BYRON ALLEN’S ALLEN MEDIA GROUP ANNOUNCES 10-YEAR PARTNERSHIP FOR HBCU GO AND THE CIAA

Byron Allen’s Allen Media Group (AMG) free-streaming digital platform, HBCU GO -- the leading media provider for the nation’s 107 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) – is proud to announce a 10-year media rights partnership with the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (CIAA) that grants HBCU GO cable, linear, streaming, broadcast, VOD, and pay-per-view rights coverage of all CIAA team sports through June 30, 2032. Those sports include regular season contests for football, men’s basketball, women’s basketball, Olympic sports, and the football championship game.

The deal kicks off with HBCU GO’s broadcast of five CIAA football games televised live on TheGrio Cable Television Network, including the 2023 CIAA Football Championship on HBCU GO and on broadcast television stations throughout the U.S. -- including the 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. The long-term goal is to broadcast all CIAA team sports on HBCU GO and Allen Media Group platforms.

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 of the campuses to assess equipment, internet, and technology needs.

“We are proud to amplify the CIAA and all of 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.”

“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.”

For more information about HBCU GO, visit HBCUGO.tv or follow the streaming network on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram. Find out where to watch and download the FREE app at HBCUGO.tv/how to watch


ABOUT HBCU GO
HBCU GO is a cultural lifestyle destination and leading sports media provider that embraces and represents the voice of Black Excellence every day of the year through an all-new platform that captures the rich history, diversity, perspectives, and cultural experiences at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). HBCU GO also provides a platform for emerging creatives in media production, branding, and broadcasting. We offer our viewers the best in live sports, original series, documentaries, films, comedy, and edutainment programming produced by African American leading producers, directors, and students from select HBCUs.

Launched in 2012, the free-streaming service HBCU GO was purchased by Byron Allen in 2021 and is part of Byron Allen’s Allen Media Group (AMG). AMG is headquartered in Los Angeles with offices in New York, Chicago, Atlanta, and Charleston, SC. AMG owns 27 ABC-NBC-CBS-FOX network affiliate broadcast television stations in 21 U.S. markets and twelve 24-hour HD television networks serving nearly 300 million subscribers: THE WEATHER CHANNEL, THE WEATHER CHANNEL EN ESPAÑOL, THEGRIO TELEVISION NETWORK, PETS.TV, COMEDY.TV, RECIPE.TV, CARS.TV, ES.TV, MYDESTINATION.TV, JUSTICECENTRAL.TV, THIS TV, and PATTRN. AMG also owns the streaming platforms HBCU GO, THE GRIO STREAMING APP, SPORTS.TV, THE WEATHER CHANNEL STREAMING APP, and LOCAL NOW -- the free-streaming AVOD service powered by THE WEATHER CHANNEL and content partners, which delivers real-time, hyper-local news, weather, traffic, sports, and lifestyle information. For more information, visit www.allenmedia.tv

About the CIAA
The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) was founded and incorporated in the District of Columbia in 1912 and adopted its current name in December of 1950. The conference is headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, and is governed by a Board of thirteen (13) Presidents and Chancellors representing institutions from Pennsylvania to South Carolina. It has both private and public colleges and universities with enrollments ranging from 750 to over 8,000 students. The CIAA is committed to excellence in everything they do in DII to support the total student-athlete well-being and experience on and off the court through meaningful relationships and strategic partnerships to make the world a better place. Learn more.

Brick City HBCU Kickoff Classic with Grambling State University and Hampton University Set for September 2 at Red Bull Arena

The City of Newark and event planner KBS Sports Strategies will host the inaugural Brick City HBCU Kickoff Classic, with Grambling State University and Hampton University playing on September 2, 2023, at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, NJ at 3:00 PM ET.

The Brick City HBCU Kickoff Classic is a celebration of the culture and excellence of Historically Black Colleges and Universities. The Classic is designed to increase awareness of HBCU’s while also having a direct impact on the City of Newark through the awarding of scholarships, strengthened partnerships, and local economic development.

