Big 12 Football, Basketball Games Moving to TNT

As part of a settlement between Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) and the NBA, 13 Big 12 football games and 15 men's basketball games will move from ESPN's streaming service to TNT and TBS starting in the fall of 2025. This six-year sublicensing agreement aims to fill programming gaps left by the NBA's departure from WBD and is expected to enhance the visibility of Big 12 sports. Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark noted that the deal is complementary to existing partnerships with ESPN and FOX, facilitating increased promotion of the conference. The arrangement, termed a 'network trade,' also includes a provision for simulcasting the games on WBD's streaming service, MAX. This strategic move not only adds a fourth broadcasting partner for the Big 12 but also positions the conference favorably for future media rights negotiations. Overall, this deal reflects shifting dynamics in sports media rights and the increasing trend towards sublicensing agreements.