Rumor: ESPN, FOX, and CBS working to get Big 12 on same level as SEC and Big Ten

Longtime college football radio host Greg Swaim relayed that ESPN, FOX Sports, and CBS are all working to elevate the Big 12 to a Power 3 level alongside the SEC and the Big Ten; usurping the current Power 2 model.

"ESPN, Fox Sports, CBS and other CFB media partners are getting a lot of this realignment done behind the scenes, since they pay the bills," Swaim wrote. "From their actions it certainly appears they want three strong P3 conferences...instead of two, for now anyway."

Swaim has previously predicted ESPN dropping the ACC after FSU Clemson, UNC, and UVA left to join either the SEC or the Big Ten.

"Others reporting various legal suits being filed by both current ACC members and the conference itself, but in a nutshell here is what's going on...and what's going to happen," Swaim prefaced before saying, "FSU and Clemson want out for more money, and UNC and soon UVA will jump to a higher paying conference, either the Big Ten or SEC.

"The rest will then try to leave, as at that point ESPN will cancel the contract and those schools remaining that get a Big 12 offer will take it, as the ACC will basically be dead in the water as a P4 at that time. It's just that simple...at least until the Super Conference plan kicks in around 2031."

FOX Sports betting on Big 12 a gamble that has paid off

FOX getting behind the Big 12 in a way it didn't full commit to the Pac-12 has benefitted the network immensely. With Colorado becoming a ratings juggernaut with Deion Sanders just as the Buffs joined the Big 12, and now the Mike Norvell-led angry Seminoles and the Dabo Swinney-led Tigers bringing their major brands, the conference has been able to reward the investment in a major way.

Certainly, CBS and ESPN are happy with their current deals with the B1G and SEC, respectively. Those two conferences still figure to win the next few titles until the more large-scale changes begin in realignment.