Pac-10 Signs Record TV Contract

It may take fans awhile to get used to saying the Pac-12 but television networks like the sound of it.

When the college conference, that includes Stanford and Cal, expands to 12 teams on July 1, there will be a new record television contract in place.

Three people familiar with negotiations say what is currently the Pac-10 has agreed to a 12-year television contract with Fox and ESPN that is the most valuable in college sports.

The people say the contract will be worth more than $225 million per year. They spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal has not been announced.

The previous richest deal for a conference is the $220 million a year that the Big Ten currently earns.

While most of the high-profile football and men's basketball games will be on channels owned by Fox or ESPN, the conference is interested in starting its own network.

The conference will become the Pac-12 on July 1 with the additions of Utah and Colorado.