SEC's new network with ESPN to debut in '14

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Atlanta • The Southeastern Conference and ESPN on Thursday announced a 20-year agreement to operate an SEC network that is scheduled to debut in August 2014.

SEC commissioner Mike Slive said the SEC network will produce 1,000 live events each year, including 450 televised on the network and 550 distributed digitally. Slive says the network will carry approximately 45 SEC football games each year "and a depth of content across all sports."

The announcement came at a news conference attended by Slive, ESPN president John Skipper, 32 SEC coaches and each of the league's 14 athletic directors.

"We believe this conference has national appeal," Skipper said. "This is a national network. This is not a regional network. We understand that in the 11-state footprint is where the most passionate fans are, but there are a lot of SEC fans in California and Texas and New York and Connecticut and Virginia and Nebraska."

The Associated Press