BAUCUS, TESTER SECURE COMMITMENT FROM ESPN TO AIR NCAA FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS ON CABLE AND SATELLITE TELEVISION

Montanans will have access to all football playoff games via cable and satellite subscription service in addition to ESPN3

(Washington, D.C.) – Montana’s U.S. Senators Max Baucus and Jon Tester today scored a touchdown for Montana football fans by securing a commitment from ESPN to allow broader TV distribution of the upcoming Bobcats and Grizzlies playoff games.

Both Senators last week asked ESPN to make the games more widely available to Montana viewers and fans.  The cable sports network today responded by announcing it will make all 8 games of the December 3rd NCAA Division I Football Championship playoffs available on cable and satellite nationwide through ESPN GamePlan for a suggested retail price of $24.60  in addition to its previously announced carriage on ESPN3.  Montanans can call their cable or satellite provider to access the playoff games.

“The Cats and the Griz bring such a strong tradition to our communities. I’m thrilled ESPN understands this is the right thing for Montana, and am proud of all the Montanans who came together in support of our Montana teams,” Baucus said.

“ESPN made the right call for Montana, and I appreciate them listening to the thousands of fans who rallied in support of Montana football,” Tester said.  “This is a victory that belongs to all Montanans, and it’s a testament to the power of uniting for a common goal.”

Baucus and Tester last week noted in correspondence with ESPN that many Montanans travel across the state in wintry weather to watch their teams play.  Hundreds of thousands of fans enjoy the games on TV.

Additional background:
The Montana State University Bobcats will host the University of New Hampshire Wildcats in a second-round playoff game December 3.  The University of Montana Grizzlies will host Central Arkansas also on December 3.