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ESPN would facilitate the SEC poaching VT/NCST from the ACC.
Posted on 7/1/15 at 6:32 pm
Posted on 7/1/15 at 6:32 pm
These scenarios with UT and OU going to the SEC are nonsense. ESPN is the 800lb gorilla in the room, and it would facilitate VT/NCST moving to the SEC. Here's why:
Conferences have different media partners for different tiers of rights. The SEC partners with CBS for tier 1 rights (marquee game of the week) and ESPN for tier 2 and 3 rights (leftovers, this is the SECN). The ACC is partnered with ESPN for all tiers down into tier 3 rights (ESPN sublicenses some rights to other entities). With the exception of the SEC's tier 1 rights, ESPN controls most of the media rights for the SEC and the ACC.
ESPN/SEC are already monetizing the SEC's lower tiers with the SEC Network. ESPN and the ACC are about to do the same with an ACC Network.
Now it's important to know how different schools add value to different tiers of media rights. Brand names power the tier 1 rights (Iron Bowl, lots of national eyeballs and sponsors), and schools in states with large populations pump up the lower tiers that rely on conference TV networks (large population, large cable subscription fees).
From ESPN's perspective, it would facilitate moving VT/NCST from the ACC to the SEC so that ESPN could have two conference TV networks in the high population states of Virginia and North Carolina, instead of just one (future ACC Network). ESPN wouldn't lose too much value from the ACC's tier 1 media because VT and NCST aren't huge national brands that are going to move toilet paper and beer. But ESPN would unlock serious value with VT and NCST by pimping the SEC Network out in Virginia and North Carolina.
Now let's look west. The B12 has its tier 1 rights with ESPN and its tier 2 rights with FOX. Oklahoma is a national brand in a state with small population so it contributes more to tier 1 rights than the lower tiers. If OU moved to the SEC, then the SEC schools would take a pay cut because OU's population doesn't justify its spot at the SEC Network table, and ESPN loses a tier 1 media property to CBS. No deal.
UT would be a duplicative state for the SEC Network since TAMU already delivers texas, and again, ESPN would lose tier 1 media to CBS. There's a twist here because I'm sure ESPN would love to unload the LHN which may never get into the black during the life of the deal. Anyways, no deal.
So there you have it. Follow the money and the media deals. ESPN wants the SEC to turn east, not west.
Conferences have different media partners for different tiers of rights. The SEC partners with CBS for tier 1 rights (marquee game of the week) and ESPN for tier 2 and 3 rights (leftovers, this is the SECN). The ACC is partnered with ESPN for all tiers down into tier 3 rights (ESPN sublicenses some rights to other entities). With the exception of the SEC's tier 1 rights, ESPN controls most of the media rights for the SEC and the ACC.
ESPN/SEC are already monetizing the SEC's lower tiers with the SEC Network. ESPN and the ACC are about to do the same with an ACC Network.
Now it's important to know how different schools add value to different tiers of media rights. Brand names power the tier 1 rights (Iron Bowl, lots of national eyeballs and sponsors), and schools in states with large populations pump up the lower tiers that rely on conference TV networks (large population, large cable subscription fees).
From ESPN's perspective, it would facilitate moving VT/NCST from the ACC to the SEC so that ESPN could have two conference TV networks in the high population states of Virginia and North Carolina, instead of just one (future ACC Network). ESPN wouldn't lose too much value from the ACC's tier 1 media because VT and NCST aren't huge national brands that are going to move toilet paper and beer. But ESPN would unlock serious value with VT and NCST by pimping the SEC Network out in Virginia and North Carolina.
Now let's look west. The B12 has its tier 1 rights with ESPN and its tier 2 rights with FOX. Oklahoma is a national brand in a state with small population so it contributes more to tier 1 rights than the lower tiers. If OU moved to the SEC, then the SEC schools would take a pay cut because OU's population doesn't justify its spot at the SEC Network table, and ESPN loses a tier 1 media property to CBS. No deal.
UT would be a duplicative state for the SEC Network since TAMU already delivers texas, and again, ESPN would lose tier 1 media to CBS. There's a twist here because I'm sure ESPN would love to unload the LHN which may never get into the black during the life of the deal. Anyways, no deal.
So there you have it. Follow the money and the media deals. ESPN wants the SEC to turn east, not west.
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Posted on 7/1/15 at 6:35 pm to bah7tea
This is the best post on Realignment on this forum in years. Please literally pat yourself on the back.
Posted on 7/1/15 at 6:39 pm to bah7tea
Very interesting...thanks
Posted on 7/1/15 at 6:40 pm to bah7tea
Way better options than UT and OU on an aesthetic level as well.
Posted on 7/1/15 at 6:40 pm to bah7tea
quote:
VT/NCST
NO/THANKS
Posted on 7/1/15 at 6:40 pm to cardboardboxer
Think ratings and advertising dollars.
Ratings matter.
Ratings matter.
Posted on 7/1/15 at 6:43 pm to bah7tea
UVA/UNC, no thanks
Posted on 7/1/15 at 6:43 pm to bah7tea
To add to this excellent point:
I think in ten years conference networks will be worth more because it will be a good way for cable companies to keep customers from cutting the cord. If that is the case we could see a SEC Network 2 that needs filler content. OU and Texas are mostly not filler content. VT and NC St. kinda are. The reward for the ACC for playing along is survival.
