Hypothetical ACC Network question

[Sean Miller Fan]

If ESPN came to Swofford and said they ran all the numbers and the only way they could make the ACC channel work is if it got to select the #1 ACC game of the week every week for the network. FSU/Clem. FSU/Miami, ND @ ACC, Duke/UNC bball, etc.

If ESPN needed the very best ACC content to make the network work, would you do it or call their bluff?

 

[JHud986]

I'd call there bluff and go on the open market.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

I'd call there bluff and go on the open market.

Cant do that. ESPN owns all their content.

 

[ThePanthers]

I'd call there bluff and go on the open market.

With what?

 

[ThePanthers]

If ESPN came to Swofford and said they ran all the numbers and the only way they could make the ACC channel work is if it got to select the #1 ACC game of the week every week for the network. FSU/Clem. FSU/Miami, ND @ ACC, Duke/UNC bball, etc.

If ESPN needed the very best ACC content to make the network work, would you do it or call their bluff?

They wouldn't do that.

 

[HailtoPitt]

Games like FSU vs. Clemson would probably be more attractive for them to put it on ABC or ESPN.

 

[pittdan77]

NBC along with the Irish. Don't discount it.

 

[ThePanthers]

NBC along with the Irish. Don't discount it.

I am. Not going to happen.

 

[pittdan77]

I am. Not going to happen.

Ok. Why not?

 

[ThePanthers]

Ok. Why not?

The ACC has a very strong relationship with ESPN, and I fully believe that they are pretty damn close to launching a network. Listen to everything that the ACC leadership says, they constantly mention ESPN. I think the setup will be very similar to the SECNetwork where ESPN will own and distribute it, and the ACC will get a percentage of the profits.

ESPN also owns the ACC rights, and I believe are buying back the rights they sold to Fox and Raycom. And ESPN will not allow NBC to get a piece of the action if they believe a network is profitable.

This is a great partnership and neither side will do anything to screw it up. If an ACC Network is profitable for both sides, it will go forward, and my guess is that it will launch in 2017.

If it doesn't go forward, ESPN is going increase the ACC contract by around $2MM per team per year as stated by multiple outlets.

This shows no sign of the ACC wanting to look at other avenues, nor do I think they should.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

The ACC has a very strong relationship with ESPN, and I fully believe that they are pretty damn close to launching a network. Listen to everything that the ACC leadership says, they constantly mention ESPN. I think the setup will be very similar to the SECNetwork where ESPN will own and distribute it, and the ACC will get a percentage of the profits.

ESPN also owns the ACC rights, and I believe are buying back the rights they sold to Fox and Raycom. And ESPN will not allow NBC to get a piece of the action if they believe a network is profitable.

This is a great partnership and neither side will do anything to screw it up. If an ACC Network is profitable for both sides, it will go forward, and my guess is that it will launch in 2017.

If it doesn't go forward, ESPN is going increase the ACC contract by around $2MM per team per year as stated by multiple outlets.

This shows no sign of the ACC wanting to look at other avenues, nor do I think they should.

I still think the network will happen but I'm a little nervous at this point since we are no longer getting the monthly good news "not an update" but kinda an update.

The point of this post is if it came down to it, should the ACC sell its soul to ESPN to get it (ie allowing ESPN to put marquee ACC games on it to increase demand)

 

[ThePanthers]

I still think the network will happen but I'm a little nervous at this point since we are no longer getting the monthly good news "not an update" but kinda an update.

The point of this post is if it came down to it, should the ACC sell its soul to ESPN to get it (ie allowing ESPN to put marquee ACC games on it to increase demand)

To me, the lock down on people talking means it is getting closer IMO.

ESPN will not allow the ACC to "sell their souls" by putting all marquee matchups on there because that affects the value of their ABC/ESPN contract. They may put one Duke/UNC BB game on there, but it is mostly going to be games like UNC vs Pitt, or NC St vs Wake for FB, some BB games, and then Olympic sports and highlight shows with some classic games.

 

[Panthergrowl13]

ESPN has exclusive contracts with the SEC and ACC Conferences.

The current BIG contract is with ESPN and FOX. If the BIG in 2 yrs renegotiates a new contract without ESPN, then the SEC and ACC Conferences will become even more valuable properties for ESPN.
,
HAIL TO PITT!!!!

 

[pittdan77]

The ACC has a very strong relationship with ESPN, and I fully believe that they are pretty damn close to launching a network. Listen to everything that the ACC leadership says, they constantly mention ESPN. I think the setup will be very similar to the SECNetwork where ESPN will own and distribute it, and the ACC will get a percentage of the profits.

ESPN also owns the ACC rights, and I believe are buying back the rights they sold to Fox and Raycom. And ESPN will not allow NBC to get a piece of the action if they believe a network is profitable.

This is a great partnership and neither side will do anything to screw it up. If an ACC Network is profitable for both sides, it will go forward, and my guess is that it will launch in 2017.

If it doesn't go forward, ESPN is going increase the ACC contract by around $2MM per team per year as stated by multiple outlets.

This shows no sign of the ACC wanting to look at other avenues, nor do I think they should.

Thank you for that explanation. I just can't imagine the ACC being in bed with ND and not having some kind of discussion about the possibility of moving over there. At the very least to leverage ESPN. Honestly, I just want to be able to watch games on DirectTV and for Pitt to reap some of the rewards of a good deal.