In another thread we were discussing a second announcement on more TV games. So I emailed Kelly Carney at C-USA regarding our TV deal. Besides Britton, she is the contact for all things TV. I had a few other questions/comments but here's what I sent.

"I was curious to know if and when there would be a second wave of TV games announced for C-USA. The preliminary release seemed a bit light on national and regional TV broadcasts compared to past years.

Also, as I understand it C-USA will be renegotiating their TV deal after this season. I was wondering if we might sign a deal with a network(s) that might offer a little less money, but much more visability for the conference, like The American did when turning down the NBC Sports Network and going with ESPN. Perhaps strike a deal where a network would create a syndicated C-USA Network that would air in conference markets when a game isn't picked up nationally. Much like the MAC, Big12, and SEC have.

These were just a few questions and ideas I had.

I thank you for your time and hope to hear back soon."

I'll let you know if I get a reply, but if any of you have questions or ideas of your own. Shoot her an email.

(07-09-2014 10:51 AM)MUsince96 Wrote:  In another thread we were discussing a second announcement on more TV games. So I emailed Kelly Carney at C-USA regarding our TV deal. Besides Britton, she is the contact for all things TV. I had a few other questions/comments but here's what I sent.

"I was curious to know if and when there would be a second wave of TV games announced for C-USA. The preliminary release seemed a bit light on national and regional TV broadcasts compared to past years.

Also, as I understand it C-USA will be renegotiating their TV deal after this season. I was wondering if we might sign a deal with a network(s) that might offer a little less money, but much more visability for the conference, like The American did when turning down the NBC Sports Network and going with ESPN. Perhaps strike a deal where a network would create a syndicated C-USA Network that would air in conference markets when a game isn't picked up nationally. Much like the MAC, Big12, and SEC have.

These were just a few questions and ideas I had.

I thank you for your time and hope to hear back soon."

I'll let you know if I get a reply, but if any of you have questions or ideas of your own. Shoot her an email.

I think one thing you might be off on MU is the AAC didn't turn down NBC. ESPN had the option to match what they offered and exercised it. They had no choice but to go with ESPN and if you read the AAC board at the time they were not happy about it because they thought they were going to get a lot more exposure with NBC sports.

I could be, but I think the AAC only had to give ESPN an opportunity to match the NBC offer. Once matched they could pick either one, they just couldn't go with NBC without letting ESPN offer first.


Which goes back to ESPN's lawsuit against C-USA. We signed with FOX before giving ESPN an opportunity to match.

I feel like getting a syndicated network going is a biggie.

(07-09-2014 12:40 PM)MUsince96 Wrote:  I feel like getting syndicated network going is a biggie.

Agree.

Charlotte home games will all be available for syndication on your local CW station next season, so anyone playing at Charlotte will theoretically have an opportunity to watch the game on television. After that, our TV deal with our local CW affiliate expires, so I don't know what will happen after that. CUSA's current TV deal probably prevents us from renewing it.

What Network(s) would you guys like to see C-USA sign a new tv deal with.

I think ESPN is the only network that does syndicated networks for conferences, so I guess them. As long as they let our teams keep our games on Saturdays, or at least the teams who fill their stadiums stay on Saturdays.

It will probably be a joint deal though so, ESPN & FOX or ESPN & NBC Sports Network.

FOX will be making a major push at getting the B1G when they renegoiate their TV deal in 2016-2017. So if they leave ESPN there will be content needed to replace them. Not that people watch us like the B1G, but you get what I'm saying.

(07-09-2014 12:40 PM)MUsince96 Wrote:  I feel like getting a syndicated network going is a biggie.

Me too, looking forward to hearing her reply, if she replys. I think emailing the conference office is a good idea. Might be a good way to get our thoughts across if done in a respectful way.

(07-09-2014 10:51 AM)MUsince96 Wrote:  In another thread we were discussing a second announcement on more TV games. So I emailed Kelly Carney at C-USA regarding our TV deal. Besides Britton, she is the contact for all things TV. I had a few other questions/comments but here's what I sent.

"I was curious to know if and when there would be a second wave of TV games announced for C-USA. The preliminary release seemed a bit light on national and regional TV broadcasts compared to past years.

Also, as I understand it C-USA will be renegotiating their TV deal after this season. I was wondering if we might sign a deal with a network(s) that might offer a little less money, but much more visability for the conference, like The American did when turning down the NBC Sports Network and going with ESPN. Perhaps strike a deal where a network would create a syndicated C-USA Network that would air in conference markets when a game isn't picked up nationally. Much like the MAC, Big12, and SEC have.

These were just a few questions and ideas I had.

I thank you for your time and hope to hear back soon."

I'll let you know if I get a reply, but if any of you have questions or ideas of your own. Shoot her an email.

Have you successfully corresponded with anyone at the C-USA office before? I've tried and never received a response so I'll be interested to hear what transpires, if anything.

Would just be happy if all the games were available on ESPN3/WatchESPN.

(07-09-2014 01:26 PM)MinerInWisconsin Wrote:  

(07-09-2014 10:51 AM)MUsince96 Wrote:  In another thread we were discussing a second announcement on more TV games. So I emailed Kelly Carney at C-USA regarding our TV deal. Besides Britton, she is the contact for all things TV. I had a few other questions/comments but here's what I sent.

"I was curious to know if and when there would be a second wave of TV games announced for C-USA. The preliminary release seemed a bit light on national and regional TV broadcasts compared to past years.

