8/24/2017 football Edit

Source: Dukes Nearing TV Deal

James Madison football players celebrate with coach Mike Houston (center) after winning the FCS national championship in January. (Associated Press)

Greg Madia • DukesofJMU

Publisher

HARRISONBURG — Despite its conference failing to land a traditional television contract, James Madison may soon have one its own.

According to an athletic department source, the school continues to explore linear television options for football, and is preparing to finalize a full schedule for release soon.

Last week, the Colonial Athletic Association announced an agreement with CBS Sports Digital. The CAA’s deal with CBS Sports Digital runs for the next two years and allows for the network to showcase a Game of the Week.

JMU’s Oct. 14 home game against Villanova is the Dukes’ lone appearance on the Game of the Week.

“As the schedule came out, it was frustrating for those of us at JMU to only have one game on the digital network with CBS,” JMU athletic director Jeff Bourne said last week.

JMU also maintains its own streaming network — MadiZone — which Bourne said would continue to produce all home games aside from the Oct. 14 date against the Wildcats because CBS Sports Digital has exclusive rights to that contest.