Big 12 exploring media rights extension

With their media rights deal still good through the 2024 football season, the Big 12 is reportedly starting conversations with ESPN and Fox to extend their contract, according to a release from the Big 12.

“The Big 12 Conference announces it will be entering into discussions with its multi-media partners to explore an accelerated extension of its current agreements,” the statement read.

“It is an exciting time for college athletics and given the changing landscape we welcome the opportunity to engage with our partners to determine if an early extension is in the best interest of all parties,” said Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark.  “The Big 12 has enjoyed a fantastic relationship with its multi-media rights holders, and I look forward to having these conversations.”

This is the answer to the Pac-12 entering early an early negotiating window back i. July to solidify the leagues future. After USC and UCLA jumped to the Big Ten, the Pac-12 went to the table to secure their media rights future.

With no media rights deal between the Pac-12 and the networks, the Big 12 is looking to position itself as the next major conference behind the SEC and the Big Ten.

With the OU and Texas move coming in the near future, securing more money for the conference is good business. But

So what does this mean? Well, there’s a lot that isn’t known at this point, and ESPN released a statement stating, “we have not opened the contractual negotiation window with the Big 12 at this time.”

Pete Thamel of ESPN wrote earlier today, “Sources had previously told ESPN that the two networks had agreed to the talks.

“There is no formal window on these conversations between the Big 12 and ESPN and Fox, which are expected to begin soon,” Thamel wrote. “If no deal is reached, the conference can still secure a deal through a more traditional timeline.”

If negotiations do officially start, there will definitely be two be items on the agenda:

Oklahoma and Texas…