How Much Is Big East Membership Worth? $11M Says Research Firm

Ever since the Big East decided to wait it out for a new TV deal, there's been a lot of speculation as to how much member schools might get under a new deal.

A market research firm thinks they've pinned a value down - $11 million.

That number is, of course, far less than what Pitt will make in the new ACC deal that will average about $17 million. Since the deal was announced, though, we've seen that there are a few things to note ... including the fact that the deal is a bit backloaded. Still, it averages out to $17 million per school.

A bit more on the deal, though, and what it could mean.

The $11 million figure (which is for full members - football- or basketball-only schools would receive less), as estimated by the firm, sounds about right to me at first glance.

Big East Coast Bias notes that this money should mean that Boise State won't be bailing on the conference. But (and they briefly mention this as well) that doesn't mean that the school wouldn't bail if an invite to the Pac-12 or Big 12 came calling. Really, while the deal means the Broncos won't likely be staying in the Mountain West, it still doesn't mean they'll end up in the Big East. In the simplest terms, if Boise State has a chance go elsewhere, you better believe they'd listen. If the Big East is the only option, that's where they're headed.

And if they leave, as the article notes, that would lower the dollar value of any new deal. That's part of the reason I think that any new deal would either come after Boise State begins play in the conference or has some kind of stipulation where a lesser amount would be paid of the Broncos pull a TCU.

In other words, this is really nowhere near being settled.

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