ESPN will not lose rights to the Big Ten, though it will take a backseat to rival Fox Sports in its new deal with the conference.
ESPN has agreed to a six-year contract with the Big Ten to carry approximately 25 football and 50 basketball games per season, Sports Business Journal reported Monday. Compared to its current deal with the conference, ESPN will pay $40 million more annually (going from $150 million to $190) while owning about half as much inventory. Fox Sports already acquired the other half earlier this year.
According to the report, ESPN will take on a secondary role behind Fox Sports on football game selections. Each outlet will get to choose which weeks it has the first choice of games, but Fox Sports will get first pick. As a result, the most attractive game on the schedule — at least on paper — should end up going to one of the Fox networks every year.
Fox Sports, paying the Big Ten about $50 million more than ESPN will ($240 million), will also get the Big Ten Championship Game each season. That is unchanged from the status quo.
ESPN’s fellow incumbent CBS, which holds rights only to Big Ten basketball, has also reached agreement on a six-year deal with the conference. CBS will continue airing the semifinals and finals of the Big Ten Tournament, paying $10 million per year for the privilege.
The conference reportedly hopes to announce the new deals by the end of next month.
(Mon. news from Sports Business Journal)
