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Conference Realignment Board
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Joined: 02/17/2023
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Big12 guy
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There are reports that ESPN

wants NFL back in the fold, and that Sankey wants to move up contract negotiations. With the B12 contract negotiations set to occur around 2029, ESPN could be strapped for cash. On the face, it appears the B12 is screwed. The Redbird investment into the B12 may be different than originally thought. With Paramount about to acquire TNT, TBS, and truTV, there might be something else brewing. Yormark may jump ahead of the line once again. Paramount may want the B12 content, and ESPN may want the money they are now paying for the B12 content. They have the SEC and you guys of course, and it appears the SEC is wanting more money based on the BIG payouts recently revealed. ESPN just might allow CBS (paramount) to bid on the rights they now hold.
Posted: 05/04/2026 at 02:20 PM ET

Thread Replies (32)

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There are reports that ESPN ◄
Big12 guy • 05/04/26 02:20 PM ET
also they run the NFL channel now, and NFL is a minority owner of Disney
1947Sunbowl • 05/05/26 10:56 AM ET
ESPN has been doing NFL games since 1987.**
marcbvtgm • 05/04/26 07:05 PM ET
Phrased it wrong. **
Big12 guy • 05/04/26 07:42 PM ET
Not if the NFL is ESPN's pimp. ;-)**
VTHokie2000 • 05/06/26 12:50 PM ET
Monday Night Football has been on Espn for the last decade ?**
Sunsetunderground • 05/04/26 06:59 PM ET
The problem is schools like Utah won't sign the GoR until the B10 finalizes
RandomAsianGuy • 05/04/26 06:08 PM ET
ESPN wanting the NFL back in the fold isn't exactly breaking news
SMU Pony • 05/04/26 04:44 PM ET
I see your points, but if
Big12 guy • 05/04/26 04:56 PM ET
We've discussed separating basketball ad nauseum
SMU Pony • 05/04/26 05:04 PM ET
We have, yet Yormark seems to think it will. I'm with
Big12 guy • 05/04/26 07:44 PM ET
B12 better be careful. If espn doesn’t have any ownership
HokieAl • 05/04/26 03:00 PM ET
The still have their relationship with FOX, but
Big12 guy • 05/04/26 03:03 PM ET
Should the Big XII assume it will get the same level of respect from
VTHokie2000 • 05/04/26 03:10 PM ET
When you have nothing, you have nothing
Big12 guy • 05/04/26 03:23 PM ET
I remember the days when TBS used to broadcast SEC football games in the
VTHokie2000 • 05/04/26 03:32 PM ET
CBS/Paramount+ and TNT both sublicense BigXII MBB games from ESPN.
33laszlo99 • 05/04/26 04:19 PM ET
Right now that relationships appears to only focus on (men's ?) basketball.
VTHokie2000 • 05/04/26 04:31 PM ET
ESPN seems to be cool on Big XII hoops. Fox took 63 games in the most
33laszlo99 • 05/04/26 05:27 PM ET
Since Paramount Skydance owns CBS Entertainment Group, I would be surprised
VTHokie2000 • 05/04/26 07:13 PM ET
Skydance just acquired Warner Bros./Discovery (pending approval)
33laszlo99 • 05/04/26 07:32 PM ET
That is a LOT of windows to fill. **
Big12 guy • 05/04/26 07:48 PM ET
Some of that window could be filled with pro league content.**
VTHokie2000 • 05/04/26 07:50 PM ET
Yes, but TNT's 36 year run with the NBA has ended. **
Big12 guy • 05/04/26 07:51 PM ET
I wasn't thinking just NBA because there are other pro leagues out there.
VTHokie2000 • 05/04/26 07:55 PM ET
The more traditional channels are
Big12 guy • 05/04/26 08:04 PM ET
Given the "success" NBC has had broadcasting EPL games on the traditional
VTHokie2000 • 05/04/26 08:07 PM ET
ESPN delivers enormous amounts of marginal "fluff" that cannot be drawing
33laszlo99 • 05/04/26 09:49 PM ET
The fluff may not move the ratings needle much, but it may be generating
VTHokie2000 • 05/05/26 12:53 AM ET
Agreed, but ratings are ratings, and I do not
Big12 guy • 05/04/26 08:11 PM ET
FWIW I think one of the channels (CBS Sports Network?) is already
VTHokie2000 • 05/04/26 08:22 PM ET
100%**
Big12 guy • 05/04/26 08:32 PM ET
ESPN may need to find some money
Big12 guy • 05/04/26 04:24 PM ET