[Pete Thamel] Per sources, the amount Fox is expected to get back for the cancellation of the Big Ten title game, which it owns the television rights to, is estimated in the $50 million range annually.

[u/Thomallister1291]

https://x.com/PeteThamel/status/2111241297298387030

[u/Own_Pop_9711]

I don't even understand, the playoffs aren't worth that much more money

[u/BrettSchirley22 → u/Own_Pop_9711]

Devaluing big regular season matchups too. Ohio State vs Michigan when they’re both top 10 teams and competing for a playoff spot feeds families. Duke vs UNC to get into the 24 spot doesn’t feed families

[u/Sorge74 → u/BrettSchirley22]

With 24 teams the only game I will care about is Michigan....shit we could go 8-4 and still make a 24 team playoff....

[u/joeh4384 → u/Sorge74]

I am so glad we won the 23 game. I don't think there will ever be an old school rivalry game with stakes like that again where Michigan and OSU pretty much play for the big 10 like the good ole days.

[u/wetcornbread → u/BrettSchirley22]

It will but only once basketball season comes around and the losing team in their March madness matchup will just say they knocked the winning team out in football so it doesn’t matter to them that their team lost when it clearly does.

[u/muttonchops215 → u/BrettSchirley22]

This. Twelve is fine because the difference between UGA beating Alabama last week is a bye or a home game while the other may not get either. If anything, Alabama in the playoffs last year justified an expanded field (devalued the conference title game results). It was clear they weren't a playoff team from that game.

[u/WillDill94 → u/BrettSchirley22]

Woah now, idk about that. Also, we rarely play UNC at the end of the season now anyways…

[u/BrettSchirley22 → u/WillDill94]

Oh damn I didn’t notice

[u/Clipgang1629 → u/BrettSchirley22]

I mean there will still be big matchups heavy weight matchups they’ll just happen in December or whatever. Honestly, I don’t really agree with the sky is falling comments about the playoff expansion.

Assuming there will be a very generous bye system. Which I think is likely. Those games will still be incredibly important. The bubble matchups will be interesting. Men’s basketball regular season doesn’t feel devalued to me. Getting a better seed really matters.

Conference championships being removed is terrible though.

[u/HaterOfFrustration → u/Clipgang1629]

Exactoy

[u/con247 → u/Own_Pop_9711]

Why are the playoffs not adding more games? We can still have title games? With NIL it is not unreasonable to have a 16 game season imo.

[u/IDontTortureChickens → u/Own_Pop_9711]

It's truly befuddling, ESPN is giving away more money for games they know don't have value, are cancelling games that do generate ratings in favor of games that probably won't, certainly not to the same degree, and that devalue the product they're already paying for. There's truly no reason to do it.

[u/muttonchops215 → u/IDontTortureChickens]

The insane overpay of the NBA is proof of this. They don't learn, but given they might still be the only "healthy" aspect of Disney outside their theme parks is telling. Cable isn't king anymore.