Makes sense.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nca...n/1938503/

great find.

The popular narrative now is that the Big East is essentially on even footing with the Mountain West, as the two leagues emerge as the primary combatants to be No. 6. No, the Big East didn't get the big television deal it once sought, but it has a deal with ESPN, which the MWC doesn't have. In this ESPN-dominated college sports environment, that's not a bad consolation prize.

(02-22-2013 11:40 AM)stever20 Wrote:  great find.

The popular narrative now is that the Big East is essentially on even footing with the Mountain West, as the two leagues emerge as the primary combatants to be No. 6. No, the Big East didn't get the big television deal it once sought, but it has a deal with ESPN, which the MWC doesn't have. In this ESPN-dominated college sports environment, that's not a bad consolation prize.

If I am not mistaken the nBe is the only GoF league that has a contract with the Network that controls the College Football Postseason...I expect ESPN will give the nBe the most favorable converage of the GoF Leagues and if all things being equal the nBe will get more than it fair share of appearences in the GoF Access Slot in the new system.

(02-22-2013 11:40 AM)stever20 Wrote:  great find.

The popular narrative now is that the Big East is essentially on even footing with the Mountain West, as the two leagues emerge as the primary combatants to be No. 6. No, the Big East didn't get the big television deal it once sought, but it has a deal with ESPN, which the MWC doesn't have. In this ESPN-dominated college sports environment, that's not a bad consolation prize.

But wasn't it just 2 days ago that BE supporters were all about NBC Sports and how much better that situation would be and to hell with ESPN?

(02-22-2013 11:47 AM)Maize Wrote:  

(02-22-2013 11:40 AM)stever20 Wrote:  great find.

The popular narrative now is that the Big East is essentially on even footing with the Mountain West, as the two leagues emerge as the primary combatants to be No. 6. No, the Big East didn't get the big television deal it once sought, but it has a deal with ESPN, which the MWC doesn't have. In this ESPN-dominated college sports environment, that's not a bad consolation prize.

If I am not mistaken the nBe is the only GoF league that has a contract with the Network that controls the College Football Postseason...I expect ESPN will give the nBe the most favorable converage of the GoF Leagues and if all things being equal the nBe will get more than it fair share of appearences in the GoF Access Slot in the new system.

The MAC has its TV deal with ESPN.

I guess some would now come up with a conspiracy theory that NIU was made 15th in the BCS because of ESPN.

Their venom against us sure did get us talked about along with the TV ratings up from last year.

This deal is a nightmare. It's the worst case scenario of all the options. No money and a pile of joke mid week football games.

A few points about the TV deal the BE was about to sign in 2010.

-Once a TV deal is signed its very difficult to be voided with a change in membership.

-At 14 million per school I'm not sure if Syracuse and Pittsburgh jump to the ACC. Does West Virginia head to the B12? I'm not sure about that one either.

-Having the large deal would have made the coast-to-coast work. Even if that deal is chopped in half Boise and SDSU stay in the Big East. There wouldn't be much problem attracting other members from the Mountain West.

(02-22-2013 11:47 AM)Maize Wrote:  

(02-22-2013 11:40 AM)stever20 Wrote:  great find.

The popular narrative now is that the Big East is essentially on even footing with the Mountain West, as the two leagues emerge as the primary combatants to be No. 6. No, the Big East didn't get the big television deal it once sought, but it has a deal with ESPN, which the MWC doesn't have. In this ESPN-dominated college sports environment, that's not a bad consolation prize.

If I am not mistaken the nBe is the only GoF league that has a contract with the Network that controls the College Football Postseason...I expect ESPN will give the nBe the most favorable converage of the GoF Leagues and if all things being equal the nBe will get more than it fair share of appearences in the GoF Access Slot in the new system.

MAC and Sun Belt are ESPN properties as well. Doesn't affect your point much, since you're saying NBE vs Mountain West and maybe vs Southern Miss or Tulsa.

But remember, Boise State is lining up to get their home games on the ESPN family.

Its hard for ESPN to completely ignore some of those MW markets which is their advantage.

As to the Big East, Kudos to staying on ESPN. CUSA was only offered like 300k per year by ESPN to sign so 2 million is fairly decent all things considered.

(02-22-2013 12:50 PM)Louis Kitton Wrote:  As to the Big East, Kudos to staying on ESPN. CUSA was only offered like 300k per year by ESPN to sign so 2 million is fairly decent all things considered.

That's a sad statement. But it is the truth.

The Big East is being paid for its market value, the market is always right. It's barely better than CUSA and may be on par with the MWC.


Yikes

Well I guess MAC fans like the midweek hot garbage games in front of 15 fans.

(02-22-2013 11:47 AM)Maize Wrote:  

(02-22-2013 11:40 AM)stever20 Wrote:  great find.

The popular narrative now is that the Big East is essentially on even footing with the Mountain West, as the two leagues emerge as the primary combatants to be No. 6. No, the Big East didn't get the big television deal it once sought, but it has a deal with ESPN, which the MWC doesn't have. In this ESPN-dominated college sports environment, that's not a bad consolation prize.

If I am not mistaken the nBe is the only GoF league that has a contract with the Network that controls the College Football Postseason...I expect ESPN will give the nBe the most favorable converage of the GoF Leagues and if all things being equal the nBe will get more than it fair share of appearences in the GoF Access Slot in the new system.

Although it's small, the MAC and Sun Belt also have an exclusive ESPN contract.

(02-22-2013 12:31 PM)b0ndsj0ns Wrote:  This deal is a nightmare. It's the worst case scenario of all the options. No money and a pile of joke mid week football games.

let them play their midweek games. ECU will refuse to play home games during midweek , guaranteed.

