Black College Invitational Championship to Stream the Inaugural HBCU Postseason Basketball Tournament Live in 2025
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Posted By: Reginald Culpepper on December 04, 2024 The Black College Invitational Championship (BCIC) today announced a partnership with Ryz Sports Network and Van Wagner Productions to stream its inaugural postseason basketball tournament live on Samsung TV Plus, taking place March 20-23, 2025, at the Bojangles Coliseum in Charlotte, N.C. The historic tournament will air on the Ryz Sports Network, which is available to stream for free on Samsung TV Plus, and will leverage Van Wagner’s broadcast production expertise to deliver a premier viewing experience for fans worldwide. The head of MARC Global Sports Marketing & Entertainment, Darryl Woods, brought the deal to both sides. Ryz Sports Network, which recently expanded to reach over 800 million homes globally, has agreed to a multi-year deal to be the exclusive broadcast platform for the tournament. Van Wagner will handle all aspects of broadcast production for the event, utilizing its state-of-the-art Broadcast Control Center. Van Wagner’s production team will also develop a custom broadcast graphics package, integrate sideline talent and commentators, and seamlessly incorporate sponsor content into a dynamic, engaging show for the streaming audience. “Partnering with the Ryz Sports Network is monumental for the Black College Invitational Championship as we work to highlight the incredible student-athletes from our HBCUs,” said Dr. Wes Bellamy, President and CEO of the BCIC. “With RYZ Sports Network as our streaming network and Van Wagner delivering top-tier broadcast production, the BCIC promises to deliver a high-quality, first-class event that celebrates the rich culture and excellence of HBCU athletics.” The BCIC will feature 16 men’s and women’s Division I and II HBCU basketball teams competing for the Black College Basketball Champion title. The event will also include a high school education day expo, career fair, HBCU step show, golf tournament, and other auxiliary events throughout Charlotte. “As a minority guiding the new Ryz Sports Network, I am thrilled we’ve been granted the opportunity to showcase the BCIC. We look forward for this impactful event to call our network home for years to come,” said Hammad Zaidi, Ryz Sports Network Co-Founder & CEO. “The BCIC will be iconic and a boon for college basketball and sports as a whole,” added Chief Business Officer at MARC Global Communications, Darryl Woods. “It’s a first for the Power 4 Conferences to have their post-season tournament, and we’re excited to make this inaugural event available to fans everywhere via the Ryz Sports Network.” “The entire team at Van Wagner is honored to produce the broadcast for the first-ever Black College Invitational Championship,” said Brent Stevens, Senior Vice President of Van Wagner Productions. “Our mission is to showcase the energy, talent, and culture of historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). This event is a major milestone, and we’re thrilled to collaborate with the BCIC and Ryz Sports Network to deliver a high-quality broadcast experience for fans and alumni who will be able to stream the tournament live on Samsung TV Plus.” The Black College Invitational Championship is more than a basketball tournament—it’s a celebration of HBCU culture, excellence, and community. The multi-day event aims to provide opportunities for education, entertainment, and connection, with plans to grow into a hallmark event for HBCU athletics and beyond. Tickets for the tournament are now on sale. Organizers believe this partnership with Ryz Sports Network and Van Wagner will help drive awareness of BCIC’s mission and ensure its growth in the coming years. More information is available at www.blackcollegeinvitationalchampionship.org. About The Black College Invitational Championship: The Black College Invitational Championship (BCIC) seeks to display high-quality post-season basketball featuring men’s and women’s teams from Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Through collaboration with our partners from various industries, we will ensure that all of our student-athletes, fans, and participants are able to enjoy the valued tradition of HBCU basketball and culture. About Ryz Sports Network: Ryz Sports Network (pronounced rise) is a new 24-hour channel based in Hermosa Beach, California. Available free on Samsung TV Plus in over 800 million homes, Ryz offers a cornucopia of live events including NCAA Division 1 men's and women's basketball, football, softball, tournaments in multiple sports, ACC Hockey, MMA, international men's and women's soccer, rugby, ultimate frisbee, high school football, and a host of other established and emerging sports. Ryz delivers unforgettable, heart-stopping content. Tune in on Samsung TV Plus, Channel 1002 through December 11, 2024, and on Channel 2394 in 2025. For more information, go to www.samsungtvplus.com. About Van Wagner: Van Wagner is a leading sports advertising and entertainment agency, with global expertise in filmed and live entertainment, sponsorship sales, multi-media rights, and aerial advertising. Van Wagner creates, advises, and sells on behalf of world-class teams, leagues, brands, and properties. An innovator in the sports and media business, Van Wagner is a global leader in high-impact broadcast visible signage throughout the MLB, NBA, NCAA, and international soccer, sponsorships sales, college multimedia rights, and in-venue content production at the world’s biggest sporting events. For more information, visit www.vanwagner.com. If you enjoyed this article, Join HBCU CONNECT today for similar content and opportunities via email! |
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Reginald Culpepper
President, Fulfillment and Web Services, HBCUCONNECT Clark Atlanta University class of 1998 Member Since September 2000 |
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