No surprises here. BYU's 2019 home schedule is a good one - Utah, USC, Washington, Boise St.

http://www.heraldextra.com/sports/colleg...4b886.html

Also, BYU will be a bowl free agent in 2017 and 2018. ESPN is contractually obligated to ensure that BYU gets into a bowl game, if eligible. I'm excited to see how the bowl situation plays out as a free agent. BYU could step into a spot unfilled by a P5 bowl (like Cactus, Las Vegas, Armed Forces, Heart of Dallas in recent seasons). Seems like Frisco Bowl's at large spot might be the backup.

Most non-P5 FBS TV rights -- including AAC, MWC, and SBC as well as Army and BYU -- are now aligned to expire after the 2019-20 academic year, as Matt Sarz noted on his blog at this link.

Ynot,

If ESPN had decided to drop BYU -- hypothetical scenario here, obviously -- would it consider going back to the MWC in football? My guess is no, but was wondering your thoughts.

Going back to the MWC is probably Plan F.

Plan A - ESPN extension.
Plan B - test the market with FOX, CBS, and NBC to see if there is interest.
Plan C - test the market with Amazon or Netflix - in conjunction with BYUtv broadcasts.
Plan D - all sports alignment with an expanded AAC.
Plan E - alignment with a football only best-of-the-rest conference/affiliation.
Plan F - alignment with the MWC.

Apparently BYU is guaranteed Frisco Bowl for the next two years if there are no other ESPN BOWLS available. Did anyone really not see that one coming?

ESPN is guaranteed to find BYU a bowl. If all the other conferences fill their contracted ESPN bowl slots, then ESPN HAS to place BYU in Frisco Bowl.

(06-23-2017 12:22 PM)Wedge Wrote:  Most non-P5 FBS TV rights -- including AAC, MWC, and SBC as well as Army and BYU -- are now aligned to expire after the 2019-20 academic year, as Matt Sarz noted on his blog at this link.

Well crap Wedge, wish you would have posted that before I went to the trouble of figuring it out myself.

Too bad the stadium for the Frisco Bowl is so small (23K, I believe). BYU v. Houston/Tulsa/SMU(!)/Memphis(!!!) would surely get great attendance, but for the stadium size.

(06-23-2017 03:18 PM)YNot Wrote:  Too bad the stadium for the Frisco Bowl is so small (23K, I believe). BYU v. Houston/Tulsa/SMU(!)/Memphis(!!!) would surely get great attendance, but for the stadium size.

Any one of those games would definitely be a sell-out (maybe not Tulsa). I am guessing the ticket prices would be high due to ticket demand.

(06-23-2017 02:59 PM)BullsFanInTX Wrote:  ESPN is guaranteed to find BYU a bowl. If all the other conferences fill their contracted ESPN bowl slots, then ESPN HAS to place BYU in Frisco Bowl.

What happened to the SBC spot in the Frisco Bowl?

(06-23-2017 03:23 PM)CliftonAve Wrote:  

(06-23-2017 03:18 PM)YNot Wrote:  Too bad the stadium for the Frisco Bowl is so small (23K, I believe). BYU v. Houston/Tulsa/SMU(!)/Memphis(!!!) would surely get great attendance, but for the stadium size.

Any one of those games would definitely be a sell-out (maybe not Tulsa). I am guessing the ticket prices would be high due to ticket demand.

The 2011 BYU v. Tulsa Armed Forces Bowl had over 30K attendance...

BYU was 9-3 and Tulsa was 8-4 - neither team was ranked.

(06-23-2017 03:33 PM)MinerInWisconsin Wrote:  

(06-23-2017 02:59 PM)BullsFanInTX Wrote:  ESPN is guaranteed to find BYU a bowl. If all the other conferences fill their contracted ESPN bowl slots, then ESPN HAS to place BYU in Frisco Bowl.

What happened to the SBC spot in the Frisco Bowl?

Never really existed. The rotation deal with several conferences fell apart.

(06-23-2017 12:22 PM)Wedge Wrote:  Most non-P5 FBS TV rights -- including AAC, MWC, and SBC as well as Army and BYU -- are now aligned to expire after the 2019-20 academic year, as Matt Sarz noted on his blog at this link.

Curious who this actually bodes well for?

