Learfield Assumes Radio Rights for K-State Athletics
Feb 28, 2005 | General
Officials of Learfield, a leader in the collegiate sports broadcasting and multimedia marketing business based in
K-State becomes the 19th member of the Learfield sports family, which includes Big 12 Conference schools
The sale to Learfield is part of a deal in which Larry Steckline, founder and operator of the Mid America Ag Network of Wichita, has sold controlling interests in the company to his son, Greg. The Mid America Ag Network and the Mid America News Network are carried on 35 and 51 stations, respectively, in
Larry Steckline will continue to broadcast his agricultural commentary on the Mid America Ag Network and appear on "Ag Watch" on KWCH-TV 12 in Wichita, Thursday mornings during the 7 a.m., hour.
Weiser said K-State is excited about the potential opportunities to expand its radio and marketing interests in partnership with Learfield. He also saluted MASN for establishing a viable 29-station radio network and notably increasing the value of K-State's radio broadcast rights fees.
"I appreciate what Larry Steckline did for us," Weiser said. "He took a gamble on K-State and established a higher value in the marketplace for our radio rights while forging a network that, obviously, became attractive to others in the business. He stuck with us through some difficult times at the outset, and for that I will always be grateful.
"Learfield is recognized in collegiate athletics as one of the best - if not the best - in the business," Weiser continued, "and we're certainly proud to join its family. Learfield has a great amount of expertise and resources that we believe will allow us to continue expanding the reach of Wildcat Athletics to our fan base."
Greg Brown, senior vice president for Learfield, said his company has always been interested in K-State and was one of the bidders for the original radio rights contract.
"We are thrilled to work with Tim Weiser and the other folks at K-State," Brown said. "We appreciate the opportunity Larry Steckline has given us and look forward to serving
Weiser said Wyatt Thompson, an employee of the K-State Athletics Department, will continue in his role as Voice of the Wildcats.
Learfield Communications was founded in 1972 as the Missouri Network, Inc., a small farm network heard over six
