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Full Version: What do to with the LHN? Habla espanol?
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I more or less copied this from another thread, but here's the concept in fledgling form...

Let's say that ESPN wants Texas in the ACC. I'm not sure I buy it, but for sake of argument let's set up the scenario.

ESPN's probably not abandoning their facilities in TX, so what to do with the LHN? Well, I proposed a while back the idea of using the LHN as a crossover channel for SEC/ACC match-ups. There might not be enough content for that to work though. I don't think simply folding the LHN into the ACCN, or the SECN for that matter, is the solution. Alternate channels are easy to create and require nothing more than the same production infrastructure. The backbone of a linear network is not easy to build, however. The backbone of the LHN has already been created and it took a significant investment.

ESPNU is based in Charlotte along with the SEC Network. It makes sense that the ACC Network will also be based in Charlotte. So what about the TX facilities?

How about this?

After doing a little googling on the matter, I discovered that last year ESPN built a brand new state of the art production facility in Mexico City for ESPN Deportes. It accompanies studios in Bristol and Los Angeles that are used for ESPN Deportes content. Now, to us English speakers, a Spanish language network might not seem like that big of a deal, but to a large number of Spanish speaking people in the US plus people in Mexico and Central America, it's a key source for content.

So why not use the LHN facilities to broadcast a Spanish language version of the SEC Network and the ACC Network? Obviously, it would be carried in the US and convenient for Spanish speakers here, but it would also be a way to extend our brands internationally. TX is conveniently home to a large number of Latinos and Spanish speakers so it's kind of appropriate actually. It's ambitious, but if we want to tap new markets and create new content then extending our brands into Latin America seems like a winner. I literally can't think of a better way to take advantage of existing infrastructure and possibly significantly increase our revenues than simply broadcasting the same content in another language. Very little work needed to make it happen...no need to take schools that don't add value in other US markets. All we have to do is expand Spanish language coverage.

For that matter, there are tons of Spanish speakers in FL. I think one of the keys here is that both conferences need to have representatives from both FL and TX where a large number of Latinos reside. I think the odds of good ratings are higher that way.

Thoughts?
As an aside, how about this for an alignment?

Working with the notion that both conference could work together to share TX...

SEC takes Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Kansas, and Cincinnati

The OK schools are obvious. KU brings great content. As for UC, Mr. SEC once told me he thought they were a legitimate possibility for the SEC. Of course, the market model was more of a concern at that time.

I think they make for a solid #4 because...1) good academics, 2) they play all the requisite sports as opposed to other options, 3) they tap a very large market, 4) they bring another strong basketball brand to our otherwise anemic lineup, 5) geographically it's closer to the core than even OU or KU would be, and 6) it's a large school with a growing alumni base. They would be a project, but the potential to take off in a Power 4 league is there I think. They've come an awfully long way considering they've had to live in the shadow of Ohio State. Their profile and funding would likely increase in the SEC. Of course, they'll never be a true equal to OSU when it comes to fan support, but I don't see our other options being demonstrably better. I like UC's upside more than the others. ISU is 2nd to Iowa in a small state and has very little brand power. WVU has the academic issue not to mention a major demographic issue. Assuming we broadcast in Spanish then I think having OH in the fold is a good thing.

ACC takes Texas, Baylor, Notre Dame, and Tulane

The key, of course, is taking Texas. Taking a share of the state and securing Baylor to help make it work should pay huge dividends for the ACC. In taking Tulane, the ACC expands into the Gulf much more which aids travel for UT. It's also an opportunity for another SEC/ACC match-up as LSU and Tulane are old rivals.

I don't think any of these moves will happen until the GOR is up so I'm not looking at a specific number to place. Perhaps the PAC will take Texas Tech and TCU, but we'll see.
(02-26-2017 12:34 AM)AllTideUp Wrote: [ -> ]As an aside, how about this for an alignment?

Working with the notion that both conference could work together to share TX...

SEC takes Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Kansas, and Cincinnati

The OK schools are obvious. KU brings great content. As for UC, Mr. SEC once told me he thought they were a legitimate possibility for the SEC. Of course, the market model was more of a concern at that time.

I think they make for a solid #4 because...1) good academics, 2) they play all the requisite sports as opposed to other options, 3) they tap a very large market, 4) they bring another strong basketball brand to our otherwise anemic lineup, 5) geographically it's closer to the core than even OU or KU would be, and 6) it's a large school with a growing alumni base. They would be a project, but the potential to take off in a Power 4 league is there I think. They've come an awfully long way considering they've had to live in the shadow of Ohio State. Their profile and funding would likely increase in the SEC. Of course, they'll never be a true equal to OSU when it comes to fan support, but I don't see our other options being demonstrably better. I like UC's upside more than the others. ISU is 2nd to Iowa in a small state and has very little brand power. WVU has the academic issue not to mention a major demographic issue. Assuming we broadcast in Spanish then I think having OH in the fold is a good thing.

