ESPN isn't ready to sever its ties with the Big Ten just yet, but significant changes are coming to how the conference's sports are broadcasted.
The network reportedly has reached an agreement to buy half of the Big Ten's media rights, ending speculation over whether or not it would leave completely following the conference's new deal with FOX.
From sportsbusinessdaily.com:
ESPN will pay an average of $190 million per year over six years for essentially half the conference’s media rights package, according to several sources close to the talks. Two months ago, Fox Sports agreed to take the other half of the package for an average of $240 million per year. CBS Sports also has told the conference that it will renew its basketball-only package for $10 million per year.
The six-year, $2.64 billion media rights haul represents a big win for the Big Ten Conference, of course, which will see its average media rights payout nearly triple when it takes effect next fall.
The deal does not include the Big Ten Network's package of rights, but FOX owns 51 percent of BTN.
FOX will likely broadcast the Ohio State-Michigan game in the foreseeable future once the deal gets in place next fall because it will have first dibs on game selections over ESPN. The network will also continue to broadcast the Big Ten Championship football game.
Not a bad Monday for Jim Delaney.
