Multimedia rights for athletics

Coastal Carolina University, located in Horry County, South Carolina, is seeking a comprehensive multimedia rights contractor through a competitive Request for Proposal (RFP) process. The solicitation seeks a qualified vendor to manage an extensive range of athletic multimedia services, including corporate sponsorships, at-event marketing, facility signage sales, radio and television broadcasting rights, official publications, athletic website advertising, and digital content management. Mandatory qualifications require a minimum of five years of experience as a multimedia rights holder for an NCAA Division I institution. The RFP evaluation criteria will prioritize the business proposal's guaranteed rights fees, followed by qualifications/experience and program approach. The procurement timeline includes a pre-proposal teleconference held on November 10, 2020, with written questions due by November 12, 2020, at 12:00 PM EST. Proposal submissions were originally due on December 8, 2020, at 11:00 AM EST, with award notification scheduled for February 4, 2021. The contract period spans an initial three-year term with two potential one-year extensions, running from February 13, 2021, through June 30, 2026.

The solicitation does not specify any specific set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises. The university will retain existing partnerships with Under Armour (apparel/footwear), Pepsi (pouring rights), and Aramark (food services), which are explicitly excluded from this contract's scope. While no specific funding amount is identified, the contract is structured as a revenue-generating opportunity where the contractor will secure sponsorships and manage operational costs. Historical operational expenses have averaged approximately $175,000 annually, with broadcast talent fees averaging $110,000 annually. The contractor will be responsible for all expenses related to sponsorship sales, event production, broadcast operations, signage manufacturing and installation, and promotional materials. Contractors must provide insurance coverage including $1,000,000 in Commercial General Liability and Auto Liability, along with Statutory Workers' Compensation limits. The university will require submission of a technical proposal, a separate business proposal with financial quotations, and one redacted copy, all to be submitted electronically through the South Carolina procurement website.