I’m sure we would all wish for more money and better time slots, but compared to what CUSA has had, this is an improvement. When you break it down, it’s not the end of the world as some are suggesting. By playing conference games in October, it more than likely means that each team will play maybe 2 weekday games apiece. Probably 1 home and 1 away game. If it’s during the week and I want to watch a game now, I’ll watch a MAC game. If it’s Saturday, the last game I’m searching for is a MAC game. Eyes will be on CUSA for weekday games. It looks like the money has almost doubled from the last contract. That’s a good thing. It seems that we have gotten our foot back in the door at ESPN. Isn’t that what most wanted. Instead of being all over the place, we have 2 we’ll known carriers. Most carriers carry CBSSN. It’s not that hard to get. And of course ESPN is carried by everybody. It’s not locked in long term. Be a good partner, produce a quality product and a better contract comes in 5 years. I think the new CUSA is already a better conference than the MAC. In 5 years if we do what I think we can as a conference, we’ll pass the SunBelt and the AAC.

The Media deal was about the best we could get considering the big picture. Not thrilling but an improvement.

TWO ADVANTAGES over MAC Deal :


1.) October is BETTER than November. Why?

a.) Weather!*
---temperatures are warmer in OCT.-- especially when you consider the games are also further South
--- on average there is LESS rain than Nov.-- Oct. is the driest month in many areas

b.) Daylight*-- sure, most all games will start at dusk/dark-- but sunset is later in OCT.--- PLUS the time change in
early Nov.-- taking an HOUR of daylight away. Oct. games = nearly 2 hours more light leading up to
game time!

2.) News articles pointed out that October is "pretty dry" for sports**--especially during the week; BUT-- November is a busier month with more competition in sports and socially (Holidays,etc.). ESPN quote-- " This allows us to unlock some linear TV opportunities. There's just a finite amount [time slots] of FBS games available."

The MAC AND SBC both have weeknight FB games-- so this was bound to happen.

C-USA grabbed the LAST niche/slot that was accessible for any G5 conference*.

One difference is that the article mentioned a few of those Oct. games WOULD be on Thurs. and/or Friday nights-- I'm not sure if the MAC has that feature. Also OOC games would still be on Sat..

No details on ESPN + OR if any BB will get on ESPN. There are 18 games on CBSSports for BB.

$800,000 is double the current amount.

We have a bigger foot in the door with ESPN-- who will find it EASY to upgrade some games in FB or BB if we have a top 25 team or other compelling contest.

VALUE, PR, Visibility-- Being on ESPN gives you these advantages that you literally can not buy.

For a league with only ten teams (9 for one yr) along with three newbies-- it is ok. About as well as we could expect... AND as pointed out above--- a few "sneaky good" ADVANTAGES***.

According from what I heard/saw on another board:

Knew it would be a short term deal and there is a reason for that. And something else worth mentioning.....

My contacts tell me that this deal is very unique and not your typical TV contract for a conference in a traditional sense. The contract is written in a way to give ESPN and CBS a quick and easy way out if certain measures and conditions are not met over the next five years. Which is very interesting. Still quite a bit of uncertainty that this conference will even survive over the long term.

And as for Brett McMurphy's source that tells him its 800K a year....My contacts tell me its actually closer to $700-750K a year. Which basically improves each school payout to about $300K extra per year over the last deal.

Bottom line.....this is basically a "prove yourself" type of deal that was expected considering all the changes that have happened. This Herd fan is just thankful we are no longer a part of that situation. Couldn't imagine playing an entire month solely playing mid-week games. Talk about killing your fan base and season ticket sales!

Thoughts?

(11-10-2022 01:03 AM)jones682 Wrote:  According from what I heard/saw on another board:

Knew it would be a short term deal and there is a reason for that. And something else worth mentioning.....

My contacts tell me that this deal is very unique and not your typical TV contract for a conference in a traditional sense. The contract is written in a way to give ESPN and CBS a quick and easy way out if certain measures and conditions are not met over the next five years. Which is very interesting. Still quite a bit of uncertainty that this conference will even survive over the long term.

