ESPN and NFL parting ways?

[Sackem90]

THis is surprising news. (From the NY Daily news)


NFL game plan may sack ESPN







Those of us who have stated that money, and only money, will determine the future of ESPN's souring relationship with the NFL, may have ignored a crucial angle to this story.
Two weeks ago Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie, likely acting as Paul Tagliabue's frontman, torched the cable sports powerhouse.

Thoroughly disgusted with ESPN's moronic decision to hire Rush Limbaugh (which ultimately led to the creep's racist commentary on Donovan McNabb) and watching the series "Playmakers" portray every negative stereotype associated with pro football, Lurie said there was "certainly a possibility" of the NFL rethinking its relationship with ESPN.

The prevailing thought is that NFL suits will stop "rethinking" as soon as ESPN produces the highest bid for the league's Sunday night cable package during the next TV negotiation.

Now, I'm not so sure of that.

Last week, there was a buzz among well-embedded network moles, pushing a theory that would allow NFL suits to stick it to ESPN while substantially increasing the value of their new "NFL Network," which debuts in November.

Instead of selling the TV rights to their Sunday night cable package to ESPN or any other network, NFL honchos could simply put the games on their own network.

If this were to ever happen, the "NFL Network" would quickly become a must-carry item for your local cable monopolist, er, operator. These are the same cable barons who are now locked in a rough contract negotiation with ESPN.

Without the NFL, ESPN's value to the cable operators would decrease. No one can dispute that fact. And with the Sunday night package, the "NFL Network" would quickly become a serious competitor with ESPN for subscriber and advertising revenues.

All this is a longshot. The majority of NFL owners are not long-term thinkers. They would rather take the guaranteed TV money ESPN can offer than grow their own network and wait for the big payday.

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/story/125862p-112809c.html

 

[chipshot]

Would it effect MNF on ABC considering ESPN & ABC are related?

 

[slydevl]

Originally posted by chipshot
Would it effect MNF on ABC considering ESPN & ABC are related?

That would be unfortunate. MNF is an institution on ABC

 

[Foxman]

Originally posted by slydevl


That would be unfortunate. MNF is an institution on ABC

True, but either the game, the commentary on the sidelines, the announcers or all of the above suck on a weekly basis. Madden is a blow bag while Michaels is solid. Lisa whats her name must go away and who ever decided these matchups are batting about 1 good game to 3 crappy ones.

 

[kshead]

Heading to PPV folks. Get used to it.

 

[Thelt]

Sometimes I really wish a rival league would make it. The NFL is so full of itself that it would be nice to see them taken down a notch. The big knock on the XFL was that the players were not in the same class as the NFL. That may be true in most cases but look at guys like Tommy Maddox and Rod Smart who are doing quite well in the NFL. I think the over the top WWF stuff doomed that league. If ESPN were to start it's own league with Disney backing it then it could work. They just need to keep Vince McMahon out of it. They ought to bring back Rush as the lead announcer if they do it....

 

[hasbeen99]

Originally posted by Foxman
True, but either the game, the commentary on the sidelines, the announcers or all of the above suck on a weekly basis. Madden is a blow bag while Michaels is solid. Lisa whats her name must go away and who ever decided these matchups are batting about 1 good game to 3 crappy ones.

Agree that MNF's sideline reporting leaves MUCH to be desired. In fact, Lisa Guerrero may be the worst NFL sideline reporter I've ever seen in my life. Yes, even worse than Eric Dickerson.

As far as all the bad games I agree (duh, how could you not?), but the problem is, they all looked good on paper back in April. Tell me the Warner-led Rams hosting the Vick-led Falcons wasn't a recipe for a huge offensive show. Obviously it didn't work out that way.

The powers behind MNF need to realize they're looking at two options, and really always have been. One, they tone it down and realize it's just like any other regionally televised game -- you take your chances. Or two, if they insist on airing the best game of the week, they have to be flexible enough to broadcast anywhere on relatively short notice (bye bye Madden), and have the ability to buy out the regional coverage.

If neither happens, we'll keep seeing much made out of nothing, especially from about week 6 on.

 

[hasbeen99]

Originally posted by kshead
Heading to PPV folks. Get used to it.

I'm afraid you're right. Just a matter of time.

 

[guerrilla]

It's there

Pretty much pay per view on Sundays with

NFL Sunday Ticket on DirecTV

Owns me.