ESPN and BCS confirm agreement on four-year deal

ESPN and the Bowl Championship Series confirmed Tuesday that they have reached agreement on a four-year television deal beginning in 2011 that gives the cable network broadcast rights to the Orange Bowl, Sugar Bowl, Fiesta Bowl and the national championship game, which rotates among those three plus the Rose Bowl. Sources from both sides said the contract is worth $500 million.

The agreement does not include the Rose Bowl, which has a separate contract with ABC running until 2014. Both ESPN and ABC are owned by the Walt Disney Co.

According to the sources, however, there is a clause that allows for the Rose Bowl to be taken off ABC if the BCS ever signed a contract with a cable network instead of an over-the-air broadcaster. The sources asked to remain anonymous because of the confidential nature of the contract talks.

In a conference call with reporters Tuesday, ESPN President George Bodenheimer said, “The Rose Bowl will remain on ABC through 2010. We have not determined all of the scheduling beyond that.”

Said Mitch Dorger, chief executive of the Rose Bowl: “Mr. Bodenheimer’s words about 2010 were carefully chosen and beyond that I don’t want to say anything else.”

-- Diane Pucin