• Loading stock data...
Saturday, September 13, 2025
Tuned In is Almost Sold Out! Limited Tickets Remain!

ESPN To Focus on NCAA Championships After Forgoing Big Ten Rights

  • ESPN is now iced out of Big Ten football and basketball.
  • The network plans to prioritize upcoming negotiations for NCAA championships, per a source.
Credit: Thomas J. Russo-USA TODAY Sports

Over the past few months, the Big Ten has been in the middle of negotiating what could be the largest media rights deal in the history of college sports — hoping to command at least $1.5 billion annually, Front Office Sports previously reported.

Now, negotiations could reportedly wrap up by the end of the week — and CBS, NBC and Fox will all have major pieces of basketball and football. ESPN rejected a Big Ten offer for $380 million a year — meaning it is now officially out of Big Ten football and basketball rights for the first time in four decades, Front Office Sports confirmed.

But for ESPN, when one door closes, another one opens: The worldwide leader in sports is now eyeing the upcoming negotiations for renewing NCAA championships rights, sources confirmed to FOS. 

ESPN remains committed to broadcasting women’s college sports, and the network can provide a platform that other networks either can’t or are not interested in providing, a source said.

  • Currently, ESPN pays about $34 million a year for 29 Division I championships. 
  • But a gender equity report found that in 2025, women’s March Madness alone could be worth $81-112 million each year — and that was before ratings jumped even higher this past year. 
  • One expert previously estimated to FOS they could be worth even more.

The NCAA said in a progress report that it’s already considering selling those rights as a standalone product, suggesting its gearing up to command major rights fees.

When that deal expires in 2024, ESPN will likely have to shell out much more cash to keep properties like women’s basketball that have grown exponentially. And given the network’s recent investment in elevating coverage in those areas, it is interested in continuing to help them grow.

As far as football goes, ESPN is well covered. The network already boasts exclusive rights to the SEC, and pays a modest price for the ACC.

The network’s deal with the SEC pays out about $300 million annually for football and basketball — a discount compared to the Big Ten’s price-tag for the CBS 3:30 p.m. ET football window alone, which is reported to be $350 million annually. It’s also a discount compared to what the Big Ten asked ESPN to pay — $380 million a year.

ESPN is also interested in pursuing Pac-12 and Big 12 rights, as well as College Football Playoff renewals, a source told FOS.

The actions of the worldwide leader in sports suggest it may be content with its existing football powerhouses — and an investment in upcoming properties with its leftover change.

ESPN has not yet provided an on-record comment.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 19: A detailed view of the MLB Debut patch on the jersey of Patrick Monteverde #44 of the Miami Marlins prior to game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on April 19, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The Tiny Jersey Patch at the Center of the MLB Rookie Card..

Autographed cards containing a piece of baseball history have upended the market.
Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Arvell Reese (8) pursues Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) during the NCAA football game at Ohio Stadium on Aug. 30, 2025.

College Football Enters Week 3 Up 21% in TV Ratings

Total college football viewership across all networks is up big.

Eagles-Chiefs Super Bowl Rematch Could Set More NFL Ratings Records

Fox will nationally televise Sunday afternoon’s matchup.
Mar 4, 2025; Washington, DC, USA; House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., speaks with Rep. Marjorie Taylor-Greene, R-Ga., ahead of President Trump’s address to a joint session of Congress at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on March 4, 2025.

House Republicans Delay SCORE Act Vote Tentatively Planned for Next Week

They didn’t believe they had enough votes to pass the bill.

Featured Today

ESPN’s ‘MNF’ Ratings Up 8% As NFL Surges to Strong Start

ESPN posts its second-best Week 1 “Monday Night Football” audience.
Sep 7, 2025; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills fans react during the fourth quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at Highmark Stadium.
September 9, 2025

As Bills Ascend, Their Next Frontier Lies in Canada

Buffalo and the powerful Canadian entity MLSE come together in a new pact.
opinion
September 9, 2025

The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly from NFL’s Week 1 Broadcasts

Many viewers decried the addition of ads to “NFL RedZone.”
Aug 23, 2025; Tampa, Florida, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) leads the team onto the field for warm ups before a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium.
September 7, 2025

Slow Burn: The NFL’s Private-Equity Era So Far

Three deals have been struck to date. But the league is bullish.
Sep 6, 2025; Boulder, Colorado, USA; General view of a Fox Sports camera station before the game between the Delaware Fightin Blue Hens against the Colorado Buffaloes at Folsom Field.

Lachlan Murdoch on Fox’s Sports Strategy, FanDuel Plans

The executive calls a forthcoming streaming bundle with ESPN “essential” for fans.
September 4, 2025

TNT Sports to Try Its Own Streaming App After WBD Split

TNT Sports will have its own app as a corporate split approaches.
September 5, 2025

NFL’s Expected Early-Season Ratings Boost Gets Off to a Stormy Start

The kickoff game somewhat resembles the delays last year in an SNF game.
Sponsored

How World Series Champ Dexter Fowler Became a Premier League Team Owner

Dexter Fowler discusses navigating retirement and embracing new roles as an owner & investor.
Eagles
September 4, 2025

The Death of Streameast Has Been Greatly Exaggerated

Mirror sites began popping up Thursday, the day the NFL season begins.
September 4, 2025

3 ABC Games Top 10M Viewers Each in ESPN’s Record CFB Weekend

Miami–Notre Dame led the way with 10.8 million viewers.
September 4, 2025

Bill Belichick’s UNC Debut Draws More Than 6M Viewers on ESPN

TCU-UNC was the fifth-most-watched college football game of Week 1.
September 3, 2025

Ohio State–Texas Showdown Was Most-Watched Week 1 CFB Game Ever

Fox drew 16.62 million viewers on Saturday afternoon.