(05-22-2023 10:36 AM)jrj84105 Wrote:  Why the BigXII?

ESPN has to coordinate with FOX to make B12 expansion happen (no pro rata clause for the FOX portion of the contract). And would have to negotiate with FOX for selection of programming priority.

ESPN doesn’t generate any additional subscriber revenue with the B12 as there is no B12 network.

Conversely, the ACC’s pro rata clause is completely under the umbrella of ESPN. And ESPN’s ACCN would automatically pick up additional subscriber revenue. And it would lock programs in until 2036.

So if ESPN were trying to corral PAC programs into another conference, why the B12?

The idea of a PAC-ACC merger is quite laughable. ESPN would have to pay the PAC MORE money to broker a merger versus being on the hook for $40M-$80M per year to bring 2-4 PAC schools under the Big 12 umbrella. At the end of the day, ESPN is simply trying to fill 2-3 broadcasting windows. The cheapest option for them to do that is either A) the PAC agrees to a T1 TV deal that pays substantially less money than the Big 12 or B) move some properties into the Big 12 at pro rata ($20M per school).

The ACCN and PACN are losers and won't be around for much longer as cable continues its slow decline. ESPN is planning for the future and is competing to become THE ecosystem for streaming sports. Some future iteration of ESPN+ is likely the future of digital sports streaming whether we like it or not.