And as for Brett McMurphy's source that tells him its 800K a year....My contacts tell me its actually closer to $700-750K a year. Which basically improves each school payout to about $300K extra per year over the last deal.

Bottom line.....this is basically a "prove yourself" type of deal that was expected considering all the changes that have happened. This Herd fan is just thankful we are no longer a part of that situation. Couldn't imagine playing an entire month solely playing mid-week games. Talk about killing your fan base and season ticket sales!

Thoughts?

Link? to your source.

Herd fan? So you have been acting like a KSU fan for 622 posts? Which is it?

(11-10-2022 01:12 AM)TOPSTRAIGHT Wrote:  

(11-10-2022 01:03 AM)jones682 Wrote:  According from what I heard/saw on another board:

Knew it would be a short term deal and there is a reason for that. And something else worth mentioning.....

My contacts tell me that this deal is very unique and not your typical TV contract for a conference in a traditional sense. The contract is written in a way to give ESPN and CBS a quick and easy way out if certain measures and conditions are not met over the next five years. Which is very interesting. Still quite a bit of uncertainty that this conference will even survive over the long term.

And as for Brett McMurphy's source that tells him its 800K a year....My contacts tell me its actually closer to $700-750K a year. Which basically improves each school payout to about $300K extra per year over the last deal.

Bottom line.....this is basically a "prove yourself" type of deal that was expected considering all the changes that have happened. This Herd fan is just thankful we are no longer a part of that situation. Couldn't imagine playing an entire month solely playing mid-week games. Talk about killing your fan base and season ticket sales!

Thoughts?

Link? to your source.

Herd fan? So you have been acting like a KSU fan for 622 posts? Which is it?

Come on Top, you know I am a KSU fan. I don't have a link. The comment was pulled from another board. I post this to see do you all think it is true and to express opinions and all general thoughts. As well as does anybody have inside information?

I don't think it is true but do you all think that this is true?

I am NOT surprised if some posters from other leagues attack this deal. They will do this just to troll, etc..

We should stick to reliable media (ex.-The Athletic) for INFO-- not posters with an axe to grind.

We don't need "inside information". The Sports Business Journal and The Athletic are trustworthy.

A night game in October in Alabama sounds great to me. 1pm at Burgess Snow is heat stroke level unbearable. I would pay triple to enjoy the game without the danger of heat exhaustion.
I get cbssn and epsn everything. It'll be nice to get to watch conference games without having to deal with all the crap that comes with espn-.. and October home games that are not plagued with 100 degree heat, how can you *****
more money more exposure. Etc. If you want better than that you need to earn a spot in the P5.

It sounds like there'll be a lot more exposure for Bball and championship games. I don't knoww about CUSA current deal but most of us have never been in a conference that was actually promoted on a national level rather we've been buried on espn- obscurity.
Hell I'm ecstatic.

(11-10-2022 01:20 AM)TOPSTRAIGHT Wrote:  I am NOT surprised if some posters from other leagues attack this deal. They will do this just to troll, etc..

We should stick to reliable media (ex.-The Athletic) for INFO-- not posters with an axe to grind.

We don't need "inside information". The Sports Business Journal and The Athletic are trustworthy.

Ignore them. They are still trying to push the narrative their updated deal got them 2 million dollars. It got them a little more linear exposure and more Olympic Games on ESPN plus

(11-10-2022 12:28 AM)TOPSTRAIGHT Wrote:  The Media deal was about the best we could get considering the big picture. Not thrilling but an improvement.

TWO ADVANTAGES over MAC Deal :


1.) October is BETTER than November. Why?

a.) Weather!*
---temperatures are warmer in OCT.-- especially when you consider the games are also further South
--- on average there is LESS rain than Nov.-- Oct. is the driest month in many areas

b.) Daylight*-- sure, most all games will start at dusk/dark-- but sunset is later in OCT.--- PLUS the time change in
early Nov.-- taking an HOUR of daylight away. Oct. games = nearly 2 hours more light leading up to
game time!

2.) News articles pointed out that October is "pretty dry" for sports**--especially during the week; BUT-- November is a busier month with more competition in sports and socially (Holidays,etc.). ESPN quote-- " This allows us to unlock some linear TV opportunities. There's just a finite amount [time slots] of FBS games available."

