After more than a decade apart, ESPN and the Big East Conference are back in business—this time in the digital space. The two sides have reached a six-year agreement that will bring a substantial package of Big East sports to ESPN+, the network’s current direct-to-consumer streaming platform.
First reported by Sports Business Journal, the deal includes a wide array of Olympic sports content along with men’s and women’s basketball games, starting with the 2025–26 academic year.
Unlike the conference’s existing television deals with FOX Sports, NBC, and TNT Sports—which were signed last year—this new agreement is streaming-only and does not involve any linear component. The report states the rights deal is direct between the conference and ESPN and is not a sublicense.
Under the terms of the new pact, 25 non-conference men’s basketball games will stream exclusively on ESPN+. In addition, the deal calls for a minimum of 75 women’s basketball games and 200 Olympic sports events, all of which will be produced by the Big East.
While financial terms were not disclosed, sources close to the negotiations confirmed to the Sports Business Journal that a rights fee is involved. Proskauer’s Benjamin Freeman represented the Big East, with Commissioner Val Ackerman leading the discussions for the conference. ESPN’s SVP of Programming & Acquisitions Nick Dawson and Director of Programming & Acquisitions Mallory Kenny handled negotiations on the network’s behalf according to the report.
The deal marks a return to familiar territory. ESPN and the Big East have a long history, dating back to 1980 when the network signed its first national deal with the conference. That partnership ended in 2013 when the Big East shifted to Fox Sports following the departure of its football-playing members.
This new agreement further expands ESPN+’s college sports offerings and provides the Big East with greater visibility across a broad range of sports—just as ESPN prepares to formally launch its standalone streaming service (called ESPN) this fall.
Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. To stay updated, sign up for our newsletters and get the latest information delivered straight to your inbox.
