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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?
The SEC network buying the rights to other media conferences is not a bad idea. I think I would try and start with the Southland though. The AAC is a pretty far reach.
I've been wondering about this myself. I would think though that you would need a conference outside of your footprint to capitalize on any possible additional network revenue. The BE would be great to partner with, especially for the SEC, if the price is right.

For example:
PAC & B12?/MWC
SEC & MAC/BE
B1G & AAC
ACC & CUSA
(08-04-2016 09:35 AM)Lenvillecards Wrote: [ -> ]I've been wondering about this myself. I would think though that you would need a conference outside of your footprint to capitalize on any possible additional network revenue. The BE would be great to partner with, especially for the SEC, if the price is right.

For example:
PAC & B12?/MWC
SEC & MAC/BE
B1G & AAC
ACC & CUSA

I definitely get the idea of partnering with a conference in another region for an expanded footprint. However, I'd say stick to you locality. This would allow fans throughout the region to get more involved. I know money is high priority to the networks, schools, and conferences, but I'm much more interested in the fan experience.
I think the only conference that could pull this off the best is the PAC 12. They have those regional channels that i believe need live product to air beyond those 3 or 4 PAC schools. Seems to be a great idea if they grab some of those smaller conferences out west. But now are you taking on CBS, FOX, NBC and ESPN head on?
(08-04-2016 09:35 AM)Lenvillecards Wrote: [ -> ]I've been wondering about this myself. I would think though that you would need a conference outside of your footprint to capitalize on any possible additional network revenue. The BE would be great to partner with, especially for the SEC, if the price is right.

For example:
PAC & B12?/MWC
SEC & MAC/BE
B1G & AAC
ACC & CUSA

I would switch the MAC to the B1G, as most of their schools are upper Midwest. C-USA also seems like a better fit with the SEC, geographically.
(08-04-2016 06:12 PM)USAFMEDIC Wrote: [ -> ]
(08-04-2016 09:35 AM)Lenvillecards Wrote: [ -> ]I've been wondering about this myself. I would think though that you would need a conference outside of your footprint to capitalize on any possible additional network revenue. The BE would be great to partner with, especially for the SEC, if the price is right.

For example:
PAC & B12?/MWC
SEC & MAC/BE
B1G & AAC
ACC & CUSA

I would switch the MAC to the B1G, as most of their schools are upper Midwest. C-USA also seems like a better fit with the SEC, geographically.

That was my point, to go outside of your conference footprint to get a higher carriage rate in those areas. The SEC for example is already getting a premium rate, I assume, in the southeast so partnering with the MAC & BE would theoretically increase their carriage rate in the north & northeast (Ohio & Michigan for instance).
There are 2 reasons I suggested the AAC as a partner.

1. They provide the best content value of any G5.

2. They bring a mix of schools within the footprint, outside of the footprint, and a few schools in the gray area that has some coverage already, but could benefit from more.

I thought all around, it was the best of both worlds.
(08-05-2016 11:44 AM)AllTideUp Wrote: [ -> ]There are 2 reasons I suggested the AAC as a partner.

1. They provide the best content value of any G5.

2. They bring a mix of schools within the footprint, outside of the footprint, and a few schools in the gray area that has some coverage already, but could benefit from more.

I thought all around, it was the best of both worlds.

That's sound & logical reasoning. I suggested the BE & MAC for the SEC for basketball (BE) & a stronger northern & eastern presence. I'm assuming that having the BE & the AAC would be to costly to be worthwhile.
(08-06-2016 11:27 AM)Lenvillecards Wrote: [ -> ]
(08-05-2016 11:44 AM)AllTideUp Wrote: [ -> ]There are 2 reasons I suggested the AAC as a partner.

1. They provide the best content value of any G5.

2. They bring a mix of schools within the footprint, outside of the footprint, and a few schools in the gray area that has some coverage already, but could benefit from more.

I thought all around, it was the best of both worlds.

That's sound & logical reasoning. I suggested the BE & MAC for the SEC for basketball (BE) & a stronger northern & eastern presence. I'm assuming that having the BE & the AAC would be to costly to be worthwhile.

I guess the Big East wouldn't be bad, but they pretty much only bring basketball to the table.

Another thing I should have mentioned is that the AAC already has a contract with ESPN it shouldn't be hard to work something out if the parties were interested. The SEC itself couldn't purchase the rights though, not nearly enough money in the bank for that. Anyone like the Big East that has a contract with FOX might be a problem.
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