The MAC AND SBC both have weeknight FB games-- so this was bound to happen.

C-USA grabbed the LAST niche/slot that was accessible for any G5 conference*.

One difference is that the article mentioned a few of those Oct. games WOULD be on Thurs. and/or Friday nights-- I'm not sure if the MAC has that feature. Also OOC games would still be on Sat..

No details on ESPN + OR if any BB will get on ESPN. There are 18 games on CBSSports for BB.

$800,000 is double the current amount.

We have a bigger foot in the door with ESPN-- who will find it EASY to upgrade some games in FB or BB if we have a top 25 team or other compelling contest.

VALUE, PR, Visibility-- Being on ESPN gives you these advantages that you literally can not buy.

For a league with only ten teams (9 for one yr) along with three newbies-- it is ok. About as well as we could expect... AND as pointed out above--- a few "sneaky good" ADVANTAGES***.

I think this is the best breakdown of the advantages for CUSAs new tv deal. At first I thought the deal was terrible, but looking at it from a high level this is an improvement. Linear tv opportunities are invaluable, and playing games mid week in October should net you some eyeballs that you otherwise wouldn't have had. All while doubling your money. Imo, this is definitely a win for CUSA compared to what could have happened.

(11-09-2022 07:48 PM)sstaedtler88 Wrote:  

(11-09-2022 07:21 PM)WKUYG Wrote:  

(11-09-2022 07:13 PM)MinerInWisconsin Wrote:  No one prefers the weeknight games but what did people expect? We get a raise and much more exposure. That is what the schools wanted and they were willing to do the weeknights to get it.

This deal is better in all other regards. Does anyone remember that the conference was almost raided out of existance?

The only one's really complaining are a couple Western fans and one of those were going to complain no matter what. Hell this is 100x better than what he was complaining about this contract was going to be. Then you also have a few fans from schools leaving CUSA.

Other than that I dont see many CUSA fans bitching

That's pretty much it. A few WKU fans were ready to complain no matter what, and then I see Southern Miss and other Sun Belt fans ripping the deal or poking fun without even barely reading it. Most people though seem satisfied. I am.

Not sure why they’d made fun of it. It’s basically the same as the sunbelt deal.

Liberty being a private school, could schedule times around the home games that support the students with delayed class start time the day following a game.

The challenge is to create as much attendance as possible so the tv viewing audience does not see empty stands. As others have said, that optic with small attendance equates to low interest and desirability.

When Liberty was in the Big South conference and hosted it's conference basketball tourney, when all teams played in one arena, the audience was all seated in the area opposite from the TV angles. It was a gimmick and as fans we didn't like it not being to sit in our favorite places. But is appeared better on TV.

Maybe something like that can be created for football games. A special section that would provide reduced pricing, or some incentive to receive. As this would likely be in the student section, then an enticement for their attending. And starting classes at noon the day following football games.

In whatever the action, all C-USA schools need to be proactive in this decision by doing something to stimulate interest rather just scheduling the games and expecting fans, students and alumni to attend like a Saturday game.

(11-10-2022 01:19 AM)jones682 Wrote:  

(11-10-2022 01:12 AM)TOPSTRAIGHT Wrote:  

(11-10-2022 01:03 AM)jones682 Wrote:  According from what I heard/saw on another board:

Knew it would be a short term deal and there is a reason for that. And something else worth mentioning.....

My contacts tell me that this deal is very unique and not your typical TV contract for a conference in a traditional sense. The contract is written in a way to give ESPN and CBS a quick and easy way out if certain measures and conditions are not met over the next five years. Which is very interesting. Still quite a bit of uncertainty that this conference will even survive over the long term.

And as for Brett McMurphy's source that tells him its 800K a year....My contacts tell me its actually closer to $700-750K a year. Which basically improves each school payout to about $300K extra per year over the last deal.

Bottom line.....this is basically a "prove yourself" type of deal that was expected considering all the changes that have happened. This Herd fan is just thankful we are no longer a part of that situation. Couldn't imagine playing an entire month solely playing mid-week games. Talk about killing your fan base and season ticket sales!

