Rattler Sports Network continues to explore sponsorship, broadcast opportunities for FAMU
Florida A&M football fans will see new sponsorship signage and a new video board at renovated Bragg Memorial Stadium Saturday.
And, those not in attendance for the Rattlers' home opener against Albany State at 6 p.m., have options on how to listen and stream the game on the internet.
All this makes for a busy day for Jermaine Davis, the general manager of Rattler Sports Properties, sale representative Jermaine Davis and account executive Wenk Alcindor.
"Driving revenue through sponsorship is one of the key factors of growth in college athletics," said Davis, who has experience in both the professional and collegiate sport arenas.
"FAMU is a very strong brand and thankfully businesses throughout Tallahassee are stepping up to support and partner with us."
Davis added that FAMU's brand also continues to attract regional and national interest.
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Local airwaves silent
FAMU, for now, is also without a local radio affiliate to broadcast football games.
Traditionally, games over the years were broadcast by 96.1 FM, which is owned by Cumulus Licensing, LLC. Last year's home games were carried by FAMU's campus radio station.
Still, Rattler fans locally, regionally, nationally and around the world can access FAMU football on the internet.
More: How to watch Florida A&M Rattlers football vs. Albany State Golden Rams on live stream
FAMU's broadcast team features former FAMU quarterback Al Chester (color analyst) and Melvin Beal (play-by-play). Beal replaces longtime broadcaster Michael Thomas, who passed away last month at age 64.
Davis said last year FAMU football fans in Germany, Barbados and even Estonia, which borders the Baltic Sea and Gulf of Finland, tuned in to the Rattler Sports Network.
Loyal fans and alumni chapters in Atlanta, Dallas and Miami, among other cities, also followed FAMU's season that extended into the FCS playoffs for the first time in two decades.
Additionally, HBCU GO — the media provider for the nation’s 107 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) — recently launched its inaugural football season. Fans can also signup for game updates across HBCUS.
New partnership
In August 2021, FAMU athletics announced a new partnership with Peak Sports MGMT to create the Rattler Sports Network.
The deal is for five years, and the online audio network broadcasts Rattler games, coaches' shows, and other content.
The company and Davis also continue to focus on sponsorship sales and expanding the footprint of FAMU athletics.
Davis is well-versed in those areas, joining FAMU athletics last year after a three-year stint as the manager of corporate partnerships for the MLB Tampa Bay Rays and pro soccer Tampa Bay Rowdies.
He also previously served as he Director of Corporate Partnerships of the PGA Honda Classic, in addition to stops at the University of Maryland (2014-16), the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (2008-11), and the University of Oklahoma (2007-08).
New signage at Bragg Memorial Stadium this season includes AT&T, Louisiana Hot Sauce and local car dealership, Kraft Nissan.
A new video board was also recently installed in the north end zone.
After dropping games at North Carolina (56-24) and against SWAC rival Jackson State (59-3) last Sunday in the Orange Blossom Classic at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Garden, the Rattlers look to rebound against Division II Albany State.
Reach Jim Henry at jjhenry@tallahassee.com.
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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Rattler Sports Properties works to expand FAMU football, athletics brand
