The SEC announced a huge 10-year TV deal with ESPN in a press conference on Thursday night.
The deal starts in 2024 and gives ESPN exclusive media rights to SEC football and men’s basketball – specifically the top 15 football games and eight marquee basketball games – ending the previous deal with CBS that lasted 30 years.
The familiar 3:30 p.m. kickoff on CBS will be moved to ABC and there will also be a prime time game following the afternoon matchup, so we can say goodbye to the SEC’s best game being aired in the afternoon.
“This is a significant day for the Southeastern Conference and for the future of our member institutions,” SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey said. “Our agreement with ESPN will greatly enhance our ability to support our student-athletes in the years ahead and to further enrich the game day experience for SEC fans around the world.”
Something to note is the size of the contract.
CBS paid the SEC $55 million per year and, while the SEC refused to release the financial side of the new deal, reports from the Sports Business Journal expect the new payout to be $300 million each year.
The SEC released even released a hype video following the announcement.
Looking forward to our future…@SEC x @espn pic.twitter.com/3Q0Z6orufo
— Southeastern Conference (@SEC) December 10, 2020
The real question is, what will happened to the SEC on CBS intro music?