(08-25-2020 02:15 PM)chiefsfan Wrote:  ESPN requested we not release yet. Keep in mind there’s a lot of juggling here. Multiple TV networks are trying to buy games from ESPN, and the main network is looking at us to replace missing MAC inventory

Maybe another day or two.

Hhhhmmm...I don't think anyone other than ESPN has MAC rights, so the way I'm reading this, ESPN wants some of our games in November moved to weekdays to replace MACtion. As of now all of our televised games are in September or October so it makes sense.

Correction: UL - StAte is in the first week of November, but everything else is open.

These are all the weeknight MAC games that ESPN would be looking to replace.

Nov. 3 – Tuesday
*Buffalo at NIU (ESPN2)

Nov. 4 – Wednesday
*Kent State at Bowling Green (ESPN2/CBS Sports Network)
*Ohio at Central Michigan (ESPN2/CBS Sports Network)

Nov. 10 – Tuesday
*Eastern Michigan at Ball State (ESPN2/ESPNU/CBS Sports Network)
*Miami at Buffalo (ESPN2/ESPNU/CBS Sports Network)
*NIU at Western Michigan (ESPN2/ESPNU/CBS Sports Network)

Nov. 11 – Wednesday
*Central Michigan at Toledo (ESPN2/ESPNU)
*Ohio at Kent State (ESPN2/ESPNU)

Nov. 17 – Tuesday
*Kent State at Miami (ESPN2/ESPNU)
*Toledo at NIU (ESPN2/ESPNU)

Nov. 18 – Wednesday
*Ball State at Central Michigan (ESPN2/ESPNU)
*Buffalo at Ohio (ESPN2/ESPNU)

Nov. 24 – Tuesday
*Ball State at Toledo (ESPNU/ESPN+)
*Central Michigan at Kent State (ESPNU/ESPN+)

Nov. 27 – Friday
*Akron at Ohio (ESPNU/CBS Sports Network/ESPN+/ESPN3)
*Eastern Michigan at Miami (ESPNU/CBS Sports Network/ESPN+/ESPN3)
*NIU at Bowling Green (ESPNU/CBS Sports Network/ESPN+/ESPN3)
*Buffalo at Western Michigan (ESPNU/CBS Sports Network/ESPN+/ESPN3)

I wouldn't mind if our final game of the year got moved to Friday so it doesn't compete against the Iron Bowl... Just glad the game is on the road.

One thing to keep in mind with Tuesday and Wednesday games, they tie up bye weeks the Saturday before they played (they are considered a part of the CFB week on the Saturday after the game and not before it). And if you have multiple Tuesday and Wednesday games they have to be on consecutive weeks.

As of now no one in the Sun Belt has an open date in November, so no way to have Tuesday and Wednesday games without some major shuffling of conference games.

(08-25-2020 02:27 PM)EigenEagle Wrote:  

(08-25-2020 02:15 PM)chiefsfan Wrote:  ESPN requested we not release yet. Keep in mind there’s a lot of juggling here. Multiple TV networks are trying to buy games from ESPN, and the main network is looking at us to replace missing MAC inventory

Maybe another day or two.

Hhhhmmm...I don't think anyone other than ESPN has MAC rights, so the way I'm reading this, ESPN wants some of our games in November moved to weekdays to replace MACtion. As of now all of our televised games are in September or October so it makes sense.

Correction: UL - StAte is in the first week of November, but everything else is open.

It’s not just ESPN though. Every network from ESPN to Stadium has lost inventory and they want to use some of our games to replace it

If we can’t put a ton of fans in the stadium anyways due to covid, I’m ALL for this. Only for this season though. This is a no brainer.


If this is some long term deal and we end up adding more Tuesday/Wednesday games, I’ll be livid and I would hope App would raise some serious stink about it.

I’d rather the games be on PBS if it means they stay on Saturdays.

(08-25-2020 03:22 PM)chiefsfan Wrote:  

(08-25-2020 02:27 PM)EigenEagle Wrote:  

(08-25-2020 02:15 PM)chiefsfan Wrote:  ESPN requested we not release yet. Keep in mind there’s a lot of juggling here. Multiple TV networks are trying to buy games from ESPN, and the main network is looking at us to replace missing MAC inventory

Maybe another day or two.

Hhhhmmm...I don't think anyone other than ESPN has MAC rights, so the way I'm reading this, ESPN wants some of our games in November moved to weekdays to replace MACtion. As of now all of our televised games are in September or October so it makes sense.

Correction: UL - StAte is in the first week of November, but everything else is open.

It’s not just ESPN though. Every network from ESPN to Stadium has lost inventory and they want to use some of our games to replace it

This might be a dumb question, but why would ESPN give up some of its ESPN+ content to help its competitors fill airtime?

Screw ESPN. We don't need anymore weeknight games!

(08-25-2020 03:42 PM)TrueBlueDrew Wrote:  

(08-25-2020 03:22 PM)chiefsfan Wrote:  

(08-25-2020 02:27 PM)EigenEagle Wrote:  

(08-25-2020 02:15 PM)chiefsfan Wrote:  ESPN requested we not release yet. Keep in mind there’s a lot of juggling here. Multiple TV networks are trying to buy games from ESPN, and the main network is looking at us to replace missing MAC inventory

Maybe another day or two.

