Fox is close to signing a deal that gives it half of the Big Ten’s available media rights package, according to several sources. Deal terms still are flexible – both in terms of money and rights. However, the two sides have agreed on basic terms that will give Fox the rights to around 25 football games and 50 basketball games that it will carry on both the broadcast channel and FS1 starting in the fall of '17. The deal runs six years and could cost Fox as much as $250M per year, depending on the amount of rights the Big Ten conference puts in its second package.
The Fox deal essentially is half of the package of games that had been with ESPN (as part of a 10-year, $1B deal that expires next spring) and CBS (as part of a 6-year, $72M basketball-only deal that also expires next spring). The Big Ten will return to the market to solicit bids on the second half of the package. The conference has the flexibility to allow for another network or two to pick up that half. ESPN will be one of several TV networks engaged for the second half of the Big Ten’s package, along with the usual suspects of CBS, NBC and Turner.
The second package also is expected to include around 25 football and 50 basketball games. The package also could include rights to the football championship games every other year, though sources caution that the rights in the second package are flexible and could include more – or less – games.
As you know, Fox owns 50% of the BTN and it looks like they are looking to find a deal for their struggling Fox Sports 1 network. Rumors are that Fox Sports 1 is going to have a significant lay off soon. If this gives us more Gus Johnson on Michigan games, I'm for it!
Jimmy and Staff have done an incredible job recruiting NJ while at Michigan. It all started with a Brady Hoke recruit in Jabrill Peppers and was headlined with #1 recruit in the nation Rashan Gary last year. Rutgers hired OSU DC Chris Ash this off season and he has made recruiting in his backyard his #1 priority.
A recent Rutgers commitment from NJ RB/slot Bo Melton got this photo shop Instagram picture:
If you can't see it in the photo it says: Sorry Coach Harbaugh, I don't follow, I lead.
Yes, he had a Michigan offer but Michigan is already set at RB in the 2017 class, so not really a big loss for a guy that probably didn't even have a committable offer at this point. Then 2017 NJ OT Micah Clark commits to Rutgers as well last night. Michigan was considered to be in play for the 4 star tackle. This one is considered a loss on the recruiting trail.
- Spike is considering Purdue, Wichita State, Indiana, Texas A&M, Syracuse, USC & Milwaukee for his grad transfer year.
from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2016/04/wolverine-wednesday-fox-sports-and.html
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