August 12, 2024: Describing it as “what should be the most exciting college football season yet with the launch of the expanded College Football Playoff and as a result of conference realignment,” ESPN has unveiled multi-platform campaigns for the SEC and ACC Networks.
The efforts also supports the new TV deal between the SEC and ESPN, which runs thru 2033-34, for games to air on both ESPN and ABC.
It runs concurrently with a separate, existing 20-year agreement between ESPN and SEC, also thru 2033-34.
The 2024 campaign will not only launch SEC on ABC, but will also mark SEC Network's 10th anniversary and the addition of Texas and Oklahoma to the Conference.
The ACC and ESPN in 2015 signed a 20-year deal and rights extension through the 2035-36 academic year.
The campaigns are fronted by high-profile musicians: Luke Combs, two-time Country Music Assn. Entertainer of the Year, for the SEC Network’s “How It’s Done”; Quavo and Grammy-winning musician Lenny Kravitz for the SEC on ABC; and multi-platinum recording artist Shaboozey for the ACC Network’s “Come For It All.”
ESPN last week unveiled an alliance with Jelly Roll to create the music anthem featuring his song, “Get By,” for the 2024-25 college football season on ESPN platforms, which begins Aug. 24 in Dublin, Ireland, with ACC teams Florida State vs. Georgia Tech.
College GameDay Built by The Home Depot will make its season debut on-site prior to the game in Dublin.
“After listening to the collection of great artists like Luke Combs, Shaboozey, Quavo, and Lenny Kravitz within our marketing campaigns, how can you not be excited for the upcoming college football season?” Curtis Friends, ESPN vp-sports marketing, said via the network.
“Their music brings a fresh and dynamic sound to the promotion of the sport while reinforcing ESPN’s commitment to serve fans by celebrating the passion college football brings. Now we’re just waiting for kickoff!”
For their 2024 football anthem, SEC Network and Combs are featuring his just-released cover of Tom Petty’s “Runnin’ Down a Dream” from the tribute album, Petty Country: A Country Music Celebration of Tom Petty.
The ACC Network’s football brand anthem is Shaboozey’s recently released song, “Last of My Kind,” off his new album, Where I’ve Been, Isn’t Where I’m Going.
The track — which was teased last month during ACC Kickoff and will now be released in full — “underscores the unique spirit of ACC Football, highlighting the traditions, rivalries, and community that define game day experiences.”
“Fly Away” by Quavo and Kravitz is the beginning of the SEC on ABC’s“How It’s Done” marketing campaign, showcasing the unparalleled excellence of SEC teams across all sports.
Against a backdrop of action on the field and fans in the stands, a voiceover offers, “This is the SEC. Every walk a parade. Every song a symphony. Every Saturday a celebration. Every game a spectacle.”
This marks the 11th season that ESPN has partnered with an acclaimed artist to create a music anthem driving ESPN’s college football coverage.
Other featured artists have included Post Malone, Fall Out Boy, Lauren Alaina, X Ambassadors, Thirty Seconds to Mars, Imagine Dragons, Judah & the Lion, Juice WRLD & Marshmello, DJ Snake & Rick Ross, Yungblud.
“There’s a powerful connection between music and college football,” said Curtis. "And for more than a decade, the ESPN college football music anthem has been integral to the promotion of the sport while its release has marked the unofficial start to the season.”
SEC Network's 10th anniversary college football schedule integrates new programming and new voices with established ones.
Randall Cobb, NFL 13-year veteran wide receiver — who said he is “not officially retired” — joins various studio programming, including SEC Now and Out of Pocket presented by rotating sponsors Academy Sports + Outdoors and Sprouts Farmers Market.
“I am incredibly excited to be coming home to the SEC with this new role," Cobb, who played for Kentucky, said via SEC Network.
Jelly Roll 'Get By'"The level of greatness this conference provides year after year is unmatched -- I cannot wait return to the conference family with this SEC Network crew."
The venerable Paul Finebaum is host of The Paul Finebaum Show four-hour Monday-Friday program (simulcast on ESPN Radio). Earlier this month, ESPN signed Finebaum to a multi-year extension.
“Over the years, Paul has demonstrated time and time again that he is one of the leading voices across college football,”Burke Magnus, ESPN president of content, said via the network.
“The connection he has built with his listeners, viewers, fans and the media who cover college sports is unmatched.We look forward to Paul continuing to bring his signature commentary to SEC Network and ESPN programming.”
Peter Burns is entering his 11th year with SEC Now: Live.
SEC Nation and Marty & McGee Presented by Old Trapper each return to campus sites this fall.
SEC Football Final Presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors returns Aug. 31.
SEC in 60 returns Sept. 2.
SEC Inside returns Sept. 3.
Southeastern Conference football will be the focus of a documentary, Decade of Dominance, which premieres Aug. 14 to coincide with the ten-year anniversary of SEC Network.
Under the direction of Rory Karpf and narrated by country music star Luke Bryan, Decade of Dominance was “created to commemorate the ten-year anniversary of the College Football Playoff and highlight the success the SEC has had across the last decade.”
