Reports: Big 12 Nears $2.28B TV Deal with ESPN, Fox

By George Winslow
published

The deal would extend the existing television contract with ESPN and Fox for six years according to ESPN’s news site.

ESPN
(Image credit: ESPN)

BRISTOL, Conn.—ESPN.com is reporting that the Big 12 is close to extending its current television contract with ESPN and Fox.

Citing unnamed ESPN sources the website said that “the league is in the final stages of putting together a six-year, $2.28 billion contract extension that includes a sizable pay bump for schools. The new contract, which takes hold starting in 2025, includes ESPN owning more than 60 percent of the inventory and Fox adding a sizable portion of college basketball.”

ESPN.com also noted that the contract extension was first reported by the Sports Business Journal.

The deal, if completed, would produce a notable increase in TV revenue for each school. 

“The overall value of the Big 12's media deal is expected to increase from $220 million annually to $380 million,” ESPN.com reported. “That's an average increase in media-only revenue per school from $22 million to $31.7 million (the $380 million is now divided 12 ways with the addition of BYU, UCF, Cincinnati and Houston).

Currently schools get about $42.6 million. 

George Winslow
George Winslow

George Winslow is the senior content producer for TV Tech. He has written about the television, media and technology industries for nearly 30 years for such publications as Broadcasting & Cable, Multichannel News and TV Tech. Over the years, he has edited a number of magazines, including Multichannel News International and World Screen, and moderated panels at such major industry events as NAB and MIP TV. He has published two books and dozens of encyclopedia articles on such subjects as the media, New York City history and economics.