The rumor is that is that ESPN isn't offering the dollar amount the Big Ten wants. This would be a massive mistake by the Big Ten to not partner with ESPN. They own most of the bowl games, the CFB playoff and are the biggest media name in sports. Even if you don't like ESPN this screws Ohio State and the conference as a whole. If you are one of the people who thought that ESPN did not like Ohio State then imagine if the B1G does not agree to a deal with them. OSU, Sparty, and the tsun need to tell Jim Delaney the mistake he could make will be horrible for the conference.
Abundantly clear that ABC/ESPN might not be part of next B1G media rights package
— Teddy Greenstein (@TeddyGreenstein) May 18, 2016