In the quintessential intersection of Southeastern Conference football and southern lifestyle, SEC Network has teamed up with one of music’s biggest superstars, Luke Combs, to use his newly-released song about his love for the SEC, “South On Ya,” as the network’s 2021 college football anthem. It will also serve as the new theme song for SEC Network’s traveling pre-game show, SEC Nation, and the soundtrack for SECN’s campaign surrounding its primetime football franchise, SEC Saturday Night Presented by T-Mobile.
The song’s title will be used as the overall SEC Network brand statement throughout the fall and into the postseason for college football, including being utilized in on-air studio programming and live events.
Combs is also featured in Marty & McGee’s signature “It’s Sports. Only Southern-er.” ad campaign, with commercials for Marty & McGee Presented by Old Trapper running now on SEC Network.
“This anthem and our primetime campaign truly celebrate the strength, pageantry and fandom of the SEC – the stadiums and electric environments, the conference’s football dominance and the place we call home,” said Michelle Berry, ESPN senior director of marketing, college networks. “This track and the ‘South On Ya’ expression are powerful, with an attitude and confidence that well represents SEC football.”
“Man, this is pretty special,” Combs said. “In the beginning of my career, I spent a lot of my time playing my music all over towns within the SEC. The fact that one of my songs is now such a big part of the Network is really cool to me. It feels like a full circle moment, for sure. I am a huge fan of the SEC and am honored my song was chosen to be a part of it.”
“There’s nothing quite like the intersection of sports and music, and Luke Combs and the SEC are definitely a winning combination,” said Nicole Marinake, Senior Director Partnership Marketing for Sony Music Nashville. “Luke’s songwriting captures the energy of fan bases everywhere and we’re thrilled to be working alongside our partners at ESPN and FishBait to bring this anthem to life.”
“South On Ya” debuted Wednesday night at midnight, and the highly-anticipated track is available now on all streaming platforms. Listen here.