Three years ago, the Big Sky Conference inked a production and distribution agreement with the E. W. Scripps Company, helping to lay the foundation for the broadcaster’s Scripps Sports division.
On Monday, that partnership deepened with an agreement that will see Scripps Sports and Big Sky Conference continue to partner on production and distribution of college sports telecasts through at least the 2029-2030 academic year.
The pact will see Scripps Sports offer more than 40 Big Sky events, as well as the Big Sky Hall of Fame Gala, the Big Sky Football Kickoff Show and the Big Sky Courtside Show for the men’s and women’s basketball championship.
The deal also allows Scripps to have the right to broadcast 12 conference football games featuring Montana and Montana State, after ESPN selects its schedule of games. Scripps Sports will serve as the broadcaster for both teams and their opponents during the weeks that the company has rights to the games. The Big Sky Conference retains digital distribution and streaming rights via the ESPN Plus app; Scripps broadcasts will not be subject to blackout restrictions, the company affirmed.
Additionally, Scripps Sports will have the rights to select up to eight women’s or men’s basketball games involving Montana or Montana State — again, after ESPN selects its schedule of games — as well as the four “Brawl of the Wild” games between the men’s and women’s basketball squads.
More football and basketball games may be added over time, based on mutual agreements between the Big Sky Conference and Scripps Sports, the companies affirmed on Monday.
“The Big Sky is grateful for what has been, and surely will continue to be, a wonderful partnership with Scripps Sports,” said Tom Wistrcill, the Commissioner of the Big Sky Conference. “Over the last three years, each entity has grown, both collectively and individually, accentuating the brand of our league and member institutions — and thus elevating the viewing experience. Scripps Sports’ wide reach across our territory and top-quality production makes our games more available and enjoyable than ever before for Big Sky fans, and we look forward to an even brighter and more visible future together.”
“We’re thrilled to continue to bring Big Sky Sports to the loyal and passionate fans in this part of the country for the foreseeable future,” Brian Lawlor, the President of Scripps Sports, said in a statement on Monday.
Sports fans can find out about the latest games by following the Big Sky Conference on social media, and the Scripps Sports account on X.
