The Big Ten is getting close to finalizing a media rights deal with CBS and NBC. The networks will join Fox, who will continue to be the conference’s primary rights holder.
According to John Ourand of the Sports Business Journal, NBC and CBS are looking like the winners in this deal after ESPN pulled out of negotiations. ESPN ends a 40-year partnership with the Big Ten after declining a seven-year, $380 million per year package.
Barring a last-minute change of direction, ESPN will be not carry Big Ten games for the first time in 40 years.