I don’t like ESPN being the only network for CFP. They decide who is in the playoffs, where teams are seeded and what network a game is played on.
They will be very heavy leaning to the SEC.
The deal would include the final two years on the current CFP contract plus a new six-year agreement for the next iteration of the playoff, sources told ESPN.
I am assuming this is $1.3B per year for 8 years.
While nothing has been finalized and negotiations are ongoing, sources indicated that ESPN is considering paying approximately $1.3 billion for the rights to the new six-year deal starting in the 2026 season.
With Aresco leaving. A G5 playoff looking likely in near term.
Top of the G5s not in the 12 team CFP.
Upwards of $150 million + per worth thrown out there.
This is how ESPN conducts it’s business they do early negotiates bid high to lock any competition out. They need to take it to the open market which ESPN fears
Fox has already bid low. CBS & NBC not too interested in a deal. CFP not doing streaming only.
ESPN doesn’t want to air all 11 games, so plan to sublease a few early games to other networks. Article mentions CFP approved this with final sign off on who.
I love how even ESPN’s article seems to know that if they get it then it will be against everyone’s wishes.
If ESPN remains the sole rights holder, it would be a significant change from what the 10 FBS commissioners and Notre Dame athletic director Jack Swarbrick had originally wanted, as all had been in agreement that multiple broadcast partners – a model similar to what the NFL has – would be best for college football.
Disney-owned ESPN would take control of NFL Media, which includes NFL Network, and the league would receive equity in ESPN. For the long-term viability of ESPN aligning with the most powerful sports league would enhance its position as the network plans to move to direct to consumer by 2025.
ESPN has targeted 2025 as the most likely year it will go direct-to-consumer… When it does, it plans on offering all its programming without a cable subscription. A subscriber could choose to pay for the service directly through ESPN’s app or would still be able to opt for the ESPN channels through a cable or satellite provider.
I would be curious how many would actually sign up for ESPN directly (and cost) vs how many like to watch sports across other channels like the FOX networks on cable too. Would ESPN only replace cable, satellite, or even multi channel streaming like youtube TV?
