SPARTANBURG, SC -- Southern Conference Commissioner John Iamarino today announced that the league office has entered into agreement with Charlotte-based CAP Sports Group, LLC for the 2006-07 academic year.

Curt Pires, who owns CAP Sports Group, has worked with the SoCon on syndication for the men’s and women’s basketball tournaments each of the past two years. Part of the new agreement with the conference has Pires’ organization looking to increase the distribution of football and men’s and women’s basketball regular season contests, in addition to continuing with his past endeavors with both basketball tournament events.

"We think Curt Pires and the CAP Sports Group can significantly increase distribution of Southern Conference football and men’s and women’s basketball throughout the coming year," Iamarino said. "Curt has an extensive knowledge of both the conference and the business of television. We’re pleased to have him working for our membership."

"I am very excited to renew and expand my partnership with the Southern Conference," Pires added. "I look forward to executing the Commissioner’s plan of growing the television distribution and branding of one of the nation’s very best collegiate athletic conference."

The league will announce its football television schedule in July.