Arkansas State in spotlight for Day 2 of Sun Belt Football Media Days

NEW ORLEANS (KAIT) - We have a pigskin party in New Orleans.

2022 Sun Belt Football Media Days continued Wednesday morning. Arkansas State takes the main stage at 11:30am on ESPN+. Head coach Butch Jones, quarterback James Blackman, and linebacker Kivon Bennett are representing the Red Wolves. A-State looks to rebound after a 2-win 2021 season. The Red Wolves were picked to finish 6th in the West Division in the Sun Belt Football Preseason Poll.

We also caught up with Vice Chancellor of Intercollegiate Athletics Jeff Purinton. You can watch his entire interview above.

Gill started proceedings with the State of the Sun Belt. He announced that the SBC has a new expanded agreement with ESPN “that will provide additional financial resources and linear opportunities.” The current contract runs through the 2030-31 season. The SBC/ESPN deal will provide more TV opportunities for men’s basketball and football.

The new agreement will also create 6,000 additional live events available on ESPN+ including women’s soccer, women’s volleyball, baseball, softball, & men’s soccer.

“The expanded agreement will provide additional resources and exposure for our members, which will allow them to tell our stories, and showcase our incredible athletic and academic accomplishments of Sun Belt student athletes and member institutions,” Gill said.

The commissioner also revealed that the Sun Belt is close to finalizing a deal with a 6th bowl partner that would take effect for the 2022 season. The SBC currently has 5 bowl tie-ins: R&L Carriers New Orleans Bowl, Cure Bowl, Myrtle Beach Bowl, LendingTree Bowl, & the Camellia Bowl. “As our membership expands, it is critical to expand our bowl offerings,” Gill added in his address.

Arkansas State was one of seven Sun Belt West Division teams in the spotlight on Wednesday. You can hear from Troy, Texas State, Southern Miss, South Alabama, & ULM below.

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