How Pac-12 compares with other BCS conferences in fan loyalty, TV deals

The Pacific 12 Conference recently signed a television contract with Fox and ESPN estimated to be worth $3 billion over 12 years, the largest deal in college sports. AJ Maestas of Navigate Marketing, a Chicago-based firm, believes the numbers are particularly surprising given that the Pac-12 ranks behind conferences such as the Southeastern and Big Ten when it comes to fan base and interest.

Conference footprint

(population of represented states)

Big East; 107,227,913

Big Ten; 69,179,505

Atlantic Coast; 63,084,618

Pac-12; 61,072,042

Southeastern; 58,581,019

Big 12; 40,283,535

Viewership

Pac-12; Big Ten; SEC; ACC; Big 12; Big East

Watched football; 10,166,303; 16,146,261; 13,403,870; 11,390,260; 8,103,253; 5,124,219

Watched basketball; 3,377,464; 3,186,570; 7,800,430; 8,387,327; 1,796,393; 10,233,230

Fan affinity

Percentage of college football fans in major home markets:

Southeastern; 40.6%

Big 12; 36.4%

Big Ten; 34.5%

Atlantic Coast; 34.5%

Big East; 28.8%

Pac-12; 26.9%

Percentage of college basketball fans in major home markets:

Big Ten; 25.8%

Southeastern; 25.7%

Big 12; 25.5%

Atlantic Coast; 24.5%

Big East; 21.8%

Pac-12; 18.0%

Television contracts

(As reported publicly)

Conference; Per school annually

*Big Ten; $21,000,000

Pac-12; $20,833,333

Southeastern; $17,083,333

Atlantic Coast; $15,400,000

Big 12; $15,000,000

Big East; $2,100,000

*Includes revenue from conference’s own television network.

Source: Scarborough Research