ESPN and the Big East Conference have announced a new six-year media rights agreement. This deal will bring over 300 live events to ESPN+ each year, starting in the 2025-26 academic year.
The agreement guarantees at least 75 women’s basketball games and 200 Olympic sports events annually. It also includes a minimum of 25 nonconference men’s basketball games per year. All events will stream exclusively on ESPN+.
“We’re pleased to welcome the Big East back to ESPN,” said Nick Dawson, ESPN senior vice president, programming & acquisitions. “This agreement returns one of the country’s premier conferences and its tradition of excellence to ESPN platforms, and continues to strengthen the college offering on our industry leading direct-to-consumer streaming services. We look forward to this new chapter in our relationship with the Big East,” said Dawson.
Big East Commissioner Val Ackerman highlighted the deal's benefits for the conference's broad range of sports. “Streaming on ESPN+ gives all 22 of our sports — especially women’s basketball and Olympic sports — the visibility they’ve earned,” Ackerman said.
This announcement comes as ESPN prepares to launch a new direct-to-consumer offering that includes ESPN+ later this year. The Big East Conference comprises 11 universities and oversees athletic programs across 22 sports.