AAC Media Contract

[Dooley]

The number per school/year came in a little lower than what I thought (I guessed $8M-$10M/yr per school), but I'm guessing the lower figure has 100% to do with no GOR. UConn can still get to $8M-$10M/yr with a Tier 3 deal with SNY and, maybe, even more money if it can renew a Tier 3 deal with IMG. The reported $7M/yr certainly is disappointing for UConn, no question about it. I said on another CR thread about this that it feels like when your boss tells you that you had a great year and then says your annual raise will be $500/yr. You're happy about the raise but really hoped for better.

ESPN+: personally I don't have a problem with paying for things that I actually watch. I have absolutely zero need for the SECN, ACCN, B10N, PACN and most FS sports (until they start to air baseball games in the summer). If UConn is going to play games on ESPN+, I will buy ESPN+ and cancel something else. I want my consumer entertainment dollars to go to things I actually watch and care about. And if there is an added bonus of being able to watch more UConn sports (baseball? hockey? soccer??), then I'm more than happy about it.

What I can't seem to find anywhere is if the new AAC media deal comes with a revised exit fee/terms. Current exit fee/terms is $10M & 27 months notice...with wiggle room to negotiate for a quicker exit (e.g. Rutgers, Louisville, etc). If the exit fee is locked in, at least we won't have to debate the Big East anymore. It would be great for UConn if its fanbase can all get on the same page so our coaches don't have to spend valuable recruiting time trying to address recruit's concerns about conference instability.

 

[NewEnglandCB]

I would rather join the Big East and deal with Villanova, Georgetown, St. John's, Seton Hall and even Providence than to remain in the AAC.

 

[UconnU]

The contract includes a clause that gives ESPN an out if “top brands” leave. So we know which programs are considered “top brands”...?

 

[DefCONNOne]

Ya'll complaining about ESPN+ need to relax. Yes, it's $5/mo, so have one less Starbucks for the month. The amount of games you get on there is well worth it (many college sports, Serie A soccer, etc.). If you want to complain about the years/amount of cash, go for it, but ESPN+ should not be something to cry over.

Geez, could you be any more smug with this response?

 

[polycom]

I want all of you to go back to the old “prediction” thread for how much the AAC GoR will net each school.

Then I want you to block any moron who was over $6 million+ off. It’s an easy way to filter out who has a head on their shoulders and who is a gtcam on this board pretty easily.

I spend more time than I care to admit trying to find this thread and I can't do it. Also don't be soft "@" @gtcam

 

[DefCONNOne]

Yeah and ESPN+ has only been around for a year and cable has been around for an eternity. ESPN started ESPN+ because they've been losing MILLIONS of subscribers per year. Streaming will be king sooner than you think. I know you think you know everything about media, but you really have no clue.

Is this one of those ironic posts, that's not meant to be ironic?

 

[Chin Diesel]

So, if you pay for ESPN+ do you get all the regular ESPN's with it?

Or do you still need a separate streaming for ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU ........?

Right now I have You Tube TV, Netflix and Prime and am perfectly happy with my viewing options.

 

[polycom]

So, if you pay for ESPN+ do you get all the regular ESPN's with it?

Or do you still need a separate streaming for ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU ...?

Right now I have You Tube TV, Netflix and Prime and am perfectly happy with my viewing options.

ESPN+ is like another channel of ESPN it doesn't give you access to main ESPN channels. Similar to main ESPN doesn't give you access to ESPN+ content.

 

[Huskymagic]

We need to go back to the Big East. No one cares about college football in the Northeast.

The only way its worth staying in the AAC is if we aggressively expand to add Gonzaga and BYU to make this truly the "American" conference. We need to up the marquee names immediately, create an East and West division or .

This money difference between the Big East and AAC is relatively small that its not worth really comparing considering the enormous costs of having a football program.

 

[ucawn]

This is awful. I knew ESPN+ was going to be a part of this.

Everything will be moving to this as more people ditch cable

 

[ecasadoSBU]

I’m a cord cutter too and what is driving internet prices is the fact that most of these companies have sole control over the telecom wiring from the local governments. Like I said there are companies working on high speed wireless internet via satellite and if that takes off these traditional cable companies are in a world of trouble. Just as an example, Google is currently working on satellite internet. We’re not talking about some guy in his garage.

I wonder how Google is going to get past the current latency issues in Satellite internet. My guess is that they wont. They will probably offer Satellite internet for remote locations, and continue rolling out fiber to more accessible locations. Nothing beats the speed of light my friend!

