The Big Ten is on the verge of television deals expected to pay it more than $1 billion and create a college football triple whammy with Fox, CBS and NBC, The Post has confirmed.
If the deal goes through, ESPN will exit the Big Ten football and basketball business for the first time in 40 years. Deals with all three networks have not been finalized. Sports Business Journal media writer John Urand, who is also a podcast host, first reported the news.
Saturday’s format will likely be Fox with a noon start, followed by CBS in the late afternoon and NBC in prime time. Sources told The Post that CBS is expected to pay about $350 million a year for the 3:30 p.m. slot.
It will replace the SEC, which will move all of its games to ABC/ESPN in a deal that pays the SEC about $330 million for top football games starting in 2024. ESPN and the SEC have a separate agreement that covers more football and other sports, bringing the SEC’s tally to about $700 million.
The Big 10 is on the brink of a huge TV package.AP
If those deals go through, the Pac-12, which ESPN likes for its late-night windows, will be next. The Big 12 is also in there, which could be a battle between ESPN and Fox. Amazon and Apple have also expressed interest in getting involved in the college football game.
There is also the possibility of further realignment, which muddies the water.
ESPN’s deal with the SEC was sweetened when the SEC picked up Texas and Oklahoma from the Big 12. Fox, which is part of the Big Ten Network’s ownership and involved in all ongoing negotiations, was helped when the Big Ten became an even more attractive television property as recently added UCLA and USC.
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