I think the $7-9 million range is a fair estimate of what the deal will be. That is a number that would allow us to be competitive with the P5, never mind the P2.
To me the most interesting question regarding the big 12 rumors are what would they pay for Big East basketball only schools?
Let’s say fair market value is that $8 million figure you mentioned above. If that’s what they pay for the addition of Big East basketball only schools, why would anyone make that move? The joining schools would have virtually no bargaining power whatsoever and would be incurring additional travel costs of about $2 million. Effectively, you would lose money by going to the big 12.
Now, let’s say the big 12 would pay us some thing greater than our fair market value. Let’s say arbitrarily $15 million a bombend I doubt it would be that high.) First, that money has to come from somewhere. So either a media partner hast to pay us above the fair market value for our basketball, broadcast rights, or the other conference members have to take a lower share. Tough to get people to do either one of those.