When Indiana plays Ohio State in two weeks, it will be the weekend’s marquee game. So, why is it being treated like a matinee?
On Monday, Fox announced the Hoosiers and Buckeyes will play in the “Big Noon Kickoff” game in the noon ET window.
Ohio State fans were rightfully upset following the announcement, as it means the Buckeyes will play six consecutive noon ET games to end the regular season.
Fox “Big Noon Kickoff” color commentator Joel Klatt defended the decision by explaining Fox is locked into the noon ET timeslot because of the Big Ten media rights deal, which gives CBS the 3:30 p.m. ET window and NBC the primetime slot.
Along with conference realignment, it’s another consequence of the Big Ten’s seven-year, $8B television rights deal with the three networks.
At least the SEC, which agreed to a 10-year, $3B media rights deal with ESPN, puts all of its best games in primetime on ABC, allowing fans to bask in festive atmospheres at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, Neyland Stadium in Knoxville and Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa on a weekly basis.