“Hampton University is appreciative of the invite to participate in the inaugural Brick City Classic and the opportunity to face another legendary HBCU program, Grambling State University. This will be a great weekend for our alums in the New York/ New Jersey area to be a part of a prestigious HBCU classic, reconnect with fellow Hamptonians, and support our football team over the Labor Day Weekend,” said Hampton University President Darrell K. Williams.

The Brick City HBCU Kickoff Classic renews a popular rivalry between two teams that are able to boast of Hall of Fame coaches- Eddie Robinson of GSU and Joe Taylor of HU. Always highly competitive contests, Hampton University and Grambling State University have faced off on the gridiron seven times with Hampton having won six of those match-ups with an average attendance of 46,000. The top five most highly attended HBCU Classics played in New Jersey all feature these two teams with three of the games against each other drawing better than 58,000 fans.

“We are extremely excited to bring Hampton Football back to New Jersey and the Tri-State area for this game against the Grambling State Tigers. Having participated in this long-standing rivalry in the late 1990’s I know the great history and tradition accompanying this match-up. This game provides us with a tremendous opportunity to reconnect with Hampton alumni, supporters, and friends and will allow our world-class university to recruit future Pirates to Our Home by the Sea,” said Hampton University Athletic Director Anthony Henderson, Sr.

Grambling State University Athletic Director, Dr. Trayvean Scott added, “We are excited about the opportunity to compete against Hampton University in the Inaugural Brick City Classic. The history between Grambling State University and the tri-state area goes back many years and has left its mark on HBCU football. This is an opportunity for our alumni and new generation of #Gramfam football fans to be involved in such a historic game”.

The Colonial Athletic Association’s Hampton University and Southwest Athletic Conference’s Grambling State University both look to have breakout years in 2023. HU’s Robert Prunty and GSU’s Hue Jackson will have both teams primed and ready to compete.

"Our players, coaches, fans, and alumni are excited to play in the Brick City Classic against Grambling State University at Red Bull Arena. We know it will be a great atmosphere, and we know it will be a great game with two of the best brands in HBCU football being able to match up -- two very explosive teams. I have a lot of respect for Coach Hue Jackson and the way he does things. You see the growth, you see the explosiveness from his group, and we know it's going to be a heck of a matchup," said Hampton’s Head Coach Robert Prunty.

"We’re extremely excited to play in the Brick City Classic against the Hampton Pirates to start our season. We’re looking forward to going on the road traveling to Newark, New Jersey and playing this game. Let’s Go GramFam." – said GSU head Football Coach Hue Jackson.

“The Brick City HBCU Kickoff Classic is the perfect way to enjoy your Labor Day weekend,” said Kris Smith, CEO of KBS Sports Strategies. “We are working with the City of Newark and Essex County to provide meaningful activations throughout the community. The Classic will promote pathways to STEM and media career possibilities while also providing resources for financial literacy and wellness. Also, to be able to highlight these two world-class institutions and the missions of all HBCU’s, being able to share that and incorporate that into a community that is full of promise and talented students, while also lessening their financial burden through scholarships, is what this is all about.”

"Red Bull Arena is proud to host our venue's first American football game featuring two storied universities, Grambling State and Hampton," said Marc de Grandpré, General Manager, New York Red Bulls. "We consider it a true privilege to host the inaugural Brick City HBCU Kickoff Classic. As we continue to expand and diversify our sports and entertainment event offerings, having college football played in Harrison, NJ this September will be very exciting for all gridiron fans in our area."

Red Bull Arena, home of the New York Red Bulls of Major League Soccer, will proudly host international sporting events this summer that include a Premier League matchup between Brighton & Hove Albion FC and Newcastle United, Gold Cup group stage matches and the Rugby Sevens event.

Since 2010, Red Bull Arena has hosted some of the top soccer clubs in the world including FC Barcelona, Chelsea FC, Manchester United, Manchester City FC, Tottenham Hotspur, Bayern Munich, SL Benfica, Club America, Paris Saint Germain, AS Roma and Juventus as well as international squads including the United States Men’s and Women’s National Teams, Argentina, Ecuador, Colombia, Czech Republic and Turkey.

