In what seemed like an inevitability, the Big Ten made it official with Fox, CBS, and NBC. The college sports conference agreed to a new media rights contract through 2030 with all three networks for college football and basketball.
In the agreement, the three networks will be paying over $1 billion/year combined. When it comes to their football schedule, Fox will have top priority for the noon ET game, CBS grabbing the 3:30 ET time slot, and NBC getting the 7:30 ET game.
The deal is a massive shift in the Big Ten and college sports. For the first time in decades, ESPN will not have Big Ten rights. And with UCLA and USC joining the conference in 2024, along with the massive increase in TV revenue, the Big Ten is trying to solidify itself as the top conference in college sports.
There were a variety of reactions to the news. From those pointing out the money and the schools who are getting that money, to the effects of having Big Ten games on CBS instead of the SEC, there was a lot to discuss.
Rutgers and Maryland waking up like pic.twitter.com/LAoYTfescm
— Mike Golic Jr (@mikegolicjr) August 18, 2022
Big Ten people I hope you enjoy twenty-seven ad reads for NCIS an hour
— BUM CHILLUPS AKA SPENCER HALL (@edsbs) August 18, 2022
THE BIG TEN CASHING IN TODAY pic.twitter.com/TpSPA8XuBl
— McNeil (@Reflog_18) August 18, 2022
Gary Danielson and Big Ten Football is a match made in an unwatchable heaven. Perfect for each other.
— Travis Cabage (@Travis_Cabage) August 9, 2022
Rutgers showing up to the Big Ten offices today pic.twitter.com/XgmQAiN6lH
— Pregame Empire (@PregameEmpire) August 18, 2022
I guess I’m in the minority here, but watching three Big Ten games every Saturday seems like torture. https://t.co/tqUubN0P4C
— Kellis Robinett (@KellisRobinett) August 18, 2022
I hope our Big Ten friends realize that CBS runs a commercial after every punt.
Your BAC will be approaching Tammy Wynette-levels by the 2nd quarter.
— Roll ‘Bama Roll (@rollbamaroll) August 18, 2022
[Photo: Big Ten]
