Gray Media, part of publicly traded Atlanta-headquartered Gray Television, has landed a multi-year production and distribution agreement with “The Valley,” formally known as the Missouri Valley Conference.
It immediately takes effect, with coverage starting with the current 2024-2025 academic year.
The agreement allows Gray to handle men’s and women’s basketball regular-season games for The Valley and both opening-round and quarterfinal coverage of State Farm MVC Men’s Basketball Tournament contests (branded by The Valley as “Arch Madness”).
The linear over-the-air station package will be distributed in 22 Gray Media markets in the states of Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Iowa, and Tennessee and via third-party broadcast partners in markets outside of the Gray footprint.
Content will be produced and distributed by Indianapolis-based Tupelo Honey, owned by Gray.
And, as part of The Valley’s multi-year contract with ESPN, the entire package will also be simulcast live nationally on ESPN+ and available through the ESPN app without digital blackouts.
“In the ever-changing landscape of live-event production and distribution, the Missouri Valley Conference remains committed to navigating the best path to reach college basketball fans, and this partnership with Gray does just that,” said MVC Commissioner Jeff Jackson.
Sandy Breland, Gray’s Chief Operating Officer, added, “This collaboration with The Valley will benefit fans, schools, and local communities. We couldn’t be more proud to partner with The Valley.”
The Valley is comprised of institutions of higher learning including Belmont, Bradley, Drake, Evansville, Illinois Chicago (UIC), Illinois State, Indiana State, Missouri State, Murray State, Northern Iowa, Southern Illinois and Valparaiso.