Tickets will be available through Ticketmaster on April 24. For suite information email Red Bull Arena at Staphanie.Delorenzis@newyorkredbulls.com. Additional information on tickets and Brick City HBCU Kickoff Classic events can be found at www.BrickCityClassic.com.

Bethune-Cookman Releases Statement On Football Program

Bethune-Cookman University has announced that it has decided not to proceed with contract negotiations with Ed Reed to become the next head football coach at B-CU.
 
After undergoing a detailed assessment and review of the state of our football program, we have determined that it is in the best interest of our university, athletics program, and football student-athletes to reopen the search and identify the next leader of Bethune-Cookman Wildcats Football.
 
While we appreciate the initial interest in our football program displayed by Mr. Reed during the course of recent weeks, we are also mindful of the qualities and attributes that must be exhibited by our institutional personnel during what have been uniquely challenging times for our campus as we recover from the impact of two hurricanes during this past fall semester.       
 
Bethune-Cookman University was founded with core guiding principles centered around integrity, accountability, and mutual respect for others. These guiding principles have and will continue to weigh heavily on all decisions made that impact our university.
 
We remain steadfast and committed to building a championship caliber football program that excels on the field, inside the classroom and within our local community.
 
Our university community has placed the upmost trust and faith in us to continue to advance our institution and we will continue to strive to live up to the high standards that have been set for all individuals affiliated with our illustrious university.    
 
A national search to fill the football head coach position at B-CU has resumed as the university seeks to identify a permanent replacement in the coming days.

NFL star Ed Reed to be next head football coach at Bethune Cookman University

Former University of Miami & NFL star Ed Reed will be next head football coach at Bethune-Cookman University.

The university athletics department made the announcement via Twitter.

Bethune-Cookman University Athletics has entered an agreement in principle with Pro Football Hall of Famer Ed Reed to be its 16th head football coach.

More information will be forthcoming.#𝙇𝙚𝙩𝙨𝙂𝙤 | #𝙃𝙖𝙞𝙡𝙒𝙞𝙡𝙙𝙘𝙖𝙩𝙨 | #𝙋𝙧𝙚𝙮𝙏𝙤𝙜𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧

— Bethune-Cookman Athletics (@BCUAthletics) December 27, 2022

Reed was a two-time All-American at Miami, helping the Hurricanes win the National Championship in 2001. He was selected in the first round of the 2002 draft by the Ravens, spending 11 seasons with the team and winning the 2013 Super Bowl. He split the final year of his playing career with the Houston Texans and New York Jets.

In 2016, Reed worked as an assistant defensive backs coach for the Buffalo Bills. In 2020, he was hired by the University of Miami, his alma mater, to serve as their football team's chief of staff, an advisory role to head coach Manny Diaz.

Jackson State University statement on Deion Sanders leaving for University of Colorado

Jackson State University Athletic Director released the following statement thanking Coach Deion Sanders for his achievements and time spent at JSU.

Click picture to enlarge.

Watch the full Deion Sanders 60 Minutes Interview

Deion Sanders, aka Coach Prime, is altering the landscape of sports once again, this time as head football coach at Jackson State University, an HBCU looking to compete with Power Five programs. Watch his full 60 Minutes interview in which he discusses coaching at an HBCU, what he wants to do for HBCUs, and whether he would lead to take a Power 5 coaching job.

Jackson State University Tigers stays at #11 in FCS Coaches Poll

After stomping Mississippi Valley State (0-4) 49-7, Deion Sanders and the Jackson State University Tigers (4-0) stayed at #11 in the FCS coaches poll. JSU is the only HBCU in the FCS top 25.

To this point the Tigers have been dominant with an average margin of victory of 38 points while allowing opponents to score on 9.5 points per game.

