Why?

First, as it has been stated, ESPN exercised the option on the contract. They did this because it was a good deal for ESPN. They're getting good games at a relatively low value.

Second the AAC GOT a significant raise. Considering the fact that BYU was making on average more than twice as much as any AAC or MWCC team did with their old deals, one can assume that BYU will get a pretty solid bump in pay per game.

3rd BYU scheduling has gotten significantly better since the original deal in 2010. Bringing in teams like Washington, USC, Michigan State, Tennessee, will command more money in the negotiation the contract.

4th. Let's say BYU gets 10 million dollars per year. I actually think it might be slightly more than that but consider that still is far less than what they would be paying out to the AAC. If each team is making 7 million, give or take and there are 11 teams in the AAC, my insane math skills tell me that's $77; million dollars. 10 to 12 million per year is, relatively speaking, a bargain.

And remember because of BYU's location they can fill some late night time slots that teams in the central time zone even can't fulfill.

McMurphy is comparing a 2010 contract ESPN made with BYU with the brand-new renegotiated contract with the AAC. Of course if you compare those to contracts it looks like BYU would make more money by going to the AAC. Not to mention the fact that BYU feels those late night time slots already for some of their games, whether they're in the AAC or not.