Notre Dame, NBC extend deal through 2015

Jun 19, 2008 - 4:50 PM NEW YORK (Ticker) -- The University of Notre Dame and NBC Sports on Thursday announced a new five-year agreement to televise all Fighting Irish home football games through 2015.

The extension provides NBC with rights to eight Notre Dame games per season from 2011-15 - seven annually at Notre Dame Stadium and an additional neutral site contest airing in prime time each year. NBC began televising all Notre Dame home games in 1991.

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

"We are thrilled to be continuing our landmark agreement with Notre Dame, the most storied brand in college sports," said Dick Ebersol, chairman of NBC Sports. "This new deal, which will bring us to 25 years as partners, is great tribute to the wonderful relationship that (NBC president) Ken Schanzer has built with the entire Notre Dame community."

However, Notre Dame is coming off arguably the worst season in its storied history, going just 3-9 in 2007. The Fighting Irish begin their fourth year under coach Charlie Weis on September 6, when they host San Diego State.

Thursday's annoucement was the fifth in a series of five-year agreements between Notre Dame and NBC Sports.