Now more dominos are falling. Washington and Oregon apparently will join the Big Ten, that can only encourage Arizona, ASU and Utah to consider the Big 12. I wonder who Cal and Stanford will play in 2024 and subsequently?
Assuming one can stream PACX content on-demand, that would make paid-for access more doable for Cal fans around the World.
As others have mentioned, Apple is trendy and is, for the foreseeable tech future, the way (This is "The Way").
It's better than "any port on the storm" for the reasons mentioned above and would, at the least, give us and the PACX breathing room until things settle. Moreover, I like to think the traditions started by the PAC might continue, minus the traitors SC and UCLA.
ANd let us not forget that staying in the PACX keeps us entitled to Calimony.
I assume Apple would also be getting the Pac-12 Network infrastructure too, so when you figure they are not only getting rights, but also the production house, this is a particularly weak offer compared to what the much of the rest of the "haves" have negotiated for themselves.
When and if we make it to post season play, other conferences won't have tape on our games unless they subscribed to Apple AND paid extra for the Pac subscription. So, we have that going for us which is nice.
I agree. As much as we love to make fun of them, and they deserve all the criticism and mockery, they will take the invitation to Big 10 if it becomes available.
Obviously Apple’s offer isn’t generating any enthusiasm with the remaining PAC-12 schools. Proof is that the presidents of four Big Ten schools are reported to be meeting today with their counterparts from four PAC schools (guess which one). It is apparently a “what if” preliminary meeting. The Big Ten doesn’t want to act unless the PAC falls apart (i.e. the four corners schools jump ship). This is why things have been quiet today. I suspect Arizona, ASU and perhaps Utah are having similar discussions with the Big 12. OSU and WSU may be left to turn off the lights.
Just heard the meeting discussed the problem of sports scheduling for a possible Big 10+10 Conference. Olympic sports would compete in regional pods to reduce travel costs and time and preserve traditional rivalries (which attract viewers). Football conference championships would alternate years between Lucas Stadium in Indianapolis and the Rose Bowl. Not a good as what we had in the olden days, but probably better than any other alternative being offered. Let’s see what happens.
I will be personally disappointed if Cal football is relegated to a streaming service for which users must pay an additional fee. I understand the national access advantages, but it seems as if slowly but surely our visibility is wanning.
This was the deal that we needed when the Pac-12 Network was founded. If we still had USC, UCLA we'd get enough subscribers to make it work. But I just don't see the remaining fanbases being big enough to get close to $31M through incentives if we're starting around $20. The sub will either be really expensive or schools will need a really big share of the subscriber dollars.
The existing P12 Network infrastructure is pretty good so at least we understand that aspect.
Such a complicated issue...and coming at the as time as televised sports is beginning a death spiral. The networks overpaid for rights at the same time as cord cutting began. ESPN Cable packages are down 30% and heading fast to 50%. This is unsustainable , so don't look to them as saviors. All this is to say a streaming play with Apple may indeed be the best worst option. Here is a free link to a NYT piece today on ESPN. The key metric to pay attention to is that it is estimated that they would need to charge $50 a month for a streaming only service to maintain the cash flow...like I said, death spiral.
I have said this since day one, the wrong guy is steering the ship. The pac 12 commissioner doesn’t have a clue. It is obvious with his actions he is incapable of leading the negotiations that are required to save the conference. He is basically asleep at the wheel . The Bears and Cardinal could find themselves as Independents, with no conference to call home. Being a life long pac 12 supporter it’s making me sick watching this and watching the commissioner walking in quick sand.
You realize the Presidents are the one’s who have the last word on anything that GK does, right? Blame them for the situation the conference is in now. They’re stubborn and behind the 8 ball when it comes to the current state of college athletics, and their the ones who let the conference crater over the last 10-11 years by letting Larry Scott use the conference as his own personal piggy bank
So the key word here is “primarily.” That tells me there’s linear still in play. The question is what would FOX and ESPN rather do?
126.8 million per year (31.7m per school) is the magic number that Fox and ESPN are willing to spend for up to 4 Pac-12 teams to defect to the Big 12 (possibly 22 million less for Fox). ESPN needs the late night inventory. Fox does not unless some Mountain West teams are poached. And Colorado has now taken 31.7m of that pot so it’s closer to 70-95.1 million.
If the Pac wants a successful media deal, they need to either convince ESPN that their Tier 1 content is worth taking, and then poach some Mountain West teams to force Fox to pay for rights to Pac games on Fox or FS1. Or strike a deal with another linear carrier like TBS for better TV windows.
It’s not wall to wall coverage but it’s about the same linear they get right now and they still get (allegedly) $200m money from Apple, so that should get them within striking distance of the B12 with a lot of upside as everything moves to streaming. Plus you’re on Apple’s back and they will figure it out.
What’s killing this is not expanding first. They should have invited 6-7 schools — SMU, Tulane, and Rice or Memphis for 2024, then SDSU, Boise, Fresno and possibly Colorado State for 2025.
