It was honestly just a matter of time, but this evening FOX finally decided to decline their opportunity to keep the BCS under its umbrella, and in turn sending the BCS back to Disney. Via Wall Street Journal….
Fox Sports declined to match an offer from ESPN to televise Bowl Championship Series college football games from 2011 to 2014, the network announced Monday.
“Even with today’s vast economic uncertainties, Fox Sports made a very competitive bid to keep broadcasting BCS games free to every home in America, one that included a substantial rights fee increase, and certainly as much as any over-the-air network could responsibly risk. Unfortunately, the university presidents and BCS commissioners were not satisfied and they’ve decided to take their jewel events to pay television,” Lou D’Ermilio, a spokesman for Fox, said in a statement.
With Fox bowing out, ESPN in all likelihood becomes the broadcaster of the national championship game, as well as the Sugar, Orange and Fiesta Bowls. It also opens the door for the Rose Bowl to move from ABC to ESPN.
Obviously the BCS still has to accept ESPN’s deal, but it’s really a forgone conclusion at this point. Thank goodness too. It’s going to be sad to not be able to play the band drinking game well into the 21st century with all of you, but this deal doesn’t kick into 2011, so we’ve got at least three more years of poking fun at FOX!
FYI, According to John Ourand of Sports Business Daily, FOX’s highest offer was $100 Million per year which was about $25 Million less than ESPN’s number.
Fox Sports Abandons BCS Bid (Wall Street Journal)
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