1. ESPN? Do they play the conferences against each other? Does ESPN believe it is there timeslots that matter and not the teams?

2. AAC? Overall, probably the most quality teams in a conference and they will demand to be compensated? But does ESPN really view them that more valuable than other G5s when all is said and done?

3. BYU? National audience and I believe brings ~5-7 mill larger than any G5 conference.

4. SBC or MWC? Willing to take less than the AAC for the AAC TV exposure?

5. All the above agree to a consortium deal? I just don't see the AAC and Especially BYU going for this because they would have the most to lose.

6-What about ESPN wanting schools to handle TV productions? How many G5s or Indy's have this capabilty and infrastructure? This is where I think the AAC could have an upper hand if they Aresco has had the schools prepare for this. I just have no clue if they have or planned too. Hindsight, this would have been a perfect use of the P5 and BE buyout money.

(06-23-2017 06:06 PM)msm96wolf Wrote:  

(06-23-2017 12:22 PM)Wedge Wrote:  Most non-P5 FBS TV rights -- including AAC, MWC, and SBC as well as Army and BYU -- are now aligned to expire after the 2019-20 academic year, as Matt Sarz noted on his blog at this link.

Curious who this actually bodes well for?

1. ESPN? Do they play the conferences against each other? Does ESPN believe it is there timeslots that matter and not the teams?

2. AAC? Overall, probably the most quality teams in a conference and they will demand to be compensated? But does ESPN really view them that more valuable than other G5s when all is said and done?

3. BYU? National audience and I believe brings ~5-7 mill larger than any G5 conference.

4. SBC or MWC? Willing to take less than the AAC for the AAC TV exposure?

5. All the above agree to a consortium deal? I just don't see the AAC and Especially BYU going for this because they would have the most to lose.

6-What about ESPN wanting schools to handle TV productions? How many G5s or Indy's have this capabilty and infrastructure? This is where I think the AAC could have an upper hand if they Aresco has had the schools prepare for this. I just have no clue if they have or planned too. Hindsight, this would have been a perfect use of the P5 and BE buyout money.

6. "How many G5's have the capability and infrastructure"--The original MWC schools and BYU. If the MWC schools can't handle their own tv production after just recently having their own conference tv network (The MTN) .... The MTN started in 2006. The ACC network for example, doesn't start until 13 years after the MTN Network was created by the MWC. They had somehing going with their idea even if they decided to cancel it. An AAC network: that's one thing I wish Aresco would've gotten going for at least some football, some basketball and a lot of baseball games right now for a "just in case" situation to be ready if espn low balls us, or wants to put too many AAC football games on weekdays. I hope it's not needed, but it's nice to have a little leverage.

(06-23-2017 06:06 PM)msm96wolf Wrote:  

(06-23-2017 12:22 PM)Wedge Wrote:  Most non-P5 FBS TV rights -- including AAC, MWC, and SBC as well as Army and BYU -- are now aligned to expire after the 2019-20 academic year, as Matt Sarz noted on his blog at this link.

Curious who this actually bodes well for?

1. ESPN? Do they play the conferences against each other? Does ESPN believe it is there timeslots that matter and not the teams?

2. AAC? Overall, probably the most quality teams in a conference and they will demand to be compensated? But does ESPN really view them that more valuable than other G5s when all is said and done?

3. BYU? National audience and I believe brings ~5-7 mill larger than any G5 conference.

4. SBC or MWC? Willing to take less than the AAC for the AAC TV exposure?

5. All the above agree to a consortium deal? I just don't see the AAC and Especially BYU going for this because they would have the most to lose.

6-What about ESPN wanting schools to handle TV productions? How many G5s or Indy's have this capabilty and infrastructure? This is where I think the AAC could have an upper hand if they Aresco has had the schools prepare for this. I just have no clue if they have or planned too. Hindsight, this would have been a perfect use of the P5 and BE buyout money.

How expensive could it really be if the MAC schools (many of which have pretty frugal budgets) have purchased the equipment and are now producing content for ESPN-3.

