The Missouri State University Board of Governors voted to extend its sports marketing contract with Learfield Sports through 2026.
Learfield Sports’ Missouri State Sports Properties division manages all of the Bears’ multimedia rights, including venue signage, event sponsorships, marketing, corporate hospitality, radio and TV game broadcasts, and coaches’ shows. Missouri State Sports Properties was established in February 2014, when Learfield acquired Nelligan Sports Marketing, according to a news release.
“The most compelling aspect of the agreement is helping us increase revenue for athletics, but increasing fan entertainment and the overall fan experience will certainly be byproducts of this deal, as well,” MSU Director of Athletics Kyle Moats said in the release.
Under the terms of the agreement, effective July 1, Learfield will pay MSU a guaranteed rights fee of $332,500 for the 2015-16 athletic year. The fee is scheduled to increase each year, with $882,500 to be paid in the 2025-26 academic year, according to the board of governors’
June 26 meeting agenda.
The contract guarantees 50-50 sharing during 2015-16 for any net revenue in excess of a hurdle amount of $1.95 million. The revenue sharing hurdle increases each year, ending at $3.6 million for 2025-26.
Under the contract, Learfield also agrees to:
- pay $580,000 in capital subsidies to purchase an LED scoreboard for JQH Arena from Learfield’s wholly owned subsidiary ANC Sports Enterprises LLC;
- $500,000 in trade benefits to the university per year; and
- $50,000 to allow MSU to fund the salary of a full-time marketing director for the athletic department.
The newest agreement replaces a seven-year contract made in 2010 with Nelligan. Learfield took over the contract when it purchased the company, according ot the release.[[In-content Ad]]
