https://tvanswerman.com/2017/05/18/direc...-regional/



For ESPN, which owns the Longhorn Network, the move comes at a bad time. The sports network is trying to turnaround declining ratings for all of its channels, including ESPN itself, and the loss of most of the DIRECTV Now customer base won’t help.

DIRECTV Now previously offered the Longhorn Network to anyone who subscribed to the ‘Just Right’ $50-a-month package and above. Only the base ‘Live a Little’ $35 a month plan did not include the Longhorn Network.

Starts May 11th.

The ropes get tighter every day it seems like. Let's see what come out of the Big 12 media days this year

(05-31-2017 12:25 AM)murrdcu Wrote:  https://tvanswerman.com/2017/05/18/direc...-regional/



For ESPN, which owns the Longhorn Network, the move comes at a bad time. The sports network is trying to turnaround declining ratings for all of its channels, including ESPN itself, and the loss of most of the DIRECTV Now customer base won’t help.

DIRECTV Now previously offered the Longhorn Network to anyone who subscribed to the ‘Just Right’ $50-a-month package and above. Only the base ‘Live a Little’ $35 a month plan did not include the Longhorn Network.

Starts May 11th.

The ropes get tighter every day it seems like. Let's see what come out of the Big 12 media days this year

What you are going to see is ESPN getting a flame under their rear to get these moves done early.

You might see Texas and Texas Tech/Iowa State to the SEC and Oklahoma and Kansas to the Big 10, West Virginia to the ACC, and Oklahoma State, Kansas State and Iowa State/Texas Tech to the PAC just to get things done.

And I'm not even kidding all of the way. Nobody can afford to let this drag on out. I look for ESPN to push it now for this reason and because they don't want to be bidding on product in 2023 when Hulu and Amazon will be there to drive up overhead.

Or Texa-homa to the SEC, Kansas, Kansas State, Iowa State and T.C.U. to the PAC, and WVU and UConn to the ACC with Notre Dame & Cincinnati.

ESPN could still basically conquer this situation on its own. Not sure why they haven't yet.

There are a lot of ways to place 8 and be done.

(05-31-2017 01:53 AM)AllTideUp Wrote:  ESPN could still basically conquer this situation on its own. Not sure why they haven't yet.

There are a lot of ways to place 8 and be done.

True. But I kind of liked the last one I listed.

(05-31-2017 12:57 AM)JRsec Wrote:  

(05-31-2017 12:25 AM)murrdcu Wrote:  https://tvanswerman.com/2017/05/18/direc...-regional/



For ESPN, which owns the Longhorn Network, the move comes at a bad time. The sports network is trying to turnaround declining ratings for all of its channels, including ESPN itself, and the loss of most of the DIRECTV Now customer base won’t help.

DIRECTV Now previously offered the Longhorn Network to anyone who subscribed to the ‘Just Right’ $50-a-month package and above. Only the base ‘Live a Little’ $35 a month plan did not include the Longhorn Network.

Starts May 11th.

The ropes get tighter every day it seems like. Let's see what come out of the Big 12 media days this year

What you are going to see is ESPN getting a flame under their rear to get these moves done early.

You might see Texas and Texas Tech/Iowa State to the SEC and Oklahoma and Kansas to the Big 10, West Virginia to the ACC, and Oklahoma State, Kansas State and Iowa State/Texas Tech to the PAC just to get things done.

And I'm not even kidding all of the way. Nobody can afford to let this drag on out. I look for ESPN to push it now for this reason and because they don't want to be bidding on product in 2023 when Hulu and Amazon will be there to drive up overhead.

Or Texa-homa to the SEC, Kansas, Kansas State, Iowa State and T.C.U. to the PAC, and WVU and UConn to the ACC with Notre Dame & Cincinnati.

Well you know that the B1G will end up taking somebody....candidates are:
Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, Oklahoma, Missouri, Oklahoma State and UConn.

I see the PAC taking a long term approach and waiting with the exception of BYU as a football only addition. BYU is the only team in the "west" with the exception of Texas (if they are west) that could actually add value to the PAC.

The ESPN properties then have 9 schools to divide between them: Texas, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas Tech, Baylor, TCU, Cincinnati, UConn and West Virginia. So 4 of 7 make the cut, unless Texas does indeed becomes a partial (ala Notre Dame) in the ACC.

