Commissioner Year-End Review: 2023
Dec 26, 2023 19:55:29 GMT -5
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Post by johnjohnw on Dec 26, 2023 19:55:29 GMT -5
Dec 25, 2023 17:39:58 GMT -5 @stormeo said:
as the tv deal runs out at the end of the 2025 season, i think it should be negotiated and finalized by no later than the end of the upcoming season. (i doubt we hear much from her this coming season related to expansion & whatnot.)if what’s going on with ESPN/the ACC and its biggest brand(s) is any indication, Engelbert needs to diversify the tv partners for the next deal and minimize ESPN’s involvement moving forward. i think she’s going in that direction, too. an all-streaming deal like MLS has with Apple would be bad as well. basically copy the Big Ten’s media deal as best you can, Cathy E.!
My big concern with minimizing the ESPN deal is the loss of free promotion. ESPN promotes the fuck out of their own content. The stark difference in NASCAR amd NHL coverage when ESPN does or does not have a contract with the respective sports is very telling. As much as people like to complain, the increase in talk on ESPN about the league has benefited the league immensely. If you have no games on ESPN, and possibly if they are no longer your marquee partner, then you will lose a substantial amount of talking head /SportsCenter press. I think ESPN knows this leverage too which makes negotiating with them a bit complicated. I do not think the league will be able to retain their sports media coverage if, say, CBS, is the marquee partner. No one watches CBS for sports coverage.
I do wonder if an ESPN/ESPN+ deal could be the best option? I personally like the diversification of the TV deal but I would be VERY alarmed for the momentum of the league if they end up with a deal like MLS. Great money but complete isolation in the sports media landscape.