 

[KingAG]

The difficult thing about this situation we find ourselves in is that there is no blueprint. Our situation is unique. No elite program has ever had to navigate these waters. So we are pioneers at this point. Wether it leads to absolute destruction or a resurgence remains to be seen. One thing we all know is NO ONE HAS THE ANSWERS.

 

[whaler11]

So, if you pay for ESPN+ do you get all the regular ESPN's with it?

Or do you still need a separate streaming for ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU ...?

Right now I have You Tube TV, Netflix and Prime and am perfectly happy with my viewing options.

It’s almost like this question hasn’t been answered a dozen times in this thread.

 

[whaler11]

The number per school/year came in a little lower than what I thought (I guessed $8M-$10M/yr per school), but I'm guessing the lower figure has 100% to do with no GOR. UConn can still get to $8M-$10M/yr with a Tier 3 deal with SNY and, maybe, even more money if it can renew a Tier 3 deal with IMG. The reported $7M/yr certainly is disappointing for UConn, no question about it. I said on another CR thread about this that it feels like when your boss tells you that you had a great year and then says your annual raise will be $500/yr. You're happy about the raise but really hoped for better.

ESPN+: personally I don't have a problem with paying for things that I actually watch. I have absolutely zero need for the SECN, ACCN, B10N, PACN and most FS sports (until they start to air baseball games in the summer). If UConn is going to play games on ESPN+, I will buy ESPN+ and cancel something else. I want my consumer entertainment dollars to go to things I actually watch and care about. And if there is an added bonus of being able to watch more UConn sports (baseball? hockey? soccer??), then I'm more than happy about it.

What I can't seem to find anywhere is if the new AAC media deal comes with a revised exit fee/terms. Current exit fee/terms is $10M & 27 months notice...with wiggle room to negotiate for a quicker exit (e.g. Rutgers, Louisville, etc). If the exit fee is locked in, at least we won't have to debate the Big East anymore. It would be great for UConn if its fanbase can all get on the same page so our coaches don't have to spend valuable recruiting time trying to address recruit's concerns about conference instability.

The IMG deal is done. Long term underwhelming.

There isn’t going to be any game Tier 3 content to sell. It seems to all be part of this deal.

If it’s not they should fire everyone in Storrs for not communicating that fact.

 

[ClifSpliffy]

The IMG deal is done. Long term underwhelming.

There isn’t going to be any game Tier 3 content to sell. It seems to all be part of this deal.

If it’s not they should fire everyone in Storrs for not communicating that fact.

''img deal is done. long term underwhelming.' oh, really now? uh, FAIL.
let's keep it simple. you decide, gentle reader. the UConn img media rights deal pays $6+million per year until around 2032. The New UConn-IMG Deal Is Worth At Least $93 Million. Here's What Else You Need To Know that's more than any big least school receives for its' fox tv deal, around $4+ million, until 2025. New Big East, Fox Sports Formally Ink 12-Year, $500M Deal; ESPN Signs Mountain West
and, using a 'bigtime, powerhouse' big least program for an example, say, Georgetown, it looks like a fox media rights deal brings in an extra $1-2 million per year, also until 2025. https://www.washingtonpost.com/spor...ory.html?noredirect=on&utm_term=.20fab1424dc1
oh, and we haven't even mentioned Uconns' new $7-9 million espn tv deal, or SNY.

 

[bmayuc]

not reading 16 pages of people going through the stages of grief.

This deal is a death sentence. If you think this contract is bad now, wait until like... 2023 when we are still looking at 10 more years locked in and SEC signs for 65m a year or some crazy number.

 

[uconnyankee]

A subscription to ESPN+ does not get you access stream ESPN/ESPN2/ESPNU etc where the vast majority of relevant live sports currently reside and stand to remain for a good while longer. Therefore I'm not a cord cutter and wont be for what is likely to be a long while yet for this reason. I think we are still another 8 to 10 years ahead from true al-la-cart streaming with the blue chip channels. Cable, as industry is extremely well aware how true unbundling with mean massive revenue declines.

I got rid of cable last year and got Hulu. I get all the ESPN channels and had zero problem watching Uconn games. except when they are on CBSSN.

 

[Waquoit]

I refuse to buy ESPN+

Where do you get your Cricket?

