In a major media rights deal for college basketball, the Big East has inked new long-term pacts with Fox Sports, NBC Sports and TNT Sports.
The new deals run through the 2030-2031 season, with Fox serving as its lead broadcast partner.
However, perhaps the most significant part of the new deal is the addition of Warner Bros. Discovery‘s TNT Sports, which will get at least 65 games each season, including 50 mens games and 15 womens games. All of the games will stream on Max, and the company has secured highlight rights for Bleacher Report and other digital platforms.
While TNT Sports has the March Madness tournament, the Big East deal gives it season-long coverage, including some major teams like reigning champs UConn, Marquette, Villanova and St. Johns. The deal also comes as TNT Sports’ future with the NBA remains unsettled, with the league set to name ESPN, NBC and Amazon new rights partners, but with TNT seeking some sort of path forward to continue as an NBA partner.
“Big East basketball has historically delivered some of the most thrilling teams and moments in college sports, including its most recent accomplishments, and we are excited to showcase the conference and its fantastic men’s and women’s college basketball programs on all of our TNT Sports platforms,” said Luis Silberwasser, chairman and CEO of TNT Sports. “This agreement further adds to TNT Sports’ portfolio of premium live sports content, featuring championship-caliber college basketball programs and student athletes, and we will utilize all of our assets to elevate the fan experience.”
Fox will retain exclusive rights to the Big East Final, while NBC will add 25 games to its Peacock streaming service, in addition to TV coverage.
“Our new agreement that provides coverage by FOX Sports, NBC Sports and TNT Sports will allow the Big East to maintain our already high level of national broadcast and cable exposure while adding first-time streaming coverage for men’s basketball games and expanded distribution of games on the women’s basketball side,” said Creighton University president and Big East Conference board of directors chair Rev. Daniel S. Hendrickson, SJ, PhD.
Hendrickson added, “The arrangement will provide enhanced revenue and long-term stability for the conference, create benefits for our student-athletes, and allow us to remain nationally competitive in our marquee sport: basketball. We are especially excited to continue our one-of-a-kind relationship with Fox Sports and look forward to building on the exceptional foundation we have established together over the past 11 years.”
