract Extended

OHIO STATE EXTENDS CONTRACT WITH WBNS FOR SPORTS BROADCASTS

     COLUMBUS -- The Ohio State University has amended and 
extended its contract with RadiOhio Inc. (WBNS-AM and WBNS-FM) 
for exclusive broadcast rights to Buckeye football and basketball 
games.

     The new contract extends Ohio State's partnership with WBNS 
through the 2001-2002 season.  WBNS has been "The Voice of the 
Buckeyes" since 1984.

     The contract designates WBNS as "Ohio State's exclusive 
sports flagship radio station" responsible for originating, 
producing and broadcasting live into the Columbus metropolitan 
area all regular season games, home and away, of the football, 
men's basketball and women's basketball teams.  The station is 
also responsible for operating, managing, maintaining and 
broadcasting games over the Ohio State Buckeyes Radio Sports 
Network, which has 73 affiliate stations.

     As a result of the Big Ten Conference's recent contract with 
the Creative Sports network, WBNS television gained exclusive 
rights to broadcast Ohio State football and men's basketball 
games not carried on a national network.  Therefore, many of the 
men's basketball games this season will be on both WBNS radio and 
television.

     "WBNS has done a tremendous job broadcasting Ohio State 
football and basketball games over the decade," said President 
E. Gordon Gee.  "They have built one of the greatest radio 
networks in college football and basketball -- one that promotes 
the university's athletic and academic programs throughout the 
state and region.  The radio and television contracts together 
will create an exceptional media efficiency for Ohio State 
athletics.  I am very pleased that we will be working together 
for some time to come."

     The radio contract calls for WBNS to pay the university 
$713,275 for the five-year rights for WBNS-AM and WBNS-FM to 
broadcast from 1997-2002, the same amount it paid for the 1992-97 
rights, plus an annual fee of $1 million from 1995 through 1997, 
$1.1 million from 1998-2000, and $1.2 million in 200l and 2002.

     Under the radio contract, WBNS will sell all advertising and 
retain the revenues from it.  Ohio State retains the right to 
approve advertisers, selection of on-air broadcasters, and 
promotional activities.
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[Submitted by: Von Reid-Vargas (ereid@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu)
               
Thu, 21 Sep 1995 11:27:01 -0400]
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