You take linear inventory from the American and Mountain West and force ESPN and Fox to add that to the pot while increasing exposure in two time zones and subscription upside. Force new members to take a diluted share which is more than they had in their current conferences while making legacy schools while.
I‘ll actually give GK the benefit of the doubt here as I’m sure he has some candidates in mind. But this insistence on deal first then expansion is killing the PAC’s chances to get something good.
My kids introduce me to streaming years ago. At first I was like a fish out of water (cable til I die), then got use to it. Streaming is were all TV platforms will be eventually be on....its the best way to gather consumer information! Pac 12, 10, 8 should embrace it and get ahead of the herd. Great Deal if its done right!
I relate to the fish out of water that learns to breath plain air. Right, now, as I type this, my wife and I are enjoying binge-watching Dallas. IMHO, it's better than having all this on DVD.
I move around so much for work, streaming is the only way to go. I used to have Hulu and FUBO during the season so I got all the sports channels (FUBO has PAC12 Network, Hulu does not). I am wondering if Apple will carry all PAC12 games. I have AppleTV, but if I must I will reinstate FUBO for the college football season.
Now more dominos are falling. Washington and Oregon apparently will join the Big Ten, that can only encourage Arizona, ASU and Utah to consider the Big 12. I wonder who Cal and Stanford will play in 2024 and subsequently?
My two cents.
Assuming one can stream PACX content on-demand, that would make paid-for access more doable for Cal fans around the World.
As others have mentioned, Apple is trendy and is, for the foreseeable tech future, the way (This is "The Way").
It's better than "any port on the storm" for the reasons mentioned above and would, at the least, give us and the PACX breathing room until things settle. Moreover, I like to think the traditions started by the PAC might continue, minus the traitors SC and UCLA.
ANd let us not forget that staying in the PACX keeps us entitled to Calimony.
I assume Apple would also be getting the Pac-12 Network infrastructure too, so when you figure they are not only getting rights, but also the production house, this is a particularly weak offer compared to what the much of the rest of the "haves" have negotiated for themselves.
When and if we make it to post season play, other conferences won't have tape on our games unless they subscribed to Apple AND paid extra for the Pac subscription. So, we have that going for us which is nice.
(yes, I know game tape is exchanged by the teams)
Apparently shareholders of Apple aren't happy, stock down $3.24 today!!
Nerds hate football.
They hate what they never manned up to. ;)
And just as I thought...
https://sports.yahoo.com/sources-big-ten-has-begun-preliminary-talks-to-potentially-add-oregon-washington-cal-and-stanford-173934989.html?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email
The Big 1G now has a starting point for the negotiations. I always thought they were waiting for the numbers before extending an invitation.
We are ready to move!
But is the chancellor and the AD?
Again, I don't think they're dumb.
"Take the Big 10 deal, leave the Pac 12"
I agree. As much as we love to make fun of them, and they deserve all the criticism and mockery, they will take the invitation to Big 10 if it becomes available.
If the Regents get to avoid UCLA's Calimony, they'll want it no doubt. And just for the overall paycheck.
Was just going to post that!
*Ron Paul hands*
Get the $$$. Too bad for OSU and Wazzu. Maybe Big 12 for them?
Maybe, but maybe MWC. But we absolutely need to secure that bag.
Cal Staford is trending right now!
https://twitter.com/search?q=%22Cal%20and%20Stanford%22&src=trend_click&vertical=trends
hail mary?
Wilner asking all the right questions regarding further details:
https://www.mercurynews.com/2023/08/02/pac-12-survival-the-downside-risks-potential-benefits-and-missing-pieces-within-an-apple-deal/
Hoping that the presidents have all those details and are sorting them out at this very moment.
Obviously Apple’s offer isn’t generating any enthusiasm with the remaining PAC-12 schools. Proof is that the presidents of four Big Ten schools are reported to be meeting today with their counterparts from four PAC schools (guess which one). It is apparently a “what if” preliminary meeting. The Big Ten doesn’t want to act unless the PAC falls apart (i.e. the four corners schools jump ship). This is why things have been quiet today. I suspect Arizona, ASU and perhaps Utah are having similar discussions with the Big 12. OSU and WSU may be left to turn off the lights.
Just heard the meeting discussed the problem of sports scheduling for a possible Big 10+10 Conference. Olympic sports would compete in regional pods to reduce travel costs and time and preserve traditional rivalries (which attract viewers). Football conference championships would alternate years between Lucas Stadium in Indianapolis and the Rose Bowl. Not a good as what we had in the olden days, but probably better than any other alternative being offered. Let’s see what happens.
If we need the 4 corners to jump before this happens, I'm pushing them.
There are a surprising number of calls to the 4 corners switchboards from the Bay Area...
I will be personally disappointed if Cal football is relegated to a streaming service for which users must pay an additional fee. I understand the national access advantages, but it seems as if slowly but surely our visibility is wanning.
We have been a crappy, middling team for too long.
