Catholic college hoops are headed to Fox Sports’ fledgling cable channel as part of a landmark 12-year pact with the new Big East conference.
The TV rights deal with Fox Sports 1, which launches this summer, is worth an estimated $500 million beginning next September.
What’s more, Butler, Creighton and Xavier are joining the core group of seven Catholic schools that are starting a new league but keeping the Big East name.
The Big East will join Fox Sports 1’s previously signed stable of the Big 12 and the Pac-12 for college basketball.
Rev. Brian Shanley, president of Providence College, said the length of the deal creates stability and ensures schools know who they will be playing for the next decade.
The agreement includes plans to air games on mobile platforms as part of Fox Sports GO.