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So everyone is drooling over the $20+ million payout that the big east teams currently get but I read on ESPN that their TV contract expires at the end of next year. Is there any worry that even if the conference is locked in as an AQ conference til 2016 or longer, that the tv contract may become substantially worse and the money might drop off a lot? I guess it's such a huge difference from c-usa it doesn't really matter anyway, but just thought this could definitely impact payout, especially if some of these teams bolt the big east and boise ends up not joining.

NBC/Versus/Comcast REAALLLY wants in on more college football, i think it will be well clear of current CUSA levels. I don't think this is anything to worry about.

Not to mention fox would love to get a piece and start pressuring espn

BE has a good amount of leverage in tv negotiations. 1) they have a champion who goes to a BCS bowl or possibly a NCG. 2) their teams and fans are in major media markets and national (the service academies assuming expansion goes as planned) 3) they have the most fans when it comes to basket ball (the New york schools alone takes care of this even withought syracuse). 4) they are poised to get in a bidding war between ABC/espn, Fox, and NBC. NBC has made it known they want more college football to go along with/maybe replace ND they are a real bidder. FOX has also been making a push for more college football. ABC for there part is probably not interested in having another broadcast network to compete with for college football.

all this makes me think the BE will find good money out there for their tv rights

We get $1,500,000 now. If they come down 50% we are still ahead.

When does the current BE TV contract expire?

They also even if they lose Syracuse and Pitt are still a great hoops conference with teams in markets like DC, Chicago, NY, NJ, Philly, Providence, Hartford, Cincinnati, Milwaukee, Louisville, (Dallas, Houston, Orlando), Tampa. They have former National champions in hoops, GT, Marquette, Villanova come to mind. The 200 lb. all sports gorilla, ND is also in their line-up. Last TV negotiation hoops brought in big bucks for them. As an all-sports member, we get some of that pie.

In football, I view Navy, SMU, UH, Boise as upgrades over Syracuse, Pitt and TCU. After all, TCU couldn't beat us this year.

Graham will turn Pitt into a winner.

StallionsModelT wrote:When does the current BE TV contract expire?

after next year

so tv contract encompasses both football and basketball correct?

Yes

Current contract pays Football schools approx 3.5MM per year. Conference turned down ESPN's initial offer of 11MM per football school prior to pitt and cuse leaving.

If no other schools leave, basketball alone would ensure a raise but probably not the initial numbers. Probably more in the range of 5MM for football and 2MM for BBall. So "all sports" members will be in the 7MM-8MM per year range with espn. Comcast/nbc could get it to approx 10MM total per year without further defections.

I think your light

Both in the loafers and with your math...

Check this article out. Says that currently each big east football school is paid $11 million per year under current deal.

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11215/1164696-233-0.stm