Getty ImagesAs was noted at the beginning of the week, revenue distribution for college football’s new four-team playoff has the potential to become increasingly convoluted if the package of the three-game event (a championship game and two semifinals) is sold separately to competing networks.
If multiple TV networks obtain the rights for the other major “contractual tie-in bowls”, which will also likely serve as semifinal sites on a rotating basis, things get even more complex.
In short, it’s easier if one network buys up as much of the new inventory as possible.
According to Matt Hayes of The Sporting News, that will most likely be the case, as ESPN is reportedly “closing in” on purchasing the entire playoff package. ESPN has right of first refusal for the playoff, so it makes sense the WWL would be on the verge of obtaining it. TSN also corroborates the Sports Business Journal report that the entire three-game playoff package could be worth roughly $600 million annually, with the championship game alone being worth “at least” $200 million.
In contrast, the 2011 BCS package paid out $172 million. That’s just over double of what ESPN is also reportedly set to pay for rights to the Rose Bowl every year through 2026, the length of the four-team playoff agreement.
All for it as long as ESPN refuses to show Penn State games unless they get the Death Penalty.
good. FOX broadcasts are horrible and unwatchable. too many commercials and awful announcers (I’m talkin to you Joe Buck)
Nice, I hated watching games at 8-9pm EST.
Always wanted to see them start closer to 10pm.
Looks like I got my wish!
$200mil – Championship Game
$80mil – Rose Bowl
$80mil – Champions Bowl
$40mil – Orange Bowl
$100mil – Semi 1v4
$100mil – Semi 2v3
The rich are getting richer and the ACC is falling behind.
When did the ACC announce that the contract for the Orange Bowl is $40 million? I missed that announcement.
How is ESPN going to find time to air college football in between all of their normal WNBA and soccer coverage?
@stoutfiles – If Penn State gets the death penalty, they won’t be playing any games, turbo.
@inconsonance
If they don’t get the death penalty, then I don’t want any of their games televised.
If they do, then when they come back ESPN can televise their games again.
canetic says:Jul 18, 2012 10:23 PM
How is ESPN going to find time to air college football in between all of their normal WNBA and soccer coverage?
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Maybe they can put the games on ESPN 8-the ocho……..
Hope this doesn’t happen. The only thing I watch on ESPN anymore is MNF and that is torture. If ESPN gets all these games, I will not be watching…………….
True, this will curtail their usual 60 weekly hours of LeBron James / Jeremy Lin / Tim Tebow coverage.
But look on the bright side, Chris Berman will now be allowed to have a role in these games.
Sigh.