The Big Ten Wrestling Championships are one of the most anticipated events of the season, but for many fans, watching the action unfold has turned into a frustrating experience. UFC legend and wrestling advocate Chael Sonnen didn’t hold back when he took to social media to blast the Big Ten Network for its lack of accessibility just hours before the finals.

“I finally figured out why you scumbags @BigTenNetwork never ever tweet out a link even for your most loyal subscribers,” Sonnen ranted on X (formerly Twitter). He doubled down on his frustration, accusing the network of not even having a proper streaming link in place, saying, “It’s because you don’t have one. You are too dumb to figure out how to send a link so people can watch championship matches.” Yikes, he did not hold back but maybe his frustrations are not unfounded.

Sonnen, who has long been a vocal advocate for wrestling, has never shied away from criticizing those he believes are holding the sport back. His latest tirade sparked a major conversation about accessibility in college wrestling and whether networks are doing enough to bring the sport to a wider audience.

 Big Ten Wrestling’s accessibility problem exposed

As the struggle over the Big Ten Network’s broadcast persists, the 2025 Big Ten Wrestling Championships will offer an evening of high-stakes action. The championship finals, scheduled for 5:30 p.m. ET (4:30 p.m. CT) at Welsh-Ryan Arena in Evanston, will appear on BTN, but cable-free fans are again in for a migraine. Streaming remains an issue, with wrestling enthusiasts scrambling for free trials on services like FuboTV, SlingTV, and DirecTV Stream to see the event.

The inaccessibility is frustrating, especially with the quality of the wrestlers that will take to the mat. Penn State already set the tone as the team to beat in the tournament with six wrestlers making it to the finals. Freshman Luke Lilledahl left a big impression by beating top-ranked former NCAA champion Matt Ramos by a dominating 12-4 major decision. Next, he will meet Nebraska’s Caleb Smith in the finals in what is expected to be an electrifying match-up at 125.

Beyond Lilledahl’s stunning performance, the Nittany Lions are stacked across multiple weight classes. Sophomore Tyler Kasak at 157 pounds, sophomore Mitchell Mesenbrink at 165, and junior Levi Haines at 174 all punched their tickets to the finals, reinforcing Penn State’s reputation as a wrestling powerhouse. Additionally, seniors Carter Starocci at 184 and Greg Kerkvliet at heavyweight round out an incredible showing for the program. Kerkvliet, in particular, faces an enormous challenge as he goes up against Minnesota’s Olympic gold medalist Gable Steveson, a two-time Hodge Trophy winner.

As Penn State dominates the tournament and fans eagerly await to see history being written, the outrage over the Big Ten Network’s coverage becomes more vocal. The NCAA Wrestling Championships are rapidly approaching, and if these issues of access persist, they will continue to hurt the sport’s potential to grow. Wrestling fans are among the most dedicated in the sporting world, but they always appear to have obstacles that other NCAA sports do not.

Sonnen’s complaint, if expressed in his usual bombast, raises a legitimate question: Why isn’t wrestling being provided the exposure it is due? If the Big Ten Network and the NCAA genuinely have an interest in expanding the sport, they must start by making it more feasible for individuals to see it. With the current fan base as dedicated as it is, the potential is there—it’s now a question of the decision-makers stepping up to the task and filling the need.

Chael Sonnen’s biting denouncement of the Big Ten Network identifies a frustrating reality for wrestling fans—access to the sport is a major barrier. As the sport becomes increasingly popular and college wrestling creates must-see events, the fans crave more. Whether or not Sonnen’s remarks will lead to change remains to be seen, but one thing is for sure—fans of the sport won’t sit idly by as it gets left behind.