Disney has exercised its option and will move the Rose Bowl from ABC to ESPN, beginning in 2011. That will put all of the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) games on ESPN.
The cable sports net outbid Fox in November to claim the rights to all of the other BCS match-ups from January 2011 through 2014. Those are the Fiesta, Orange and Sugar Bowls. Disney sister network ABC had the rights to the Rose Bowl, but the deal gave Disney an option to move the Rose Bowl and have all of the BCS games on ESPN. It has now done so, effective in 2011.
“Having all BCS matchups on one home, especially within ESPN’s year-round college football environment, is the very best scenario,” said John Wildhack, ESPN executive Vice President, Programming and Acquisitions. “Fans will welcome ESPN’s all-encompassing approach, and the additional opportunities and value resulting from our multi-platform presentation will benefit the college football community and our business partners,” he added.
The 2010 Rose Bowl Game and the 2010 BCS National Championship Game from Pasadena, CA, will remain on ABC.
