As it turns out, NFL Network’s limited foray into college football broadcasting could be growing.
Considerably.
John Ourand and Michael Smith of SportsBusiness Journal report that the ACC has “reached out” to NFL Network regarding the possible purchase of the conference’s broadcasting rights for “a package” of its football games.
The ACC currently is one week into a 60-day exclusive window with ESPN. If a deal isn’t completed by the end of April, the ACC will be able to go elsewhere.
Other candidates include FOX and Versus, which is owned by Comcast.
The current combined football and basketball package, per SBJ, pays the ACC $70 million per year. The ACC reportedly has aimed for $120 million annually for its new deal.
(Good luck with all that.)
It’s unknown whether NFLN has an interest in expanding its coverage of live college football games, but it stands to reason that more cable providers (including Time Warner) would be inclined to add the league-owned operation to its lineup if the slate of live broadcasts were to grow.
NFLN recently struck a deal to televise games of the reconstituted Arena Football League, which will resume play soon.