• Loading stock data...
Friday, June 27, 2025

The Big East’s NFL-Inspired Broadcasting Plan

  • During the Nov. 9 men’s basketball tip-off event, the Big East will employ RedZone-style coverage.
  • One executive hopes the idea will satisfy a common scheduling issue and add value to the Big East basketball experience. 
two_men_playing_basketball
Photo: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY/Design: John Regula

During the 2021 men’s basketball tip-off tomorrow, the Big East will borrow an idea from the NFL’s broadcasting playbook: RedZone.

CBS and ESPN used to employ a similar tactic during early rounds of the NCAA tournaments, Big East Senior Associate Commissioner of Broadcasting Rick Gentile told FOS. But Gentile doesn’t believe whip-around coverage has ever been attempted with this many simultaneous college basketball games.

Though complex, Gentile hopes the idea will not only satisfy a common scheduling issue with televising college basketball, but also add value to the Big East basketball experience. 

“It really is an opportunity to maximize the production value that we’ll use,” Gentile said. “There’s all sorts of things that we can do to make this really kind of fun.”

As fans’ viewing habits continue to change, a successful Tuesday night broadcast could serve as a blueprint for other conferences.

Putting on the Show

The original goal wasn’t so much to create innovative college basketball TV as it was to fix an operational issue, Gentile explained.

Tuesday night’s seven-game slate poses an obvious logistical barrier. A Fox executive asked if some of the games could be moved. But because most teams like to play on opening night, Gentile suggested “revisiting” RedZone-style coverage, an idea they had previously discussed.

“This jumps off the page as the perfect time to try it,” Gentile said. “[We] said, can we really pull this off? And everybody sort of said, ‘Yeah, let’s go for it.’”

The team isn’t flying blind. Gentile has previous experience doing whip-around coverage for CBS, and one of the key Fox employees worked at the NFL Network when RedZone began.

It’s not the easiest solution, though. The program, which will air on FS1, will alternate between games and a studio in Los Angeles. They’ll try to hit all seven tip-offs, visit close games, and showcase breakout player performances.

“To coordinate all of this, it’s a complicated process,” Gentile said. But “it’s been done, it can be done.”

A Successful Broadcast

A well-executed broadcast would provide “enhanced” value by dressing up an early-season non-conference slate with studio analysis, extra features, and back-and-forth.

But a successful show first has to have good fundamentals. For example, transitions between games need to be smooth, Gentile said. They shouldn’t abruptly cut off broadcasters’ commentary. 

“I think it can be more interesting to watch this seven-game, four-hour block than watching what could be noncompetitive opening night games,” he said. 

The ultimate “test,” of course, will be ratings. Gentile isn’t as concerned about hard data, since opening day ratings are “generally” low no matter what.

But if the coverage can hold viewers’ attention longer than a typical game, that would be a win. 

Innovation for the Future?

The Big East and Fox are hoping that what makes RedZone successful — consumers interested in the entire league — will translate to a college basketball conference. 

Does a “Big East” fan exist? The conference believes so, based on the market research and focus groups it conducted when it re-formed, Gentile said. The dedicated contingent of fans who go to the Big East Tournament every year could be an example.

But he conceded: “That’s really the million-dollar question.”

The more media rights holders a conference has, the more complicated these broadcasts could be. But conferences like the Big Ten that have their own network could attempt it, Gentile said. 

But for now, fans will be able to watch RedZone-style basketball at least one more time. The Big East is going to try it with women’s hoops later this year.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Joopiter, Michael Jordan card

Michael Jordan Rookie Card Sells for Record $2.5M in Eyebrow-Raising Auction

The auction, which received only one bid, sets a new record.
WNBA

Portland WNBA Team President Out After Just Two Months As Launch Gets..

Portland has struggled to hire a GM, according to a source.
Jun 24, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers (5) controls the ball as Atlanta Dream guard Maya Caldwell (33) defends during the first half at College Park Center.

Paige Bueckers Eyes Expanded Season, ‘Rightful Pay’ in New CBA

“The respect, attention, the accessibility—you see everything growing.”

Masai Ujiri Out As Raptors’ Rogers Era Marked by Leadership Shift

Ujiri led the Raptors to the 2019 NBA championship.

Featured Today

Shitposters Have Taken the Reins of Pro Sports’ Official Voices

Meet the social media pros turning sports teams into internet trolls.
Jun 17, 2025; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Florida Panthers center Sam Reinhart (13) hoists the Stanley Cup after winning game six of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final against the Edmonton Oilers at Amerant Bank Arena
June 26, 2025

Stanley Cup’s International Summer Tour: Rules, Repairs, and Raucousness

No pro trophy tour compares to the NHL’s three-month global victory lap.
Mar 15, 2025; Fort Worth, TX, USA; UAB Blazers forward Yaxel Lendeborg (3) dribbles the ball upcourt against the North Texas Mean Green during the first half at Dickies Arena
June 22, 2025

NIL Is Shrinking the Pool of NBA Draft Entrants

Agents are now advising many players to stay in school.
Apr 24, 2025; Green Bay, WI, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions defensive end Abdul Carter on the red carpet before the 2025 NFL Draft at Lambeau Field
June 21, 2025

‘More Is More’: The Elite Luxury Jewelers Decking Out Athletes

Meet the elite group of luxury designers crafting the biggest statement pieces.
Mar 23, 2025; Raleigh, NC, USA; Baylor Bears guard Jeremy Roach (3) reacts after a play during the first half against the Duke Blue Devils in the second round of the NCAA Tournament at Lenovo Center.

Power Four Put Finishing Touches on How Revenue Sharing Era Will Work

The agreement stipulates that schools can’t sue to challenge any terms of the settlement.
Sep 16, 2023; Stanford, California, USA; Sacramento State Hornets running back Elijah Tau-Tolliver (25) celebrates after a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Stanford Cardinal at Stanford Stadium.
June 25, 2025

Sacramento State ‘Full Steam Ahead’ for FBS Despite Not Receiving NCAA Waiver

The Hornets launched a public campaign to join the FBS last fall.
June 26, 2025

Pac-12 Rebuild Nears Completion With 2026 Texas State Addition

The Sun Belt school is likely joining the Pac-12 in 2026.
Sponsored

Hottest Matchups Following NFL Schedule Release

The NFL released the 2025 regular-season schedule, and anticipation is already building in the ticket marketplace with four months to go.
Jun 7, 2025; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina infielder Jackson Van De Brake (6) and outfielder Carter French (18) celebrate an out during the first inning of the Super Regionals game against Arizona in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
June 25, 2025

Most Power Conference Sports Won’t See Revenue-Sharing Dollars

But there is a silver lining for Olympic sports: more scholarships.
June 23, 2025

Colleges Are Raising Student Fees to Pay for Athlete Revenue-Sharing

Schools are preparing to pay student athletes up to $20.5 million annually.
Dec 27, 2024; San Diego, CA, USA; The Washington State Cougars ban perform during the second half at the Holiday Bowl at Snapdragon Stadium. Mandatory Credit:
June 23, 2025

Pac-12 Announces CBS As ‘Anchor’ in New Media-Rights Deal

The league may announce expansion before finalizing the rest of the package.
Wisconsin cornerback Xavier Lucas (6) is shown during the first quarter of their game against South Dakota Saturday, September 7 , 2024 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin.
June 20, 2025

Wisconsin Sues Miami for ‘Tampering’ With Football Transfer

Xavier Lucas signed NIL deals in Madison before transferring to Miami.