08-04-2016, 04:10 AM
Well, it's been a while since I've proposed something crazy. I've got all this pent up insanity inside me and it just has to come out sometimes.
I've actually talked about this idea before, but I'm not sure I've outlined it on this board. What brought it to mind again was the recent announcement that the SEC would be partnering with the AAC and the ASUN on training basketball officials.
I've been fascinated with the notion of conferences partnering with each other ever since I first heard someone suggest that conferences should merge in order to maximize mutual benefits.
So here's the plan...
While I think it's inevitable that the Power conferences will separate themselves to a greater degree, I also think there is the potential to expand a league's footprint and marketability by partnering with a current G5 league.
The gist would be this: the SEC partners with the AAC(the best of the G5 leagues) for a media partnership.
Details:
1. Scheduling alliance with AAC. SEC schools schedule at least 1 AAC school in football and basketball every season.
2. Use the SEC Network to air AAC football and basketball games in time slots when an SEC competition doesn't take precedence.
Goals:
1. Increase media footprint for SEC Network. The AAC has several schools outside the current SEC footprint and some in markets that don't have full penetration by our league. A scheduling alliance would allow for more fans outside the SEC footprint to be exposed to SEC games featuring their favorite local team. Airing AAC games would also increase the interest in the network in other regions.
2. Increase revenue. A partnership with a league like the AAC that crosses multiple regions should offer additional value in ads and subscriptions.
Now obviously we'd have to share some revenue with the AAC, but they make so little as it stands that anything remotely approaching an even split would not be necessary. Basically, there's no way the AAC has the fan base or the value to build its own network. The SEC and ESPN have already created an infrastructure though. With live sports content being more valuable than studio shows, the addition of numerous live games should increase revenue for everyone.
ESPN already has a deal with the AAC, but they obviously don't broadcast the majority of their games. The SECN could be used as a platform to offer more content OTA. Imagine a couple of Thursday night football games and Friday night games on SECN featuring the AAC. Of course, the prime spots on Sat. would be saved for the SEC.
When it comes to basketball season, frankly, some of the AAC games available will be of better quality than many SEC games. There will be plenty of time over the course of the week to share the limelight.
Thoughts? Am I crazy or is something like this crazy enough to work?
I've actually talked about this idea before, but I'm not sure I've outlined it on this board. What brought it to mind again was the recent announcement that the SEC would be partnering with the AAC and the ASUN on training basketball officials.
I've been fascinated with the notion of conferences partnering with each other ever since I first heard someone suggest that conferences should merge in order to maximize mutual benefits.
So here's the plan...
While I think it's inevitable that the Power conferences will separate themselves to a greater degree, I also think there is the potential to expand a league's footprint and marketability by partnering with a current G5 league.
The gist would be this: the SEC partners with the AAC(the best of the G5 leagues) for a media partnership.
Details:
1. Scheduling alliance with AAC. SEC schools schedule at least 1 AAC school in football and basketball every season.
2. Use the SEC Network to air AAC football and basketball games in time slots when an SEC competition doesn't take precedence.
Goals:
1. Increase media footprint for SEC Network. The AAC has several schools outside the current SEC footprint and some in markets that don't have full penetration by our league. A scheduling alliance would allow for more fans outside the SEC footprint to be exposed to SEC games featuring their favorite local team. Airing AAC games would also increase the interest in the network in other regions.
2. Increase revenue. A partnership with a league like the AAC that crosses multiple regions should offer additional value in ads and subscriptions.
Now obviously we'd have to share some revenue with the AAC, but they make so little as it stands that anything remotely approaching an even split would not be necessary. Basically, there's no way the AAC has the fan base or the value to build its own network. The SEC and ESPN have already created an infrastructure though. With live sports content being more valuable than studio shows, the addition of numerous live games should increase revenue for everyone.
ESPN already has a deal with the AAC, but they obviously don't broadcast the majority of their games. The SECN could be used as a platform to offer more content OTA. Imagine a couple of Thursday night football games and Friday night games on SECN featuring the AAC. Of course, the prime spots on Sat. would be saved for the SEC.
When it comes to basketball season, frankly, some of the AAC games available will be of better quality than many SEC games. There will be plenty of time over the course of the week to share the limelight.
Thoughts? Am I crazy or is something like this crazy enough to work?