Plus: Here comes the SEC softball tournament
As the Southeastern Conference’s leaders and school athletic directors mull over the likelihood that the league adds a ninth game to its regular season conference schedule, ESPN is now attempting to put its thumb on the scale in favor of the move, The Athletic reports.
Specifically, the network is willing to pay between $50 million and $80 million for a ninth game.
From The Athletic:
“There is no formal offer yet, those sources added, and the exact amount of the increase still needs to be fully negotiated. But the sources said the additional money would likely be in the range of $50-80 million annually on top of the current deal, in which ESPN pays the conference $811 million per year to broadcast its sporting events. Both ESPN and the SEC declined to comment.”
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING ABOUT THE LONGHORNS
Austin American-Statesman: Texas softball pitcher Teagan Kavan embracing her role as team’s ace
247Sports: Sarkisian says Texas football not ‘a finished product’ despite success addressing needs in transfer portal
247Sports: Four Downs: Texas baseball faces adversity, Texas’ investment in Sean Miller, Mia Scott makes history and more
Inside Texas: Five plays that have NFL circles already excited about Arch Manning
Inside Texas: Sean Miller’s new deal unpacked, looking at 2026 recruits
Inside Texas: From Overalls to Overdrive: The shift to Arch Manning and a new defense
Inside Texas: How Arch Manning’s statistics might look for the 2025 season
ICYMI IN BURNT ORANGE NATION
No. 1 Texas shuts the door on Lamar’s upset attempt in 9-3 win
Where the Texas backup QB battle sits with addition of Matthew Caldwell
RECRUITING ROUNDUP
Austin American-Statesman: Vic Schaefer discusses Texas basketball team’s additions, subtractions
247Sports: Texas impresses nation’s No. 2 TE Kaiden Prothro ahead of summer official visit
247Sports: Texas factors into summer plans for OT Aaron Thomas after recent offer
Inside Texas: Texas Longhorns Recruiting Roundup: Early 2027 offers highlight national reach
SEC SHOWDOWN
Inside Texas: 2025 Opponent Offseason Storylines: Oklahoma rests its hopes on Brent Venables’ ability to put it all together
Rock M Nation: Recruiting Reset: Bralen Henderson solidifies depth in the interior defensive line
Rocky Top Talk: ESPN details five-star 2026 quarterback Faizon Brandon’s fit with Tennessee
Roll ‘Bama Roll: Alabama rolls Troy 10-2
A Sea Of Blue: The 2025 edition of Kentucky basketball vs. Louisville will be the earliest matchup ever
WHAT WE’RE READING
SB Nation: Packers, Giants players headline list of NFL veterans who could lose job to rookies
SB Nation: George Pickens traded to Cowboys with Steelers getting multiple NFL Draft picks
SB Nation: Duke faces its biggest challenge yet under Jon
NEWS ACROSS LONGHORN NATION AND BEYOND
- The SEC softball tournament gets underway tomorrow.
back to business #HookEm pic.twitter.com/R1wBNRhAWI
— Texas Softball (@TexasSoftball) May 7, 2025
