The Big Ten Breakup With ESPN Has Purdue Network Shopping

So, this was big news today:

Abundantly clear that ABC/ESPN might not be part of next B1G media rights package

— Teddy Greenstein (@TeddyGreenstein) May 18, 2016

That is significant because the Big Ten TV deal is being renegotiated and the conference is going to go where it can get the most money. Since Purdue is being kept afloat (barely) by the river of money flowing from the conference TV deals it means we need to be very interested in what happens next. This new TV deal will likely go a very long way towards financing any more needed improvements to Ross-Ade Stadium such as the South End zone, as well as the potential Darrell Hazell buyout.

Fox already has part of the deal, shelling out $250 million for about 25 football games and 50 basketball games per year. There is a lot more money to be thrown around, however. The next deal is very likely going to be in the billions of dollars. If ESPN isn’t going to be there, however, who will be? Thankfully, Twitter had answers.

Univision and Lifetime to pick up the other half of B1G Media Rights. I assume. https://t.co/3uIE8e4bwZ

— Hammer & Rails (@HammerAndRails) May 18, 2016

@HammerAndRails Illini/Purdue football games will air on Channel Ocho, right after Bumblebee Man's show.

— The Frustrated Fan (@Frustrated_Fan) May 18, 2016

@HammerAndRails HGTV will TOTALLY grab a weekly noon game. Famersonly ads fit there better than they should.

— Robert Baker (@kerba1123) May 18, 2016

@kerba1123 @HammerAndRails You know we're bad when i legitimately would be more mad about losing Fixer Upper than Purdue Football.

— Greg Yashewski (@gregyashewski) May 18, 2016

@kerba1123 @HammerAndRails I hope not. I want a good option of shows to watch instead of Purdue getting blown out by the end of the 1st half

— Boilergal1 (@Boilergal1) May 18, 2016

@kerba1123 @HammerAndRails Do you think the Property Brothers would be interested in buying Purdue football and remodelling it?

— Juan Crespo (@Air_Force_Juan) May 18, 2016

@Air_Force_Juan @HammerAndRails Purdue is the house they look for 30 secs between Baylor and Stanford. "The foundation had too many issues"

— Robert Baker (@kerba1123) May 18, 2016

We're probably more Pawn Stars: "I found this old FBS Power five program and I want to know what it is worth." https://t.co/2AyhBAlCye

— Hammer & Rails (@HammerAndRails) May 18, 2016

@HammerAndRails Pawn Stars is on the History Channel though. It will be hard to push ND Football and IU Basketball off of there.

— Juan Crespo (@Air_Force_Juan) May 18, 2016

@HammerAndRails I gotta call my buddy who's an expert on garbage fires.

— purwho (@purwho) May 18, 2016

@HammerAndRails I'm confused, isn't that how they ended up with a pergola in the endzone in the first place?

— CardinalStrong (@CardinaIStrong) May 18, 2016

@Air_Force_Juan @HammerAndRails Purdue is the house they look for 30 secs between Baylor and Stanford. "The foundation had too many issues"

— Robert Baker (@kerba1123) May 18, 2016

Marge: That's dilapidated.
Hutz: Rustic!
Marge: That house is on fire!
Hutz: Motivated seller!

— Hammer & Rails (@HammerAndRails) May 18, 2016

@Air_Force_Juan @kerba1123 @HammerAndRails More like Flip Or Flop: "We bought a B1G program sight unseen." pic.twitter.com/pdoE389bi6

— Greg McManus (@GregMcLNK) May 18, 2016

In our group chat:@Drewtigeralum Lifetime is made for Purdue Football@ARHolmesBTP They do like showing abuse.

— Hammer & Rails (@HammerAndRails) May 18, 2016

Purdue Football! We laugh because it beats crying.