Thoughts?

Link? to your source.

Herd fan? So you have been acting like a KSU fan for 622 posts? Which is it?

Come on Top, you know I am a KSU fan. I don't have a link. The comment was pulled from another board. I post this to see do you all think it is true and to express opinions and all general thoughts. As well as does anybody have inside information?

I don't think it is true but do you all think that this is true?

Pretty sure that Top was being sarcastic, based on how this was posted.

(11-09-2022 09:27 PM)Theflash Wrote:  

(11-09-2022 09:09 PM)jones682 Wrote:  

(11-09-2022 08:13 PM)WKUFan518 Wrote:  Complete joke of a deal even Texas Judy admits. “Hopefully 5 years from now will be more attractive.” Doubt that’s happening with a FCS conference. WKU fans really going to complain when HC is 11/12 and wind chill in 30s..The crowd may suck now, but the tailgating was lit. All that’s gone because Judy wanted ESPNU and ESPNNEWS games. This will also kill WKU in transfer portal. Zero transfers want 5 games in October on a Tuesday. At least with MAC, NOv no one outside anyways. Please get us to MAC! Of course half the conference likes this, this is all FCS schools know…


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

You do realize that if you went to the MAC the entrance fee is 5M and you would be stuck there for 20 years. You would lose money in the long run and it would take years for you to brake even. 800K a year is almost double what you get now and get more exposure.

Also the FCS schools they got was really FBS schools in the FCS with G5 budgets out side of SHSU.

No he doesn’t. Just ignore him

Nice, what none of you understand and especially the new ones, is the trust is gone. Lets not pretend not everyone is looking to leave besides the brand new programs and MTSU. Current programs with a straight face told our AD they were going nowhere. The next week they all jumped. May not be anywhere to go right now, but if MAC calls again and have a partner not MTSU, we will jump. UTEP, La Tech are in the same boat. I as a WKU fan do not want to be in FCS again and neither should you. Only team wont leave is MTSU which are happy to be 7-5 every season.

(11-09-2022 11:11 PM)3DogNight Wrote:  I’m sure we would all wish for more money and better time slots, but compared to what CUSA has had, this is an improvement. When you break it down, it’s not the end of the world as some are suggesting. By playing conference games in October, it more than likely means that each team will play maybe 2 weekday games apiece. Probably 1 home and 1 away game. If it’s during the week and I want to watch a game now, I’ll watch a MAC game. If it’s Saturday, the last game I’m searching for is a MAC game. Eyes will be on CUSA for weekday games. It looks like the money has almost doubled from the last contract. That’s a good thing. It seems that we have gotten our foot back in the door at ESPN. Isn’t that what most wanted. Instead of being all over the place, we have 2 we’ll known carriers. Most carriers carry CBSSN. It’s not that hard to get. And of course ESPN is carried by everybody. It’s not locked in long term. Be a good partner, produce a quality product and a better contract comes in 5 years. I think the new CUSA is already a better conference than the MAC. In 5 years if we do what I think we can as a conference, we’ll pass the SunBelt and the AAC.

Literally presser said every conference game in October would be during week which could mean for most 4 and min. 3....For this season that would be 4 games for WKU during the week and same in 2026 (could be 5).

(11-10-2022 01:03 AM)jones682 Wrote:  According from what I heard/saw on another board:

Knew it would be a short term deal and there is a reason for that. And something else worth mentioning.....

My contacts tell me that this deal is very unique and not your typical TV contract for a conference in a traditional sense. The contract is written in a way to give ESPN and CBS a quick and easy way out if certain measures and conditions are not met over the next five years. Which is very interesting. Still quite a bit of uncertainty that this conference will even survive over the long term.

And as for Brett McMurphy's source that tells him its 800K a year....My contacts tell me its actually closer to $700-750K a year. Which basically improves each school payout to about $300K extra per year over the last deal.

Bottom line.....this is basically a "prove yourself" type of deal that was expected considering all the changes that have happened. This Herd fan is just thankful we are no longer a part of that situation. Couldn't imagine playing an entire month solely playing mid-week games. Talk about killing your fan base and season ticket sales!

