It’s being reported that the ACC and ESPN are on the verge of a TV deal that will pay them $1.86 billion over 12 years, an average of $155 million per year. That’s a huge increase over the current $67 million per year the conference makes. This boost will put the ACC third behind the Big Ten ($242 million per year), and the SEC ($205 million) and ahead of the Big 12 ($78 million), Pac-10 ($58 million) and Big East ($33 million).

Both the Big 12 and the Pac-10 will soon be negotiating for a new TV deal and could be affected by the ESPN partnership with the ACC. Both conference have discussed the idea of a TV partnership or joint TC network. It would seem that in the wake of the ACC/ESPN deal, such a joint effort might maximize the most profits.