Today, the SEC and ESPN announced their partnership in forming an SEC network. The deal will give ESPN the rights to all SEC sports on television. However, CBS will still be able to keep one SEC game of the week, keeping a longstanding arrangement between CBS and the SEC. The SEC Network deal runs until 2034. Making it the longest television deal in history. Not the longest … [Read more...] about SEC and ESPN finalize SEC network
Big Ten Network
BTN fails to air Freeh press conf; claims to not be a news organization
Despite what you may think, despite how things might appear, BTN, which stands for Big Ten Network, is not a news organization. We were puzzled by why they didn't cover the Joe Paterno firing in November, and they were harshly criticized for doing so. Today numerous networks, including ESPN, MSNBC and CNN, interrupted their regular programming schedule to air this morning’s … [Read more...] about BTN fails to air Freeh press conf; claims to not be a news organization
Big Ten conference bigger player in national football power structure
There were a lot of topics on the table of discussion in last week's Big 10 meetings. First and foremost, is the rapid move towards a four team playoff in college football, which could get here in a couple years. I asked Northwestern Athletic Director Jim Phillips what his biggest takeaways were from the meetings. "Couple things – tremendous collaboration between all 12 … [Read more...] about Big Ten conference bigger player in national football power structure
Why Isn’t the Big Ten Network Covering the Penn State Situation?
Last night, as the Penn State board of trustees met to discuss the firing of Joe Paterno, and a press conference with a trustee was broadcast live, ESPN and CNN covered the event. When PSU students took the streets and some even flipped over a television news van, both cable networks had cameras rolling and talking heads squawking. At the same time, Chicago-based BTN, which … [Read more...] about Why Isn’t the Big Ten Network Covering the Penn State Situation?
Going Inside Big Ten Network Headquarters, Conference Expansion Rumors
Last night I was lucky enough to be at a small private reception that included Big Ten Commissioner Jim Delany. Yes, I was at the same party as the most powerful man in the prestigious college basketball and college football league. Delaney's a University of North Carolina alum, and this was a Chicago Carolina Club gathering at Japonais, a downtown restaurant located a few … [Read more...] about Going Inside Big Ten Network Headquarters, Conference Expansion Rumors
Ohio State Buckeyes Football Schedule: Primetime Games Announced
The Big Ten recently completed its primetime college football selection process that decides which of its teams will play on ABC, ESPN or ESPN2 in an 8 p.m. slot. Ohio State got the nod to compete under the lights for three games in the upcoming season, according to a press release from the university. … [Read more...] about Ohio State Buckeyes Football Schedule: Primetime Games Announced
Tom Crean Tweets His Disgust for Early Tip off with Illini
I just gained a lot more respect for Indiana Hoosiers Coach Tom Crean. This is the highest amount of college basketball sensibility I have ever seen him display. For INEXPLICABLE reasons, the Big Ten decided to make his March 5th contest at border rival Illinois an early Saturday morning tip-off. Now 11 A.M. doesn't sound ridiculously early, but to a good portion of the … [Read more...] about Tom Crean Tweets His Disgust for Early Tip off with Illini
Notre Dame QB Tommy Rees living the “dream”
Most of the luster has faded and the invincibility is gone, but for many young men, playing football at Notre Dame is still a dream. Stepping on the to field at 18-years-old, masterfully engineering the game plan and leading the Irish to its first defeat of a ranked team in four years is a whole different thought. And that is exactly what freshman and Lake Forest, IL native … [Read more...] about Notre Dame QB Tommy Rees living the “dream”
Big 10 to usher in Megaconference Era
It's May and we're talking about college football! Yey! That never happens. And what's breaking up the usual May malaise? Big Ten expansion, and the dominoes that will fall all around the country once it goes through. It's the only Big Ten topic anyone cares about right now even though the Big Ten Network is not touching it with a ten foot pole. But hey, they're busy … [Read more...] about Big 10 to usher in Megaconference Era
The Big Ten Passes Logic Course… Maybe
by Peter Christian If the rumors are true I'm on board. If, in fact, the Big Ten did make offers to Notre Dame, Rutgers, Missouri and Nebraska to leave their current conference posts to join the Big Ten, it is a brilliant idea. Yep, that's right, brilliant. Now I know that I've been steadfastly adamant against Notre Dame joining the Big Ten previously, however, in this case … [Read more...] about The Big Ten Passes Logic Course… Maybe