March 21, 2007

The University of New Mexico announced today that it has selected Learfield Sports as its exclusive athletics marketing partner through 2015, signifying the Lobos' first time to outsource these rights collectively.

The eight-year agreement calls for Dallas-based Learfield Sports to administer UNM Athletics' multimedia rights beginning with the 2007-`08 academic year and to operate under the name "Lobo Sports Properties" (LSP). Under contract terms, LSP, a Learfield Sports' property, will oversee certain live television broadcasts and coaches' shows, facility signage, corporate hospitality, print sponsorships, event marketing, corporate sponsorships and official athletic Web site advertising.

Ownership of the radio rights, including coaches' shows and live play-by-play broadcasts, will become effective starting with the 2008-'09 athletic season. Citadel Broadcasting, current UNM radio rights holder, will enter into a long-term agreement with Learfield Sports, ensuring that Citadel-owned KKOB 770 AM will retain its decades-old position as the Lobos' flagship station throughout the length of Learfield's contract with UNM. Citadel's KNML-AM will also continue as the Lady Lobo flagship station for women's basketball.

Concurrent with this move, Darren Dunn, who served 10 years as UNM's associate athletics director for corporate development, has been named general manager for LSP. Dunn's experience also includes working with the University of Tulsa as director of marketing and promotions and with Northern Illinois University as director of sales. Joe Weiss, formerly the Lobos' assistant athletic director for sales and marketing, will join Dunn as account executive for LSP.

"We are thrilled to be partnering with Learfield Sports, the national leader in multi-media rights in intercollegiate athletics," said Athletics Director Paul Krebs. "This critical partnership with Learfield Sports will allow for the continued growth and development of Lobo athletics while retaining the long-time relationship we enjoy with Citadel Broadcasting."

"Paul and his entire athletic administration have done a phenomenal job with the UNM program, and we're pleased to have the opportunity to impact its future growth and success moving forward," said Greg Brown, president of Learfield Sports. "We're also certain that our relationship with Citadel and KKOB will help ensure that success."

Milt McConnell, market manager for Citadel Broadcasting, added, "We are very honored to be able to keep the 40-plus year tradition with UNM Football and Basketball going forward. Learfield Sports is a first-class sports marketing organization that totally understands the importance of our radio broadcasting partnership."

The New Mexico property will be a joint venture effort with ISP Sports, but Learfield Sports, as the majority partner, will operate and manage it. In addition to New Mexico, Learfield Sports manages multimedia rights for more than 30 collegiate institutions and associations including other Mountain West members San Diego State and Wyoming. The company also manages the marketing partnerships for the Black Coaches Association (BCA) and provides exclusive sports programming to more than 1,000 radio stations throughout the country. Additionally, Team Services, LLC, a Learfield Sports company, specializes in venue naming rights, marketing research and sales consultation.

Dallas-based Learfield Sports is an operating unit of Jefferson City, Mo.-based Learfield Communications, Inc., which made its initial foray into the world of sports marketing in 1975 as the radio rights holder for the University of Missouri, a client still today. For more information and a complete listing of Learfield Sports' portfolio, visit www.learfieldsports.com.