The next Commissioner needs to be essentially 2 things; much more aware of the realities of the campuses, and much more nimble.
It is revisionist history, or recentcy, by those who haven't been around since the bad old days, to not realize just how much of an improvement the media deal was over the piecemeal debacle that existed previously, both in term of $s and distribution. But Scott's deal was too long without opportunity to revisit, and a lack of performance criteria, which allowed it to be leap-frogged $ wise, and quickly became obsolete. The next deals need to not just be better, they need to be structured to be nimble as the media landscape and technology rapidly change.
The Pac-12 Network has been a colossal disappointment, but not because it was a bad idea. It was over-sized (7 channels when 2 with a game day 3rd alternate would have been sufficient), and once again, inexperience in media contracts produced problems. Inexperience resulted in a bad Comcast deal (which is the only kind there is) that was an early cash grab that subsequently handcuffed all future distribution negotiations, and ensured it wouldn't get on the largest single distributor in the country.
Not understanding that streaming is a supplement to broadcast distribution, not a substitute for it, compounded the distribution problem.
But it exists, and provides something that if properly distributed can become a successful distribution tool. Most people also have no clue how much infrastructure improvement was made on the conference campuses as a result of the network. Like so many aspects of the conference, Scott took over a relic of the dark ages.
The next commissioner needs to move beyond trying to be a shrewder negotiator than Scott really was to become a cooperation facilitator that will arm the conference with the exposure necessary to solve the lack of competitiveness.
The expansion of the conference should be seen as a significant accomplishment, but gets too little notice, or appreciation.
On the other side of things, something that gets too much notice is how badly butchered up the conference's officiating is in several sports, most notably (but certainly not exclusively) football. It was bad when Scott arrived, and hasn't been able to get out of its own way since.
I wonder what the Athletic Directors will be asking for in the next media deal?
I think the fans are calling for a limited number of night games, more Saturday games, more advanced notice on game times, and every game on TV (though that seems like a given at this point).
Last time, I think the AD's wanted more money, TV, and to spotlight the non-revenue sports. Although the intent to spotlight the non-revenue sports was good, in practice, there simply wasn't much of a market for this and was a net negative.
Adapting to the technology, I'd think (1) national channel would suffice, with an app for smart TVs which carry out of market non-national TV games for those rare OOC matchups that pit Cal against Idaho State. and you live in DC.
Finally some good news for 2021! Great news for the Pac 10! If, of course, they can find a replacement that is competent. One would think that $5 million plus per year would attract a competent leader for this conference. How the Pac 12 can justify extending scott's (no caps, undeserved!) contract after irrefutable evidence of total incompetence is maddening and does not give me faith in the conference's ability to choose a good replacement. Maybe, of course, being a Cal Bear football fan since 1956 has made my cynical?
I just hope that we haven't passed the point of no return on the TV rights deal. Seems to me that the current national perception (accurate or not) of the Pac-12 is that nobody outside of the west coast wants to watch. Who would then want to pay better money for a TV package that has already proven to be unattractive? The next commissioner has a difficult sell to make to carriers and potential partners on the next deal. I also never understood the resistance to having a true broadcast partner that could ease the P12 to a wider audience (like ESPN or Fox) that would naturally include streaming.
Maybe ESPN will create a Pac-12 "network" package with wider distribution? Not being able to negotiate adequate distribution deals nor raise the $500 million he sought in the private equity markets doomed Scott.
I hope they go away from the pivot to China. I say that as someone who lives in China. It's dumb to spend resources on this while we can't even get a good TV deal.
https://twitter.com/RedditCFB/status/1352092661260431360
The next Commissioner needs to be essentially 2 things; much more aware of the realities of the campuses, and much more nimble.
It is revisionist history, or recentcy, by those who haven't been around since the bad old days, to not realize just how much of an improvement the media deal was over the piecemeal debacle that existed previously, both in term of $s and distribution. But Scott's deal was too long without opportunity to revisit, and a lack of performance criteria, which allowed it to be leap-frogged $ wise, and quickly became obsolete. The next deals need to not just be better, they need to be structured to be nimble as the media landscape and technology rapidly change.
The Pac-12 Network has been a colossal disappointment, but not because it was a bad idea. It was over-sized (7 channels when 2 with a game day 3rd alternate would have been sufficient), and once again, inexperience in media contracts produced problems. Inexperience resulted in a bad Comcast deal (which is the only kind there is) that was an early cash grab that subsequently handcuffed all future distribution negotiations, and ensured it wouldn't get on the largest single distributor in the country.
Not understanding that streaming is a supplement to broadcast distribution, not a substitute for it, compounded the distribution problem.
But it exists, and provides something that if properly distributed can become a successful distribution tool. Most people also have no clue how much infrastructure improvement was made on the conference campuses as a result of the network. Like so many aspects of the conference, Scott took over a relic of the dark ages.
The next commissioner needs to move beyond trying to be a shrewder negotiator than Scott really was to become a cooperation facilitator that will arm the conference with the exposure necessary to solve the lack of competitiveness.
The expansion of the conference should be seen as a significant accomplishment, but gets too little notice, or appreciation.
On the other side of things, something that gets too much notice is how badly butchered up the conference's officiating is in several sports, most notably (but certainly not exclusively) football. It was bad when Scott arrived, and hasn't been able to get out of its own way since.
I might be remembering this differently, but weren't Colorado and Utah added AFTER Scott got played by Texas, Oklahoma and the rest of the Big-12?
Now maybe I can watch the Network on AT&T's U-verse. June won't be here soon enough.
I wonder what the Athletic Directors will be asking for in the next media deal?
I think the fans are calling for a limited number of night games, more Saturday games, more advanced notice on game times, and every game on TV (though that seems like a given at this point).
Last time, I think the AD's wanted more money, TV, and to spotlight the non-revenue sports. Although the intent to spotlight the non-revenue sports was good, in practice, there simply wasn't much of a market for this and was a net negative.
Adapting to the technology, I'd think (1) national channel would suffice, with an app for smart TVs which carry out of market non-national TV games for those rare OOC matchups that pit Cal against Idaho State. and you live in DC.
At least every football game was televised though. That I could thank for.
Bye Bitch
Any news on Henry To To possibly transferring to Cal?
Finally some good news for 2021! Great news for the Pac 10! If, of course, they can find a replacement that is competent. One would think that $5 million plus per year would attract a competent leader for this conference. How the Pac 12 can justify extending scott's (no caps, undeserved!) contract after irrefutable evidence of total incompetence is maddening and does not give me faith in the conference's ability to choose a good replacement. Maybe, of course, being a Cal Bear football fan since 1956 has made my cynical?
I just hope that we haven't passed the point of no return on the TV rights deal. Seems to me that the current national perception (accurate or not) of the Pac-12 is that nobody outside of the west coast wants to watch. Who would then want to pay better money for a TV package that has already proven to be unattractive? The next commissioner has a difficult sell to make to carriers and potential partners on the next deal. I also never understood the resistance to having a true broadcast partner that could ease the P12 to a wider audience (like ESPN or Fox) that would naturally include streaming.
Maybe ESPN will create a Pac-12 "network" package with wider distribution? Not being able to negotiate adequate distribution deals nor raise the $500 million he sought in the private equity markets doomed Scott.
Celebrate good times!
Long overdue! Let’s make the Pac12 relevant again!
I hope they go away from the pivot to China. I say that as someone who lives in China. It's dumb to spend resources on this while we can't even get a good TV deal.
Thanks for the good news Avi! Good riddance to the Wyking Jones of Conference commissioners...