(02-22-2013 01:49 PM)blunderbuss Wrote:  

(02-22-2013 12:31 PM)b0ndsj0ns Wrote:  This deal is a nightmare. It's the worst case scenario of all the options. No money and a pile of joke mid week football games.

let them play their midweek games. ECU will refuse to play home games during midweek , guaranteed.

No you want--you will be playing tuesday, wednesday and friday games. There is no doubt you will because ESPN is your master and the league will not allow it to happen that a school like ECU tries to act like a spoiled child.

(02-22-2013 01:49 PM)blunderbuss Wrote:  

(02-22-2013 12:31 PM)b0ndsj0ns Wrote:  This deal is a nightmare. It's the worst case scenario of all the options. No money and a pile of joke mid week football games.

let them play their midweek games. ECU will refuse to play home games during midweek , guaranteed.

lol if you actually believe ECU will have a say in this... ESPECIALLY during conference games.

(02-22-2013 11:55 AM)MinerInWisconsin Wrote:  

(02-22-2013 11:40 AM)stever20 Wrote:  great find.

The popular narrative now is that the Big East is essentially on even footing with the Mountain West, as the two leagues emerge as the primary combatants to be No. 6. No, the Big East didn't get the big television deal it once sought, but it has a deal with ESPN, which the MWC doesn't have. In this ESPN-dominated college sports environment, that's not a bad consolation prize.

But wasn't it just 2 days ago that BE supporters were all about NBC Sports and how much better that situation would be and to hell with ESPN?

. . . the large majority of UH fans want nothing to do with ESPiN . . .

(02-22-2013 02:22 PM)dogma Wrote:  

(02-22-2013 01:49 PM)blunderbuss Wrote:  

(02-22-2013 12:31 PM)b0ndsj0ns Wrote:  This deal is a nightmare. It's the worst case scenario of all the options. No money and a pile of joke mid week football games.

let them play their midweek games. ECU will refuse to play home games during midweek , guaranteed.

lol if you actually believe ECU will have a say in this... ESPECIALLY during conference games.

It will be interesting to see how we handle home games...it is the stance we've taken for the past two years, and I'd be surprised if we deviated from it. With attendance of 50,000 per game on a Saturday, you have to take into consideration that our gate+concession revenue is actually more than the @ 1.8 million we'll receive in an ENTIRE YEAR from this media payout. At the end of the day, ECU is expected to make money to support it's student athletes...not lose money by playing on a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Friday. Exposure is one thing...fiscal responsibility is another. We shall see....but I doubt seriously you'll see ECU on Tuesday or Wednesday night in Greenville.

(02-22-2013 11:55 AM)MinerInWisconsin Wrote:  

(02-22-2013 11:40 AM)stever20 Wrote:  great find.

The popular narrative now is that the Big East is essentially on even footing with the Mountain West, as the two leagues emerge as the primary combatants to be No. 6. No, the Big East didn't get the big television deal it once sought, but it has a deal with ESPN, which the MWC doesn't have. In this ESPN-dominated college sports environment, that's not a bad consolation prize.

But wasn't it just 2 days ago that BE supporters were all about NBC Sports and how much better that situation would be and to hell with ESPN?

I think most of the concern with ESPN was related to the potential of being relegated to mid-week games and games on ESPN3. If that was the case, then NBC would likely be better. According to the McMurphy article "Big East commissioner Mike Aresco must be satisfied ESPN's deal matches NBC Sports Network's offer in all facets." If the ESPN offer does offer the same coverage as NBC (and that is still an if until approved), then ESPN would be better. Basically, the NBC offer may not have brought more money to the table, but it may end up bringing the nBE more guarantees in coverage.

(02-22-2013 04:07 PM)swash Wrote:  

(02-22-2013 02:22 PM)dogma Wrote:  

(02-22-2013 01:49 PM)blunderbuss Wrote:  

(02-22-2013 12:31 PM)b0ndsj0ns Wrote:  This deal is a nightmare. It's the worst case scenario of all the options. No money and a pile of joke mid week football games.

let them play their midweek games. ECU will refuse to play home games during midweek , guaranteed.

lol if you actually believe ECU will have a say in this... ESPECIALLY during conference games.

It will be interesting to see how we handle home games...it is the stance we've taken for the past two years, and I'd be surprised if we deviated from it. With attendance of 50,000 per game on a Saturday, you have to take into consideration that our gate+concession revenue is actually more than the @ 1.8 million we'll receive in an ENTIRE YEAR from this media payout. At the end of the day, ECU is expected to make money to support it's student athletes...not lose money by playing on a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Friday. Exposure is one thing...fiscal responsibility is another. We shall see....but I doubt seriously you'll see ECU on Tuesday or Wednesday night in Greenville.

Yes, but this is a deal between the conference and the network. ECU has agreed to join the nBE and will sign a contract with the conference. The conference will sign a contract with the TV network providing a certain amount of weekday games. So, if the network wants ECU on Wednesday night, then they are playing. None of the teams in the conference would prefer to play on weekdays, and I don't see ECU (especially as one of the newest teams) being given any special privileges over the others.

(02-22-2013 12:32 PM)Louis Kitton Wrote:  A few points about the TV deal the BE was about to sign in 2010.

-Once a TV deal is signed its very difficult to be voided with a change in membership.

-At 14 million per school I'm not sure if Syracuse and Pittsburgh jump to the ACC. Does West Virginia head to the B12? I'm not sure about that one either.

-Having the large deal would have made the coast-to-coast work. Even if that deal is chopped in half Boise and SDSU stay in the Big East. There wouldn't be much problem attracting other members from the Mountain West.

I keep seeing this being brought up, that TV deal sucked for that BE and it was the absolutely the right thing to do to turn it down.

Every single one of us would have still taken our new conference offers even if we would have signed that.