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Report: ESPN pays Big 12 $10M in restructured TV contract after conference doesn't expand

A photo sometimes says it all, and this was did as the Big 12 Conference announced it would not expand. (AP)
Big 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby and Oklahoma president David Boren announced the Big 12 would not expand. (AP)

ESPN has reportedly given the Big 12 some additional cash in exchange for the removal of a potentially costly clause in the network’s contract with the league.

According to Sports Business Daily (article behind a paywall), ESPN paid the league an extra $10 million over the remaining eight years of its contract. In exchange for the payment, the Big 12 reportedly removed language in its contract with ESPN that would mandate the network pay the conference more if it expands to 12 or more teams.

SBD first reported this summer that Fox and ESPN were reluctant to the league’s ideas of potential expansion because of the wording of the contracts it had with the league. The Big 12 was set to make more money from television if it added teams.

At Big 12 basketball media day, Big 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby declined to comment on the report.

Last week, the Big 12 said it wouldn’t be expanding.

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Fox has the same clause in its contract with the Big 12 and has decided to not renegotiate with the conference, per the report. By doing so, Fox would be on the hook for more money if the Big 12 decides to expand before the end of its television contracts in 2024-25. But if it expands the additional television money would be coming from only Fox barring a renegotiation with ESPN.

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Nick Bromberg is the assistant editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!