Report: Rose Bowl more than doubles TV revenue in latest ESPN deal
A lot of people were puzzled why the Big Ten clenched so tightly to the Rose Bowl while it hashed out its playoff plan earlier this summer.
One of the reasons, certainly, is the revenue that is generated from the game -- and on Monday, it became clearer just how much the game is worth.
Sports Business Journal reports that ESPN has agreed to pay an average of $80 million per year for TV rights to the Rose Bowl, a deal that runs from 2015-26. That's a 167-percent jump from the $30 million that ESPN currently pays, according to the report.
The Rose Bowl has reportedly inked a new TV deal with ESPN that is worth an average of $80 million annually.
The Associated Press
That's an enormous pie to be split only two ways in most years, and helps explain why the Big Ten would put its own teams at a competitive disadvantage in the future playoff.
An interesting wrinkle is the deal runs concurrently with the new playoff system, which could open the door for ESPN to vie for rights to the new postseason. SBJ projects that deal could be worth as much as $600 million, considering the value of the Rose Bowl contract.
Kyle Meinke covers Michigan football for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at 734-623-2588, by email at kylemeinke@annarbor.com and followed on Twitter @kmeinke.
Comments
garrisondyer
Mon, Jul 16, 2012 : 5:21 p.m.
Meanwhile, people who just want to watch the best football game of the year on regular TV get screwed over. I can't overstate my disgust for how ESPN took away the Rose Bowl from ABC.
johnnya2
Tue, Jul 17, 2012 : 1:26 a.m.
I can't overstate my disgust for people who have no clue what they are talking about. The Rose Bowl has been broadcast by ESPN on ABC for the last few years. The NBA Finals were ESPn ON ABC. they are THE SAME COMPANY. It would be like saying you hate that the Olympics are owned by Comcast ( NBC is owned by them you know). So quit your faux outrage and save it for somebody who wants to hear lies.
hail2thevict0r
Mon, Jul 16, 2012 : 8:49 p.m.
ESPN and ABC are all owned by Disney. I guess it doesn't bother me because I have most channels but I know a few people who are annoyed with it because they only have basic cable still, or no cable at all, and still rely on things being on the major networks. They're still mad about Fox Sports taking tigers games off of the major networks as well.
SEC Fan
Mon, Jul 16, 2012 : 6:54 p.m.
@redceder1. sounds like they've got Goofy runnin things...
garrisondyer
Mon, Jul 16, 2012 : 5:56 p.m.
The amount of corporate influence in NCAA football is insane, really. I just want to watch college football on Saturday on ABC! Preferably Michigan!
redceder1
Mon, Jul 16, 2012 : 5:49 p.m.
ESPN and ABC are the same company. They are part of a merger and both companies are owned by Disney. Therefore, Disney owns college football. They decide when the games are played, on what day, on which network and also decide what conference teams should be placed in. The NCAA serves a purpose simialr to British Royalty. Almost makes you want to root for Notre Dame (NBC) once in a while.