CBS Sports has been broadcasting the SEC’s Game of the Week since 1996, and the partnership has certainly been successful.

CBS currently gets its pick on which 15 SEC games it will broadcast during the season, including the SEC Championship Game, and the network only pays about $55 million per year, according to Clay Travis of Outkick the Coverage, which is $3.7 million per game.

That’s certainly a steal.

So, there has been some discussion as to what will happen next when the agreement ends after the 2023 football season.

In his annual predictions story, Sports Business Journal’s John Ourand believes the SEC and CBS will sign a long-term extension.

I am probably too early on this prediction, but it will happen. SEC brass feels like its broadcast deal is undervalued. CBS knows its deal for an SEC game of the week is a bargain. CBS executives Sean McManus and David Berson know how to cultivate relationships, so I expect them to open the rights deal early and sign a long-term extension. CBS loves the SEC package, which consistently is the highest-rated college football package on TV. The SEC loves having such a high-profile broadcast window on CBS. Some in SEC country may advocate for this package to hit the open market, but I expect these two quietly to work out a deal.

Things could get interesting, though, and Ourand is certainly early on this prediction.

ESPN/Disney will certainly make a play for the games, as well as FOX, Turner or NBC potentially.

SDS Staff

Saturday Down South reports and comments on the news around the Southeastern Conference as well as larger college football topics.