There is some overlap (Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and UConn). The real battle in realignment is now over Oklahoma which is in a tug of war between the SEC and the B1G.

The American will be the beneficiary of those left out.

In a strategy review, I would be looking for ESPN to prepare for life without the B1G and channel some of those monies into the American for national coverage.
With that in mind I am looking to build the best wall possible to thwart the B1G into ESPN territory.

I would add West Virginia to the SEC east for a pod of West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee and Vanderbilt.
I would add Kansas to the SEC west to go with Missouri, Arkansas and LSU.

I would want Baylor, Texas Tech and TCU to join the American (maybe with Oklahoma State and Possibly Kansas State).

Texas will go to the ACC as a partial so that they can still interact with all three groups (SEC/ACC and American).

Cincinnati goes to the ACC.

I am hopeful that the B1G takes Oklahoma and either UConn or Iowa State.

It hems in the B1G in the NE and provides a solid wall against intrusion into the SE. It walls off the SEC from the B1G and allows ESPN to control the rest of the SWC/Big 8 through the American.

If we are going to place 8;

Oklahoma, Kansas, Oklahoma State & Iowa State to the SEC for a 3x6.

Texas, TCU, TT & WV to the ACC for a 3x6. Or add Kansas State & Cincinnati for a 4x5 so that no current members would have to play in a western division.

If we both go to 20 then Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Kansas, TT, Iowa State & WV go to the SEC.

The ACC would get Texas, TCU, Kansas State, Cincinnati, UCONN & ND.

Baylor & Houston go to the PAC.

They could build a decent AAC that has some reasonably good content at a bargain price...certainly cheaper than the Big 12 that is. Throw in the fact that the AAC winner will never truly challenge for a playoff spot and you might have something. ESPN could gin up the ratings by showing key AAC games and promoting the idea that the flavor of the month could be the "fly in the ointment." Meanwhile, nobody really cares or suffers when they inevitably don't make it into the field.

But in that situation, UC and UConn aren't getting out. No reason to devalue the AAC product or pay a premium for certain properties you can get for cheaper.

I don't see the PAC taking BYU though.

SEC adds Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Kansas, and TCU

ACC adds Notre Dame, Texas, Texas Tech, and West Virginia

AAC adds BYU, Baylor, Kansas State, and Iowa State

From an ACC standpoint, would the additions of Notre Dame, Cincinnati, West Virginia, and UConn be enough to bolster the newly created ACC network and the conference financially?

Does ESPN care to strengthen the ACC or leave it as the third or fourth conference in a P4

(05-31-2017 10:07 AM)DukeFan Wrote:  From an ACC standpoint, would the additions of Notre Dame, Cincinnati, West Virginia, and UConn be enough to bolster the newly created ACC network and the conference financially?

Does ESPN care to strengthen the ACC or leave it as the third or fourth conference in a P4

That's an excellent question. If it had been the latter they would have parsed you out to the Big 10 and SEC. One move would have gained them a higher % of the Big 10 product and the other would have merely amplified the returns on their investment in the SEC.

The ACCN when it happens tells us they are serious about enhancing the ACC. Notre Dame and West Virginia enhance football value. All four enhance basketball (the ACC's strength) even more. And all three of the four enhance your markets significantly.

They also break down into very nice regional groupings.

Then you must ask, "What has ESPN actually gained by essentially owning the rights to the ACC/SEC together?"

The answer is the marriage of the largest market in the nation (ACC) to the most rabid fan bases in the country (SEC) which between them have the best football, baseball, and basketball in the country. And which also have the best track & field, swimming and diving, softball, lacrosse, women's gymnastics, tennis and golf in the country. Between the two every season of the year offers quality college athletics.

If the SEC lands a Kansas, or Texas or even Iowa State in the mix then personally I thing the ACC/SEC should enter into an academic association of AAU schools inclusive of regional schools such as Tulane, Rice, Tulsa, Emory, and others to form our own comprehensive research consortium.

The PAC is the least watched college product in the nation. The Big 10 (a FOX investment) needs Southeastern and Southwestern recruits to remain relevant.

It's a smart business move by ESPN. They will own the region with the not only the best sports, but the best sports recruits. That's product, and future product, with demand all rolled into one.

