The Sun Belt Conference’s long-term contract with ESPN is one of the factors that attracted Marshall University to switch from Conference USA to the Sun Belt, according to MU officials. Athletic Director Jeff O’Malley said Monday during a news conference that with the move, Thundering Herd fans will be able to find every Marshall and every Sun Belt game. A Sun Belt Conference official at the news conference confirmed that the conference’s contract with ESPN runs through 2031. Marshall athletics officials said last week that the school will join the Sun Belt no later than July 1, 2023.