re: Disney is considering spinning off ESPN

This is an interesting point you bring up. CBS was pretty much stealing money for roughly the past 10 to 15 years of their contract with the SEC. This was not a secret by any means, but well known by the commissioner who entered the agreement - Roy Kramer. He, wisely, surmised that the long-term value was in creating a national brand for the SEC and he was willing to end up with the short end of the stick for the back end of the contract to get it done.

Now, you have CBS who is trying to decide if they want to pay market value for the SEC, which is arguably the biggest brand in college football and still growing, or cash in from the previous contract and buy up a less valuable, but potentially more lucrative deal with a lesser conference.

At the end of the day, they are looking for return on investment over prestige. They may be willing to let a different network pay through the nose for the best college football for the next 25 years. After all, they already made their money and then some on the last contract.