SEC, ESPN partner to launch SEC Network

Sports

SEC Network announcement in Atlanta

University of Florida men's basketball coach Billy Donovan is introduced onto the stage during the announcement of the SEC Network at the Hyatt Atlanta Regency, Thursday, May 2, 2013. More than 30 Southeastern Conference coaches attended.

The announcement of the 20-year deal brought together more than 30 SEC coaches of various collegiate sports.

Mississippi State University football coach Dan Mullen, left, and University of Florida football coach Will Muschamp were among the coaches on stage.

ESPN president John Skipper, left, SEC commissioner Mike Slive, center, and ESPN Senior Vice President of Programing Justin Connolly answer questions from media.

The network will produce 1,000 live events each year, including 450 televised on the network and 550 distributed digitally. University of Alabama football coach Nick Saban, second from left, was among the coaches assembled.

UGA's Mark Richt "If anybody is thinking that Georgia is going out of state before (recruiting in the state of) Georgia, that’s not true.”

South Carolina football coach Steve Spurrier, left, and University of Florida football coach Will Muschamp, right, are interviewed. No financial terms were released for the deal, which continues through 2034.

In addition to Richt and 31 other SEC coaches, the league's 14 athletic directors also attended.

UGA athletic director Greg McGarity talks with the media after the announcement. ESPN's Connolly says AT&T U-Verse has signed on as the network's first distributor.

With the announcement of the 20-year partnership complete, Saban and other SEC coaches leave the stage.

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University of Florida men's basketball coach Billy Donovan is introduced onto the stage during the announcement of the SEC Network at the Hyatt Atlanta Regency, Thursday, May 2, 2013. More than 30 Southeastern Conference coaches attended.

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