ESPN Is In Huge Trouble With The Big Ten's New Media Deal
ESPN better buy a winter jacket because the network is being left out in the cold.
The Big Ten is currently negotiating a historic media deal, and after four decades of working with ESPN, the sports network is no longer in the running to be a part of the conference's new media deal.
THE BIG 10 AND SEC ARE CHANGING THE COLLEGE ATHLETICS LANDSCAPE WITH TV RIGHTS
CBS and NBC are the leaders to join Fox as the networks carrying B1G action, and the deal is expected to easily exceed $1 billion annually.
CBS and NBC leaders for new B1G media deal. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)
Fox already agreed to the "A" package, which means the network will get the first crack at premier events. CBS and NBC are expected to split a "B" package.
ESPN ENDS ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH THE BIG TEN
How much money will the Big Ten's new media deal be worth? (Photo by Doug Murray/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
The "B" package would include B1G football games at 3:30 EST on CBS and then primetime games on NBC. So, in theory, the three best B1G games of the day would be on Fox at noon EST, CBS at 3:30 EST and then NBC to close out the day.
CBS and NBC expected to split the Big Ten's "B" package. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images)
To make matters worse for ESPN, the network is expected to get "aggressive" in the pursuit of PAC-12 and Big 12 media rights if the Big Ten ices it out.
ESPN IS BEGGING FOR A SLICE OF A COLLEGE FOOTBALL TV DEAL
Imagine thinking it's a good idea to dump money into the PAC-12 given the fact nobody knows if it will exist in three years. Not smart! Not smart at all!
ESPN expected to miss out on the Big Ten's new media deal. (Photo by Jason Mowry/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Even outside of the fact ESPN might be cooked, the B1G's new media deal is a sign the conference has become untouchable.
If Ourand's report is accurate, the B1G will have power on three of the four main networks. That's power!
Big Ten media deal will set records. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
It's a great time to be a Big Ten fan, and a bad time to be an executive running ESPN!
UPDATE: ESPN officially pulled out of the Big Ten's media negotiations.