https://athlonsports.com/college-footbal...ball-games

(10-10-2018 07:42 AM)Dtownboys Wrote:  https://athlonsports.com/college-footbal...ball-games

This is a very well written article that should be mandatory reading for the NIU fans who gripe about how ESPN and weekday games are ruining the MAC. I get it that many are never going to get past it that games are not as readily scheduled on Saturdays - but just read it with an open mind.

Ok I get it, it provides your average Big 10 fan a diversion and a novel entertainment to pass time between Saturdays, but it has absolutely and 100 percent destroyed MAC fan bases. I am sorry but this article with the MAC commish listing the benefits of the midweek games is not a sell job. Its the MAC front office that brought us this disaster. Listen to the comments of fans from this board , "This Saturday is the end of my football season". That is enough said right there, plain and simple. Moreover, ask what the players think of this cluster, those setups where you get 4 games in 21 days or whatever it is. It is just a lose lose lose lose lose for everyone involved, especially the fans. MAC dug its own grave on this one, and now we are going to have to lay in that grave we dug.

I'd like to offer a different perspective to the overall issue. College football as we know it is falling in its dominance. With the endless entertainment and social media, the interest just isn't there. This is reality across the country and could not be more obvious when you see the low number of students attending games. So here's my pitch, we (NIU or MAC) recognize that large brick and mortar stadiums with big Saturday crowds are slowly going away; therefore, we embrace a future concept of smaller, self enclosed football environments that are focused on television viewing and protection from the elements. It would be similar to playing in a convocation center but the emphasis would be on indoor atmosphere, camera angles and the in depth intensity of the game, not the fans in the crowd. Wiring players and coaches and on the field cameras would be possible options. Bringing this type of game action would make the game day irrelevant and would likely increase viewership. My point is that we have to start thinking outside the box if we are to remain relevant.

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I understand both sides but selfishly I like the ESPN games. I dont like like sporting events so to get a quality niu broadcast on a weak tv programming night is great!

I didn't realize the get .5 ratings? I'd like to see stats on ratings. That's good exposure. I just hate the optics of our ****** attendance. I know its not realistic but they should have saved money on stadium upgrades and put it towards a small dome.

I see both sides of this. The article has valid points that should be considered. I agree that it has hurt attendance and probably cost us donations. It has definitely cost us season ticket holders. The exposure is a positive and I think the players enjoy being showcased on tv. They end up on sports center etc when they wouldn’t even be mentioned if the game was played on a Saturday. I’d prefer all weekends myself but I go to games no matter the day. However many more people watch our games because of this. I wish it gave us more money for this sacrifice in order to make it more worthwhile.

That should not be "mandatory reading" it's the same ole argument we've already heard. It benefits a few fans around the country in that they can watch football. I'm still waiting for all that "exposure" to help in recruiting. Meanwhile the fanbase is decimated.

(10-10-2018 11:55 PM)VegasHuskie Wrote:  

(10-10-2018 07:42 AM)Dtownboys Wrote:  https://athlonsports.com/college-footbal...ball-games

This is a very well written article that should be mandatory reading for the NIU fans who gripe about how ESPN and weekday games are ruining the MAC. I get it that many are never going to get past it that games are not as readily scheduled on Saturdays - but just read it with an open mind.

If MAC schools are going to play weekday games then put the games ESPN or ESPN2...not ESPNU or ESPN+. For example, Tuesday, November 20th there are two MAC vs. MAC games (NIU at WMU and BSU at Miami) at 6pm listed as ESPNU or ESPN+.

One of those two games is going to get regulated to ESPN+. Whichever game that is could have been played on Saturday for that "coverage". Don't kill fanbases over ESPN+ on weekdays. Put one game on ESPN and the other game on ESPN2.

(10-11-2018 07:55 AM)epasnoopy Wrote:  

(10-10-2018 11:55 PM)VegasHuskie Wrote:  

(10-10-2018 07:42 AM)Dtownboys Wrote:  https://athlonsports.com/college-footbal...ball-games

This is a very well written article that should be mandatory reading for the NIU fans who gripe about how ESPN and weekday games are ruining the MAC. I get it that many are never going to get past it that games are not as readily scheduled on Saturdays - but just read it with an open mind.

