There is an excellent article in The Athletic about the CBS contract with the SEC and how it is incredibly undervalued. The long and the short of it is CBS got a very sweet deal in 2008 because of the economy at the time. Since then, the ratings have been high and the SEC brand is better than ever. But because of the cheap deal, the SEC is well behind the B1G when it comes to tv revenue.
However, that deal expires in 2023 and when it does, estimates are it could go for between $250 million a year to $300 million a year for that SEC package. CBS does have an exclusive negotiating period before the deal expires but Fox and ESPN are eagerly hoping to bid on the contract as well. The SEC could very well put the deal on the open market and go for big money.
IF CBS loses the SEC package then that means they will be out of college football altogether (at least on a weekly basis). Which makes me wonder if they would step up and try to grab one of the other conferences? Their (CBS's) options are pretty slim.
The B1G has a $2.64 billion dollar deal with ESPN and Fox that also expires after the 2022/23. I can't imagine the B1G will go with CBS because their Fox and ESPN deals have been so profitable. Not to mention, Fox is a 50-50 partner in the conference's cable network. Of course the conference does have a relationship with CBS which carries their basketball games but I doubt that carries a lot of weight inside the B1G headquarters.
The Big XII's deal with ESPN & Fox ends after the 2024-25 academic year. I'm sure both will still pursue the Big XII for it's next deal. But if CBS loses out on the SEC, could they jump into the mix as well? The conference does have two very attractive properties in UT and OU. But after that, the pickings are pretty slim and there aren't a lot of great matchups that would attract national audiences.
The Pac-12's deal expires after the 2023-24 season. They certainly have some attractive markets, but their games haven't attracted large audiences.
Notre Dame's deal with NBC expires after the 2024-25 season. I doubt the peacock let's that go without a fight and I'm not sure the other networks view it in such high esteem as NBC does.
The ACC is locked up until 2036 so they're out.
Of course, this could all help trigger another round of realignment (PODS!), but I tend to think that's not likely to happen. I think the Big XII president's like slicing the pie 10 ways - but I have been wrong before.
However, that deal expires in 2023 and when it does, estimates are it could go for between $250 million a year to $300 million a year for that SEC package. CBS does have an exclusive negotiating period before the deal expires but Fox and ESPN are eagerly hoping to bid on the contract as well. The SEC could very well put the deal on the open market and go for big money.
IF CBS loses the SEC package then that means they will be out of college football altogether (at least on a weekly basis). Which makes me wonder if they would step up and try to grab one of the other conferences? Their (CBS's) options are pretty slim.
The B1G has a $2.64 billion dollar deal with ESPN and Fox that also expires after the 2022/23. I can't imagine the B1G will go with CBS because their Fox and ESPN deals have been so profitable. Not to mention, Fox is a 50-50 partner in the conference's cable network. Of course the conference does have a relationship with CBS which carries their basketball games but I doubt that carries a lot of weight inside the B1G headquarters.
The Big XII's deal with ESPN & Fox ends after the 2024-25 academic year. I'm sure both will still pursue the Big XII for it's next deal. But if CBS loses out on the SEC, could they jump into the mix as well? The conference does have two very attractive properties in UT and OU. But after that, the pickings are pretty slim and there aren't a lot of great matchups that would attract national audiences.
The Pac-12's deal expires after the 2023-24 season. They certainly have some attractive markets, but their games haven't attracted large audiences.
Notre Dame's deal with NBC expires after the 2024-25 season. I doubt the peacock let's that go without a fight and I'm not sure the other networks view it in such high esteem as NBC does.
The ACC is locked up until 2036 so they're out.
Of course, this could all help trigger another round of realignment (PODS!), but I tend to think that's not likely to happen. I think the Big XII president's like slicing the pie 10 ways - but I have been wrong before.
