AP source: Big East moving on NBC Sports Net deal

Harry · February 13, 2013

NEW YORK (AP) - The Big East is moving past damage control and toward finally finishing some important business.

Two people familiar with the deal say the conference is closing in on a six-year contract with NBC Sports Network for football and basketball rights that will pay members around $20
million per year.

The people spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because negotiations weren't being made public.

One person said the deal would likely be announced within the next two weeks. The Big East first has to go through the process of allowing ESPN, which currently holds the conference's
football TV rights, to match the offer.

ESPN.com first reported the network's offer to the Big East.

The deal being worked on would allow NBC Sports Network to move some Big East games to other networks. Commissioner Mike Aresco wouldn't confirm any
details of the television deal being worked on, nor exactly when it would be done, in an interview with the AP on Tuesday.

He did say the Big East was in position to come away with a "wide range of exposure and branding opportunities."

"What we're trying to is build a solid foundation," Aresco said.

Read more: http://www.myfoxphoenix.com/story/21140944/ap-source-big-east-moving-on-nbc-sports-net-deal

GrayEagle · February 13, 2013

The $20 million deal seems about right but it might be structured so that the Big East can sell a few games to other networks. The Big East of old with West Virginia, Pittsburgh, Syracuse, Rutgers and Louisville might have commanded a pretty large contract but the Big East today is Conference USA, except for Connecticut and Temple.

Adding anyone else, with the possible exceptions of Army and Navy, won't increase the contract enough to cover the additional payouts. They won't be able to steal from any Power 5 conference so I don't see a significant boost in the total package. Tulane and Tulsa will likely not even break even with their additional travel costs in joining the Big East. East Carolina won't give much boost to their TV market but would help their average attendance. Plus they are closer to the old footprint. They are the only addition that makes sense. Yet, they get a slap in the face when they are invited for football only.

The Big East needs a dose of reality. They need to divide with Conference USA geographically in order to save travel costs. The only way that the Big East can gain significant payout is to hatch a few 'Boise States' from their members but that takes time even if it can still be done.

outoftown · February 13, 2013

The $20 million deal seems about right but it might be structured so that the Big East can sell a few games to other networks. The Big East of old with West Virginia, Pittsburgh, Syracuse, Rutgers and Louisville might have commanded a pretty large contract but the Big East today is Conference USA, except for Connecticut and Temple.

Adding anyone else, with the possible exceptions of Army and Navy, won't increase the contract enough to cover the additional payouts. They won't be able to steal from any Power 5 conference so I don't see a significant boost in the total package. Tulane and Tulsa will likely not even break even with their additional travel costs in joining the Big East. East Carolina won't give much boost to their TV market but would help their average attendance. Plus they are closer to the old footprint. They are the only addition that makes sense. Yet, they get a slap in the face when they are invited for football only.

The Big East needs a dose of reality. They need to divide with Conference USA geographically in order to save travel costs. The only way that the Big East can gain significant payout is to hatch a few 'Boise States' from their members but that takes time even if it can still be done.

This would actually makes sense and be beneficial for everybody.... thus it will never happen