My guess is this is not really a good thing for the AAC---but the numbers indicate the SB and CUSA arent really in the same ballpark as the AAC and MW when it comes to ratings. The MW has a few teams that are reasonably similar to the AAC teams in the ratings, but even those are scoring lower than the AAC's best. I still think the AAC ends up somewhere between 5-8 million a team. The MW stay around where they are---maybe a small raise. CUSA and SB each see a bump up to the 500K to 1 million per team range.

(06-23-2017 06:40 PM)Attackcoog Wrote:  

(06-23-2017 06:06 PM)msm96wolf Wrote:  

(06-23-2017 12:22 PM)Wedge Wrote:  Most non-P5 FBS TV rights -- including AAC, MWC, and SBC as well as Army and BYU -- are now aligned to expire after the 2019-20 academic year, as Matt Sarz noted on his blog at this link.

Curious who this actually bodes well for?

1. ESPN? Do they play the conferences against each other? Does ESPN believe it is there timeslots that matter and not the teams?

2. AAC? Overall, probably the most quality teams in a conference and they will demand to be compensated? But does ESPN really view them that more valuable than other G5s when all is said and done?

3. BYU? National audience and I believe brings ~5-7 mill larger than any G5 conference.

4. SBC or MWC? Willing to take less than the AAC for the AAC TV exposure?

5. All the above agree to a consortium deal? I just don't see the AAC and Especially BYU going for this because they would have the most to lose.

6-What about ESPN wanting schools to handle TV productions? How many G5s or Indy's have this capabilty and infrastructure? This is where I think the AAC could have an upper hand if they Aresco has had the schools prepare for this. I just have no clue if they have or planned too. Hindsight, this would have been a perfect use of the P5 and BE buyout money.

How expensive could it really be if the MAC schools (many of which have pretty frugal budgets) have purchased the equipment and are now producing content for ESPN-3.

My guess is this is not really a good thing for the AAC---but the numbers indicate the SB and CUSA arent really in the same ballpark as the AAC and MW when it comes to ratings. The MW has a few teams that are reasonably similar to the AAC teams in the ratings, but even those are scoring lower than the AAC's best. I still think the AAC ends up somewhere between 5-8 million a team. The MW stay around where they are---maybe a small raise. CUSA and SB each see a bump up to the 500K to 1 million per team range.

AC,
I can't say for sure the requirements are the same for the MAC as for the ACC, I believe the ACC has to have HD not just digital capabilty for all sports. https://www.hustlebelt.com/2014/2/27/545...watch-espn

I admit I literally forgot there was a MWC network, so I guess in theory they should have at least in theory have the digital infrastructure. As I asked, I have no idea what the AAC and what schools have the infrastructure. I know some ACC schools this is 5-7 Million cost for an high quality network. I would assume with Aresco P6 talk, that will be a requirement by ESPN and how much is ESPN willing to fund it? I think 2-5 Mill will be the range the AAC will get and it will probably demand schools pay for the ACC type of production. As I stated earlier, does ESPN believe it is there time slots or it is the AAC that bring in the ratings. I do think the AAC had some great games for ESPN but they could view it like bowl games, really doesn't matter who plays, college football brings in viewers not matter what. I really don't know which is the correct answer.

I do think AAC fans think ESPN/Disney will do right by the AAC, I am not just as optimistic. I think they try to get it as low as possible despite the ratings. AAC really needs another bidder. ESPN just add more players to the pool to help the negotiate.

(06-23-2017 07:23 PM)msm96wolf Wrote:  

(06-23-2017 06:40 PM)Attackcoog Wrote:  

(06-23-2017 06:06 PM)msm96wolf Wrote:  

(06-23-2017 12:22 PM)Wedge Wrote:  Most non-P5 FBS TV rights -- including AAC, MWC, and SBC as well as Army and BYU -- are now aligned to expire after the 2019-20 academic year, as Matt Sarz noted on his blog at this link.

Curious who this actually bodes well for?

1. ESPN? Do they play the conferences against each other? Does ESPN believe it is there timeslots that matter and not the teams?

2. AAC? Overall, probably the most quality teams in a conference and they will demand to be compensated? But does ESPN really view them that more valuable than other G5s when all is said and done?

3. BYU? National audience and I believe brings ~5-7 mill larger than any G5 conference.

4. SBC or MWC? Willing to take less than the AAC for the AAC TV exposure?

5. All the above agree to a consortium deal? I just don't see the AAC and Especially BYU going for this because they would have the most to lose.