SEC + Texas Tech, Oklahoma, Oklahoma St, Iowa St
ACC + Notre Dame, Cincinnati, Texas, West Virginia
B1G + Kansas, Connecticut
PAC + TCU, Houston
AAC+ Baylor, Kansas St, and Massachusetts/whoever

SEC

West: Iowa St, Missouri, Oklahoma, Oklahoma St, Texas Tech, Texas A&M
Central: Arkansas, LSU, Mississippi, Mississippi St, Alabama, Auburn
East: Kentucky, Tennessee, Vanderbilt, Georgia, Florida, South Carolina

ACC

North: Boston College, Syracuse, Pittsburgh, West Virginia, Notre Dame, Texas
Atlantic: Virginia, Virginia Tech, North Carolina, North Carolina St, Duke, Wake Forest
South: Cincinnati, Louisville, Clemson, Georgia Tech, Florida St, Miami

B1G

West: Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Northwestern, Purdue
East: Indiana, Michigan, Michigan St, Ohio St, Penn St, Maryland, Rutgers, Connecticut

PAC (zipper-rival split)

Pacific: Washington, Oregon, California, UCLA, Arizona, Colorado, Houston
Coastal: Washington St, Oregon St, Stanford, USC, Arizona St, Utah, TCU

AAC

West: Kansas St, Tulsa, SMU, Baylor, Tulane, Navy/Wichita St
East: Memphis, Central Florida, South Florida, East Carolina, Temple, Massachusetts/whoever

(05-31-2017 11:04 AM)JRsec Wrote:  

(05-31-2017 10:07 AM)DukeFan Wrote:  From an ACC standpoint, would the additions of Notre Dame, Cincinnati, West Virginia, and UConn be enough to bolster the newly created ACC network and the conference financially?

Does ESPN care to strengthen the ACC or leave it as the third or fourth conference in a P4

That's an excellent question. If it had been the latter they would have parsed you out to the Big 10 and SEC. One move would have gained them a higher % of the Big 10 product and the other would have merely amplified the returns on their investment in the SEC.

The ACCN when it happens tells us they are serious about enhancing the ACC. Notre Dame and West Virginia enhance football value. All four enhance basketball (the ACC's strength) even more. And all three of the four enhance your markets significantly.

They also break down into very nice regional groupings.

Then you must ask, "What has ESPN actually gained by essentially owning the rights to the ACC/SEC together?"

The answer is the marriage of the largest market in the nation (ACC) to the most rabid fan bases in the country (SEC) which between them have the best football, baseball, and basketball in the country. And which also have the best track & field, swimming and diving, softball, lacrosse, women's gymnastics, tennis and golf in the country. Between the two every season of the year offers quality college athletics.

If the SEC lands a Kansas, or Texas or even Iowa State in the mix then personally I thing the ACC/SEC should enter into an academic association of AAU schools inclusive of regional schools such as Tulane, Rice, Tulsa, Emory, and others to form our own comprehensive research consortium.

The PAC is the least watched college product in the nation. The Big 10 (a FOX investment) needs Southeastern and Southwestern recruits to remain relevant.

It's a smart business move by ESPN. They will own the region with the not only the best sports, but the best sports recruits. That's product, and future product, with demand all rolled into one.

ND, WV, Cincinnati & UCONN would be the best geographically but I don't see them putting the ACC on par with the SEC & B1G financially, especially considering that those two conferences probably would have added some combination of Texas & Oklahoma. For the ACC to nearly match them they will need ND & Texas. Bundling the SECN & the ACCN could secure the ACC as well. ESPN does seem to care about the ACC, hence the ACCN. IMO they will push them more to being partners than adversaries. The ACC doesn't need to be top 2 but it does need to be a close third.

(05-31-2017 01:11 PM)Lenvillecards Wrote:  

(05-31-2017 11:04 AM)JRsec Wrote:  

(05-31-2017 10:07 AM)DukeFan Wrote:  From an ACC standpoint, would the additions of Notre Dame, Cincinnati, West Virginia, and UConn be enough to bolster the newly created ACC network and the conference financially?

