$ 14 MILLION?

[metsfan2323]

I love the folks who think ESPN is out to destroy the Big East.

Every fan,(wrong) analyst,(wrong) columnist,(wrong) radio host etc. outside the conference and outside of ESPN thinks it's a joke (wrong, many think the new Big East is better then the old Big East and they are right, it's much better). A total joke. But yeah, it's ESPN that killed it...not the fact that these are commuter schools (all schools have some commuters, and who really cares) with minimal football histories (most of these schools have a much longer history then UCONN), small stadiums (wrong most are bigger then the Rent or just as big), small footprints and NOTHING in common (schools that play football). The country should stand up and respect the greatness of Memphis-Houston (Houston actually is going to be great, much better then Cuse or Pitt). That'll surely turn NBC around! (who cares about turning NBC around, this is a UCONN football forum not an NBC stockholders forum) I guess the good thing is that their horrific internet video "service" won't have to worry about more than 200 people trying to watch this crap. (serving crap is something you specialize in)

 

[BlueMAB]

ESPN didn't kill the Big East, they told the ACC how to. If your friend tells you to punch someone in the face, and you do it, you get charged with assault, not your friend.

The ACC had two willing partners in Fruit U and sPitt. They killed the Big East (and UConn would have done the same if invited). Had Fruit U and sPitt (and UConn if invited) said "no thanks" the league would likely still be together (but also still unstable). The league put itself in the situation its in by focusing on basketball at the expense of football, stability, and ultimately, lots of money.

The conference may still get a boatload of cash, but that's because NBC is known for throwing money away at sports. If the ratings don't support the investment, the money will fade and the conference will suffer.

 

[uconnbill]

And you'll be ignored by the entity that drives the national conversation. Also, it's a huge giant immense step back on the basketball side.

ESPN drives the conversation nationally. Think it bothers you now? Wait until they are bashing Big East basketball as well.

So you prefer being the ugly step sister on ESPN brand of networks then being on NBC networks? I prefer NBC as ESPN has done nothing but make the Big East a MAC like conference whenever they talk. So I say screw ESPN.

 

[huskymedic]

Posted today by Mengus22.. Part re-hash of NY Daily News Weiss comments w/ some other thoughts.

http://www.bigeastcoastbias.com/2012/8/4/3220424/big-east-television-contract-nbc-espn-expansion

Report: NBC Could Offer Big East Football Teams $10 Million, Full Members $14 Million Per Year

Several tasks remain for the Big East to complete as it heads toward the post-BCS, playoff world in 2014. The conference needs to settle its bowl situation, it needs a commissioner, but more important than either of those is the need to nail down a competitive television contract. While nobody expects the Big East to be able to land a deal as lucrative as even the ACC television contract (the smallest of the current major conference deals), it's imperative that the new Big East television contract at least keep Big East football programs in the same ballpark as the other five major conferences. If a report from Dick Weiss turns out to be true, Big East football members will have not only a respectable television contract, but one that will be close to the other major conferences and put significant distance between it and the Mountain West, MAC, Sun Belt, and Conference USA.

According to Weiss, the Big East could be looking at a television deal that pays football playing members $10 million per year and an additional $4 million for the conference's basketball rights as well. Weiss writes:

ESPN has an exclusive 60-day negotiating window with the league, starting Sept. 1. If no deal is reached by Nov. 1, the league make itself available to other bidders. In May 2011 the Big East turned down a deal with ESPN that reportedly would have paid between $11 and $13 million a team. The current deal is worth $4 million to each of the football schools.

Sources suggest that if NBC, which is desperate for sports inventory, signs a TV contract with the conference, it would be willing to pay the Big East football teams $10 milllion apiece and throw in an additional $4 million for the 16 basketball schools. One of the network’s ideas may be to run a full day of Big East football, along with Notre Dame home games, from noon to midnight Saturdays on either NBC or its still-growing cable channel.

For full members of the conference to end up, after all of the upheaval, with a television deal that pays them $14 million per year would be a tremendous boost to the league. That figure would put the conference within earshot of the ACC's new deal that will average $17 million per year. To get that kind of money would be a significant boost to each of the 13 Big East football schools. Additionally, the Big East would possibly draft off of Notre Dame on Saturdays by having nationally televised games sandwiched around the broadcast of Irish games as well. The rest would likely be shown on the NBC Sports Network.

