• Loading stock data...
Thursday, May 29, 2025

Big Ten Media Rights Value Could Increase Up to 25% With USC, UCLA

  • With the additions of USC and UCLA, the Big Ten’s media rights value could jump from $1 billion to up to $1.25 billion annually.
  • “Basically, the Big Ten told everybody: go back to the drawing board,” a source told FOS.
Joshua A. Bickel/Dispatch

The addition of USC and UCLA to the Big Ten could increase the conference’s media rights value significantly. 

One source told Front Office Sports the number could be around 10%, though another suggested it could go as high as 25%. The broadcast value could now be worth anywhere from $1.1 billion to $1.25 billion per year

“Basically, the Big Ten told everybody: Go back to the drawing board,” one source said.

  • In 2017, the Big Ten signed a six-year deal worth $2.64 billion — which is up in 2023.
  • Over the past few months, the conference has been working on renegotiations.
  • Before USC and UCLA joined, FOS reported that the Big Ten’s next media rights package could be worth more than $1 billion annually.

But the addition of the Trojans and Bruins brings not just diehard fan bases and storied brands. It also provides access to the coveted Los Angeles television market, sports business expert Lee Berke told FOS.

“The timing couldn’t be better,” said Berke. “There’s no other Pac-12 presence throughout Southern California. So you get that market. It’s not just the city; it’s the DMA.”

The Big 12’s Precedent

The power of a top football brand to drive up media rights value can’t be overstated.

When Texas and Oklahoma left the Big 12 for the SEC, former commissioner Bob Bowlsby estimated that the conference lost half its broadcast rights value.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

The Day TNT’s NBA Future Slipped Away: Sports Media Sliding Doors

In 2022, David Zaslav said WBD didn’t “have to have the NBA.”

Big 12 Men’s Coaches in Favor of Expanding March Madness

Kansas coach Bill Self said the conference supports the idea.
exclusive

ESPN’s Ashley ShahAhmadi Targeted by NBC, Prime for NBA Role

ShahAhmadi has covered high-profile college football and NBA games for ESPN.

Indy 500 Fox Debut Draws 7.05M Viewers, Most-Watched Since 2008

Álex Palou won the Indy 500 for the first time.

Featured Today

How Rolex Paved the Way for Luxury’s Love Affair With Tennis

“It’s almost impossible to think about tennis without thinking about Rolex.”
Mar 23, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Alexandra Eala (PHI) reacts after winning a point against Madison Keys (USA)(not pictured) on day six of the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium.
May 24, 2025

Alex Eala Is Defying Her Country’s Odds to Make French Open History

The Philippines native has overcome a unique set of financial odds.
May 24, 2025

Indiana Is the Center of the Basketball Universe—Thanks to Both Pro Teams

The Fever and Pacers are thriving at the same time.
Around the Horn - October 26, 2020
May 23, 2025

‘Quirky, Nutty, Bombastic’: 10 ‘Around the Horn’ Faces on Their Top Moments

“A quirky, nutty, bombastic, mostly wrong, sometimes right, crazy sports family.”

NBA East Finals Delivers Strong TV Ratings, but West Is Struggling

The Knicks and Thunder are both up 3–1 in their conference finals series.
May 22, 2025

NBC Eyes MLB Rights, Looks to Own Sunday Nights Year-Round

The league continues to shop media rights being forfeited by ESPN.
Around the Horn
May 23, 2025

Behind the Scenes of Around the Horn’s Final Days

FOS followed Tony Reali at the penultimate taping of the ESPN icon.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

In Episode 7 of Portfolio Players, go inside the boardroom with Avenue Capital CEO and former Milwaukee Bucks co-owner Marc Lasry on Giannis’s future, women’s sports, and upstart leagues like TGL and Unrivaled. 
May 21, 2025

Paige Bueckers’s WNBA Debut Delivers 121% Ratings Bump on Ion

Friday’s doubleheader averaged 612,000 viewers.
Dec 9, 2024; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) watches as center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) celebrates after making a three point basket to clinch a win against the Toronto Raptors near the end of the fourth quarter at Scotiabank Arena.
May 20, 2025

NBA Playoff TV Ratings Up 3% Ahead of Late-Round Test

Games are averaging 4.17 million viewers across ABC, ESPN, and TNT.
May 18, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Scottie Scheffler is interviewed after winning the PGA Championship golf tournament at Quail Hollow.
May 20, 2025

PGA Championship TV Ratings Dip As Scottie Scheffler Dominates Again

CBS drew an average of 4.76 million viewers for Sunday’s final round.
May 20, 2025

Caitlin Clark, Fever Draw Record 2.7M Viewers vs. Sky

Caitlin Clark recorded her third career triple-double.