Thoughts?

Exactly but sure lets pretend not everyone else is looking to get out at first opening. TV execs know but this board is clueless. Even Judy admitted hopefully in 5 years they can do better, that tells you all you need to know. I know the FCSs are excited, however the other 4 cannot be happy with this. UTEP wants MW, LA Tech wants anything but SB and CUSA, WKU anything but CUSA, hopefully MAC and FIU Asun or disband program. MTSU CUSA forever!!

(11-10-2022 08:13 AM)WKUFan518 Wrote:  

(11-09-2022 09:27 PM)Theflash Wrote:  

(11-09-2022 09:09 PM)jones682 Wrote:  

(11-09-2022 08:13 PM)WKUFan518 Wrote:  Complete joke of a deal even Texas Judy admits. “Hopefully 5 years from now will be more attractive.” Doubt that’s happening with a FCS conference. WKU fans really going to complain when HC is 11/12 and wind chill in 30s..The crowd may suck now, but the tailgating was lit. All that’s gone because Judy wanted ESPNU and ESPNNEWS games. This will also kill WKU in transfer portal. Zero transfers want 5 games in October on a Tuesday. At least with MAC, NOv no one outside anyways. Please get us to MAC! Of course half the conference likes this, this is all FCS schools know…


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

You do realize that if you went to the MAC the entrance fee is 5M and you would be stuck there for 20 years. You would lose money in the long run and it would take years for you to brake even. 800K a year is almost double what you get now and get more exposure.

Also the FCS schools they got was really FBS schools in the FCS with G5 budgets out side of SHSU.

No he doesn’t. Just ignore him

Nice, what none of you understand and especially the new ones, is the trust is gone. Lets not pretend not everyone is looking to leave besides the brand new programs. Current programs with a straight face told our AD they were going nowhere. The next week they all jumped. May not be anywhere to go right now, but if MAC calls again and have a partner not MTSU, we will jump. UTEP, La Tech are in the same boat. I as a WKU fan do not want to be in FCS again and neither should you. Only team wont leave is MTSU which are happy to be 7-5 every season.

Bro you almost lost to AP in your first game. Go to the MAC and you will be complaining for the next 20 years and be in a financial hold because you have to pay a 5M entrance fee for 200,000 more money.

(11-10-2022 01:03 AM)jones682 Wrote:  According from what I heard/saw on another board:

Knew it would be a short term deal and there is a reason for that. And something else worth mentioning.....

My contacts tell me that this deal is very unique and not your typical TV contract for a conference in a traditional sense. The contract is written in a way to give ESPN and CBS a quick and easy way out if certain measures and conditions are not met over the next five years. Which is very interesting. Still quite a bit of uncertainty that this conference will even survive over the long term.

And as for Brett McMurphy's source that tells him its 800K a year....My contacts tell me its actually closer to $700-750K a year. Which basically improves each school payout to about $300K extra per year over the last deal.

Bottom line.....this is basically a "prove yourself" type of deal that was expected considering all the changes that have happened. This Herd fan is just thankful we are no longer a part of that situation. Couldn't imagine playing an entire month solely playing mid-week games. Talk about killing your fan base and season ticket sales!

Thoughts?

I don't trust this Marshall guy. I believe he always says he has contacts but i believe he told us before this contract would be for a lot less money than $800,000 a squad and has told us incorrect information before. His info has always consistently been bad about CUSA...as if he's making it up.

(11-09-2022 11:11 PM)3DogNight Wrote:  I’m sure we would all wish for more money and better time slots, but compared to what CUSA has had, this is an improvement. When you break it down, it’s not the end of the world as some are suggesting. By playing conference games in October, it more than likely means that each team will play maybe 2 weekday games apiece. Probably 1 home and 1 away game. If it’s during the week and I want to watch a game now, I’ll watch a MAC game. If it’s Saturday, the last game I’m searching for is a MAC game. Eyes will be on CUSA for weekday games. It looks like the money has almost doubled from the last contract. That’s a good thing. It seems that we have gotten our foot back in the door at ESPN. Isn’t that what most wanted. Instead of being all over the place, we have 2 we’ll known carriers. Most carriers carry CBSSN. It’s not that hard to get. And of course ESPN is carried by everybody. It’s not locked in long term. Be a good partner, produce a quality product and a better contract comes in 5 years. I think the new CUSA is already a better conference than the MAC. In 5 years if we do what I think we can as a conference, we’ll pass the SunBelt and the AAC.