Perhaps the biggest benefit of a new deal with NBC would be that the Big East would be on a television network that is interested in its success. Opinions on ESPN's role in the current state of the Big East differ, but it would be difficult for anyone to argue that the network has done much to damage and very little to help the league's image in the past two seasons. A fresh start, with a new network, one that appears willing to invest in it, could be just what the conference needs. Will the Big East eventually become the SEC or Big Ten? No. But with a contract that's at least in the ballpark, increased exposure on NBC and its expanding NBC Sports Network, and the possibility of launching a bowl game of its own for the conference champion, the Big East brass is at least giving fans a sign that they're working to make the conference competitive for the future.

 

[UConnDan97]

ESPN didn't kill the Big East, they told the ACC how to. If your friend tells you to punch someone in the face, and you do it, you get charged with assault, not your friend.

Poor analogy. Try this one to see if it fits better: your business partner tells your competitor how to punch you in the face, and then your competitor punches you in the face.

So........keep the business partner???

 

[UConnDan97]

To be fair, I realize that it is still a possibility that the Big East stays with ESPN. If they do, it will be because ESPN provides either the best bid or the perceived best service to the league. If they offer the best bid, so be it; I can walk away from that with my head held high, knowing that UConn got all that it could. However, if NBC offers the better bid, I will feel a $#it-load better about it.

 

[whaler11]

So you prefer being the ugly step sister on ESPN brand of networks then being on NBC networks? I prefer NBC as ESPN has done nothing but make the Big East a MAC like conference whenever they talk. So I say screw ESPN.

I actually prefer to know all the facts and make a decision based on them instead of being emotional about it.

 

[whaler11]

Can we at least agree that ESPN has bashed Big East football and can't possibly be more supportive of Big East basketball. Does anyone think ESPN has done anything but build basketball up?

 

[UConnDan97]

Can we at least agree that ESPN has bashed Big East football and can't possibly be more supportive of Big East basketball. Does anyone think ESPN has done anything but build basketball up?

I actually think that they have done a good job of promoting the basketball product, but I would add that they have done a better job of promoting a lesser ACC basketball product up at the same time (just ask Dickie V). The only guy that seems to be impartial to that ACC prop job is the guy who went to Duke, ironically (Bilas).

However, it's hard to say they did a great job of promoting Big East basketball, since they were a big part of why Syracuse is no longer here.

 

[whaler11]

I actually think that they have done a good job of promoting the basketball product, but I would add that they have done a better job of promoting a lesser ACC basketball product up at the same time (just ask Dickie V). The only guy that seems to be impartial to that ACC prop job is the guy who went to Duke, ironically (Bilas).

However, it's hard to say they did a great job of promoting Big East basketball, since they were a big part of why Syracuse is no longer here.

They prop up ACC basketball but when the conversations about what is the best basketball conference was on table their talking heads correctly fell on the Big East side generally.

I don't know how much they had to do with Syracuse leaving but that seems to be a separate issue for me.

 

[UConnDan97]

I don't know how much they had to do with Syracuse leaving but that seems to be a separate issue for me.

How could it be a separate issue? We were both business partners with ESPN, and ESPN helped to negotiate a raid of one business partner to aid the other and to enhance their own position. How can you separate that from saying that they "can't possibly be more supportive of Big East basketball"?

 

[Jimdish255]

Poor analogy. Try this one to see if it fits better: your business partner tells your competitor how to punch you in the face, and then your competitor punches you in the face.

So........keep the business partner???

Try this: Your best friend who happens to be a lawyer tells you to trust your wife and buy her some nice jewelry for your anniversary. In the meantime he's banging your wife and drawing up the divorce papers.

 

[whaler11]

How could it be a separate issue? We were both business partners with ESPN, and ESPN helped to negotiate a raid of one business partner to aid the other and to enhance their own position. How can you separate that from saying that they "can't possibly be more supportive of Big East basketball"?

What they may have done with Syracuse and Pitt is separate from what their talent said on the air over the past few years.

I don't know what they did to influence those two schools. I know what they said on air. It is hard to compare what I saw versus what people infer.

 

[RedSoloCup]

ESPN is losing dominance as the only national sport broadcast. When I look at them, they have primarily become a talking head station, and have pushed college schedules and programming around to fill their space. On the web, Yahoo sports is catching up in readership, and you can see that major names that used to fill ESPN pages are elsewhere and putting out a ton of content (Forde). The dominance is in question and good solid efforts by other media entities are going after a piece of the sports pie.

