The Big 12 in late August revealed that it planned to engage ESPN and FoxGetty Images
Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark described recent discussions with TV partners ESPN and Fox as "meaningful," as the conference “looks into the possibility of striking a media rights deal almost two years before the current contract expires,” according to Ralph Russo of the AP. Yormark yesterday said, "So (the conference) is not a free agent.” He added, "I can't go out there and talk to an Amazon or an Apple or CBS. But in a world that's changing, why don't we explore an early conversation which could, maybe, lead to a negotiation. And I can tell you that we've had meaningful conversations for the last three-plus weeks, and we'll see where they go." Russo notes the Big 12 in late August revealed that it “planned to engage ESPN and Fox, even though the exclusive negotiating window between the conference and the networks does not open until February 2024.” The Pac-12's deal expires next year, and the conference “did open the exclusive negotiating window with ESPN," but that has "now closed without a deal being struck.” The Pac-12 “could still land a deal with ESPN," but it "can now bring its rights to the open market” (AP, 10/13).
TRYING TO EXPAND: THE ATHLETIC’s Chris Vannini noted Conference USA is “finishing negotiations on a new media rights deal in the next month or two that should provide more exposure.” More than anything else, the "greatest frustration from C-USA fans has been the media rights situation.” In 2018, C-USA “re-upped its deal" with CBS Sports Network and "formed partnerships with Stadium and Facebook to broadcast games.” That "came after deals" with CBS, ESPN, beIN Sports and American Sports Network. The patchwork deals have "made it frustrating for fans to watch games and for teams to tell families and recruits how to watch them play.” School officials across C-USA believe that “exposure should be a higher priority than revenue with the next deal," and that "may happen.” Sources said that the league “has had discussions with ESPN and CBS through its media rights consultant Octagon.” Stadium “may still play a role for some streaming and local broadcasts.” C-USA Commissioner Judy MacLeod said that with the streaming side, “we’ve got to make it easier.” MacLeod: “We definitely want to get good exposure for our programs.” The MAC and Sun Belt already hold midweek games in the second half of the season but "staging them in September or October -- when ESPN doesn’t have much midweek linear content before basketball season -- was an idea floated by multiple officials” (THE ATHLETIC, 10/12).
