New video board, scoreboard enhancements part of USC-IMG deal

The University of South Carolina on Friday announced a new 10-year agreement with IMG as the exclusive multimedia rights holder of Gamecock Athletics. This deal will take effect on July 1, 2017.

As part of the new deal, IMG will enhance signage on the center-hung scoreboard and 360 degree LED ribbon board at Colonial Life Arena, the baseball scoreboard at Founder’s Park, the sideline and end zone LED ribbon boards at Williams-Brice Stadium, and digital marquees at multiple facilities.

“Because of this contract extension with IMG, we will be able to add a new video board and ribbon board in Colonial Life Arena next year,” USC Athletics Director Ray Tanner said in a statement. “This will make a tremendous positive impact on our men’s and women’s basketball programs by enhancing the gameday experience for our fans.”

IMG will also continue to provide solutions to South Carolina in many other facets of the Gamecock Athletics business, including licensing, stadium seating and ticketing.

“We are excited to continue our successful partnership with IMG for the next decade,” Tanner said. “As a market leader in the college space, IMG’s industry expertise is a valuable asset to Gamecock Athletics. This extension allows us to continue the positive momentum of building our brand while allowing our department to provide the resources needed to help our student-athletes have a championship experience at Carolina.”

The newly announced relationship adds to an agreement between the University of South Carolina and IMG that dates back to 2003. It includes IMG’s exclusive representation and management of the athletic department’s television, radio and game program assets, as well as printed promotional materials, video and signage for football and basketball.

As part of the multimedia rights relationship, IMG brought Brad Paisley’s Country Nation College Tour to USC’s campus in October 2015.

“We are proud to extend our long-standing relationship as partner and solutions provider for the University of South Carolina,” said Tim Pernetti, President of Multimedia rights, IMG College. “The Gamecock brand is powerful, and we are excited to help continue its growth while creating unique partnerships that enable South Carolina to maintain its top-notch environment for student-athletes along with a great fan experience.”

This story was originally published September 16, 2016 at 2:15 PM with the headline "New video board, scoreboard enhancements part of USC-IMG deal."