So if NBC is making a play to put our content out, the full conference will have 5-7 games plus ND to place on air in a given week. this means thursday/friday evenings on the sports network, 1-2 on the national broadcast with ND, and a full saturday broadcasting to all time zones. They will need to get studios full of national names and some commentators that point to OOC schedule and records and generate interest in the upcoming week. I expect that they will need to also chase innovation on the broadcast to differentiate and entice game viewers away from ESPN.

For NBC, this becomes attractive because they can tie content and market share. The ifs come into play when discussing regional presentation, sharing network broadcast regionally with the sports network (a la ABC/ESPN).

The BE also needs to be a good partner. We are coming with the national market, but also need to come to the table with a solid OOC. Finally, we need to win all our OOC games. As a conference, I hope that we win 85%, splitting with B1G, Big 12, and winning the occasional SEC. Win all others. We also need to make the investment that we will allow them to broadcast some of the big OOC games, maybe one per year, per two years. Then they get to cross pollinate SEC games or B1G to get eyes on sets. Partnership, collaboration, something we don't get now from ESPN.

I tell you what, it's easy-cheesy!

 

[UConnDan97]

I don't know what they did to influence those two schools. I know what they said on air. It is hard to compare what I saw versus what people infer.

Not inferred. Told.

http://www.thebiglead.com/index.php...expansion-and-his-school-blocked-connecticut/

Apparently, ZLS wasn't the only one out there that doesn't know about this year-old story that has been hashed out ad infinitum (or perhaps even ad nauseum) on the Boneyard. But certainly not inferred...

 

[CL82]

I actually prefer to know all the facts and make a decision based on them instead of being emotional about it.

You realize that you are not actually making this decision, right?

 

[Waquoit]

. But it's also the typical stupid type of buy by NBC that continues to ensure their ongoing irrelevance in the sports landscape.

Bad week to write those words, isn't it house man?

ESPN is the the king right now, of course. But so was Microsoft. Stuff happens, we don't know the future. NBC owns the pipeline in a majority of households. That means NBCSN will always have a good spot. What if a la cart pricing takes hold? Is the casual viewer going to pay up each month for ESPN while NBCSN is on basic?

 

[whaler11]

Not inferred. Told.

http://www.thebiglead.com/index.php...expansion-and-his-school-blocked-connecticut/

Apparently, ZLS wasn't the only one out there that doesn't know about this year-old story that has been hashed out ad infinitum (or perhaps even ad nauseum) on the Boneyard. But certainly not inferred...

I know the quotes. I know they had some impact and influence. I don't know the entire impact because I wasn't in the room. Just because someone says something doesn't make it true anyway.

 

[CL82]

The BE also needs to be a good partner. We are coming with the national market, but also need to come to the table with a solid OOC. Finally, we need to win all our OOC games. As a conference, I hope that we win 85%, splitting with B1G, Big 12, and winning the occasional SEC. Win all others. We also need to make the investment that we will allow them to broadcast some of the big OOC games, maybe one per year, per two years. Then they get to cross pollinate SEC games or B1G to get eyes on sets. Partnership, collaboration, something we don't get now from ESPN.

Football playoffs has been said to be the death knell of the Big East, but I have a hunch it will be a key to our establishing national relevance. Everyone, not just the BE needs quality OOC games. We are a great source for the B1G and the SEC. Win some of those games and we'll start to change the way the casual football fan thinks of us. I suspect Manual will surprise us with what he's been working on, once they are finalized.

A regional UConn basketball team, was in the right place at the right time in joining a fedgiling Big East and became a national program leveraging ESPNs coverage. I think Connecticut is poised to do the same thing in football. (Tough to become a national power in football, but nationally relevant? That's 'doable'.) We'll have games against the big boys, because they need us to build their SOS. We'll have coverage on a national broadcast network and be promoted there. Our scattered league will give us access to some great recruiting markets. We won't be competing for the five stars but will get some quality players, who will realize that being on the two deep sooner is in their best interests. Heck, we may even have a passing game. The pieces are coming together!

 

[whaler11]

You realize that you are not actually making this decision, right?

Sorry for wanting toknow the facts and formulate an opinion not based on hurt feelings. I know not jumping to conclusions without knowing all the facts is sort of out of bounds for the Boneyard, but I think I can wait for actual information to base an opinion on rather than mindless speculation in filler articles.

 

[CL82]

Sorry for wanting toknow the facts and formulate an opinion not based on hurt feelings. I know not jumping to conclusions without knowing all the facts is sort of out of bounds for the Boneyard, but I think I can wait for actual information to base an opinion on rather than mindless speculation in filler articles.

