HBCU GO Partners With CIAA

HBCU GO and CIAA sign a 10-year media rights partnership.

HOUSTON - Allen Media Group's (AMG) free-streaming digital platform, HBCU GO, has proudly announced a 10-year media rights partnership with the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (CIAA). The partnership grants HBCU GO the rights to provide coverage of all CIAA team sports through June 30, 2032, including cable, linear, streaming, broadcast, VOD, and pay-per-view rights. The goal is to broadcast CIAA team sports on HBCU GO and Allen Media Group platforms, including football, basketball, Olympic sports, and the football championship game.

"This media deal with AMG is a game changer for the CIAA and unprecedented in Division II. We will expand the CIAA Sports Network platform through HBCU GO to give greater exposure for our 13 member schools and their student-athletes," said CIAA Commissioner Jacqie McWilliams-Parker. She added, "I am excited about the jobs being created, the talent identified, and the stories to be told through a platform developed to give HBCUs well-deserved and long-overdue exposure. This is a great day for CIAA, and we appreciate Byron Allen and his team seeing the value and importance of HBCU sports contributions to the world and how we can continue to work together to provide exposure and economic stability in our communities through sports."

Virginia Union running back Jada Byers breaks the tackle of Morehouse's Cameron Selders as he runs for a first-half touchdown in the Black College Football Hall of Fame Classic, Sunday, Sept. 3, 2023, in Canton. Credit: © Kevin Whitlock / Massillon Independent / USA TODAY NETWORK

The partnership starts with HBCU GO airing five CIAA football games live on TheGrio Cable Television Network, culminating in the 2023 CIAA Football Championship on HBCU GO and broadcast TV stations across the nation on CBS owned-and-operated duopoly stations in key television markets such as New York, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Dallas, Atlanta, Boston, San Francisco, Seattle, Detroit, Sacramento, Miami, Tampa, and Pittsburgh. In addition, the CIAA will continue to stream the other team sporting events throughout the season live through the CIAA Network and provide first right to HBCU GO for their video-on-demand platform.  

"We are proud to amplify the CIAA and all their team sports. The rich heritage and legacy of the CIAA and the amazing athletes who have participated in the conference since its inception are a natural fit for HBCU GO," said Byron Allen, Founder/Chairman/CEO of Allen Media Group. "The CIAA is an excellent organization, and Commissioner Jacqie McWilliams-Parker makes this a great partnership because of her phenomenal leadership."

As part of HBCU GO's partnership with the CIAA, a portion of the funds will be invested to upgrade the CIAA's 13-member schools' campus-wide sports and broadcast equipment to ensure everyone has equitable resources and to assure quality broadcasts across the conference. The CIAA utilized the summer months to visit each campus to assess equipment, internet, and technology needs.