(08-17-2017 12:30 AM)JRsec Wrote:  

(08-16-2017 11:12 PM)AllTideUp Wrote:  We've been discussing a little more about Texas specifically lately and what ESPN's plan might be to lock them down for the long term. I thought I would start a thread for it because I think there are so many facets to this.

A while back, I posted an idea for what to do with the Longhorn Network once Texas had settled on a new conference. I still believe that some utilization of the LHN on the part of ESPN will be necessary in order to secure the future of a UT and ESPN partnership.

Exactly what the utilization would be is certainly up for debate although I think it's highly probable that the LHN will not simply be fazed out because that's not really ESPN's style...

1) While I believe it's true that the LHN was originally designed as a way to keep Texas in the fold, it's also true that an awful lot of money has been spent to create its infrastructure.

2) It will be very hard to integrate the LHN into any existing conference network because it has its own set of studios and UT is going to want some sort of guarantee to make just as much money off their T3 rights as they are making right now. It can be done, but I don't think it will be as easy as simply designating the LHN as an outlet for a regional package. Why? The following...

3) The LHN will be basically worthless in a world of streaming unless the content changes dramatically.

So anyway, the SEC certainly wants Texas and is probably willing to take both Oklahoma and Oklahoma State in order to put pressure on UT.

By contrast, the ACC may be willing to give UT a partial deal to both complement Notre Dame's membership and add value and content to their own network.

The PAC needs Texas badly, but are they willing to take the little brothers to make it happen? That's probably the only way they could make the move because the money wouldn't be there for UT in the PAC like you might get with other leagues.

The B1G would probably love Texas too, but there's no way ESPN is going to cooperate with that as the B1G is primarily a FOX product now. An ESPN owned T3 network is not going to be blended with a FOX owned T3 network especially when the entire point of the LHN was to maintain control over UT. Texas would bring a nice windfall for the B1G, but the brand value for UT would take a hit if they're playing a bunch of B1G schools every season.

What will UT choose? Does anyone really know?

The reason I bring up the LHN so much is because I believe that UT's decision will probably come down to whatever is the best package any league can offer. I think playing rivals and local schools will be a part of it. I believe travel will be a part of it. I believe academic partnerships will be an aspect as well, but ultimately money talks. Money soothes egos if nothing else.

Texas basically makes more money than anyone else right now. That's not likely to change anytime soon unless the Big 12 can't negotiate a decent contract in a few years. At that point, UT won't be hurting, but they may fall permanently behind Texas A&M unless a move is made. That sort of dynamic also indicates why UT might make a move sooner than later.

Now some would say that UT is so rich that money doesn't matter that much...they'll always have plenty of it the thought goes. Let me ask you a question, have you ever known a wealthy man to turn down an opportunity to improve his own stature? Especially an oil rich Texan with an ego the size of Alaska?

I think UT will end up partnering with the league that can best utilize the LHN and give the entire conference not only another boost in revenue, but put the entire association on another level from what UT is used to.

That's my thought. What about you?

A couple of thoughts for you. First if Texas moves to another conference as long a their total conference distribution is 50 million then the LHN is covered. They currently get 34.8 for T1 & T2 and another 14 plus for the LHN. So make it a round 50 million and the total is covered. Second, it depends on where they go as to what is done with the LHN. If they wind up in the SEC I think Charlotte will become the studio for the two eastern most divisions and the LHN will become the studio for the two western most divisions and that one of the two current SEC overflow channels will be used to televise the Eastern 8 and the current SECN primary channel will be used to televise the Western 8 and the second overflow channel which is not used at this time will become the overflow channel for the other two.

If Texas goes the ACC then perhaps the LHN becomes the Spanish language version of the ACC, only concentrating on Texas and Miami sporting events.

I don't think Texas will go to the Big 10 for the reasons you've stated.

But if 6 schools from the Big 12 including Texas were to head to the PAC and the PAC were to sell out to ESPN then I could see the LHN becoming the network which covered the Eastern Division which consisted of 6 of the present Big 12 schools.

I think the $50M figure might do it although I think if some use can be found for the LHN that not only covers that T3 figure but somehow gives an additional boost to the entire league then that may be the winning bid...even if it's not necessarily a cash infusion that results.

From UT's perspective, I could see them thinking "hey, we're generating $15M with this network so let's find a way to adapt this asset to not only cover that revenue, but add something else to the pot." I think ESPN might look at it that way too being that they've already invested so much money in it. UT is also a partial owner so there's that angle to consider.

I know you suggested using the TX studios to cover a Western grouping, but I'm not sure that an SEC Network with two regional channels would work. It hasn't seemed to have done much for the PAC and I think ultimately there could be ancillary costs that hurt the bottom line. That and the lack of consistent branding from one region to another. I think the SEC needs to dedicate itself to one national channel and focus on building content for streaming.

My suggestion a while back was to convert it into a Spanish language version of the SEC Network for both American and Latin American markets. Now that the SECN is in Mexico and other countries, I'm not sure how needed that is. I don't know what the format is for that sort of distribution though. Perhaps it's just the standard feed dubbed in Spanish, I have no idea actually. But I think it would be wise to market to the Spanish-speaking population in the US. It's only going to grow.

I've thought that perhaps ESPN would like to stick Texas, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, and Kansas in the SEC in order to preserve their content. Couldn't hurt and those are probably the 4 best additions if we're looking at a world where content becomes even more valuable.