Orlando Sentinel: Big East commissioner John Marinatto says expansion should be settled by September

[TopFrog]

Orlando Sentinel: Big East commissioner John Marinatto says expansion should be settled by September 2012

By Iliana Limón, Orlando Sentinel

PONTE VEDRA BEACH -- Big East Commissioner John Marinatto said the league needs to get its expansion plans settled by September 2012 when it begins television contract negotiations.

The opportunity to pursue blockbuster television contracts has helped drive the latest wave of conference expansion and realignment. The Big East added TCU as a new member in December and the league is weighing the possibility of adding at least one more football program to its current lineup of 10 schools.

The Big East current has a television contract with ESPN that expires at the conclusion of the 2012-13 academic year. Marinatto said the Big East will begin a 60-day exclusive negotiation period with ESPN in September 2012.

 

[McFroggin]

It's going to be "settled" in just over 1 year and we have no idea who may be joining us? Hmmmmm

 

[Orlaco]

It's going to be "settled" in just over 1 year and we have no idea who may be joining us? Hmmmmm

We don't need a team (or more) to join with you guys... ...we just need it to be decided who will be added and when.... ...to make a balanced tv contract.



Link after link is making for some smoke.

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Rumor: Another bidder (that isn't technically allowed to negoitiate with the BE) made it known to BE officials that the money number they were getting from ESPN could (would?) be beat.

 

[mtmedlin]

Rule #1...never read the Orlando Slantinal.

They hate the Big East, Hate USF and think that UCF should wait for either the SEC or B12 to invite them...but they would be "willing" to accept a BE invite.


and ya, its very widely known that the $130 million offered by ESPN was low. They tried that crap on the ACC and then Fox drove it up to $155. Just think whats going to happen now that Comcast is ready to bid also.

 

[WVUFan]

One this that is really good for the BE is Comcast/NBC does not have a AQ conference and really wanted the Pac12. They also stated they wanted the BE as Comcast is large in the North East. They offered 225M a year and not more as they were also saving for the BE. I would think they would go all out for the BE

And by waiting it could do nothing but help as the BE should have a couple top teams and WVU should be a top 10 by the end of year.

But the kicker is Basketball, believe it or not it made ESPN, NBC wants to have a sports network to rival ESPN.....and BE BB would help tremendously in the Midwest to the East.

Also CBS is be partnered in the deal.

 

[mtmedlin]

I can see a triple contract... Comcast/CBS for Basketball and Comcast/Turner for Football or possibly Comcast/ESPN or Comcast/Fox for football...depending on the long term plan.
I really think that expansion with AQ conference teams is a possibility and with Comcast it can happen. Just think of how the Pac 12 profited by going to 12 AND by adding two additional states and 1 additional time zone....
Now look at what happens if the BE adds BYU, Kansas, K St and Missou. We add 3 states and 2 time zones. What conference could offer over 10 of the top 35 markets, covering 35% of the population over 3 different time zones. That is some seriouse flexibilty for a provider and awesome for a network. BYU also has large support in several Mountain time zone areas...like LA.

We wouldnt even need to be as "valuable" as the Pac 12 because we would be offering them the same number of games in football but ALOT more inventory in basketball. Based on that, I think an offer of $224 million a year would be reasonable. That could equal to $4 million a year for basktball only and $16 million a year for football. With a hybrid offer, this doesnt require Comcast to pay the total amount. CBS would pay part of the money for basketball and a secondary football partner would pay part.