You don't build a national following with "alsoran" results.
This was the deal that we needed when the Pac-12 Network was founded. If we still had USC, UCLA we'd get enough subscribers to make it work. But I just don't see the remaining fanbases being big enough to get close to $31M through incentives if we're starting around $20. The sub will either be really expensive or schools will need a really big share of the subscriber dollars.
The existing P12 Network infrastructure is pretty good so at least we understand that aspect.
I'll put away my Apple dislike if I can finally pay only for the product I want: PAC1X football and other PAC1X sports.
Such a complicated issue...and coming at the as time as televised sports is beginning a death spiral. The networks overpaid for rights at the same time as cord cutting began. ESPN Cable packages are down 30% and heading fast to 50%. This is unsustainable , so don't look to them as saviors. All this is to say a streaming play with Apple may indeed be the best worst option. Here is a free link to a NYT piece today on ESPN. The key metric to pay attention to is that it is estimated that they would need to charge $50 a month for a streaming only service to maintain the cash flow...like I said, death spiral.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/02/business/media/espn-disney.html?unlocked_article_code=Ey0dPiD6OCGge3dOprMUw5jFEw_2ni9jexyhOfr58iOH6bkDokRgzv47IQoJvgEWyOu_X9So_zDs4b7pEC2nMP8nm5aA92MnEETgWdPb0_aVYy4YI42Xu8LZGf4x6ivY-S_kXf7ij8ntk1u9oXYJ0xZERGZs_U_4dXwB6lsFUWz6dW7Z-Mox1EwNoGZD_8UJL5L0BK1FiL0CQImnG5pE7eF221x3NWrddnN8i8Zwe8Rmy_MIQaeViPJLuCWd4Hzj2tmGF5atcTUNO-mX4l0ZiEnRkfYlnYPwSvYY3zWcV6Rs0DRDhkhsPdwaiNq6bUh0HbazOxPLRms28Tsb&smid=url-share
I wonder if they go BK how that affects their current media deals?
Sounds like mo money, mo problems at ESPN.
I have said this since day one, the wrong guy is steering the ship. The pac 12 commissioner doesn’t have a clue. It is obvious with his actions he is incapable of leading the negotiations that are required to save the conference. He is basically asleep at the wheel . The Bears and Cardinal could find themselves as Independents, with no conference to call home. Being a life long pac 12 supporter it’s making me sick watching this and watching the commissioner walking in quick sand.
Huh?
You realize the Presidents are the one’s who have the last word on anything that GK does, right? Blame them for the situation the conference is in now. They’re stubborn and behind the 8 ball when it comes to the current state of college athletics, and their the ones who let the conference crater over the last 10-11 years by letting Larry Scott use the conference as his own personal piggy bank
So the key word here is “primarily.” That tells me there’s linear still in play. The question is what would FOX and ESPN rather do?
126.8 million per year (31.7m per school) is the magic number that Fox and ESPN are willing to spend for up to 4 Pac-12 teams to defect to the Big 12 (possibly 22 million less for Fox). ESPN needs the late night inventory. Fox does not unless some Mountain West teams are poached. And Colorado has now taken 31.7m of that pot so it’s closer to 70-95.1 million.
If the Pac wants a successful media deal, they need to either convince ESPN that their Tier 1 content is worth taking, and then poach some Mountain West teams to force Fox to pay for rights to Pac games on Fox or FS1. Or strike a deal with another linear carrier like TBS for better TV windows.
It’s not wall to wall coverage but it’s about the same linear they get right now and they still get (allegedly) $200m money from Apple, so that should get them within striking distance of the B12 with a lot of upside as everything moves to streaming. Plus you’re on Apple’s back and they will figure it out.
What’s killing this is not expanding first. They should have invited 6-7 schools — SMU, Tulane, and Rice or Memphis for 2024, then SDSU, Boise, Fresno and possibly Colorado State for 2025.
You take linear inventory from the American and Mountain West and force ESPN and Fox to add that to the pot while increasing exposure in two time zones and subscription upside. Force new members to take a diluted share which is more than they had in their current conferences while making legacy schools while.
I‘ll actually give GK the benefit of the doubt here as I’m sure he has some candidates in mind. But this insistence on deal first then expansion is killing the PAC’s chances to get something good.
My kids introduce me to streaming years ago. At first I was like a fish out of water (cable til I die), then got use to it. Streaming is were all TV platforms will be eventually be on....its the best way to gather consumer information! Pac 12, 10, 8 should embrace it and get ahead of the herd. Great Deal if its done right!
I relate to the fish out of water that learns to breath plain air. Right, now, as I type this, my wife and I are enjoying binge-watching Dallas. IMHO, it's better than having all this on DVD.
I move around so much for work, streaming is the only way to go. I used to have Hulu and FUBO during the season so I got all the sports channels (FUBO has PAC12 Network, Hulu does not). I am wondering if Apple will carry all PAC12 games. I have AppleTV, but if I must I will reinstate FUBO for the college football season.