If MAC schools are going to play weekday games then put the games ESPN or ESPN2...not ESPNU or ESPN+. For example, Tuesday, November 20th there are two MAC vs. MAC games (NIU at WMU and BSU at Miami) at 6pm listed as ESPNU or ESPN+.

One of those two games is going to get regulated to ESPN+. Whichever game that is could have been played on Saturday for that "coverage". Don't kill fanbases over ESPN+ on weekdays. Put one game on ESPN and the other game on ESPN2.

What he said. The juice is not worth the squeeze.

(10-11-2018 08:28 AM)HuskieJ Wrote:  

(10-11-2018 07:55 AM)epasnoopy Wrote:  

(10-10-2018 11:55 PM)VegasHuskie Wrote:  

(10-10-2018 07:42 AM)Dtownboys Wrote:  https://athlonsports.com/college-footbal...ball-games

This is a very well written article that should be mandatory reading for the NIU fans who gripe about how ESPN and weekday games are ruining the MAC. I get it that many are never going to get past it that games are not as readily scheduled on Saturdays - but just read it with an open mind.

If MAC schools are going to play weekday games then put the games ESPN or ESPN2...not ESPNU or ESPN+. For example, Tuesday, November 20th there are two MAC vs. MAC games (NIU at WMU and BSU at Miami) at 6pm listed as ESPNU or ESPN+.

One of those two games is going to get regulated to ESPN+. Whichever game that is could have been played on Saturday for that "coverage". Don't kill fanbases over ESPN+ on weekdays. Put one game on ESPN and the other game on ESPN2.

What he said. The juice is not worth the squeeze.

Yea there's no excuse for weekday games on ESPN+ and even ESPNU isn't worth it.

Yes, provides exposure that the likes of EMU, Arkansas State would never see.

Already knew that.

I guess this also suggests that any noteriety NIU, Lynch and WMU is a biproduct of weekday games exposure. Let's be clear, NIU went to OB because OSU was penalized and the qualified under a certain criteria that involved a computer.

How about the reality is that it's a filer for ESPN and CBSS at a super cheap level. Provides a mid week filler for those lookign for football, even live sports who don't follow hockey and can't stand the theatrics of the NBA.

How's it done for NIU's attendance as of late? Recruiting? Increase in donations?

Oh, that's right..... budget cuts. What am I thinking.

One, 2 games a year, fine. Not 5 year in, year out. Oddly enough I think EMU and CMU are teams that play 1,2 weekday games a year in recent history. And I don't county Friday after Thanksgiving as one. Works real well for them I guess.

Maybe the real point should be for most it's the only national exposure they get all season. Maybe they shoudl mention how games were relegated to WatchESPN/ESPN3 and now ESPN+ which costs EXTRA. I guess in those terms, it's great.

It does nothing for the student athlete when the bus comes rolling home at 3-4am on a Wednesday or Thursday morning.
When bowl season comes around schools decide that they can't attend because of finals. Thank god the MAC doesn't decide for them.
I highly doubt this "exposure" has helped the schools coffers. I would be ok with it if 6 teams ( 1 game for three weeks) were shown every year so it would be a once every other year format for the schools.
By 2027 the MAC will not have a fan base.

I understand both sides of this debate. As a fan I don't like the week night games in the cold weather, but whatever is best for the team and the NIU in general gets my vote. Having those games on ESPN+ definitely and to a lesser extent on ESPNU blows holes in the whole exposure rationale.

(10-11-2018 04:51 PM)NILAW Wrote:  I understand both sides of this debate. As a fan I don't like the week night games in the cold weather, but whatever is best for the team and the NIU in general gets my vote. Having those games on ESPN+ definitely and to a lesser extent on ESPNU blows holes in the whole exposure rationale.

There is absolutely no way a person could convince me that with no more fans attending games, that the ESPN deal is good for the Huskies.

(10-11-2018 06:20 PM)MaddDawgz02 Wrote:  

(10-11-2018 04:51 PM)NILAW Wrote:  I understand both sides of this debate. As a fan I don't like the week night games in the cold weather, but whatever is best for the team and the NIU in general gets my vote. Having those games on ESPN+ definitely and to a lesser extent on ESPNU blows holes in the whole exposure rationale.

