Sun Belt Conference commissioner Karl Benson, in an interview with the Dothan Eagle before Troy’s 52-6 win over New Mexico State Saturday, said ESPN recently acquired the rights to broadcast this week’s San Diego State vs. South Alabama game (7 p.m. Saturday, ESPNews). With that addition to the lineup, 11 Sun Belt games will be on ESPN’s “linear” networks this season, a first for the conference in the current TV contract structure.
“ESPN’s contract with us calls for them to be able to select a maximum of 10 games, and they’ve never reached the maximum,” Benson said.