Hhhhmmm...I don't think anyone other than ESPN has MAC rights, so the way I'm reading this, ESPN wants some of our games in November moved to weekdays to replace MACtion. As of now all of our televised games are in September or October so it makes sense.

Correction: UL - StAte is in the first week of November, but everything else is open.

It’s not just ESPN though. Every network from ESPN to Stadium has lost inventory and they want to use some of our games to replace it

This might be a dumb question, but why would ESPN give up some of its ESPN+ content to help its competitors fill airtime?

Money.

Though ESPN doesn’t sell to competition. They’d cell to Stadium or CBSSN. Which aren’t threats to their dominance

(08-25-2020 01:31 PM)Usajags Wrote:  Does ESPN content also fill ABC??? ESPN is going to need content for all their outlets on saturdays, including SEC and ACC networks. We’ve got to have some games on Saturdays to help fill those voids left by PAC12 and B1G.

I would say there is a good chance the Sun Belt ends up getting a couple of games on ABC this season. Remember, they typically show games in 3 different time slots, and also do regional coverage with the alternate game not on network tv, shown on ESPN2 in the area where it is not being shown on ABC.

(08-25-2020 04:28 PM)PAAcocahesAssociation Wrote:  

(08-25-2020 01:31 PM)Usajags Wrote:  Does ESPN content also fill ABC??? ESPN is going to need content for all their outlets on saturdays, including SEC and ACC networks. We’ve got to have some games on Saturdays to help fill those voids left by PAC12 and B1G.

I would say there is a good chance the Sun Belt ends up getting a couple of games on ABC this season. Remember, they typically show games in 3 different time slots, and also do regional coverage with the alternate game not on network tv, shown on ESPN2 in the area where it is not being shown on ABC.

Typically, 3 yes. But remember the NBA Playoffs are going on right in the middle of this for the first time, so they easily fill some inventory with that until the P5's start.

(08-25-2020 04:28 PM)PAAcocahesAssociation Wrote:  

(08-25-2020 01:31 PM)Usajags Wrote:  Does ESPN content also fill ABC??? ESPN is going to need content for all their outlets on saturdays, including SEC and ACC networks. We’ve got to have some games on Saturdays to help fill those voids left by PAC12 and B1G.

I would say there is a good chance the Sun Belt ends up getting a couple of games on ABC this season. Remember, they typically show games in 3 different time slots, and also do regional coverage with the alternate game not on network tv, shown on ESPN2 in the area where it is not being shown on ABC.

ESPN as I understand the deal guarantees X number of games on ESPNU or better and Y number on ESPN2 or better but they own the whole banana and can place games on ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPNEWS, and ESPN+. If they put a game on ABC or ESPN they can count it toward the 2 and U minimums. They can grab an extra game and put it on 2 to count toward the U minimum.

BUT

THERE IS NO MAXIMUM THAT THEY CAN TELECAST ABOVE +

They can put them all on ABC if they want to.

I believe they also have the right to sell content and we get a piece of the action.

ESPN has historically sold content to CBSSN. I was told one issue in the CUSA deal was the network was getting AAC for less per game than they paid CUSA.

Normally I’d say ESPN wouldn’t sell to Fox or FS1 but it’s a weird year

No to more midweek games. Put the limited amount of football inventory on Saturdays...

(08-26-2020 08:46 AM)Saint3333 Wrote:  No to more midweek games. Put the limited amount of football inventory on Saturdays...

Even for one season? Our stadiums are only going to operating at 20-25% capacity already, so what does it really matter? If we wind up having a football season, no better time than now to get on national TV every single week and get our brands out there.

A lot of people are jonesing for sports right now, and many will tune in to weekday football right now just so they can feel normal again.

(08-26-2020 08:55 AM)CardinalBlackTrojan Wrote:  

(08-26-2020 08:46 AM)Saint3333 Wrote:  No to more midweek games. Put the limited amount of football inventory on Saturdays...

Even for one season? Our stadiums are only going to operating at 20-25% capacity already, so what does it really matter? If we wind up having a football season, no better time than now to get on national TV every single week and get our brands out there.

A lot of people are jonesing for sports right now, and many will tune in to weekday football right now just so they can feel normal again.

Agreed. It wont hurt our long term attendance like the MAC schools since thats limited anyways and our mostly empty stadiums will get a pass. Might as well take the added exposure.

Could ESPN purchase the Southern Miss vs South Alabama (which will open the football season) game from CBS Sports? There's no NBA that Thursday night so all eyes would be on this game.

Agree with others here. Take the money and the exposure. The bad optics of empty stadiums aren't relevant this year.

(08-25-2020 07:04 PM)CardinalBlackTrojan Wrote:  

(08-25-2020 04:28 PM)PAAcocahesAssociation Wrote:  

(08-25-2020 01:31 PM)Usajags Wrote:  Does ESPN content also fill ABC??? ESPN is going to need content for all their outlets on saturdays, including SEC and ACC networks. We’ve got to have some games on Saturdays to help fill those voids left by PAC12 and B1G.

I would say there is a good chance the Sun Belt ends up getting a couple of games on ABC this season. Remember, they typically show games in 3 different time slots, and also do regional coverage with the alternate game not on network tv, shown on ESPN2 in the area where it is not being shown on ABC.

The good news about being televised on something more "remote" is that you're probably not going to have to move to weekdays. If we can earn more money and not move any games to weekdays, there's no downsides.