There is absolutely no way a person could convince me that with no more fans attending games, that the ESPN deal is good for the Huskies.

That's the ESPN+/ESPNU deal nowadays.

(10-11-2018 06:27 PM)NIU007 Wrote:  

(10-11-2018 06:20 PM)MaddDawgz02 Wrote:  

(10-11-2018 04:51 PM)NILAW Wrote:  I understand both sides of this debate. As a fan I don't like the week night games in the cold weather, but whatever is best for the team and the NIU in general gets my vote. Having those games on ESPN+ definitely and to a lesser extent on ESPNU blows holes in the whole exposure rationale.

There is absolutely no way a person could convince me that with no more fans attending games, that the ESPN deal is good for the Huskies.

That's the ESPN+/ESPNU deal nowadays.

For about half of our fans, this Saturday is the season finale and the end of season. That is unacceptable. I don't care how much it guarantees that the hefty salaries of our esteemed ADs in the conference get paid, the ESPN deal has been catastrophic for the conference, and one could argue driving it to extinction or FCS. Then again, Frazier has admitted that is where he wants to take things so in that respect going FCS would be considered a success I suppose.

(10-11-2018 06:32 PM)MaddDawgz02 Wrote:  

(10-11-2018 06:27 PM)NIU007 Wrote:  

(10-11-2018 06:20 PM)MaddDawgz02 Wrote:  

(10-11-2018 04:51 PM)NILAW Wrote:  I understand both sides of this debate. As a fan I don't like the week night games in the cold weather, but whatever is best for the team and the NIU in general gets my vote. Having those games on ESPN+ definitely and to a lesser extent on ESPNU blows holes in the whole exposure rationale.

There is absolutely no way a person could convince me that with no more fans attending games, that the ESPN deal is good for the Huskies.

That's the ESPN+/ESPNU deal nowadays.

For about half of our fans, this Saturday is the season finale and the end of season. That is unacceptable. I don't care how much it guarantees that the hefty salaries of our esteemed ADs in the conference get paid, the ESPN deal has been catastrophic for the conference, and one could argue driving it to extinction or FCS. Then again, Frazier has admitted that is where he wants to take things so in that respect going FCS would be considered a success I suppose.

When did Frazier ever say he wanted to take NIU FCS?

(10-11-2018 07:03 PM)NILAW Wrote:  

(10-11-2018 06:32 PM)MaddDawgz02 Wrote:  

(10-11-2018 06:27 PM)NIU007 Wrote:  

(10-11-2018 06:20 PM)MaddDawgz02 Wrote:  

(10-11-2018 04:51 PM)NILAW Wrote:  I understand both sides of this debate. As a fan I don't like the week night games in the cold weather, but whatever is best for the team and the NIU in general gets my vote. Having those games on ESPN+ definitely and to a lesser extent on ESPNU blows holes in the whole exposure rationale.

There is absolutely no way a person could convince me that with no more fans attending games, that the ESPN deal is good for the Huskies.

That's the ESPN+/ESPNU deal nowadays.

For about half of our fans, this Saturday is the season finale and the end of season. That is unacceptable. I don't care how much it guarantees that the hefty salaries of our esteemed ADs in the conference get paid, the ESPN deal has been catastrophic for the conference, and one could argue driving it to extinction or FCS. Then again, Frazier has admitted that is where he wants to take things so in that respect going FCS would be considered a success I suppose.

When did Frazier ever say he wanted to take NIU FCS?

He's probably referring to the G5 playoff that Shawnty wanted. Which to me equates to waving the white flag.

The attendance would have decreased anyway, even without ESPN deal. Saturdays would help a little, but Niu has been a declining football team since the tv deal started. So that's a big part of the fan base declining too.

(10-12-2018 08:09 AM)NIUfrank Wrote:  The attendance would have decreased anyway, even without ESPN deal. Saturdays would help a little, but Niu has been a declining football team since the tv deal started. So that's a big part of the fan base declining too.

I disagree, well I mean I agree there would have been some decline as has been experienced in all college and pro sports, but nothing like the decimation we are witnessing right now without the ESPN deal. The ESPN deal provides ZERO incentive to purchase season tickets, zero.