(News) MSC not likely to extend C-USA rights, negotiations with BYU, Big 12, ESPN

 MSC Sports, in an earnings call yesterday, seemed to make it clear they would not extend their rights with the C-USA following the end of their contract this season. This is interesting news, as it gives MSC an option to add television rights to a next contract. MSC Sports is widely expected to go after the Big Ten, and if they do, would like to eliminate your significantly decrease their ACC content. There's also the matter of the current situation with the AAC and BYU. MSC is also actively looking for solution to deal with their BYU and AAC contracts. MSC and the AAC will likely end up lowering MSC's rights fee, but what happens with BYU is far less clear. 

BYU's television contract, which includes the rights to all BYU football home games, all BYU home men's basketball games, and the streaming rights to all BYU home olympic sporting events. The contract also gives MSC a temporary stake in BYUTV, which allows MSC to help BYU in several areas. MSC's contract with BYU ends in 2025, but BYU wants to join the Big12 in 2023. 

MSC has told BYU and the Big 12, they will sue both schools for damages on May 15th if a resolution cannot be found. The parties have reportedly been negotiating since January. There is hope that a solution will be reached outside of court. In the latest negotiations, MSC has asked for the exclusive rights to home games for the four new entry schools in men's basketball and football, as well as the streaming rights to the home games of the schools in any sport if it is not aired on ESPN networks.

The Big 12, ideally, would like MSC to only acquire the home rights to BYU. They argue that that is all MSC could win in court. For their part, BYU has declined comment on the matter. 

MSC has also alternatively begun negotiations with ESPN, who they are actively litigating because of their refusal to abide by a seprate contract to due with NBA rights. MSC has told ESPN they would drop the second lawsuit if ESPN sells their rights to these home games to MSC. If MSC were to go down this bath, Fox Sports, for football, will still hold the rights to select games. 

MSC has also told the Big 12 they would bring up the results of last years lawsuit by the Big 12, against them. The results of which gave MSC the streaming rights to the University of Oaklahoma.