ACC takes Texas, Baylor, Notre Dame, and Tulane

The key, of course, is taking Texas. Taking a share of the state and securing Baylor to help make it work should pay huge dividends for the ACC. In taking Tulane, the ACC expands into the Gulf much more which aids travel for UT. It's also an opportunity for another SEC/ACC match-up as LSU and Tulane are old rivals.

I don't think any of these moves will happen until the GOR is up so I'm not looking at a specific number to place. Perhaps the PAC will take Texas Tech and TCU, but we'll see.

As to the idea of broadcasting the SECN and ACCN in Spanish, Bueno! I think the idea has a lot of merit if we want to maximize our audience in both Texas and South Florida.

As to Cincinnati, remember that at the time MR. SEC suggested it as a possibility the SEC was earning in the mid 20's. We are now earning in the 40's. Cincinnati might well have paid its way in at 35 million. I don't imagine that they are in the ball park at $40 million.
(02-26-2017 01:31 AM)JRsec Wrote: [ -> ]
(02-26-2017 12:34 AM)AllTideUp Wrote: [ -> ]As an aside, how about this for an alignment?

Working with the notion that both conference could work together to share TX...

SEC takes Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Kansas, and Cincinnati

The OK schools are obvious. KU brings great content. As for UC, Mr. SEC once told me he thought they were a legitimate possibility for the SEC. Of course, the market model was more of a concern at that time.

I think they make for a solid #4 because...1) good academics, 2) they play all the requisite sports as opposed to other options, 3) they tap a very large market, 4) they bring another strong basketball brand to our otherwise anemic lineup, 5) geographically it's closer to the core than even OU or KU would be, and 6) it's a large school with a growing alumni base. They would be a project, but the potential to take off in a Power 4 league is there I think. They've come an awfully long way considering they've had to live in the shadow of Ohio State. Their profile and funding would likely increase in the SEC. Of course, they'll never be a true equal to OSU when it comes to fan support, but I don't see our other options being demonstrably better. I like UC's upside more than the others. ISU is 2nd to Iowa in a small state and has very little brand power. WVU has the academic issue not to mention a major demographic issue. Assuming we broadcast in Spanish then I think having OH in the fold is a good thing.

ACC takes Texas, Baylor, Notre Dame, and Tulane

The key, of course, is taking Texas. Taking a share of the state and securing Baylor to help make it work should pay huge dividends for the ACC. In taking Tulane, the ACC expands into the Gulf much more which aids travel for UT. It's also an opportunity for another SEC/ACC match-up as LSU and Tulane are old rivals.

I don't think any of these moves will happen until the GOR is up so I'm not looking at a specific number to place. Perhaps the PAC will take Texas Tech and TCU, but we'll see.

As to the idea of broadcasting the SECN and ACCN in Spanish, Bueno! I think the idea has a lot of merit if we want to maximize our audience in both Texas and South Florida.

As to Cincinnati, remember that at the time MR. SEC suggested it as a possibility the SEC was earning in the mid 20's. We are now earning in the 40's. Cincinnati might well have paid its way in at 35 million. I don't imagine that they are in the ball park at $40 million.

Very true about UC. I think the problem is that I don't see very many pushing us over $40. I suppose we could stop at OU and OSU in the event we're not getting Texas, but I still think ESPN would rather stick Kansas in the SEC or ACC as opposed to letting them go to the B1G.

How about this...

SEC takes Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Kansas, and Texas Tech

ACC takes Texas, Baylor, Notre Dame, and Cincinnati

At least then, we've captured a greater share of TX.

One of the things I like most about the Spanish broadcast idea is that I genuinely think there's potential to grow in Latin America. Football is actually pretty popular and so is baseball. We should bring pretty good content to the table. Obviously, our ratings aren't going to be great there, but they don't have to be. We're repeating the same content so the overhead costs should be pretty low.

