What's wrong with FOX sub licensing inventory? They aren't ESPN, the worldwide leader in sports. In fact, until they launched FOX ONE a year ago FOX was the last large media company to have their own diversified streaming platform (BTN+ doesn't count).LOL at the “B10 got it right” hot take. Fox got it right with their sublicense deals with NBC and CBS to offset what they pay to the B10 as 100% rights holder.
But you are correct that the NFL does things right with multiple rights holders all having access to premium brands and post season access unlike FBS FB who leaves billions on the table under the current setup to ESPN’s and Fox’s benefit with their obvious goal of additional brand consolidation to kneecap 25-30 B12/ACC football programs.
And your point about the NCAA MBB tournament is why the NCAA needs to outsource their media rights negotiations to optimize revenues. And CBS/Turner aren’t dictating realignment and destroying conferences like what ESPN and Fox have done with CFB.
So how does FOX maximize it's Big 10 equity? Unless FOX was going to show games at noon, 3:00 & 7:00 (which they have never done), sell the game inventory to CBS & NBC. CBS was in dire straights because ESPN outbid them for Sat afternoon SEC OTA game. And NBC wanted to enhance their Notre Dame media investment by going back-to-back with a Big 10 game.
Everything that is happening is result of open negotiations by willing partners. In other words, both conferences and media companies have their own consultants/in-house experts and lawyers to arrive at contract language and financial terms.
Do you have any corporate business experience?