What exactly does that mean? Sure, only ESPN gets to talk to the Big East during that time, but is the Big East under any other obligations? Do they have to accept a certain offer? I'm trying to figure out why it would matter much.

(08-28-2012 09:26 AM)Dimwhit Wrote:  What exactly does that mean? Sure, only ESPN gets to talk to the Big East during that time, but is the Big East under any other obligations? Do they have to accept a certain offer? I'm trying to figure out why it would matter much.

It just gives the current rights holder the opportunity to re-sign a deal before it goes to the open market, similar to what ESPN has done with MLB today.

Right, but the Big East has no specific obligations regarding that re-signing, right? They can tell ESPN to stuff it and wait until the open market period?

(08-28-2012 09:32 AM)Dimwhit Wrote:  Right, but the Big East has no specific obligations regarding that re-signing, right? They can tell ESPN to stuff it and wait until the open market period?

Correct, and that is probably what will happen unless ESPN throws out a boatload of money and prime TV slots, and that is unlikely.

Its kind of a silly term considereing the entire last year has essentially been an exclusive negotiationg period---but it is what it is.

(08-28-2012 10:49 AM)Attackcoog Wrote:  Its kind of a silly term considereing the entire last year has essentially been an exclusive negotiationg period---but it is what it is.

It's even sillier when you think that all the other networks have been negotiating with the BE, too, even discussing numbers through semi-surreptitious means, although it's not allowed, lol. They all do it to each other, every time. Almost all businesses do, when huge contract money is at stake.

(08-28-2012 09:32 AM)Dimwhit Wrote:  Right, but the Big East has no specific obligations regarding that re-signing, right? They can tell ESPN to stuff it and wait until the open market period?

Which is what I am hoping they decide to do. ESPN has burnt down some bridges lately, even accused of sabotaging the league by forcing Pitt and Syracuse to go to the ACC to destroy the league as a payback for the Big East turning down their original slap in the face offer. We need to slap them back. And signing with NBC might do it.

Everything that I have read is a 60 day exclusive negotiation period, no ROFR.

(08-28-2012 10:49 AM)Attackcoog Wrote:  Its kind of a silly term considereing the entire last year has essentially been an exclusive negotiationg period---but it is what it is.

Correct...as ESPN and Big East have been technically "negotiating" new offers with each other since 2010.

The only meaningful date is the last date of the 60 day window (believe its Oct 31st) as Nov 1 (if last day is Oct 31st) is the first day ESPN take entertain bids from other networks.