Gary's Shirtless Revenge
Full Member
Just a few updates...Some more details on what the PAC is looking at:
- Amazon wants a top games package, Friday night to pair with the Thursday NFL game, and is holding the line pretty firmly that they won't take less than a "1st pick" each week. It doesn't appear to me they want much more than that, so far as I can tell they aren't bidding on the whole thing anymore. No idea on fees. Appears PAC is engaged with Amazon and is trying to make this work.
- ESPN wants everything else. They don't mind losing the top game given the inventory selections they have already under contract, but they aren't going to pay a premium for tonnage. There's still some discussion on the PAC Network, either a purchase or a co-marketing agreement, but doesn't seem to be too much interest in that.
- FOX is kicking the tires, heard they got back engaged weeks ago. I think they would do a top-game package alongside ESPN.
- Don't count out NBCUniversal, hearing they are kicking the tires and are more aggressive than most thought they might be... I don't know what they are interested in, but I could see wanting most of the inventory and using it for NBC (ND road games), USA Network, and Peacock.
- Looks like some of the national guys are also hearing what I am re: Amazon, not surprising. The conflict re: ESPN wanting a top game too, I think that can be resolved. ESPN+Amazon is definitely in the lead right now for PAC rights, I get the impression they are focused on making that work vs talking to others. If I had to guess, I'd bet the deal is announced as $30mm annual avg., but that's only going to be true due to the crazy buy-in terms SDSU and SMU will agree to.
- NBCU is still there, but doesn't seem the PAC is interested in that option.
- I know Apple is being referenced, but I don't really know anybody well there so I can't say for sure... If I had to guess, they'd want to do an MLS deal: The PAC Network is used to produce all events, they are all streamed via Apple TV+ behind their paywall, and likely a second paywall for most of the lower-tiered content. I could see Apple paying the most, but can't imagine the president's would be excited about it. This is all speculation.