6-What about ESPN wanting schools to handle TV productions? How many G5s or Indy's have this capabilty and infrastructure? This is where I think the AAC could have an upper hand if they Aresco has had the schools prepare for this. I just have no clue if they have or planned too. Hindsight, this would have been a perfect use of the P5 and BE buyout money.

How expensive could it really be if the MAC schools (many of which have pretty frugal budgets) have purchased the equipment and are now producing content for ESPN-3.

My guess is this is not really a good thing for the AAC---but the numbers indicate the SB and CUSA arent really in the same ballpark as the AAC and MW when it comes to ratings. The MW has a few teams that are reasonably similar to the AAC teams in the ratings, but even those are scoring lower than the AAC's best. I still think the AAC ends up somewhere between 5-8 million a team. The MW stay around where they are---maybe a small raise. CUSA and SB each see a bump up to the 500K to 1 million per team range.

AC,
I can't say for sure the requirements are the same for the MAC as for the ACC, I believe the ACC has to have HD not just digital capabilty for all sports. https://www.hustlebelt.com/2014/2/27/545...watch-espn

I admit I literally forgot there was a MWC network, so I guess in theory they should have at least in theory have the digital infrastructure. As I asked, I have no idea what the AAC and what schools have the infrastructure. I know some ACC schools this is 5-7 Million cost for an high quality network. I would assume with Aresco P6 talk, that will be a requirement by ESPN and how much is ESPN willing to fund it? I think 2-5 Mill will be the range the AAC will get and it will probably demand schools pay for the ACC type of production. As I stated earlier, does ESPN believe it is there time slots or it is the AAC that bring in the ratings. I do think the AAC had some great games for ESPN but they could view it like bowl games, really doesn't matter who plays, college football brings in viewers not matter what. I really don't know which is the correct answer.

I do think AAC fans think ESPN/Disney will do right by the AAC, I am not just as optimistic. I think they try to get it as low as possible despite the ratings. AAC really needs another bidder. ESPN just add more players to the pool to help the negotiate.

The ACC will require much more robust capabilities. I just read a really good peice on this exact topic. You'd probably find it interesting as well (if you havent already read it).

http://www.dailypress.com/sports/teel-bl...-post.html

I have no doubt that time slots are a factor, but so is content. In the end, ESPN is going to have to start milking more out the advertising side of the business if carriage fee revenue is declining----so I dont think they are going to risk plugging CUSA/SB games into those slots the AAC currently fills or the slots that the Big10 used to fill. They have never put CUSA/SB/MAC inventory in those kinds of slots before---and that was when there was less at risk as ad revenue wasnt as important to ESPN. So, I doubt they want to do it now--especially when AAC inventory is still pretty cheap (even at 5-8 million a team).

The question, does ESPN truly want to create that big a difference between the G5 conferences? Unless the AAC has other bidders, why would they give 4x the current contract? I could see doubling it with the an extra million to create the AAC studios but I think ESPN keeps the next contract as low as possible. I would be curious as to the break points for G5 games. If you are only paying a teams less than a million per team for a game verse 8 million what is the rating break even point. I don't know how TV works but I am just thinking, ESPN is still going to want similar profit margins they have with the current AAC contract with the payouts. Is that possible? Maybe the AAC does bring in the money to the network with the new payout or can paying, lets say the sunbelt moves to 100K to 250K, what do the ratings need to be to make the same profit margin? Again, this be may a completely unrealistic TV business model, I am just using simple economics.

(06-23-2017 08:17 PM)msm96wolf Wrote:  The question, does ESPN truly want to create that big a difference between the G5 conferences? Unless the AAC has other bidders, why would they give 4x the current contract? I could see doubling it with the an extra million to create the AAC studios but I think ESPN keeps the next contract as low as possible. I would be curious as to the break points for G5 games. If you are only paying a teams less than a million per team for a game verse 8 million what is the rating break even point. I don't know how TV works but I am just thinking, ESPN is still going to want similar profit margins they have with the current AAC contract with the payouts. Is that possible? Maybe the AAC does bring in the money to the network with the new payout or can paying, lets say the sunbelt moves to 100K to 250K, what do the ratings need to be to make the same profit margin? Again, this be may a completely unrealistic TV business model, I am just using simple economics.

