June 1, 1998
LAS VEGAS - UNLV football and men's basketball will have a new television home starting this fall.
UNLV and current television rights holder Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. (Nasdaq:SNGI),
announced that the university's 10-game sports package for the next athletic season will
move from WB TV-21 (Cable 2) to KFBT, TV-33 (Cable 6).
Both sides have agreed to the move in principle. Sinclair purchased TV-21 in January, 1997,
and recently began programming KFBT under terms of a local marketing agreement (LMA).
The move marks the first time in more than a decade that Rebel telecasts will air
on a station other than TV-21, but the broadcasts will remain in the Sinclair Broadcast
family.
"TV-33 is positioned for long-term success," said Sinclair's Mark Higgins, who is
the General Manager of WB 21. "We are branding KFBT as a sports and entertainment
television station and UNLV wants to be the anchor of 'Gold 33.' We are pleased to announce
the new Home of the Rebels is KFBT."
Sinclair Broadcast Group is one of the nation's largest and most diversified
broadcasting companies and owns or programs 57 television stations and 52 radio stations.
"There are a number of promotional and marketing opportunities with Sinclair
and we felt it would be in our best interest to stay aligned with them," said Tony Cordasco,
UNLV Broadcast and Production Services Manager. "We are hoping to expand some of our Rebel
programs or create new ones in the future. We also are working with Sinclair to re-broadcast
our road games in a later time slot so Southern Nevada casino workers can view our games when
they get off work. Sinclair has assured us that our football and basketball broadcasts
will be the cornerstone of TV-33's programming."
Other opportunities include expanded gameday programming and other specialized shows.
"We are excited to be a part of the only branded sports station in Southern Nevada," added
Cordasco.
KFBT is planning to televise PAC-10 football and basketball, Las Vegas Stars baseball,
and is currently televising Arizona Diamondbacks baseball games.
