(01-05-2019 07:56 PM)bullet Wrote: (01-05-2019 05:57 PM)JRsec Wrote: (01-05-2019 05:46 PM)bullet Wrote: (01-05-2019 04:01 PM)JRsec Wrote: (01-05-2019 03:48 PM)bullet Wrote: You are contradicting one of your common arguments, that ESPN is pulling the strings. Its been very clear that ESPN strongly prefers having wild cards. And whether they are pulling the strings or not, they DO pay the bills.
I'm not contradicting anything. I'm merely stating that Delany, and I'm sure with FOX backing, is pushing for a change in the priorities of the selection committee. ESPN is no longer able to ignore the corporate realities that FOX holds a boat load of Disney stock. In the present environment I think Delany stands a good chance of getting a portion of what he is likely asking for.
That doesn't alter the fact that ESPN has pulled the strings in the past with regard to realignment, bribed Texas to hang with them, and has generally fouled up a lot of conference plans with what they would and wouldn't pay for. Now the stage is set for a more equitable existence for FOX within this milieu. I expect there will be a great deal of mutual interest between ESPN and FOX in this new post Disney deal universe.
Fox wants maximum ratings too. Which means wildcards.
Hooey. FOX doesn't hold the CFP contract.
You're contradicting yourself again. ESPN wants wildcards then you say Fox is talking to the conferences. I point out that Fox would want the same thing and you are saying Fox doesn't have the contract.
I'm still not contradicting myself. If the SEC doesn't go along and suggests another tournament format ESPN will get on board or the SEC will sell the rights to it to somebody else.
Our contract with them is for T2 and T3 rights for the regular season. CBS owns T1 and the CCG.
The contract on the CFP expires in 6 years roughly. If we don't like the direction it is going we don't have to be a part of it. If we aren't a part of it good luck with your ratings and revenue. It's really as simple as that.
If we don't renew with the CFP contract we are free to create our own.
It's a fact that FOX currently has no contract rights to the CFP.
As to wildcards show me where wildcards equal better ratings. The semis stunk this year. The public doesn't want more blowouts. They want the real deal.
The ability to monetize our own baseball, basketball and football will in the end earn us the most money. We already put far more players into the NFL than any other conference. The nation knows where the value is even if you don't.
If the SEC got serious about this ESPN would have to get on board or lose all of our rights by 2033. If ESPN is even still the leader at that time.
Like it or not Football is going to become a very regional sport over the next few decades. The on field results already demonstrate this. Football country right now is the Big 10, SEC, and Big 12 areas. The PAC isn't invested and most of the Atlantic Coast really isn't either. Delany knows this. The future of college football will be a collaboration of the Big 10 and SEC or it will simply become a Southern sport. Because of this the SEC will not go along with things that are destructive to their ends because they read the tea leaves nationally as well as anyone and they know that Footballs future is in the Southeast and Southwest and that if the Northern Midwest wants to be a part there's enough talent to keep it strong in all three regions. And that if they aren't invested in that then we are best served acting in our own self interests.
Now if Texas and Oklahoma want to be a part of that then great. If not we will have enough schools between the football first schools of the ACC and the SEC to put a compelling and valuable product on the field and on the tube. In other words Bullet the SEC doesn't need the rest of the country to be successful financially or otherwise in football. We'll stay and play with the group as long as it is reasonable to do so. But when unreasonable demands are placed upon us we'll do our own thing.
Our fan bases care prohibitively more about playing more regional games, and don't really give a rat's behind about most of the other games. Local games fill our stadiums, our concession coffers, our restaurants, or hotels, and our highways every Friday and Saturday and Sunday morning. And every time that happens it's another 7 million in gate receipts and a lot of good will with the merchants. And TV will pay dearly for the T1 rights next time out.
And that buddy is the simple reality of the business end of SEC football.