Aresco said something in several interviews recently that I thought was pretty revealing, especially coming from a guy that ran a television sports division. He said ESPN isnt looking to get rid of contracts that make them lots of money. I think Aresco knows exactly how much money the AAC makes ESPN and if Aresco knows----Im reasonably sure---other networks know. Given their ratings track record and low price when compared to the P5----I think its extremely likely the AAC will have multiple bidders if they get to the open market. They would be cheap programming for NBC to pair with Notre Dame. They would be a very reaonably priced entry point for streamers like Amazon. I dont think ESPN is going to let the AAC get to the open maket.

(06-23-2017 07:23 PM)msm96wolf Wrote:  

(06-23-2017 06:40 PM)Attackcoog Wrote:  

(06-23-2017 06:06 PM)msm96wolf Wrote:  

(06-23-2017 12:22 PM)Wedge Wrote:  Most non-P5 FBS TV rights -- including AAC, MWC, and SBC as well as Army and BYU -- are now aligned to expire after the 2019-20 academic year, as Matt Sarz noted on his blog at this link.

Curious who this actually bodes well for?

1. ESPN? Do they play the conferences against each other? Does ESPN believe it is there timeslots that matter and not the teams?

2. AAC? Overall, probably the most quality teams in a conference and they will demand to be compensated? But does ESPN really view them that more valuable than other G5s when all is said and done?

3. BYU? National audience and I believe brings ~5-7 mill larger than any G5 conference.

4. SBC or MWC? Willing to take less than the AAC for the AAC TV exposure?

5. All the above agree to a consortium deal? I just don't see the AAC and Especially BYU going for this because they would have the most to lose.

6-What about ESPN wanting schools to handle TV productions? How many G5s or Indy's have this capabilty and infrastructure? This is where I think the AAC could have an upper hand if they Aresco has had the schools prepare for this. I just have no clue if they have or planned too. Hindsight, this would have been a perfect use of the P5 and BE buyout money.

How expensive could it really be if the MAC schools (many of which have pretty frugal budgets) have purchased the equipment and are now producing content for ESPN-3.

My guess is this is not really a good thing for the AAC---but the numbers indicate the SB and CUSA arent really in the same ballpark as the AAC and MW when it comes to ratings. The MW has a few teams that are reasonably similar to the AAC teams in the ratings, but even those are scoring lower than the AAC's best. I still think the AAC ends up somewhere between 5-8 million a team. The MW stay around where they are---maybe a small raise. CUSA and SB each see a bump up to the 500K to 1 million per team range.

AC,
I can't say for sure the requirements are the same for the MAC as for the ACC, I believe the ACC has to have HD not just digital capabilty for all sports. https://www.hustlebelt.com/2014/2/27/545...watch-espn

I admit I literally forgot there was a MWC network, so I guess in theory they should have at least in theory have the digital infrastructure. As I asked, I have no idea what the AAC and what schools have the infrastructure. I know some ACC schools this is 5-7 Million cost for an high quality network. I would assume with Aresco P6 talk, that will be a requirement by ESPN and how much is ESPN willing to fund it? I think 2-5 Mill will be the range the AAC will get and it will probably demand schools pay for the ACC type of production. As I stated earlier, does ESPN believe it is there time slots or it is the AAC that bring in the ratings. I do think the AAC had some great games for ESPN but they could view it like bowl games, really doesn't matter who plays, college football brings in viewers not matter what. I really don't know which is the correct answer.

I do think AAC fans think ESPN/Disney will do right by the AAC, I am not just as optimistic. I think they try to get it as low as possible despite the ratings. AAC really needs another bidder. ESPN just add more players to the pool to help the negotiate.

To answer your question: The MAC and the MWC both have existing digital networks. I watched a MAC wrestling meet and a MWC baseball game so I can verify that they are pretty decent. We talked about it at one time. AC agreed with me (I think) when I said we need to get one going as the MAC and the MWC have a head start on the AAC in this category. Wolf: I suspect you are trying to say that it will be hard for the AAC to afford a digital network? Well, the MWC schools have been doing it--without espn--and on their own and it looks good so why couldn't the AAC do the same thing?