 

[whaler11]

''img deal is done. long term underwhelming.' oh, really now? uh, FAIL.
let's keep it simple. you decide, gentle reader. the UConn img media rights deal pays $6+million per year until around 2032. The New UConn-IMG Deal Is Worth At Least $93 Million. Here's What Else You Need To Know that's more than any big least school receives for its' fox tv deal, around $4+ million, until 2025. New Big East, Fox Sports Formally Ink 12-Year, $500M Deal; ESPN Signs Mountain West
and, using a 'bigtime, powerhouse' big least program for an example, say, Georgetown, it looks like a fox media rights deal brings in an extra $1-2 million per year, also until 2025. https://www.washingtonpost.com/spor...ory.html?noredirect=on&utm_term=.20fab1424dc1
oh, and we haven't even mentioned Uconns' new $7-9 million espn tv deal, or SNY.

On a board full of terrible efforts at branding... yours is by far and away the worst.

This includes a guy named ‘Report Card’ who gives number grades between 1-10.

 

[uconnyankee]

I have every option. Apple TV. Amazon Fire. Roku2 and Roku TV. Kodi.

The one that actually works and is awesome. X1. Spoiler alert: it’s the expensive one.

My Roku TV is second. If you have fast enough internet Roku TV is decent.

Also key is if you can get OTA networks. If you can get network OTA and get 100+MB from Cox or Comcast you can go with a Roku TV, OTA ant, netflix, hulu and whatever skinny bundle you like and get to about $150.

I have X1 with every station, 5 HD televisions, HBO and every station under the sun and 100 mb download for $250.

So you can get 90% of the product with 60% of the efficiency and save $115. I can see how that is attractive - but I’d rather be able to change the station without a 30 second lag or read twitter during a game and not have it filled with spoilers.

I have roku and apple tv with basic internet. we get hulu and I dont miss cable at all.
changing stations takes maybe a second or two.
only think i dont like is that you cant easily flip between two programs (really miss the 'last channel' button).
everything has to go through the channel menu.

 

[whaler11]

I have roku and apple tv with basic internet. we get hulu and I dont miss cable at all.
changing stations takes maybe a second or two.
only think i dont like is that you cant easily flip between two programs (really miss the 'last channel' button).
everything has to go through the channel menu.

changing stations on non live sporting events is fine. When you are bouncing between live games it’s brutal.

My in-laws don’t speak English - I’ve rigged up every legal and illegal streaming combination known to man to get them programming their native tongue.

I get people liking the $100 or so savings - I watch way too much sports to get by with a streaming skinny bundle.

 

[CAHUSKY]

I got rid of cable last year and got Hulu. I get all the ESPN channels and had zero problem watching Uconn games. except when they are on CBSSN.

Hulu Live has CBSSN. I’m watching it now.

 

[uconnbill]

Football program is dead. Big East ASAP. Enough of this garbage.

Basketball only fans need to hush, once and for all

 

[CL82]

UFC and soccer fans. Some hockey fans.

Whaler reminded me that the American doesn't sponsor hockey. Not sure if they can still pick up our games as tier 3 content though.

 

[ClifSpliffy]

On a board full of terrible efforts at branding... yours is by far and away the worst.

This includes a guy named ‘Report Card’ who gives number grades between 1-10.

that's it? that's all you got? oh well, happy cake day!

 

[DefCONNOne]

I’m a cord cutter too and what is driving internet prices is the fact that most of these companies have sole control over the telecom wiring from the local governments. Like I said there are companies working on high speed wireless internet via satellite and if that takes off these traditional cable companies are in a world of trouble. Just as an example, Google is currently working on satellite internet. We’re not talking about some guy in his garage.

Nobody likes a suck-up.

 

[DefCONNOne]

I know you aren’t capable of this based on your posts - but maybe consider the entire marketplace dynamic and not just how you interact with television.

I have had ESPN+ for a while because my soccer club in England was relgated and ESPN+ has the rights to the English 2nd Division. I watch it on my phone and everything! I have X1 because streaming sports sucks and I’m not a poor.

At the same time I know a lot of old people who watch the UConn women - and they will never see a game on ESPN+. For every tech savvy boomer being poisoned on Facebook there is one who has no idea how to stream a single thing. My mother is 70 and lives in a senior community - there is no way beyond going over and turning the game on for them they will ever see a game on +.

You own a soccer club in England?

 

[whaler11]

You own a soccer club in England?

You don’t?

 

[Chin Diesel]

I got rid of cable last year and got Hulu. I get all the ESPN channels and had zero problem watching Uconn games. except when they are on CBSSN.

Hulu Live has CBSSN. I’m watching it now.

The CBSSN games are the primary reason why I switched from Sling TV to You Tube TV. Tried Hulu Live and was getting too much buffering, pixilated and SD video.

 

[DefCONNOne]

The only thing about the deal that doesn't completely suck arse is no GOR so we can .

There was never any serious consideration for a GOR. Ever.