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BCS' rights fee likely will approach what NCAA makes on March Madness

ESPN is close to securing media rights for the entire college football playoff system, with industry sources pegging the new 12-year BCS package at $500M a year. That means ESPN would own college football's postseason for a total of $7.3B over 12 years, beginning with the '14 season. That figure, which averages to around $608M per year, takes into account the $215M annual payout ESPN has committed to the "contract" bowls -- the Rose presented by Vizio, Champions and Discover Orange -- in addition to the playoff package. Sources say the TV committee, made up of five commissioners, must ultimately approve the deal before it becomes official. A final version of the contract has not yet gone before the TV committee. However, sources say ESPN an ...