ST. LOUIS -- The Missouri Valley Conference and CSN Chicago -- transitioning to “NBC Sports Chicago” on October 2 -- have signed a two-year contract with a mutual option for a third year through the 2019-20 academic term, Commissioner Doug Elgin announced today.
MVC and Comcast Announce 3-Year Deal (PDF)
CSN Chicago to be Re-branded as “NBC Sports Chicago” on October 2
The Missouri Valley Conference and CSN Chicago began their relationship in October 2004 and just completed a three-year agreement on June 30, 2017.
Through the partnership, CSN Chicago clears a 16-game Missouri Valley Conference regular-season men’s basketball package plus the the first six contests from the State Farm MVC Men’s Basketball Tournament -- known as Arch Madness -- at Scottrade Center in St. Louis each March.
Now in its 111th year of collegiate sports competition, the Missouri Valley Conference is comprised of 10 NCAA Division I institutions -- Bradley University, Drake University, University of Evansville, Illinois State University, Indiana State University, Loyola University Chicago, Missouri State University, University of Northern Iowa, Southern Illinois University and Valparaiso University.
Based in St. Louis, The Valley sponsors 17 sports, including men’s and women’s cross country, men’s and women’s soccer, women’s volleyball, women’s swimming and diving, men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s indoor and outdoor track and field, men’s and women’s golf, women’s tennis, softball and baseball.
NBC Sports Chicago (beginning October 2; formerly CSN Chicago), a partnership between the Chicago Blackhawks (NHL), Chicago Bulls (NBA), Chicago Cubs (MLB), Chicago White Sox (MLB) and the NBC Sports Group, features over 275 live pro games in high definition each year. In addition, NBC Sports Chicago delivers extensive pre/post-game coverage for its core pro team partners, as well as the Chicago Bears, along with numerous entertaining local sports discussion/social media-focused programs via In the Loop and SportsTalk Live.
Through the network’s growing digital platform, CSNChicago.com, Chicago sports fans tap into the most comprehensive and dedicated 24/7 online destination for breaking news, up-to-the-minute game previews/recaps, highlights, multimedia video clips, and standout coverage from the network’s team of “Insiders.” Follow the network on Twitter via @CSNChicago.