Thursday, October 15, 2026

Big Ten Media Deals Expected to Top $1B Annually

  • The Big Ten’s next set of media deals are expected to reach at least $1 billion per year.
  • Fox will retain the lead spot.
Big-Ten
Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

Want more from Front Office Sports
in your search results?

Add Front Office Sports on Google

The Big Ten is nearing a record set of media deals expected to top $1 billion annually.

Fox Sports has a deal in place to remain the college conference’s largest media partner — but how big a piece of the pie and who else will get a slice have yet to be determined, per Sports Business Journal.

  • The Big Ten currently partners with Fox, Disney-owned ABC and ESPN, and CBS.
  • Disney, NBC, CBS, and Amazon are all vying for a part of the conference’s next media package.
  • Warner Bros. Discovery and Apple are both involved in discussions with the conference but are considered long shots for now.

A new deal would begin in the fall of next year. The conference currently distributes $54 million to each of its schools.

Conference Realignment

CBS will lose SEC football rights to Disney in Fall 2024, creating a gap it could potentially fill with the Big Ten. ESPN and ABC are hoping to retain the Big Ten but may face an overcrowded schedule.

Amazon and Apple, both of which have been seeking sports rights to bolster their streaming services, represent a new variable in the talks.

The Big Ten negotiations could set the stage for other Power 5 conferences. The Pac-12 and Big 12, both of which currently partner with Fox and ESPN, will be seeking new deals when their respective contracts expire after the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons.

Download the FOS App

The business of sports, in your pocket.

QR code to download the app

Scan the QR code to get the app now.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

ESPN/ABC Monday Night Football commentators Joe Buck, left, and Troy Aikman before the Detroit Lions vs. Las Vegas Raiders game at Ford Field, Monday, Oct. 30, 2023.
Exclusive

Joe Buck, Troy Aikman Have Had Tension Amid ESPN Contract Talks

The “MNF” duo had an argument before this week’s broadcast.
Oct 10, 2026; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; LSU Tigers tight end Zach Grace (44) celebrates after scoring a touchdown with offensive lineman Aliou Bah (55) and wide receiver Eugene Wilson III (3) during the first quarter against the Kentucky Wildcats at Kroger Field.

SEC Accuses LSU of ‘Stubborn Refusal’ to Follow Rules

The conference argued the lawsuit against LSU is still relevant.
Pat McAfee college gameday

ESPN Exec Mike Foss: Pat McAfee ‘Might Be a Journalist at Heart’

Foss said he had “absolutely nothing” to say to McAfee’s critics.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

10/14/26 – Live From FOS’s Tuned In: Chris Berman on NFL’s 18-Game Push, Pablo Torre Says He’s Investigating LeBron’s Chopper, and More

0:00

Featured Today

Oct 5, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas arrives at the arena before the Penguins host the Winnipeg Jets at PPG Paints Arena

NHL’s New Wave of GMs Is Built Different

“I am in the prediction business,” Devils GM Sunny Mehta tells FOS.
Action Images/Peter Cziborra
October 9, 2026

Is Leicester City’s $264 Million Price Tag Too Rich for Hungry Investors?

After falling from grace, how much is a former top club worth?
Oct 3, 2026; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Kalen DeBoer waits to run onto the field prior to the game against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
October 7, 2026

Who Is Alabama Football in Year 3 Under Kalen DeBoer?

The No. 6 Crimson Tide host No. 2 Georgia on Saturday.
Cubs behind the scenes
October 6, 2026

Hollywood and TikTok: Sports Media’s New ‘Blueprint’

Teams and leagues are pouring money into the quest for fans.
October 2, 2026

How the Baseball Cap Became a ‘Behemoth’

The hat has become essential for athletes, fans, and the sports-agnostic.
Pablo Torre Tuned In Front Office Sports

Pablo Torre: Not Getting Sued by Jordon Hudson ‘Kind of a Bummer’

Hudson had threatened to sue Torre for defamation over his podcast’s investigations.
October 14, 2026

Jessica Berman Says Failed Victory+ Deal Was Risk Worth Taking

The NWSL had a deal with failed streamer Victory+.
Jun 27, 2026; Chaska, Minnesota, USA; Nelly Korda hits from a fairway bunker on the first hole during the third round of the KPMG Women's PGA Championship golf tournament.
October 14, 2026

LPGA’s Media-Rights Deals Depend on PGA, NFL Negotiations

LPGA commissioner Craig Kessler is watching the landscape closely.
Sponsored

Beyond the Scorecard: How Dow Is Putting Purpose at the Center of Women’s Golf

Discover how Dow and the LPGA are building a partnership with lasting impact.
Mike Tirico Front Office Sports Tuned In
October 14, 2026

Mike Tirico Worries About Donor Fatigue in College Football

Tirico said donors may question whether their returns are worthwhile.
October 14, 2026

NFL Will Be Selective With Game-Day Schedule, Says Media Chief

International Super Bowl is “a little bit far” off.
October 14, 2026

Elle Duncan: Netflix’s Strategy to ‘Eventize’ Sports Was Part of Appeal

Duncan joined Netflix in December 2025.
October 13, 2026

Pablo Torre: More Coming on Clippers, Life Surge … and LeBron?

LeBron’s relationship with Fanatics allows him to use its helicopter.