Report: SEC, Big Ten Discussing CFB Scheduling Agreement for Non-Conference Games

The two biggest conferences in college football are reportedly on the verge of uniting for a series of matchups that could generate even more cash.

According to Matt Hayes of USA Today, the SEC and Big Ten are "discussing a potential scheduling agreement that could lead to a significant increase in media rights revenue."

Hayes reported that he spoke to "four people with knowledge of the discussions" and they said "the two super conferences could face off in as many as 12 to 16 regular-season nonconference games a year – or more – to determine the extent of the increase in media rights revenue."

The potential agreement reportedly would serve as a solution following the immense losses in revenue from the House legal case settlement that rewarded over $2 billion to former players plus an agreement for further revenue sharing with players annually of $20 million to $23 million that will begin in the 2025 campaign.

An "industry source with knowledge of the process" told Hayes that "the only way to maximize revenue is with an increased number of high-value nonconference games over a specific period of time."

The three crossover matchups between the SEC and Big Ten this year--USC vs. LSU, Texas vs. Michigan and Alabama vs. Wisconsin--ranked in the top 10 in overall viewership over the first month of the season.

Increasing the number of meetings between the two conferences could create a promotional opportunity similar to the Big Ten/ACC Challenge in college basketball.

Hayes noted that there are "still multiple hurdles to clear – including schedule structure, format of how games are paired and revenue distribution." However, he added that "officials in both conferences see the potential agreement as an answer to the rapidly-changing financial landscape of college football."