Media Rights Update

[DFW HOYA]

If there ever was a mistake made by the BE leadership, it was tying themselves to a 12-year deal in 2013.  With so many unknowns at the time, it is a minor critique in the long-term of things, but power conferences keep short-term TV deals because the value of live sports programming continues to sky rocket over time. 

The contract accomplished what the conference needed most in 2013: stability. This was the period where ESPN was really, really trying to void the Big East contract with MSG for the ACC and the Big Ten Tournament in New York (remember that?) was not far behind. A short term deal would have raised questions about where the Big East was headed by 2017 or 2018; at that point, no one had Villanova penciled in for two national championships.

[Scoop Snoop]

The contract accomplished what the conference needed most in 2013: stability. This was the period where ESPN was really, really trying to void the Big East contract with MSG for the ACC and the Big Ten Tournament in New York (remember that?) was not far behind. A short term deal would have raised questions about where the Big East was headed by 2017 or 2018; at that point, no one had Villanova penciled in for two national championships.

Nice summary of what the landscape was for the C7/NBE back then. I suspect other scoopers would admit, as I will freely, that they were pretty scared about whether the new conference would survive as a major league.

[GoFastAndWin]

on the subject of "rights," the Big 12 is working with Allstate to see conference naming rights to them (The Allstate 12 Conference) and CUSA is also seeking a sponsor (probably some local gas station in Alabama is the best they could get). I guess that's the next frontier for the commercializing of college sports. What would be a good naming rights partner for the Big East? It's only a matter of time.  :'(

https://x.com/PeteThamel/status/1801283484213813359

The Round Mound of Rebound votes for “The BigAss Fans Conference”. They sponsored The Breeders Cup a couple times 🐴 🏇🏽, so why not The Big Ass East?

[cheebs09]

You could probably question the length of the deal in retrospect, but people need to remember how much uncertainty surrounded the C7 break away at the time. There wasn't a single soul here who questioned that Fox deal at the time. They needed the certainty.

Yeah, if I remember right, the length was looked at as a win due to having some security. Also, I'm not sure Fox would have wanted a short deal as they needed to solidify a base and programming. A shorter deal where the Big East jumps to ESPN probably would not have helped their brand.

[Pepe Sylvia]

Weren't they transitioning the speed channel to FS1 at the time too? Yeah we were all very happy to get that contract. It was paying more than any other basketball leagues contract was, and more than some group of 5 leagues at the time.

[The Lens]

Remember when the Big ten played their tournament at MSG a week early?

LOL. 

We won the war.

[WhiteTrash]

Remember when the Big ten played their tournament at MSG a week early?

LOL. 

We won the war.

A sad occasion on multiple fronts including poor attendance. Lot's of big talk from the B10 and its fans prior to it and total silence after.

I think the ACC talked about using MSG too, then had a change of heart.

[Mr. Nielsen]

https://www.bigeast.com/news/2024/6/27/general-big-east-announces-new-media-rights-agreement.aspx

The new agreement, which will span from 2025-26 through 2030-31, encompasses coverage on FOX Sports (FOX, FS1, FS2), NBC Sports (NBC, Peacock) and TNT Sports (TNT, TBS, truTV and Max).


FOX Sports will feature at least 80 BIG EAST men’s and women’s basketball contests across the regular season and postseason beginning in 2025-26.

Peacock will launch its coverage of BIG EAST men’s basketball in 2024-25 with a package of 25 regular season games and five early round and quarterfinal conference tournament games. Beginning with the 2025-26 season, Peacock and NBC Sports will present more than 60 men’s and women’s regular season and BIG EAST Tournament games.

TNT Sports will feature more than 65 regular season BIG EAST basketball games airing on TNT – as its primary network – along with TBS, truTV and Max, beginning with the 2025-26 season.
 

[MU82]

Thanks, Mr. N.

So a little Peacock next season, but the deal doesn't really kick in until 2025-26.

Still some CBS Sportsnet next season or no?

[Mr. Nielsen]

Thanks, Mr. N.

So a little Peacock next season, but the deal doesn't really kick in until 2025-26.

Still some CBS Sportsnet next season or no?

CBS Sports is out.

Peacock starts this season. Peacock will launch its coverage of BIG EAST men’s basketball in 2024-25 with a package of 25 regular season games and five early round and quarterfinal conference tournament games. 

Women's basketball will really benefit being gone from Flo Sports.

[DFW HOYA]

A sad occasion on multiple fronts including poor attendance. Lot's of big talk from the B10 and its fans prior to it and total silence after.

I think the ACC talked about using MSG too, then had a change of heart.

The ACC, through Disney, actively sought means for MSG to break the contract, which fell short.  It's the least of their worries now, of course, but the league has signed a deal with the state of North Carolina to hold the tournament in Greensboro or Charlotte each year through 2029.

The 2024 ACC tournament was held at the always spacious Capital One Arena, much of which drew poorly:

https://www.outkick.com/sports/acc-tournament-ticket-prices

[GoldenWarrior11]

https://www.sportico.com/business/media/2024/big-east-media-rights-deal-fox-sports-nbc-tnt-1234785885/

Sportico reportedly that the estimates are $75 to $80 million annually, which would come out to between $6.8-$7.3 million over the life of the deal.  I'd guess it starts at $6.8 million in 2025-26 and concludes with $7.3 million in 2031-2032.  If we are to continue to operate under the belief that the basketball value of a television contract is about 20% of a full rights package (namely football), that would put us firmly in the ACC/Big 12 range of payouts, but obviously behind the Big Ten and SEC.  The Big 12 is up again in 2031 (one year before the Big East) and the ACC isn't concluding until 2036. 