Also, as I understand it C-USA will be renegotiating their TV deal after this season. I was wondering if we might sign a deal with a network(s) that might offer a little less money, but much more visability for the conference, like The American did when turning down the NBC Sports Network and going with ESPN. Perhaps strike a deal where a network would create a syndicated C-USA Network that would air in conference markets when a game isn't picked up nationally. Much like the MAC, Big12, and SEC have.

These were just a few questions and ideas I had.

I thank you for your time and hope to hear back soon."

I'll let you know if I get a reply, but if any of you have questions or ideas of your own. Shoot her an email.

Have you successfully corresponded with anyone at the C-USA office before? I've tried and never received a response so I'll be interested to hear what transpires, if anything.

I've never tried before. I'd be surprised if I got anything back, but if the actual person even reads it that'd be great.

(07-09-2014 12:29 PM)MUsince96 Wrote:  I could be, but I think the AAC only had to give ESPN an opportunity to match the NBC offer. Once matched they could pick either one, they just couldn't go with NBC without letting ESPN offer first.


Which goes back to ESPN's lawsuit against C-USA. We signed with FOX before giving ESPN an opportunity to match.

You are correct. The AAC could have selected either bid. They just were not allowed to sign a media agreement without first giving ESPN the opportunity to match the deal. Per Aresco, ESPN "overmatched" the deal. I think that mainly involved ESPN/ABC guaranteeing a minimum number of ABC games---where NBC did not. Additionally, I think "overmatching" probably referred to the ESPN and ESPN-2 networks having more subscribers than NBC-Sports. So, I think the ESPN offer was actually a bit better than the NBC offer. However, given the expectation, many were not happy initially with going back to ESPN despite the fact it was probably a better deal. Once we see all our time slots, we may find that the NBC-Sports supporters may have had some valid points.

Its been some time, but the reason CUSA originally left ESPN was to get more games televised on Saturdays and to get more games televised PERIOD. Perhaps this group of presidents might feel differently, but I suspect when push comes to shove, these presidents will vote like the old group did. They will go with the network/networks that's willing to provide the greatest number of televised games and the presidents will want as many of them on Saturday as possible. As non-Saturday games typical draw fewer fans, its an important financial issue for the schools.

(07-09-2014 01:26 PM)MinerInWisconsin Wrote:  Have you successfully corresponded with anyone at the C-USA office before? I've tried and never received a response so I'll be interested to hear what transpires, if anything.

That's the truth, and you won't hear from anyone either. It's like a top secret government organization over there.
I'm going to be a conference commissioner in my next career...Big salary, plenty of perks, no accountability.
Heck, our commish only comes out into public once-twice a year tops.
Best gig in sports period.

(07-09-2014 01:52 PM)Beagleagle23 Wrote:  Would just be happy if all the games were available on ESPN3/WatchESPN.

Same here. I saw more North Texas games in the Sun Belt than last season.

I vote for NBC sports..I think we could get more games on TV and also at time slots and Saturdays that would be more beneficial to CUSA...

If you don't hear anything back in a day or so you send it again then again and after a week...3 emails. The 4th one you change the title.. I found a credit card that had your name on it. They will probably open it just to make sure.

If still no answer leave a voice mail at the office explaining you sent 4 emails. If still no answer...back off before they get you for internet stalking :)

I doubt if anyone is going to get in a "we have to have C-USA" not at this point. This contract is not going to make many happy...or at least I don't think so. What we have to do as a conference is prove over the next 3 to 5 years C-USA should be wanted by on the court and field results. Till we do that the contract will keep getting worse...

EVERYTHING is about the P5 and that's not changing anytime soon so as a conference we need to win and separate our results from the other 4 conferences in the G5. We have to have at least one team is basketball and football to step up and be a....

VCU and Boise St

FS1 and FS2 is in DESPERATE need of live content IMHO. Combine that with the Regional FoxSports and I think thats the way to go. I was really surprised that Fox Sports didnt try to get into the bowl game like ESPN did with the new bowls.

(07-09-2014 12:51 PM)SATXBOSSMAN Wrote:  What Network(s) would you guys like to see C-USA sign a new tv deal with.

FOX and NBC Sports. To hell with ESPN!

Perhaps we should think about negotiating the next contract with the MWC. We may all do better financially if we can form some sort of scheduling alliance and TV partnership. Just a thought. One OOC game a year could be MWC vs. CUSA? We could try to create the best possible matchups for television. Be creative and think outside the box. Push up the payout.

I like that idea Afflicted.

(07-09-2014 05:03 PM)Afflicted Wrote:  

(07-09-2014 12:51 PM)SATXBOSSMAN Wrote:  What Network(s) would you guys like to see C-USA sign a new tv deal with.

FOX and NBC Sports. To hell with ESPN!

Perhaps we should think about negotiating the next contract with the MWC. We may all do better financially if we can form some sort of scheduling alliance and TV partnership. Just a thought. One OOC game a year could be MWC vs. CUSA? We could try to create the best possible matchups for television. Be creative and think outside the box. Push up the payout.

Fox holds the Tier 1 rights for which conference(s)? I'm not completely sure but I think it's the Big 12 & maybe the PAC 12. After that, it's a mix bag of the rest of us. Put like someone already said, FS1 & FS2 along with Fox regional networks makes Fox very attractive. Would they be best network to negotiate our Tier 1 rights, and have NBC Sports get Tier 2, & Tier 3 be split between C-USA network & each school obtaining local/regional broadcast deals? The idea of Fox being our #1 network is intriguing. JMO, but I keep thinking that NBC Sports would put us on a channel that most don't have or can't get. I could be wrong. But I doubt they would push the C-USA brand or put our games on NBC in prime time slots.