ESPN and the Big East Conference are in talks to extend their media deal, according to John Ourand and Michael Smith of Sports Business Journal.
The current deal ends after the 2013 college football season and the extension that’s being discussed would more than triple the conference’s current media rights fee.
On average, ESPN currently pays the Big East $36 million annually for all of its sports. The early numbers for a new deal are in the $110 million to $130 million range annually according to sources. Last July, ESPN and the ACC agreed on a 12-year broadcast rights agreement deal worth $155 million annually.
ESPN is clearly trying to act fast before they face competition from the likes of Fox, Turner and Comcast/NBC. The Big East and ESPN have been partners since 1979 and I expect the two to continue their relationship … for the right price.