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Big Ten media rights: Major network reportedly pulls out of B1G negotiations
By Paul Harvey
Published:
Big Ten media rights negotiations continue to roll out, but the conclusion to that new deal is expected in the coming days.
As things heat up, one network is reportedly out of the running for the deal with a pair of frontrunners emerging to land the rights alongside FOX. According to John Ourand with Sports Business Journal, ESPN is pulling out of negotiations with the B1G, ending one of the longest sports media relationships in the business.
According to Ourand, ESPN turned down the B1G’s final offer of $380 million annually over 7 years for broadcasts.
ESPN has pulled out of Big Ten media rights negotiations, ending one of the longest sports media relationships in the business. ESPN said no to the conference’s final offer of a 7-year/$380 million per-year package, sources tell SBJ.
Story to be filed soon.
— John Ourand (@Ourand_SBJ) August 9, 2022
ESPN was expected to be out of the running with a Monday report indicating CBS and NBC are frontrunners for the deal. CBS is also reportedly expected to pay $350 million annually to air B1G games in the 3:30 pm ET time slot.
Paul is a lifelong fan and student of all things college football. He has been covering college football since 2017 and the B1G since 2018.