re: SEC Network, the thread

I don't honestly think ESPN ever thought LHN was a winner. It was a means to an end and any comparison to the SECN is not very apt. It was simply the price of keeping a full scale bid war at bay a few more years.

I don't think people realize how under market all of the CFB contracts are. Everybody is under market as the dynamics to tv content has changed drastically in the last few years. The conference networks are landgrabs because right now, looking into the future, it appears he who controls live content will be king.

LHN successfully locked down the Big 12 and also kept them out of the network business. I don't think people quite realize the long-term implications to the Big 12 but I honestly think it's pretty dire.

ESPN just paid $1.9 annually for 16 MNF telecasts that get an average rating of about 8. CBS on SEC is also 16 games and about 4.5 rating. It's absurd how much money is being left on the table. When the SEC and B1G begin getting paid at FMV, which is what the networks are about, the Big 12 and ACC being on lockdown is going to sink them. .