Okay, so why post? You want to wait until there is a signed contract and then decide whether your in favor of the deal? Great. In the meantime, take a seat on the bench while people who are interested in the latest news during the college sport dead period discuss it. Works for everyone.

 

[whaler11]

Okay, so why post? You want to wait until there is a signed contract and then decide whether your in favor of the deal? Great. In the meantime, take a seat on the bench while people who are interested in the latest news during the college sport dead period discuss it. Works for everyone.

I'd say I quite like discussing it. We have gotten to this point because a handful of people are saying that NBC is a no-brainer. People take speculation and act like it's real. 14 million isn't real right now. Saturdays on network NBC w Notre Dame isn't real yet.

Anytime you and Dan would like to stop replying to me that is fine w me.

 

[UConnDan97]

Just because someone says something doesn't make it true anyway.

Same old Whaler! You crack me up. You remind me of the Chappelle skit on burden of proof:



Enjoy...

 

[UConnDan97]

I'd say I quite like discussing it. We have gotten to this point because a handful of people are saying that NBC is a no-brainer. People take speculation and act like it's real. 14 million isn't real right now. Saturdays on network NBC w Notre Dame isn't real yet.

Anytime you and Dan would like to stop replying to me that is fine w me.

I didn't say that NBC was a no-brainer, as you have "inferred." I have already posted in this very thread that if ESPN offers the better deal, then so be it (it's on page 7 of this quickly deteriorating thread, if you're interested). I just said that if NBC offers the better bid, I would feel better about their desire to promote our league and some of the things they can offer us in terms of time slots and bracketing around the ND game to capture new viewership. I'm just not sure why that is such a touchy subject with some that continue with the same old mantra of "ESPN is everything and NBC sucks." That's all.

 

[UConnDan97]

By the way, what's lost in all of this is that there is a third party that none of us have talked about (likely because there just doesn't seem to be much info out there on them), and that is FOX. They also put on a presentation for the Big East brass, and I'm not sure what they might have to offer as well. The point here is that competitive stations drive the bid up for the Big East, which is good for UConn. And these aren't "Mickey Mouse" tv stations, by the way. These are national brands on basic cable; it's not like we are being bid on by Lifetime Movie Network, for !! Let's all keep some perspective, shall we?

 

[whaler11]

Same old Whaler! You crack me up. You remind me of the Chappelle skit on burden of proof:



Enjoy...

One person saying something is hardly true. I know you take any quote on the internet as gospel - I don't take an idiot like that at his word.

If you think pointing out I don't believe everything I read somehow bothers me...?

 

[CL82]

I'd say I quite like discussing it. We have gotten to this point because a handful of people are saying that NBC is a no-brainer. People take speculation and act like it's real. 14 million isn't real right now. Saturdays on network NBC w Notre Dame isn't real yet.

Anytime you and Dan would like to stop replying to me that is fine w me.

Okay so discuss it, but spare us the sanctimonious "oh I prefer to know all the facts..." blather. It adds nothing to the discussion.

 

[UConnDan97]

One person saying something is hardly true. I know you take any quote on the internet as gospel - I don't take an idiot like that at his word.

If you think pointing out I don't believe everything I read somehow bothers me...?

Not just any idiot on the internet. I prefer to put MUCH more stock into things that AD's say, since they are....you know....AD's! This is just like the Johnson quotes from Memphis that you gave me such crap about last week (or two weeks ago). I guess what really shocks me is that you are treating university athletic directors as if they are random bloggers posting their latest thoughts on superconferences. These are actually people IN THE ROOM when this stuff goes down! You understand the difference, right?

 

[junglehusky]

If the speculation in the @Mengus post bears out and the league gets football games nationally on NBC in double/triple headers next to ND games, I would be pretty pleased. If I were at the negotiating table I'd also put some emphasis on streaming rights, on-demand and online. Get them to make a Big East app like what they did with the Olympics. The league will have to determine cost vs. benefit of having live streaming available, what that might do to ratings and advertisement revenues from streaming. Bonus points if they can find a way to get streaming available overseas for our alumni/fans around the world.

 

[whaler11]

Not just any idiot on the internet. I prefer to put MUCH more stock into things that AD's say, since they are....you know....AD's! This is just like the Johnson quotes from Memphis that you gave me such crap about last week (or two weeks ago). I guess what really shocks me is that you are treating university athletic directors as if they are random bloggers posting their latest thoughts on superconferences. These are actually people IN THE ROOM when this stuff goes down! You understand the difference, right?

Yes and there is never any reason for them to misrepresent anything in the media to further their goals. Everything can be taken at face value, people never lie to the media!