The Big East apparently turned down a new TV contract similar to the ACC's $155 million per year deal, and it hopes to get $200 million annually. The reason? The Pac-12 deal is soooo big, you, uh, can't help but give the Big East an exorbitant sum too? By comparison, the SEC's combined CBS and ESPN contracts give the conference $205 million annually. Granted, the basketball portion of the Big East's next contract will be split 17 ways (it'll go into effect after TCU joins), so the all the schools won't be getting SEC money. However if you doubt the Big East's ability to get an eye-popping number, just consider that ESPN and Fox will again be bidding against Comcast-owned NBC. That's the combination that made the magic happen for the Pac-12. Incidentally if the Big East can get that $200 million, especially if any of it comes from ESPN, I'll bet Mike Slive will be on the phone with the Worldwide Leader within the hour.