I think in ten years conference networks will be worth more because it will be a good way for cable companies to keep customers from cutting the cord. If that is the case we could see a SEC Network 2 that needs filler content. OU and Texas are mostly not filler content. VT and NC St. kinda are. The reward for the ACC for playing along is survival.
Posted on 7/1/15 at 6:46 pm to G&P
quote:
Think ratings and advertising dollars.
Ratings matter.
Advertising is fine, as live content is undvrable. SEC Network 1/2 will get a premium no matter what.
Ratings only somewhat matter. The big games aren't what is making the big money dude. CBS pays under market value for the very best SEC games. The SEC agrees to that for the exposure. Most of the content and money is so-so games.
This post was edited on 7/1/15 at 7:47 pm
Posted on 7/1/15 at 6:49 pm to bah7tea
Finally a post on realignment that makes sense. UNC and UVA are the true prizes since they are AAU universities.
Don't see the SEC going after any school that isn't an AAU member.
As for ou to the SEC, that is ludicrous. Never happens.
Don't see the SEC going after any school that isn't an AAU member.
As for ou to the SEC, that is ludicrous. Never happens.
Posted on 7/1/15 at 6:56 pm to cardboardboxer
Creating demand and ratings are vital long-term.
Getting the biggest and best football brands is key.
Texas and Oklahoma is a no-brainer.
Posted on 7/1/15 at 7:24 pm to bah7tea
quote:
ESPN would facilitate the SEC poaching VT/NCST from the ACC.
In case you have not figured it out yet, SEC is the firewall to keep the B1G and FOX out of the south. If the SEC gets to 16 with VPI and NC ST, the next move will be for the B1G to poach UVA and UNC. FOX would love to break the ESPN monopoly of the ACC and SEC.
Posted on 7/1/15 at 7:37 pm to Cheese Grits
SEC won't get any NC or VA schools. they are a lot more important in ACC than they would be viewed as in SEC. NC State fans love basketball and would hate going to SEC.
ACC will lkely be adding a team or two and if ND ever goes full time in football there is a good chance they could pull in Texas or another big program with them.
I would think NC State fan would watch less college football if they moved to SEC, because all their traditional rivals are ACC.
ACC will lkely be adding a team or two and if ND ever goes full time in football there is a good chance they could pull in Texas or another big program with them.
I would think NC State fan would watch less college football if they moved to SEC, because all their traditional rivals are ACC.
This post was edited on 7/1/15 at 7:45 pm
Posted on 7/1/15 at 7:39 pm to bah7tea
Using this logic, then ESPN would facilitate moving Vandy, Auburn, and MS St to the ACC.
Fair trade?
Fair trade?
Posted on 7/1/15 at 7:44 pm to bah7tea
quote:
ESPN wants the SEC to turn east, not west.
ESPN want the SEC to stand pat at 14
ACC = ESPN
SEC = ESPN
LHN = ESPN
Current setup keep FOX away from all 3 and keeps B12 intact instead of breaking up. I know Mizzou is new to all this but for the SEC to raid the ACC would be out of character and kill the ACC which would hurt ESPN way more than it would help it. ESPN probably wants things the way they are for at least the next decade.
Posted on 7/1/15 at 7:47 pm to Jamie Lannister
quote:
SEC won't get any NC or VA schools.
SEC does not want them if it means giving the B1G the other state school in the state. Did your parent drop you on your head as a child?
Realignment is a chess game between the SEC / ESPN and B1G / FOX, the sooner this stays in your brain, the better.
Posted on 7/1/15 at 7:49 pm to Cheese Grits
The SEC isn't broken. Pulling in far more revenue. No need to tinker with it.
Posted on 7/1/15 at 7:50 pm to Cheese Grits
it seems to me conferences that focus on interest rivalries would make more money than ones focused only having programs in large markets.
for ACC, I think overall adding program like West Virginia over a Syracuse would have increased interest in the conference, even though Cuse brought in more tv sets. but Duke, UVA, Wake won't nothing to do with a WV. lol
for ACC, I think overall adding program like West Virginia over a Syracuse would have increased interest in the conference, even though Cuse brought in more tv sets. but Duke, UVA, Wake won't nothing to do with a WV. lol
Posted on 7/1/15 at 7:54 pm to Cheese Grits
why so serious about conference expansion?
I don't see any of the NC and VA schools being opened to leaving. they would most likely end up similar to Kentucky if they joined SEC.
UVA and NC schools would be worried about a drop off of interest in basketball if some of them left for SEc and basketball is where they make their gold
I think you could see ACC teams refuse to play SEC if they start poaching our schools, too. that would be like all of the in state rivals in the southeast.
ACC schools did not like it when Maryland left. Hard to believe one of those schools who wanted to punish Maryland bad would then do the same thing.
I don't see any of the NC and VA schools being opened to leaving. they would most likely end up similar to Kentucky if they joined SEC.
UVA and NC schools would be worried about a drop off of interest in basketball if some of them left for SEc and basketball is where they make their gold
I think you could see ACC teams refuse to play SEC if they start poaching our schools, too. that would be like all of the in state rivals in the southeast.
ACC schools did not like it when Maryland left. Hard to believe one of those schools who wanted to punish Maryland bad would then do the same thing.
This post was edited on 7/1/15 at 8:00 pm
Posted on 7/1/15 at 7:55 pm to bah7tea
These are the two schools I have been saying since the addition of Mizzou. Those two schools bring in over 25 million people in the footprint.
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