The Big Ten Conference is in the midst of the first year of a new seven-year media rights deal with Paramount Global, Comcast and FOX Corporation, marking the first time the conference has been away from The Walt Disney Company (ABC/ESPN) since the 1960s. This new landmark agreement centers around football and basketball contests, the provisions of which are outlined in the contract itself. As a result, Robbie Hummel, one of the conference’s predominant analysts, is leaving the “Worldwide Leader” to join NBC and FOX to continue calling the contests. News of the move first reported by Andrew Marchand of the New York Post on Monday morning.
The former Purdue basketball star began his journey in broadcasting at the Sportscaster U camp at Syracuse University, a program that was offered to National Basketball Association players and taught by Orangemen commentator Matt Park. Hummel moved to the Big Ten Network to contribute to studio coverage as he was attempting a professional comeback, and his work quickly got noticed by a broadcast agent.
Once his playing days were officially over, he and his agent worked out a deal for him to join the Big Ten Network and ESPN performing color commentary and studio analysis. Additionally, he started calling games on Westwood One Radio and helped document historic moments, including a game-winning shot by David Jean-Baptiste to send the Chattanooga Mocs to the NCAA tournament.
Making a move to NBC and FOX could be a precursor for Hummel to call NBA games should either network secure part of the media rights package, which expires at the conclusion of the 2024-25 season. Hummel told Barrett Sports Media earlier this year that he would be interested in pairing his college work with more chances at the NBA level.
Despite the move, Hummel will remain on the Big Ten Network since its majority ownership stake is held by FOX Corporation. Yet he will also call college basketball for FOX and its dedicated sports network, FOX Sports 1, along with weekday games on NBCUniversal’s direct-to-consumer streaming service, Peacock. The platform will broadcast up to 47 regular-season men’s contests games and 30 regular-season women’s basketball games, a combination of conference and non-conference matchups.
