At least two networks are said to have shown interest thus far in the Big 12 title gamesGETTY IMAGES
The Big 12 is "in the marketplace with three of its conference championship football games, including one that kicks off in just 11 months," according to Ourand & Smith of SPORTS BUSINESS JOURNAL. The conference has been shopping the '19, '21 and '23 games to media companies "over the last several months after Fox told Big 12 officials that it was not interested." Fox carried the '17 game as "part of a mediated settlement around conference expansion," paying about $25M for its rights. But the network and the conference "could not come to terms on the other three available games." Sources said that the last offer made to Fox "valued the game in the high teens." They added that the conference is "trying to get" at least $20M for the game. Sources also said that a main reason for Fox’ lack of interest "comes down to scheduling." At least two networks are "said to have shown interest in the three-game package." ESPN, which already owns the rights to the games in '20, '22 and '24, "clearly has the upper hand if it wants the rights" (SPORTS BUSINESS JOURNAL, 1/14 issue).
