The Sports Network Cup, created in 2001, honors the nation's top I-AA mid-major college football program. Those institutions eligible to receive The Sports Network Cup currently includes the 22 programs of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC), Northeast Conference (NEC), and Pioneer Football League (PFL), which participate in football at a non-scholarship or limited scholarship level. Voting for The Sports Network Cup is conducted at the conclusion of each season, and consists of media covering I-AA mid-major schools, as well as media relations professionals from each of the 22 eligible institutions.

This group also votes weekly on The Sports Network I-AA Mid-Major Top 10 Poll, announced each Monday during the regular season, and for the preseason and postseason I-AA Mid-Major All-America teams. Like the National Hockey League's Stanley Cup, The Sports Network Cup can only be in the possession of its recipient while that institution is the reigning champion, and must be transferred to the reigning champion if and when a new champion is named.