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Big Ten Media Rights: Frontrunners emerge, ESPN not in the mix, per report
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Big ten media rights are reportedly not going to have ESPN included in them for the 2022 season. There are 2 broadcast companies that are in the race to join FOX, who has the main broadcast privileges, according to John Ourand of SBJ.
The other 2 frontrunners in the race are reportedly NBC and CBS. Ourand believes that agreements could be reached before Aug. 12 or Aug. 15. If the reports are true, FOX will have a new broadcast partner.
If CBS gets the deal, it will be broadcasting games during the 3:30 p.m. ET window. However with NBC, the games will be shown during primetime.
ESPN’s 1st media rights deal with the B1G was back in 1982. It wouldn’t be all bad for the broadcast giant, as Ourand expects ESPN to go after the Pac-12 or the Big 12 media rights if the deal doesn’t go through.
Grant Bricker covers the B1G for Saturday Tradition. His previous stops include the Williamson Homepage and Nashville Post.