Husker Broadcast Rights Now With Host

Host Communications, Inc. officially announced Monday afternoon that it had purchased Pinnacle Sports Productions, LLC, the radio and multi-media rights holder for University of Nebraska-Lincoln athletics.

The transaction had been rumored for weeks and fueled speculation that changes would be coming to the Gretna, Neb.-headquartered business that was founded in 1995 by businessmen Paul Aaron and Dale Jensen.

However, in a press release announcing the sale, Host Communications President and CEO Tom Stultz said all existing Pinnacle employees and on-air talent, as well as general manager Kevin Moore, will be retained.

"We feel Kevin will be a great addition to our management team," Stultz said. "Not only does he have intimate knowledge of the Nebraska property but he also has extensive experience and connections throughout the collegiate arena from his previous work as head of sports syndication for Clear Channel Radio."

Host Communications is based in Tallassee, Fla., and owned by Triple Crown Media. Triple Crown owns seven newspapers in Georgia, as well as the collegiate marketing rights to Tennessee, Texas, Florida State, Arizona, Oklahoma State, Michigan, Coastal Carolina and the Southeastern Conference.

"We are very excited to add a top collegiate program like the University of Nebraska to the outstanding list of major universities we represent," Stultz said. "Nebraska is extremely dominant in its state and region and is recognized as one of the top athletics programs in the nation."

The University of Nebraska's contract with Pinnacle - which will transfer to Host - was extended in 2003 and runs through July 31, 2011. It is valued at $28.4 million, or close to $3 million a year.

In a story published Monday in Street & Smith's Sports Business Journal, Stultz said he first OK'd the deal with UNL Athletic Director Steve Pederson, even though it was not contractually required.

"We wanted the green light from Steve," Stultz said. "We wouldn't have done the deal if he was reluctant. Our goal is not to be with Nebraska just for the remainder of this contract. We want to be there for the long term."

In addition to the radio rights for Pinnacle's network of 38 affiliates (25 in Nebraska), Host will also have the opportunity to sell print ads in Husker game programs, advertising on coaches' shows and sponsorships on Nebraska games that are televised by the Fox Sports Network.

Terms of the sale were not disclosed, but Stultz said the transaction included cash and Triple Crown Media restricted stock.