From the get-go, with the stable of candidates being tossed around, when the talking point was about how it would allow the league to re-open and negotiate upward their existing TV deal, I could only wonder why Fox and ESPN would feel compelled to pay more if the league simply added 2-4 mid-major programs.
Well, not so fast, Big-12....
"But now, as the calendar turns to August, here come the TV suits to slow the Big 12’s roll. ESPN and Fox are sending clear signals that an expanded Big 12 won’t be viewed as a better Big 12 – at least not a Big 12 worth more media rights fees."
Which of course brings us to...
"It is another remarkable plot twist, and it shows that the conference is very vulnerable when/if the next big realignment earthquake hits college sports.
That could happen by 2024 at the latest, when the current sets of major TV rights deals expire. The jockeying will begin before that. And the Big 12 could be poached."
So, yes, the topic of four 16-team "super conferences" is back in the speculation.
Anyway, here's the full article: CLICK ME!
Well, not so fast, Big-12....
"But now, as the calendar turns to August, here come the TV suits to slow the Big 12’s roll. ESPN and Fox are sending clear signals that an expanded Big 12 won’t be viewed as a better Big 12 – at least not a Big 12 worth more media rights fees."
Which of course brings us to...
"It is another remarkable plot twist, and it shows that the conference is very vulnerable when/if the next big realignment earthquake hits college sports.
That could happen by 2024 at the latest, when the current sets of major TV rights deals expire. The jockeying will begin before that. And the Big 12 could be poached."
So, yes, the topic of four 16-team "super conferences" is back in the speculation.
Anyway, here's the full article: CLICK ME!