Does ESPN care to strengthen the ACC or leave it as the third or fourth conference in a P4

That's an excellent question. If it had been the latter they would have parsed you out to the Big 10 and SEC. One move would have gained them a higher % of the Big 10 product and the other would have merely amplified the returns on their investment in the SEC.

The ACCN when it happens tells us they are serious about enhancing the ACC. Notre Dame and West Virginia enhance football value. All four enhance basketball (the ACC's strength) even more. And all three of the four enhance your markets significantly.

They also break down into very nice regional groupings.

Then you must ask, "What has ESPN actually gained by essentially owning the rights to the ACC/SEC together?"

The answer is the marriage of the largest market in the nation (ACC) to the most rabid fan bases in the country (SEC) which between them have the best football, baseball, and basketball in the country. And which also have the best track & field, swimming and diving, softball, lacrosse, women's gymnastics, tennis and golf in the country. Between the two every season of the year offers quality college athletics.

If the SEC lands a Kansas, or Texas or even Iowa State in the mix then personally I thing the ACC/SEC should enter into an academic association of AAU schools inclusive of regional schools such as Tulane, Rice, Tulsa, Emory, and others to form our own comprehensive research consortium.

The PAC is the least watched college product in the nation. The Big 10 (a FOX investment) needs Southeastern and Southwestern recruits to remain relevant.

It's a smart business move by ESPN. They will own the region with the not only the best sports, but the best sports recruits. That's product, and future product, with demand all rolled into one.

ND, WV, Cincinnati & UCONN would be the best geographically but I don't see them putting the ACC on par with the SEC & B1G financially, especially considering that those two conferences probably would have added some combination of Texas & Oklahoma. For the ACC to nearly match them they will need ND & Texas. Bundling the SECN & the ACCN could secure the ACC as well. ESPN does seem to care about the ACC, hence the ACCN. IMO they will push them more to being partners than adversaries. The ACC doesn't need to be top 2 but it does need to be a close third.

Lenville the bundling will be just the first of many cooperative projects. I don't think it matters that Texas is in the ACC. Eventually we are likely to be merged at some level short of utilizing the same conference name. For one, I would like to see a joint academic association. The two conferences can work together for projects that improve the Southeast-Southwest as a region.

(05-31-2017 01:07 PM)BePcr07 Wrote:  SEC + Texas Tech, Oklahoma, Oklahoma St, Iowa St
ACC + Notre Dame, Cincinnati, Texas, West Virginia
B1G + Kansas, Connecticut
PAC + TCU, Houston
AAC+ Baylor, Kansas St, and Massachusetts/whoever

Interesting dispersal of Big 12 schools but everything comes down to if Oklahoma leaves the conference, could Texas,and whoever is left, stills get a respectable payout compared to the other P5 schools? If so, the B12 will exist in some form. If not, it'll break apart.

If it stays together, I could see:
ACC: WVU, UConn, (ND still partial)
SEC: OU, OSU
B12: lost three, adds BYU, schedules tough OOC for better TV money

If B12 has to break up:
ACC: Partials(ND, Texas), WVU, Tech, OSU, TCU
SEC: OU, KU
American: ISU, KSU,
MWC: Baylor

(05-31-2017 02:20 PM)JRsec Wrote:  

(05-31-2017 01:11 PM)Lenvillecards Wrote:  

(05-31-2017 11:04 AM)JRsec Wrote:  

(05-31-2017 10:07 AM)DukeFan Wrote:  From an ACC standpoint, would the additions of Notre Dame, Cincinnati, West Virginia, and UConn be enough to bolster the newly created ACC network and the conference financially?

Does ESPN care to strengthen the ACC or leave it as the third or fourth conference in a P4

That's an excellent question. If it had been the latter they would have parsed you out to the Big 10 and SEC. One move would have gained them a higher % of the Big 10 product and the other would have merely amplified the returns on their investment in the SEC.

The ACCN when it happens tells us they are serious about enhancing the ACC. Notre Dame and West Virginia enhance football value. All four enhance basketball (the ACC's strength) even more. And all three of the four enhance your markets significantly.

They also break down into very nice regional groupings.

Then you must ask, "What has ESPN actually gained by essentially owning the rights to the ACC/SEC together?"

