We had a lively debate regarding the ACC network this week - no need to use this thread to rehash those comment. But I noted that the PAC 12 network raised a red flag in March when the SEC first announced some financial results of their network. The PAC 12 felt very much behind. They wholly own their network - but they have been unable to get all the broadcasters to offer it. The missing big gorilla is DirecTV.
Now that ATT has been approved to acquire DirecTV, there is lots of chatter that DirecTV will soon offer the PAC 12 network (ATT has a long standing relationship with the PAC 12). It is not a done deal yet - but there is lots of speculation. However, it appears that DirecTV may want to offer a fee less than what other conferences are getting. The rumor is that they will offer $.80 per subscriber. (As a reference point, the big Ten gets about $1 and the SEC was able to get $1.30). I know that these were the reported numbers last year, but obviously I can't vouch for their accuracy. The Big Ten did get a bump from the BTN when they brought in Rutgers and MD, but I don't know the exact number.
This is the kind of information that gets leaked throughout the process. Of course, there is no way to validate it. But directionally, it is true that the PAC 12 network has not met expectations to date and the members were grumbling loudly in March.
ACC members don't seem to grumble and no one leaks anything. They do make comments that the network is important and that revenue must be in line with competitors in the same region. Both the PAC 12 and Big Ten meet next week and I expect to hear lots of news. Stay tuned.
Now that ATT has been approved to acquire DirecTV, there is lots of chatter that DirecTV will soon offer the PAC 12 network (ATT has a long standing relationship with the PAC 12). It is not a done deal yet - but there is lots of speculation. However, it appears that DirecTV may want to offer a fee less than what other conferences are getting. The rumor is that they will offer $.80 per subscriber. (As a reference point, the big Ten gets about $1 and the SEC was able to get $1.30). I know that these were the reported numbers last year, but obviously I can't vouch for their accuracy. The Big Ten did get a bump from the BTN when they brought in Rutgers and MD, but I don't know the exact number.
This is the kind of information that gets leaked throughout the process. Of course, there is no way to validate it. But directionally, it is true that the PAC 12 network has not met expectations to date and the members were grumbling loudly in March.
ACC members don't seem to grumble and no one leaks anything. They do make comments that the network is important and that revenue must be in line with competitors in the same region. Both the PAC 12 and Big Ten meet next week and I expect to hear lots of news. Stay tuned.