[MU82]

CBS Sports is out.

Peacock starts this season. Peacock will launch its coverage of BIG EAST men’s basketball in 2024-25 with a package of 25 regular season games and five early round and quarterfinal conference tournament games. 

Women's basketball will really benfit being gone from Flo Sports.

Thanks. And agree.

[WhiteTrash]

https://www.sportico.com/business/media/2024/big-east-media-rights-deal-fox-sports-nbc-tnt-1234785885/

Sportico reportedly that the estimates are $75 to $80 million annually, which would come out to between $6.8-$7.3 million over the life of the deal.  I'd guess it starts at $6.8 million in 2025-26 and concludes with $7.3 million in 2031-2032.  If we are to continue to operate under the belief that the basketball value of a television contract is about 20% of a full rights package (namely football), that would put us firmly in the ACC/Big 12 range of payouts, but obviously behind the Big Ten and SEC.  The Big 12 is up again in 2031 (one year before the Big East) and the ACC isn't concluding until 2036.

Sounds like a great deal. Firmly in the P5 financial zone.

But, I'm sure Dayton and the A10 will blow us away when they come up for renewal. 

[Mr. Nielsen]

https://frontofficesports.com/big-east-signs-six-year-media-deal-fox-nbc-tnt/

One source suggests to Front Office Sports that the league will see an increase of around 30% to 40% on the average annual value of the current deal. The existing package averages about $41.7 million per year, so the future deal could be worth in the $55 million range annually, divided among the league’s 11 schools.

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

So going from about $3.7 M per school to $5.5 M per school. That's just a tick north of inflation.

Basically its slightly better than an inflation adjusted deal. So good, but not great.

[WhiteTrash]

https://frontofficesports.com/big-east-signs-six-year-media-deal-fox-nbc-tnt/

One source suggests to Front Office Sports that the league will see an increase of around 30% to 40% on the average annual value of the current deal. The existing package averages about $41.7 million per year, so the future deal could be worth in the $55 million range annually, divided among the league’s 11 schools.

I'll take the Sportico report, thank you very much. 

[Mr. Nielsen]

From John Ourand,

All told, starting with the 2025-26 season, the Big East will see its rights revenue double to an average of around $80 million per year, from the $41 million the conference receives now.

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

From John Ourand,

All told, starting with the 2025-26 season, the Big East will see its rights revenue double to an average of around $80 million per year, from the $41 million the conference receives now.

Where is the $50 M that was talked about elsewhere? Does that include the tournament credits?

[WhiteTrash]

From John Ourand,

All told, starting with the 2025-26 season, the Big East will see its rights revenue double to an average of around $80 million per year, from the $41 million the conference receives now.

2 reports: $80M
1 report: $55M

I like the score card.

Maybe Crystal Ball can weigh in?

[brewcity77]

2 reports: $80M
1 report: $55M

I like the score card.

Maybe Crystal Ball can weigh in?

I don't think they contradict each other. Sounds like the $55M just represents the Fox payments, the $80M is the total.

[muwarrior69]

https://www.bigeast.com/news/2024/6/27/general-big-east-announces-new-media-rights-agreement.aspx

The new agreement, which will span from 2025-26 through 2030-31, encompasses coverage on FOX Sports (FOX, FS1, FS2), NBC Sports (NBC, Peacock) and TNT Sports (TNT, TBS, truTV and Max).


FOX Sports will feature at least 80 BIG EAST men’s and women’s basketball contests across the regular season and postseason beginning in 2025-26.

Peacock will launch its coverage of BIG EAST men’s basketball in 2024-25 with a package of 25 regular season games and five early round and quarterfinal conference tournament games. Beginning with the 2025-26 season, Peacock and NBC Sports will present more than 60 men’s and women’s regular season and BIG EAST Tournament games.

TNT Sports will feature more than 65 regular season BIG EAST basketball games airing on TNT – as its primary network – along with TBS, truTV and Max, beginning with the 2025-26 season.
 

The real question is how many Marquette games will be on MAX and Peacock to make a subscription worth it just for viewing a few games.

[mikekinsellaMVP]

CBS Sports is out.

Peacock starts this season. Peacock will launch its coverage of BIG EAST men’s basketball in 2024-25 with a package of 25 regular season games and five early round and quarterfinal conference tournament games. 

Women's basketball will really benefit being gone from Flo Sports.

Very, very happy to see this.  It drove me nuts that they couldn't wouldn't find some way to roll up CBSSN with Paramount Plus.

I jumped on the recent "year of Peacock for $20" deal, thinking mostly of the Olympics and Packers-Eagles in Brazil.  Nice to get my first year of Big East on The Bird thrown in as well.

[WhiteTrash]

I don't think they contradict each other. Sounds like the $55M just represents the Fox payments, the $80M is the total.

Makes sense. Just the quote about $55M did not indicate Fox only or Fox at all, just "the package" value.

[barfolomew]

From John Ourand,

All told, starting with the 2025-26 season, the Big East will see its rights revenue double to an average of around $80 million per year, from the $41 million the conference receives now.

I don't believe anything that guy says.

Not sure you can really trust someone who wears a batting helmet in the field.