The BIG EAST Conference has announced new six-year media rights agreements that will retain its standing as one of the most televised conferences in college sports. FOX Sports, which has been the television partner for the BIG EAST for the last 11 years, will remain as the lead network provider. NBC Sports and TNT Sports will begin televising BIG EAST basketball coverage for the first time under the new deal as well. The agreement, which begins in 2025-26 and runs through the 2030-31 season, was unanimously approved by the Presidents of the 11 member institutions within the conference. Financial terms of the media rights deals were not disclosed.
“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,” Rev. Daniel S. Hendrickson, SJ, PhD, president of Creighton University and chair of the BIG EAST Conference Board of Directors, said in a statement.
“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.”
The new media rights agreements include coverage across broadcast, cable and direct-to-consumer streaming platforms under the purview of the three companies. FOX Sports will broadcast at least 80 BIG EAST men’s and women’s basketball games during the regular season and postseason. Moreover, the FOX broadcast network will continue presenting the BIG EAST Men’s Tournament Final through 2031. FOX launched FS1 surrounding the BIG EAST Conference transformation to focus on basketball and move away from FBS football.
“Everyone at FOX Sports is thrilled to continue our long-standing relationship with the BIG EAST, one of the nation’s top basketball conferences and a pillar of our college hoops lineup,” Eric Shanks, chief executive officer and executive producer at FOX Sports, said in a statement. “It’s a privilege to showcase these spectacular student-athletes and institutions alongside our new partners, NBC Sports and TNT Sports, while also fortifying our role as a leader in college sports.”
Peacock will commence its coverage of BIG EAST men’s basketball this upcoming season with 25 regular season games and five early round and quarterfinal conference tournament games. In the next season, Peacock and NBC Sports will broadcast over 60 men’s and women’s regular season and BIG EAST tournament games.
“BIG EAST Basketball is among the most prestigious in all of college sports, and we’re proud to be able to feature the men’s and women’s teams across our NBCUniversal platforms,” Rick Cordella, president of NBC Sports, said in a statement. “The BIG EAST has a storied basketball history, and we look forward to showcasing these games as the conference creates more memorable moments.”
TNT Sports will present more than 65 regular season BIG EAST basketball games airing on TNT, TBS, truTV and Max beginning in the 2025-26 campaign. The agreement ensures more than 50 men’s college basketball regular season games and at least 15 women’s college basketball regular season games each season, and all live games will be available to stream on Max. Furthermore, company platforms including Bleacher Report and House of Highlights will implement highlights and other content surrounding the conference.
“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,” Luis Silberwasser, chairman and chief executive officer of TNT Sports, said in a statement. “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.”
