Cards Coverage Expanded in New Radio Deal

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The University of Louisville Athletic Department and its marketing partner Nelligan Sports Marketing today announced their intention to finalize a long-term plan for radio coverage of U of L Athletics that could provide unprecedented exposure for Cardinal Sports locally, regionally, and nationally through 2017.

When a final agreement is reached with Clear Channel Communications, it will provide significantly enhanced coverage within Kentucky and bordering states, including a valuable new reach into the Lexington, Ky., Cincinnati, Ohio, and Indianapolis, Ind., markets. In the current negotiations, the majority of U of L game broadcasts and coaches shows will continue to be heard on 50,000-watt WHAS 840 AM in Louisville. The parties intend that U of L games in conflict with other WHAS programming will be broadcast in Louisville on both WJZO 101.7 FM and XTRA Sports 790 AM, which would be re-branded or "Cardinal-ized" as a U of L Sports station as part of the new agreement.

The proposed agreement contemplates that Clear Channel will add U of L games and coaches shows in five new markets this fall. The Cardinals would be heard on WCKY 1530 AM in Cincinnati and WNDE SportsRadio 1260 AM in Indianapolis. Cardinal Sports would also be added to the lineups on WXRA 1580 AM in Lexington, WFKY 1490 AM in Frankfort, and WKEQ 910 AM in Somerset.

U of L games would further blanket the state on current affiliate stations including, WLVK 105.5 FM in Elizabethtown, WQXQ 101.9 FM in Owensboro/Central City, WKYX 570 AM in Paducah, WYMC 1430 AM in Mayfield, WLYE 94.1 FM in Bowling Green, WKYH 600 AM in Paintsville, WHVE 92.7 FM in Russell Springs/Columbia, and WXKZ 105.3 FM in Prestonsburg and WZZB 1390 AM in Seymour, Ind.

Additional stations are also being considered. Nationwide coverage of the Cardinals will continue to be enhanced by U of L's relationship with Sirius Satellite Radio, which enables U of L fans to follow the Cardinals live from anywhere in the continental United States. U of L is one of only a handful of universities to enjoy such coverage.

"I'm glad that we are able to build upon our existing relationship and provide unprecedented radio

exposure for the University of Louisville," said Tom Jurich, Vice President for Athletics. "To give up

priority status on a single station and gain so much more reach for our university is a tremendous

advancement. I know that our ever-increasing fan base will be thrilled with this."

"Expanding the coverage of Cardinal Sports allows us to continue to maximize the value delivered to corporate partners of U of L Athletics," noted T.J. Nelligan, Chairman and CEO of Nelligan Sports Marketing. "The addition of the Lexington, Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Somerset and Frankfort markets on Clear Channel stations, and the new opportunities for U of L through expanded sports programming on a new "Cardinal-ized" 790 AM, will allow Louisville's corporate partners to penetrate the college sports demographic at a higher level and capitalize on the passion for U of L Athletics."

"I'm excited in our new negotiations we will have no interruption in our coverage of U of L sports," said Earl Jones, Regional Vice-President for Clear Channel. "I think everyone is working very hard to make that possible. We are working privately, not negotiating in the media, and are coming up with a good end result for all parties involved."