BE TV deal. Next week will be telling.

[Quo Vadis]

First off, Aresco knows where NBC is starting at, ESPN has no clue. If you want to compare the most successful sports media cos. of all time, no matter how you slice it, ESPN comes out 4th. NBC has more at stake than just FB revenues. They are building a Sports Network and CFB is only one element of it, albeit an important one. In this situation there is a multiplier effect gained by NBC in obtaining the last remaining CFB media property. With a long term deal, not only does the Big East become more valuable day one, it will be able to build on that value going forward. Schools will be able to build new facilities, Big East will have other ways to promote its sports(other than the constant barrage of negative propaganda from ESPUTUM), A new bowl during Jan 1 prime programming hours will come on., Big East will now have marquee games on Saturday. ESPN loses some of the Top BB programming in the country. NBC also has the clout to bully it's way to the negotiating table for NC consideration. Comcast/NBC Universal have vast political wherewithal and are cash rich off of the most successful Olympics ever in terms of media(double quaterly net revenues) and they hold the rights to the next 4 Olympics. Don't forget Comcasts ability to enhance the deal as they are the hose the water get's pumped through. Imagine if NBC Sports winds up just before ESPN in channel order. Hold on to your hats ladies. I expect we will get some well placed leaks starting late this week to try to help the negotiations along.

First off, Aresco knows where NBC is starting at, ESPN has no clue. If you want to compare the most successful sports media cos. of all time, no matter how you slice it, ESPN comes out 4th. NBC has more at stake than just FB revenues. They are building a Sports Network and CFB is only one element of it, albeit an important one. In this situation there is a multiplier effect gained by NBC in obtaining the last remaining CFB media property. With a long term deal, not only does the Big East become more valuable day one, it will be able to build on that value going forward. Schools will be able to build new facilities, Big East will have other ways to promote its sports(other than the constant barrage of negative propaganda from ESPUTUM), A new bowl during Jan 1 prime programming hours will come on., Big East will now have marquee games on Saturday. ESPN loses some of the Top BB programming in the country. NBC also has the clout to bully it's way to the negotiating table for NC consideration. Comcast/NBC Universal have vast political wherewithal and are cash rich off of the most successful Olympics ever in terms of media(double quaterly net revenues) and they hold the rights to the next 4 Olympics. Don't forget Comcasts ability to enhance the deal as they are the hose the water get's pumped through. Imagine if NBC Sports winds up just before ESPN in channel order. Hold on to your hats ladies. I expect we will get some well placed leaks starting late this week to try to help the negotiations along.

I do not see what the multiplier effect would be for NBC gaining the "last available" college football conference. NBC is likely to gain what any network gains: Advertising revenues from showing the games. Yes, Big East basketball is valuable, but obviously ESPN did not think it so valuable that they would over-pay for Big East football, and that is because football drives the bus in these media deals. I doubt NBC executives will think otherwise. The fact that they and their parent company had a great revenue year does not mean they will be profligate with that money.

I would dearly like to be wrong about this because obviously I would like USF to get maximum media dollars. But, the reality seems to be that our football product is significantly less attractive than it was before the realignment (raids) of the past year, and thus we can expect the offers we get from NBC or FOX to reflect that, just as it did for ESPN.

The thing that no one beyond the offices at NBC Sports Network knows as of right now is what their plans and strategy is. That's the wild card in this entire process. If they are indeed trying to build a network to rival ESPN they will invest in the BE. Right now they are showing Ivy League football on Saturdays.

It all depends on what they are trying to do. If they are trying to make NBC Sports Network big time then they will spend and invest.

Let us say that Comcast wants to turn NBCSN into another ESPN. Even in that case, i do not see how offering significantly more than ESPN offered advances that strategy. It would just mean they are paying more. And i am really not sure why they would invest in us unless they actually bought equity in our programs, which of course is impossible. The reality is if exposure and big money from NBCSN allows the Big East to grow in popularity, that 'investment' can easily be lost to another network when the contract is up for renewal.

[bullnupe]

Its next week so what is the story of this thing now ?

[smazza]

no one is throwing money at the big east

[Reliable Source]

NBC has held on to their contract with ND for 40 years. If they invest in the BE it will be with an eye toward long term benefit. Everyone is so caught up with the Chicken Little effect that they aren't looking at what a deal like this means to both parties. The multiplier effect that I allude to doesn't happen day one. It is a business strategy that if you plow money into what in this case is a effective startup, the reward comes not from the immediate value of what you buy but in what you create. The equity is for all intents and purposes the media deal. It's what generates the money.

[Paisa el Toro]

I hope Aresco is able to shake some dollars out of some trees. The Big East is now in the open bid period, and not a peep to be heard. I know Sandy did a bit to probably delay things, but I'd love to hear even speculative nuggets of information on how the negotiations, if any, could be going.

[Apis Bull]

(I know this wouldn't happen) Wouldn't it be something if NBC, went to Miami, VaTech, BC, and others and convinced them to join the Big East for a fat TV contract?

[Bull Martin]

(I know this wouldn't happen) Wouldn't it be something if NBC, went to Miami, VaTech, BC, and others and convinced them to join the Big East for a fat TV contract?

Considering the ACC buyout is $50 million I don't see any possible way of making this happen. Prior to Boise St and the 5 scrubs coming in next year (and the ACC buyout raise), it could have been an interesting possibility.

[Paisa el Toro]

(I know this wouldn't happen) Wouldn't it be something if NBC, went to Miami, VaTech, BC, and others and convinced them to join the Big East for a fat TV contract?

You're absolutely right, that's not going to happen. Put me in the cautiously pessimistic camp; I just don't see the coast-to-coast Big East garnering as much money as the ACC.

[smazza]

will this "big tv "contract get done before florida declares who won the presidential election?

[Gismo]

will this "big tv "contract get done before florida declares who won the presidential election?

Hahahhaha

Smazza is totally obsessed and in awe of how long it takes Florida to call the state.