https://awfulannouncing.com/local-netwo … nsion.html
"On the surface, this offer from ESPN looked like a great lifeline to bail out the Pac-12 and their struggling networks, but the Pac-12 is (again) betting on itself when the next round of rights negotiations comes up. With their current TV rights deal with Fox and ESPN ending in 2024, the Pac-12 is hopeful that within the next five years, digital outlets will join traditional TV networks and create a bidding war for their next rights deal. The Pac-12 is getting $3 billion over 12 years from ESPN and Fox, so this rights deal is one of their biggest revenue generators. Extending with ESPN now would remove much of the uncertainty around the Pac-12 Networks and their distribution, but would also deprive the conference of a potentially larger payday in the future."
I don't know what exactly those "digital outlets" are, but if I were a PAC-12 alum and I suddenly had to wrestle with a Roku to watch my school, all manner of bitching would result.
Bring back Reed V. "Pie" TurkPalmer Eustachy.