Pitt Signs Long-Term Multimedia Rights Deal With JMI Sports

The University of Pittsburgh Athletic Department has signed a long-term multimedia rights deal with JMI Sports, it was announced today in a joint release. The new agreement is set to begin on July 1, 2019, with JMI Sports becoming Pitt’s official corporate partnership and multimedia rights partner.

“From our very first conversations, it was evident how strongly JMI Sports valued and prioritized the opportunity to work with the University of Pittsburgh,” Director of Athletics Heather Lyke said. “We have a shared vision about the strength of the Pitt brand and how we can maximize that brand well beyond the athletic arena. In short, this new partnership is a true ‘win-win.’ JMI Sports is already partnered with some outstanding institutions and we are thrilled to join that tremendous list. The Panthers are incredibly excited to work with JMI Sports chief executive officer Erik Judson, president Tom Stultz and their extraordinary and progressive team.”

Through this partnership, Pitt Athletics and JMI Sports seek to maximize the value of Pitt’s varied multimedia assets, while developing valuable relationships with sponsors, fans, alumni and students through the delivery of corporate sponsorships and advertising; radio and television broadcasts; coaches shows and endorsements; website and social media; game programs and publications; in-game production and hospitality; venue signage and naming rights; special events and innovative activations.

“JMI Sports is thrilled to add the University of Pittsburgh to our family of elite partner schools,” Judson said. “The Pitt property is extremely compelling due to the visionary leadership of Heather Lyke, Christian Spears, and the entire team in Pitt Athletics. Pitt is a very powerful brand in a great market that fits perfectly with out highly customized approach for delivering integrated marketing solutions to iconic brands and universities.”

Pitt’s multimedia rights have been managed by IMG College for the past 10 years. IMG College finalized a merger with Learfield to become Learfield IMG College in December. Pitt’s current multimedia rights contract expires June 30, 2019.

ABOUT PITT ATHLETICS

The University of Pittsburgh’s intercollegiate athletics history dates back to 1869, when the university began to field a baseball team. Today, Pitt sponsors 19 varsity sports—nine men’s teams and 10 women’s programs—with more than 475 student-athletes vying for conference, regional and national honors. All varsity sports teams compete as members of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), with the exception of gymnastics, which competes in the East Atlantic Gymnastics League (EAGL). The Panthers’ rich athletics history includes national championships in football (nine) and basketball (two). Pitt also boasts Olympic gold-medal performances in track, and silver and bronze medals in diving and basketball.

JMI Sports is the official multimedia rights and corporate sponsorship partner of Penn Athletics, Penn Recreation and the Penn Relays. Operating as Penn Sports Properties, our team works as an extension of Penn to expand partnerships with corporate sponsors and enhance multimedia platforms.