Larry Munson isn’t exclusive to the locals anymore.

Last Friday the University inked a deal with XM Satellite Radio to broadcast all of its football games for the next five years. With the deal, anyone with XM Radio can listen to each Georgia game – even if they are on the other side of the country.

“It is exciting to know that the XM Radio deal is going to allow Bulldog fans to hear our games no matter where they are,” said head coach Mark Richt in a statement via e-mail. “I know this has been something our fans have wanted for quite some time and I am pleased that it is finally here.”

The deal is through the Southeastern Conference, which is helping XM Radio set up individual contracts between its members. According to Alan Thomas, associate athletic director for external affairs, each school that joins the XM lineup will receive $100,000.

“This is another outlet to deliver UGA sports globally,” Thomas said. “It’s good for us to expand our overall reach for Bulldog fans and future Bulldog fans.”

“We’re pleased to finally be able to deliver satellite radio to Bulldog fans everywhere,” Thomas said.

Georgia is one of seven SEC schools to agree to the new XM contract – including Arkansas, Kentucky, LSU, Mississippi State, Ole Miss and Tennessee. The remaining five schools are still under contract with Sirius Radio but are expected to join XM when their contracts expire.

Under the contract, a minimum of eight “home broadcasts” will be aired. This means, at the very least, Bulldog fans will hear the team of Munson, Loran Smith and Scott Howard eight times, although the number could increase.

Regardless, all 12 games will be broadcast on XM.

In addition, the men’s and women’s basketball teams will have most of their games broadcast, as well as selective events from other sports. XM will also broadcast the SEC football and basketball championships as well as other special SEC events.

Thomas said the switch made sense because of the opportunities XM was presenting. While Sirius signed individual schools, XM was looking at signing conference deals, and then letting the school choose if it wants to be a part of the conference deal.

Every SEC school except Georgia and Arkansas had a Sirius contract prior to the XM deal.

“Looking at all the benefits (with XM Radio), it made the timing right,” Thomas said.

While XM Radio becomes the official satellite radio provider for the University’s athletic department, each radio broadcast will still be available on the Georgia Radio Network – which includes station News/Talk 750 WSB.