The answer is the marriage of the largest market in the nation (ACC) to the most rabid fan bases in the country (SEC) which between them have the best football, baseball, and basketball in the country. And which also have the best track & field, swimming and diving, softball, lacrosse, women's gymnastics, tennis and golf in the country. Between the two every season of the year offers quality college athletics.

If the SEC lands a Kansas, or Texas or even Iowa State in the mix then personally I thing the ACC/SEC should enter into an academic association of AAU schools inclusive of regional schools such as Tulane, Rice, Tulsa, Emory, and others to form our own comprehensive research consortium.

The PAC is the least watched college product in the nation. The Big 10 (a FOX investment) needs Southeastern and Southwestern recruits to remain relevant.

It's a smart business move by ESPN. They will own the region with the not only the best sports, but the best sports recruits. That's product, and future product, with demand all rolled into one.

ND, WV, Cincinnati & UCONN would be the best geographically but I don't see them putting the ACC on par with the SEC & B1G financially, especially considering that those two conferences probably would have added some combination of Texas & Oklahoma. For the ACC to nearly match them they will need ND & Texas. Bundling the SECN & the ACCN could secure the ACC as well. ESPN does seem to care about the ACC, hence the ACCN. IMO they will push them more to being partners than adversaries. The ACC doesn't need to be top 2 but it does need to be a close third.

Lenville the bundling will be just the first of many cooperative projects. I don't think it matters that Texas is in the ACC. Eventually we are likely to be merged at some level short of utilizing the same conference name. For one, I would like to see a joint academic association. The two conferences can work together for projects that improve the Southeast-Southwest as a region.

It may not matter as far as the bundled networks go but it probably would on the tv contract. The added content that Texas would add would definitely increase the value.

(05-31-2017 05:16 PM)Lenvillecards Wrote:  

(05-31-2017 02:20 PM)JRsec Wrote:  

(05-31-2017 01:11 PM)Lenvillecards Wrote:  

(05-31-2017 11:04 AM)JRsec Wrote:  

(05-31-2017 10:07 AM)DukeFan Wrote:  From an ACC standpoint, would the additions of Notre Dame, Cincinnati, West Virginia, and UConn be enough to bolster the newly created ACC network and the conference financially?

Does ESPN care to strengthen the ACC or leave it as the third or fourth conference in a P4

That's an excellent question. If it had been the latter they would have parsed you out to the Big 10 and SEC. One move would have gained them a higher % of the Big 10 product and the other would have merely amplified the returns on their investment in the SEC.

The ACCN when it happens tells us they are serious about enhancing the ACC. Notre Dame and West Virginia enhance football value. All four enhance basketball (the ACC's strength) even more. And all three of the four enhance your markets significantly.

They also break down into very nice regional groupings.

Then you must ask, "What has ESPN actually gained by essentially owning the rights to the ACC/SEC together?"

The answer is the marriage of the largest market in the nation (ACC) to the most rabid fan bases in the country (SEC) which between them have the best football, baseball, and basketball in the country. And which also have the best track & field, swimming and diving, softball, lacrosse, women's gymnastics, tennis and golf in the country. Between the two every season of the year offers quality college athletics.

If the SEC lands a Kansas, or Texas or even Iowa State in the mix then personally I thing the ACC/SEC should enter into an academic association of AAU schools inclusive of regional schools such as Tulane, Rice, Tulsa, Emory, and others to form our own comprehensive research consortium.

The PAC is the least watched college product in the nation. The Big 10 (a FOX investment) needs Southeastern and Southwestern recruits to remain relevant.

It's a smart business move by ESPN. They will own the region with the not only the best sports, but the best sports recruits. That's product, and future product, with demand all rolled into one.

ND, WV, Cincinnati & UCONN would be the best geographically but I don't see them putting the ACC on par with the SEC & B1G financially, especially considering that those two conferences probably would have added some combination of Texas & Oklahoma. For the ACC to nearly match them they will need ND & Texas. Bundling the SECN & the ACCN could secure the ACC as well. ESPN does seem to care about the ACC, hence the ACCN. IMO they will push them more to being partners than adversaries. The ACC doesn't need to be top 2 but it does need to be a close third.

Lenville the bundling will be just the first of many cooperative projects. I don't think it matters that Texas is in the ACC. Eventually we are likely to be merged at some level short of utilizing the same conference name. For one, I would like to see a joint academic association. The two conferences can work together for projects that improve the Southeast-Southwest as a region.

