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
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