As Southeastern Conference leaders and athletic directors weigh the possibility of expanding the league’s football schedule to nine conference games, ESPN is signaling its willingness to boost its financial commitment to the SEC, according to reports released on Thursday.
The Athletic revealed that sources informed them ESPN is prepared to pay between $50 million and $80 million more annually if the SEC adds a ninth league game to its regular season slate. The network currently pays the conference $811 million per year under its existing media rights agreement. No formal offer has been made, and both ESPN and the SEC declined to comment on the ongoing discussions.