TV ad rates FOX Sports have been able to pass on to its customers indicate the network is “all in” on Big Ten Live Sport Content now and in the future, BTM told Flugaur. Given that, both FOX Sports and the Big Ten Conference want more and are working in tandem to get it. The two believe there is ample opportunity to gain more content for the next media contract in order for both to succeed together. That’s where realignment begins and comes into play once again, with those two working in tandem in their attempt to gain more value for the league, the source said.
They’ll try to gain more said value by adding both Big 12 powers OU and Texas. They’ll target the two schools for addition in 2024-25.
This source lays out three different forms called “choke points” that help successfully deliver live content. These three are financing, content and distribution. Distribution is the one to focus on, as the Big 12 Conference will, in his words, have an issue there involving Tier 1 & 2 rights. The money gap is expected to widen between the Big 12 and the SEC and Big Ten.
So, the Big Ten, along with FOX Sports, plans to let OU know what their intentions are through third parties. They will coordinate this at the same time OU is negotiating its new third tier contract, with the Big Ten emphasizing what’s at stake there and to make it a short-term deal, BTM said.
A short-term deal, obviously, means something could be in motion. Keep in mind the Big 12 Grant of Rights is up on June 30, 2025, so, as Flugaur notes, if OU signs something new that expires by or before then, the wheels just may be turning. The main thing to keep in mind here is OU is the school to watch.