Key Takeaways
- SEC and Big Ten formally urge Congress to reject proposed legislation for collective media negotiations
- Conferences released joint study arguing pooling TV rights would be dangerously unworkable
- Proposed SAFE Act would grant limited antitrust protections for collective negotiations
The SEC and Big Ten have formally urged Congress to reject proposed legislation that would allow collective media negotiations for college sports, releasing a joint study arguing that pooling TV rights would be dangerously unworkable and less profitable than current arrangements.
The proposed SAFE Act would grant limited antitrust protections for collective negotiations, but the two powerhouse conferences are pushing back strongly.
Off the Record
Let’s be honest — this is about money, plain and simple. The SEC and Big Ten are making bank on their current TV deals and don’t want Congress messing with the formula. The SAFE Act would theoretically help smaller conferences negotiate better deals, but the big boys don’t want any competition in the marketplace.