It's become a pattern for sports leagues to market themselves to other cultures and nations. The English Premier League is broadcast in dozens of countries and even does pretty well in the US ratings wise. The NFL and NBA have worked hard to expand into Europe. The NFL has also done some ground laying in Mexico. I don't see why we can't do the same.
As to the LHN

There is a possibility that only Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas may be selected out of the Big 12 to move into other P4 conferences.
If you assume that Texas moves to the ACC, Oklahoma to the SEC and Kansas to the B1G the LHN could be the vehicle that the remaining schools choose to create a regional network. That group by adding some of Tulane, Houston, Rice, SMU, New Mexico and Colorado State, Air Force and Tulsa could form a regional network and utilize the LHN infrastructure. They might also get to broadcast some Texas high school athletic events.
I'm afraid that West Virginia gets left out of this scenario.
(02-26-2017 03:12 PM)XLance Wrote: [ -> ]As to the LHN

There is a possibility that only Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas may be selected out of the Big 12 to move into other P4 conferences.
If you assume that Texas moves to the ACC, Oklahoma to the SEC and Kansas to the B1G the LHN could be the vehicle that the remaining schools choose to create a regional network. That group by adding some of Tulane, Houston, Rice, SMU, New Mexico and Colorado State, Air Force and Tulsa could form a regional network and utilize the LHN infrastructure. They might also get to broadcast some Texas high school athletic events.
I'm afraid that West Virginia gets left out of this scenario.

Actually, the NCAA forbids broadcasting high school games. One of the original ideas for the LHN was to do just that, obviously as a recruiting tool, but they were smacked down on that. It's one of the reasons the network had as much trouble getting distribution. Also, the other league networks would have already taken advantage of that in their own region if it was allowed. A specific regional network would never be allowed a special exception in that case.

I could see UT, OU, and KU being the only ones that get out, but I doubt the LHN would be used as a regional network for the remaining schools as there is likely little value in that. That network would be much more valuable had it contained UT, OU, and KU yet ESPN was unwilling to go that route.
Kentucky also has a large population of Latinos & Spanish speaking residents (horse industry primarily). Soccer, baseball & boxing seems to be their sports of choice. One question will be though, how big of a push back will there be from Trumps new strong stance against immigration? Not to get political but I don't see how there won't be one. It will also lead to a reduction in their population.
(02-28-2017 11:11 AM)Lenvillecards Wrote: [ -> ]Kentucky also has a large population of Latinos & Spanish speaking residents (horse industry primarily). Soccer, baseball & boxing seems to be their sports of choice. One question will be though, how big of a push back will there be from Trumps new strong stance against immigration? Not to get political but I don't see how there won't be one. It will also lead to a reduction in their population.

That's pretty 1950ish. It may take them another 30 yeas to become college football fans.
(02-28-2017 12:09 PM)XLance Wrote: [ -> ]
(02-28-2017 11:11 AM)Lenvillecards Wrote: [ -> ]Kentucky also has a large population of Latinos & Spanish speaking residents (horse industry primarily). Soccer, baseball & boxing seems to be their sports of choice. One question will be though, how big of a push back will there be from Trumps new strong stance against immigration? Not to get political but I don't see how there won't be one. It will also lead to a reduction in their population.

That's pretty 1950ish. It may take them another 30 yeas to become college football fans.

They will be college football fans if ever there are Hispanic football players at college campuses who have Hispanic college students cheering them on. And it will take more than just a few converted soccer players kicking field goals.
(02-28-2017 12:09 PM)XLance Wrote: [ -> ]
(02-28-2017 11:11 AM)Lenvillecards Wrote: [ -> ]Kentucky also has a large population of Latinos & Spanish speaking residents (horse industry primarily). Soccer, baseball & boxing seems to be their sports of choice. One question will be though, how big of a push back will there be from Trumps new strong stance against immigration? Not to get political but I don't see how there won't be one. It will also lead to a reduction in their population.

That's pretty 1950ish. It may take them another 30 yeas to become college football fans.

I'm not saying that they haven't become fans of their local college teams because some have but I don't think that it's in a large enough number to carry a college sports network. Miami would be an obvious exception. Their sporting interest are stronger towards their nationality. I'm by no means an expert but have a limited acquaintance to the Latino/Spanish speaking population around Louisville. Just my opinion based on personal observations. If it were to be combined with a more Latino centric sports teams or events, Mexico Olympic trials for example, then I think that it would be successful.
I don't think marketing football is the problem actually. The NFL has already laid groundwork there among the American Latino population as well as the Mexican population. There are indeed people who have taken up a fandom of the local teams although soccer is still the number one sport overall. In that arena, even if we had a solid men's league, the SEC wouldn't truly compete with the world class leagues like Liga MX, MLS, or the European leagues. So that's not really what we'd be going for anyway. When it comes to baseball though, I'd think we'd have more luck.

What we could do, however, is market our best content in a familiar language. It's hard to find a reason to cheer for a sport when you can't really watch it in your language. That's what ESPN Deportes does...a lot of the stuff they show are typical American sports, just in Spanish. Now, obviously they show other content based out of Mexico and we couldn't do that.

My theory though is based on us already having the backbone of a linear network. We're not talking about starting a new one here. And I'm betting there are more Latinos around the country and in Latin America that are interested in SEC content and ACC content for that matter in their own language as opposed to English speaking Longhorn fans.
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