JSU's next game is on the road against the (2-2) Alabama State University Hornets.

Full FCS Top 25 Poll

1	North Dakota State   (43)	3-1	1334	1
2	Montana   (6)	4-0	1267	3
2	South Dakota State   (5)	3-1	1267	2
4	Montana State	3-1	1108	4
4	Incarnate Word	3-1	1108	6
6	Missouri State	2-2	1091	5
7	Sacramento State	3-0	995	8
8	Delaware	4-0	963	9
9	Villanova	2-2	874	7
10	Chattanooga	3-1	831	10
11	Jackson State	4-0	818	11
12	Weber State	3-0	789	12
13	Holy Cross	4-0	742	13
14	William & Mary	3-1	610	15
15	Eastern Washington	1-2	559	14
16	Eastern Kentucky	2-2	449	19
17	Mercer	3-1	401	20
18	Tennessee-Martin	2-2	351	16
19	North Dakota	2-2	305	22
20	Rhode Island	2-2	232	17
21	Samford	3-1	212	24
22	Richmond	3-1	164	26
23	Stephen F. Austin	1-2	131	21
24	Southern Illinois	2-2	123	30
25	North Carolina Central	2-0	104	36

NBC SPORTS TO PRESENT THREE HBCU COLLEGE FOOTBALL GAMES THIS SEASON

NBC SPORTS TO PRESENT THREE HBCU COLLEGE FOOTBALL GAMES THIS SEASON

Inaugural Toyota HBCU New York Football Classic Featuring Howard vs. Morehouse Kicks Off on Saturday, Sept. 17, at 3 p.m. ET on Peacock and CNBC from MetLife Stadium

Grambling and Southern Renew Storied Football Rivalry as 49^th Annual Bayou Classic Takes Place on Saturday, Nov. 26, at 2 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock

All-Star HBCU Pigskin Showdown on Saturday, Dec. 17, at 1 p.m. ET on Peacock and CNBC from Marion Military Institute in Marion, Ala.

All Three Games Stream Live on Peacock

NBCU Academy – a Journalism Training and Development Program – to Offer HBCU Students Professional Development Opportunities and Hands-on Media Experience

STAMFORD, Conn. – Aug. 31, 2022 – As the college football season kicks into gear, NBC Sports will present three college football games highlighting HBCU universities this season: the Bayou Classic, the Toyota HBCU New York Football Classic, and the HBCU Pigskin Showdown.

Kicking off NBC Sports’ 2022 HBCU college football programming roster is the inaugural HBCU New York Football Classic on Saturday, Sept. 17 at 3 p.m. ET on Peacock and CNBC. Howard University and Morehouse College, two of the country’s most prestigious HBCU’s, will faceoff in the momentous debut game from MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

On Saturday, Nov. 26, NBC Sports will present the 49^th annual Bayou Classic as Southern and Grambling renew their storied football rivalry at 2 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock. NBC Sports and the Bayou Classic recently announced a three-year media rights extension, extending a historic partnership which began in 1991.

NBC Sports will present the HBCU Pigskin Showdown, a college football all-star game for student-athletes from HBCU institutions, on Saturday, Dec. 17, at 1 p.m. ET on Peacock and CNBC. Taking place at Marion Military Institute in Marion, Ala., located just southwest of Selma, Ala., the HBCU Pigskin Showdown provides a platform for student-athletes to showcase their talent to a national audience and perform in front of NFL scouts.

Through NBCU Academy – a journalism training and development program designed to prepare college students and young professionals for careers in the news and media technology industry — NBC Sports will present select students from HBCU institutions with professional development programming, including the opportunity to cover HBCU events for NBCSports.com.

NBC Sports will showcase the celebrated tradition and pageantry of the HBCU gameday experience at each event, including the Bayou Classic’s Battle of the Bands between the Southern and Grambling State marching bands as well as the spectacular drum line performances and the battle of the bands between Morehouse’s ‘House of Funk’ and Howard’s ‘Showtime’ marching bands at the HBCU New York Football Classic.