Seems common that some schools want to walk into a better situation without much work. If we as a conference work together and improve our product (increase funding, build FBS level facilities and win) then the next TV deal will be more. If we do what the MAC does and just do the bare min that’s what we will get.

(11-10-2022 08:13 AM)WKUFan518 Wrote:  

(11-09-2022 09:27 PM)Theflash Wrote:  

(11-09-2022 09:09 PM)jones682 Wrote:  

(11-09-2022 08:13 PM)WKUFan518 Wrote:  Complete joke of a deal even Texas Judy admits. “Hopefully 5 years from now will be more attractive.” Doubt that’s happening with a FCS conference. WKU fans really going to complain when HC is 11/12 and wind chill in 30s..The crowd may suck now, but the tailgating was lit. All that’s gone because Judy wanted ESPNU and ESPNNEWS games. This will also kill WKU in transfer portal. Zero transfers want 5 games in October on a Tuesday. At least with MAC, NOv no one outside anyways. Please get us to MAC! Of course half the conference likes this, this is all FCS schools know…


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

You do realize that if you went to the MAC the entrance fee is 5M and you would be stuck there for 20 years. You would lose money in the long run and it would take years for you to brake even. 800K a year is almost double what you get now and get more exposure.

Also the FCS schools they got was really FBS schools in the FCS with G5 budgets out side of SHSU.

No he doesn’t. Just ignore him

Nice, what none of you understand and especially the new ones, is the trust is gone. Lets not pretend not everyone is looking to leave besides the brand new programs and MTSU. Current programs with a straight face told our AD they were going nowhere. The next week they all jumped. May not be anywhere to go right now, but if MAC calls again and have a partner not MTSU, we will jump. UTEP, La Tech are in the same boat. I as a WKU fan do not want to be in FCS again and neither should you. Only team wont leave is MTSU which are happy to be 7-5 every season.

Oh, we're leaving still. At some point, but this sure beats the hell out of being stuck in the MAC for next 20 years.

(11-10-2022 09:00 AM)ThreeifbyLightning Wrote:  

(11-10-2022 08:13 AM)WKUFan518 Wrote:  

(11-09-2022 09:27 PM)Theflash Wrote:  

(11-09-2022 09:09 PM)jones682 Wrote:  

(11-09-2022 08:13 PM)WKUFan518 Wrote:  Complete joke of a deal even Texas Judy admits. “Hopefully 5 years from now will be more attractive.” Doubt that’s happening with a FCS conference. WKU fans really going to complain when HC is 11/12 and wind chill in 30s..The crowd may suck now, but the tailgating was lit. All that’s gone because Judy wanted ESPNU and ESPNNEWS games. This will also kill WKU in transfer portal. Zero transfers want 5 games in October on a Tuesday. At least with MAC, NOv no one outside anyways. Please get us to MAC! Of course half the conference likes this, this is all FCS schools know…


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

You do realize that if you went to the MAC the entrance fee is 5M and you would be stuck there for 20 years. You would lose money in the long run and it would take years for you to brake even. 800K a year is almost double what you get now and get more exposure.

Also the FCS schools they got was really FBS schools in the FCS with G5 budgets out side of SHSU.

No he doesn’t. Just ignore him

Nice, what none of you understand and especially the new ones, is the trust is gone. Lets not pretend not everyone is looking to leave besides the brand new programs and MTSU. Current programs with a straight face told our AD they were going nowhere. The next week they all jumped. May not be anywhere to go right now, but if MAC calls again and have a partner not MTSU, we will jump. UTEP, La Tech are in the same boat. I as a WKU fan do not want to be in FCS again and neither should you. Only team wont leave is MTSU which are happy to be 7-5 every season.

Oh, we're leaving still. At some point, but this sure beats the hell out of being stuck in the MAC for next 20 years.

Where are y’all going?