• by David Goetzl , August 26, 2008

Arguably the country's most competitive college football conference, the Southeastern Conference will continue on ESPN until almost the quarter-century mark. A new 15-year extension of a current carriage deal runs through 2023-24.

In what has become de rigueur for ESPN rights deals, the agreement allows for distribution on a variety of platforms and properties.

Outside the marquee football, the deal covers men's and women's basketball and coverage of some so-called "non-revenue" sports. All broadcasts will carry the "SEC on ESPN" brand.

The league has been on ESPN since 1982.

In football, the high-profile Saturday night game on ESPN will continue under the deal, as well as two Thursday-night games a year. ESPN will also take over syndication of conference games locally in SEC-home markets for football and basketball.

In basketball, ESPN picks up the championship game of the SEC men's basketball tournament.