NBC Sports’ 2022 HBCU college football programming roster:

Game	Date	Time (ET)	Platform
HBCU New York Football Classic	Sun., Sept. 17	3 p.m.	Peacock, CNBC
Bayou Classic	Sat., Nov. 26	2 p.m.	NBC, Peacock
HBCU Pigskin Showdown	Sat., Dec. 17	1 p.m.	Peacock, CNBC

 

— NBC Sports —

Byron Allen’s HBCU Go streamer enters deal with CBS stations to air HBCU football games

Byron Allen’s Allen Media Group (AMG) free-streaming digital platform, HBCU GO -- the leading media provider for the nation’s 107 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) – proudly announces nationwide clearance for their 2022-23 sports season as part of the new carriage deal with CBS owned-and-operated duopoly stations. Key television markets include: New York, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Dallas, Atlanta, San Francisco, Boston, Seattle, Tampa, Detroit, Miami, and Pittsburgh. HBCU GO will kick off the fall sports season on September 3rd with a star-studded pre-season show featuring the nation’s top Gridiron NFL and Black College Hall of Famers and HBCU alums.

With this new carriage deal, HBCU GO is currently in 60 percent of U.S. television households and 70 percent of African-American households. This news comes on the heels of HBCU GO’s recent announcement of the distribution partnership with the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) and the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (CIAA) -- that grants HBCU GO cable, linear, streaming, broadcast, VOD, and pay-per-view rights to premier NCAA Division 2 HBCU conference sporting events.

In addition to the newly announced CBS owned-and-operated duopoly station clearances, HBCU GO has secured distribution with group-owned television stations including Nexstar, Gray, Cox, Scripps, Tegna, Sinclair, Lockwood, Allen Media Broadcasting, Hearst, Circle City Broadcasting, McKinnon Broadcasting, Cowles, Graham, Block, Sun Broadcasting, Tougaloo College, Sagamore Hill, and Marquee. HBCU GO programming is available on HBCUGO.TV, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, and Apple TV. Viewers can also access programming by downloading the HBCU GO App.

“Allen Media Group is thrilled that the CBS O&O stations have joined our excellent group of broadcast television station partners to increase the reach of HBCU GO’s high-quality sports programming,” said Byron Allen, Founder/Chairman/CEO of Allen Media Group. “We are proud to amplify these amazing athletes and HBCUs, while at the same time helping to finance the education of these young adults. Now sports fans across the country will have access to best-in-class games from America’s HBCUs.”

“We are honored to work with our partners at Allen Media Group to bring live broadcasts of HBCU football games to our audiences in 12 major markets,” said Wendy McMahon, President and Co-Head, CBS News and Stations. “As a Louisiana native and football fan, I am personally and professionally proud to play a role in having our stations shine a light on Historically Black Colleges and Universities and the student athletes who are living out their dreams both on the field and in the classroom.”

Byron Allen Talks Buying Black News Channel, TheGrioTV, and HBCU Football

Entertainment Studio's Byron Allen talks to Reliable Sources anchor Brian Stelter about buying the Black News Channel assets for $11 Million months after the company went bankrupt, changing it to TheGrio.tv and even talked about his plans to showcase HBCU Football on the platform.

Art Briles resigns as Grambling State offensive coordinator

Four days after Art Briles controversial hire as Grambling State's new offensive coordinator, the embattled former football coach at Baylor resigned.

A Grambling State spokesperson confirmed that Briles had resigned but offered no details.

"Thank you for giving me the opportunity to be part of your coaching staff at Grambling State University," Briles said in a statement. "Unfortunately, I feel that my continued presence will be a distraction to you and your team, which is the last thing that I want. I have the utmost respect the university, and the players."

Briles was confirmed as the offensive coordinator on Thursday by Grambling officials.

Although he had the support of Head Coach Hue Jackson, several prominent Grambling alumni such as Doug Williams did not want Briles at Grambling after he was fired from Baylor for his handling of sexual assault accusations against his players.