(12-20-2015 01:39 PM)usmbacker Wrote:  

(12-20-2015 06:03 AM)BamaScorpio69 Wrote:  [b]"Even The Force cannot protect ESPN," Greenfield wrote, accusing management of "overpaying for sports rights based on overly aggressive multichannel video subscriber projections."[/b]

In other words, that SEC network deal was just plain dumb. The numbers were never realistic.

SEC Network actually helped ESPN and the SEC earn new $$$. It's the long-term huge tv sports rights that ESPN spent on that has Disney nervous:

ESPN paid $1.9 Billion ($800 Million increase, +73%) for NFL's MNF Package

ESPN paid $1.4 Billion ($825 Million increase, +143%) for NBA TV rights that don't start till next season.

ESPN paid $608 Million for College Football Playoff TV rights.

ESPN paid $500 Million for SEC ($300 Million) and ACC ($240 Million) long-term tv rights.

ESPN paid $80 Million just for Rose Bowl TV Rights ($42.5 Million increase, 113% increase)

ESPN paid $825 Million for US Open Tennis rights thru 2025.

Other ESPN deals:
$80 Million for Sugar Bowl
$60 Million for Little League World Series

Saving grace for ESPN...over 96% of all sports viewers watch games/sporting events LIVE...which is why TV Advertisers will still pay top $$$ to show their ads on sports programming.