Angela Haar is trading in her crimson and blue for, well, just blue.

Haar, who served as general manager for ESPN Regional at Kansas University for the past four years, is leaving Lawrence for Lexington, Ky., where she will be general manager for the Host Communications operation that handles sports marketing at the University of Kentucky.

“I treasure the experiences and accomplishments we’ve had at ESPN and the University of Kansas,” Haar said. “The University of Kentucky has one of the premier athletic programs in the country, with great leadership. I am very fortunate to be working with some of the very best.”

In Lawrence, Haar helped Charlotte, N.C.-based ESPN Regional and its Lawrence division, ESPN Plus, secure a new contract with Kansas Athletics Inc. that gives the company sole marketing and production access to some of the nation’s most lucrative athletic properties.

The seven-year deal, worth more than $40 million, gives the company responsibility for selling sponsorships, including signage at Allen Fieldhouse and Memorial Stadium; producing and selling ads and sponsorships for radio and television coach’s shows for Mark Mangino, Bill Self and Bonnie Henrickson; and operating the Jayhawk Radio Network, which carries all home and away games for football and men’s and women’s basketball, and the Jayhawk Television Network, which picks up games not otherwise covered by national or regional providers.

Haar also made two prominent hires, with consultation with athletics officials: David Lawrence and Chris Piper as on-air replacements for the legendary Max Falkenstien, who retired last year after six decades as radio color analyst for KU football and basketball.

“We think Angela has done a terrific job,” said Jim Marchiony, an associate athletics director at KU. “She is creative, and very hardworking. We consider her part of the Kansas Athletics family. We will miss her.”

In 2004, Host secured an agreement with Kentucky for many of the same responsibilities that are part of ESPN Regional’s deal with KU. For the Kentucky agreement, Host and a partner agreed to pay $80.5 million over the 10-year life of the contract.