Big Sky Conference Extends Rights Agreement With Scripps Sports

The Big Sky Conference and Scripps Sports have officially announced a new five-year extension of their broadcasting agreement, which will now run through at least the 2029-2030 season. Since the partnership began in 2022, Scripps Sports has produced and distributed more than 40 Big Sky games, including the prestigious Big Sky Hall of Fame gala.

Currently, Scripps Sports airs Big Sky games on 18 Scripps-owned stations across all eight states represented by the conference’s teams. Specifically, this includes six markets in Montana, three in Idaho, two in California, two in Colorado, and one each in Utah, Oregon, and Washington.

“The Big Sky is grateful for what has been, and surely will continue to be, a wonderful partnership with Scripps Sports,” Big Sky Commissioner Tom Wistrcill said. “Over the last three years, each entity has grown, both collectively and individually, accentuating the brand of our league and member institutions—and thus elevating the viewing experience.”

As part of the extension, Scripps will continue producing the Big Sky Football Kickoff Show, which is broadcast live from the conference’s annual media day. Additionally, a new feature will be introduced: the Big Sky Courtside Show, which will debut at the 2025 Big Sky Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships.

“Scripps Sports’ wide reach across our territory and top-quality production makes our games more available and enjoyable than ever before for Big Sky fans, and we look forward to an even brighter and more visible future together,” said Wistrcill.

While the conference maintains first rights to air games through its agreement with ESPN, Scripps Sports will also have the annual right to broadcast at least 12 conference football games featuring Montana and Montana State. Notably, these broadcasts will include linear coverage in the opponents’ home markets. Furthermore, Scripps will retain the exclusive linear rights to air the highly anticipated “Brawl of the Wild” matchup between the Griz and Bobcats statewide in Montana.

In addition to football, the new agreement grants Scripps the right to select—following ESPN’s picks—up to eight men’s or women’s basketball games involving Montana or Montana State for broadcast. Moreover, Scripps will have access to all four “Brawl of the Wild” matchups between the two schools’ men’s and women’s basketball teams.

Meanwhile, the Big Sky Conference will continue to retain its rights for digital distribution and streaming via the ESPN+ app, both within and beyond the league’s geographic footprint. Importantly, these Scripps broadcasts will not be subject to any blackout restrictions.

This announcement follows the conference’s extension with ESPN through the 2029-2030 season, which was previously announced in January.

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