television rights

As was rumored for weeks, the Big Ten has signed a landmark new rights deal with FOX, CBS, and NBC. Let's break out the bullets.

Money. The full deal takes a little bit to kick in, and the numbers are somewhat fuzzy because some people appear to be talking about just the money coming from the three networks mentioned above and some people are including CFP, NCAA tournament, and other rights. This is the discrepancy between 75 million (deal-related money) and 100 million (expected per-school conference distribution in a few years).

This is a lot of money. Please do not accept any requests for understanding when and if the school serves up another nonconference schedule like this one.

Oh God, the commercials. There was a time way back in the long ago when this site was enthused about exploding rights fees. It's hard to remember why, but it was probably some combination of tribalism and hilariously naïve beliefs that some of this money would result in positive changes for anyone other than the people drawing salaries from the athletic department.

After years of bludgeoning in the courts of public opinion and, you know, actual courts, the NCAA has budged on some things—cost of living stipends, free food—but these athlete-supporting changes are peripheral. The money is still going to the coaching/administrator class. I see no reason that would change, so the main takeaway here for people who watch the sports is to prepare for an even heavier inundation of ads. I would expect the powers that be to push for more NFL style rules to reduce the number of plays, literally replacing football with ads.

Charity Bowl time. Well, folks, time to liberate 42.27 plus processing fees from your wallets:

First: If you're a veteran, got it, I'm ADHD and got money to throw, well, here's the link for this year's festivities. No waiting, line's open: https://t.co/o1iCrV2S41

— BUM CHILLUPS AKA SPENCER HALL (@edsbs) April 25, 2022

Or you could be like Ethan Stark and drop approximately 7k by moving the decimal. I want to see a historic blowout this year. I expect it, really.

In or out. Hunter Dickinson announced a return yesterday; Moussa Diabate has now announced he's going through the draft process:

A statement from Moussa Diabate:

〽️ | #ProBlue | #ForCompetitorsOnly pic.twitter.com/uVVKKnRrcR

— Michigan Men's Basketball (@umichbball) April 25, 2022

Diabate will retain his eligibility. That's the smart move for a guy with all the physical potential in the world but little presence on mock drafts or even top 100 lists. He could easily catch someone's eye and get a first round guarantee; or he could get told if he does X and Y next year he'd be a clear lottery pick. I can't remember a stay or go decision more contingent on camp performances. Anonymous NBA scout:

“He is all over the board,” the scout said with a laugh. “The variance with him is crazy.”

SI's draft guy:

Michigan’s Moussa Diabate has entered the 2022 draft while maintaining eligibility to return, a source tells me. The 6’10” Diabate showed flashes of promise as a freshman. His physical tools, motor and defensive versatility give him a chance to rise in the predraft process.

— Jeremy Woo (@JeremyWoo) April 25, 2022

Caleb Houstan has announced nothing despite the NBA draft entry deadline passing at midnight last night. The NBA releases the list tomorrow at noon, so we won't have to wait long to find out whether he's also going through the process. I remain skeptical that Houstan is draft viable since last year he only did one thing well—stand-still shooting—and was very much a work in progress as a defender. It's frankly bizarre to me that draft rankings like CBS's have Houstan 37th and no Diabate.

If I had to bet I'd say that at least one team is willing to give Diabate a late first guarantee and that Houstan ends up returning. But [gestures in freezing cold Jordan Poole take].