It may not matter as far as the bundled networks go but it probably would on the tv contract. The added content that Texas would add would definitely increase the value.

I'm comfortable with it being Texas's call. ESPN wants them so one of us will probably get them.

ESPN places entire Big12 into a 20 team SEC and 20 team ACC to keep ahead of FOX and B1G/PAC.

SEC: Oklahoma, Baylor, Kansas, TCU, West Virginia, Iowa State
ACC: Notre Dame, Texas, Texas Tech, Oklahoma State, Kansas State, Cincinnati


SEC vs ACC Week:
West Virginia - Pitt
Georgia - Georgia Tech
South Carolina - Clemson
Florida - Florida State
Kentucky - Louisville
Kansas - Kansas State
Texas A&M - Texas
Oklahoma - Oklahoma State

(06-04-2017 11:54 PM)DukeFan Wrote:  ESPN places entire Big12 into a 20 team SEC and 20 team ACC to keep ahead of FOX and B1G/PAC.

SEC: Oklahoma, Baylor, Kansas, TCU, West Virginia, Iowa State
ACC: Notre Dame, Texas, Texas Tech, Oklahoma State, Kansas State, Cincinnati


SEC vs ACC Week:
West Virginia - Pitt
Georgia - Georgia Tech
South Carolina - Clemson
Florida - Florida State
Kentucky - Louisville
Kansas - Kansas State
Texas A&M - Texas
Oklahoma - Oklahoma State

I'd be ok with that but I think they will be divvied up a bit differently.

SEC: Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Kansas, Iowa State, TT & WV

ACC: ND, Texas, TCU, Kansas State, Cincinnati & Houston replacing Baylor.

This would give the SEC 3 of the top 4 B12 brands. Oklahoma needs to be in a conference with either State or Texas to maintain both of those rivalries.

SEC vs ACC Week:
West Virginia - Pitt
Georgia - Georgia Tech
South Carolina - Clemson
Florida - Florida State
Kentucky - Louisville
Kansas - Kansas State
Oklahoma-Texas
A&M-Houston
TT-TCU

(06-05-2017 08:41 AM)Lenvillecards Wrote:  

(06-04-2017 11:54 PM)DukeFan Wrote:  ESPN places entire Big12 into a 20 team SEC and 20 team ACC to keep ahead of FOX and B1G/PAC.

SEC: Oklahoma, Baylor, Kansas, TCU, West Virginia, Iowa State
ACC: Notre Dame, Texas, Texas Tech, Oklahoma State, Kansas State, Cincinnati


SEC vs ACC Week:
West Virginia - Pitt
Georgia - Georgia Tech
South Carolina - Clemson
Florida - Florida State
Kentucky - Louisville
Kansas - Kansas State
Texas A&M - Texas
Oklahoma - Oklahoma State

I'd be ok with that but I think they will be divvied up a bit differently.

SEC: Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Kansas, Iowa State, TT & WV

ACC: ND, Texas, TCU, Kansas State, Cincinnati & Houston replacing Baylor.

This would give the SEC 3 of the top 4 B12 brands. Oklahoma needs to be in a conference with either State or Texas to maintain both of those rivalries.

SEC vs ACC Week:
West Virginia - Pitt
Georgia - Georgia Tech
South Carolina - Clemson
Florida - Florida State
Kentucky - Louisville
Kansas - Kansas State
Oklahoma-Texas
A&M-Houston
TT-TCU

West Virginia - Pittsburgh
Florida - Florida St
Georgia - Georgia Tech
South Carolina - Clemson
Kentucky - Louisville
Oklahoma - Texas
Kansas - Kansas St
Vanderbilt - Wake Forest (why isn't this already a thing?)
Texas Tech - TCU
Texas A&M - Houston

Any others would be more or less forced, but some intriguing ones could be (using the rest):

Iowa St - Boston College
LSU - Miami
Missouri - Syracuse
Alabama - Notre Dame
Arkansas - Cincinnati
Tennessee - Virginia
Auburn - Virginia Tech
Mississippi - North Carolina
Mississippi St - North Carolina St
Oklahoma St - Duke