Report: Big East, ESPN near TV deal

Reconfigured league to sign 7-year contract

Author: By The Sports Xchange
Published On: Feb 21 2013 10:29:27 PM CST   Updated On: Feb 22 2013 11:05:30 AM CST
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The reconfigured Big East Conference likely will have the same television home for years to come.

The Big East and ESPN are close to completing a seven-year, $130 million deal, ESPN.com reported Thursday, citing league sources.

The contract would include men's basketball coverage from 2013-14 to 2019-20, and football from 2014-20. The report indicated that the Big East would continue its other men's basketball deal with CBS Sports.

The Big East would receive $10 million for basketball alone next season, then $20 million for both sports the following six seasons, according to the report.

In 2014, the conference will lose its seven Catholic schools that don't compete in the Big East in football: DePaul, Georgetown, Marquette, Providence, Seton Hall, St. John's and Villanova. Those seven are expected to form the nucleus of a new league, and Fox Sports is bidding for the rights to their games, ESPN.com reported.

Once the so-called Catholic 7 exit, the Big East will consist of Central Florida, Connecticut, Cincinnati, East Carolina, Houston, Memphis, South Florida, SMU, Temple and Tulane. Navy is due to join for football only in 2015.

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