Fox Secures Rights To First Pac-12 Football Championship Game

Fox has secured the rights to the Pac-12’s football championship game in '11, giving the network a doubleheader of championship games on Dec. 3. Fox also has the Big Ten’s title game that day. Industry sources said Fox is paying the Pac-12 $25M for the championship game and other game inventory that is the result of the conference’s expansion from 10 teams to 12. The Pac-12’s championship game is valued at around $14.5M, sources said; the other $10.5M is part of a prior contractual obligation. An announcement on the deal is expected later today. The conference still is referring to itself as the Pac-10, but it will become the Pac-12 on July 1 when the addition of Colorado and Utah becomes official. Fox’ lineup on Dec. 3 likely puts the Pac-12 game in an afternoon time slot, with the Big Ten’s game following in primetime. Fox’ acquisition also puts a dent in ESPN’s lineup on Dec. 3, which will feature just one title game from the ACC. The Big 12, which lost Colorado and Nebraska (to the Big Ten) to drop down to 10 teams, no longer has a championship game. CBS carries the SEC’s championship game.