The latest on the Ballys/Twins situation.
https://twitter.com/StribSports/status/1674493292338085889
I'm 50% factual and 50% sarcastic. When you get to know me, you will know which is which.
ESPN doing another round of layoffs today. They must be hemorrhaging money with that unreasonable NBA deal.
ESPN doing another round of layoffs today. They must be hemorrhaging money with that unreasonable NBA deal.
Until networks stop WAAAAAAY overpaying for sports, you are going to continue to see this.
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ESPN doing another round of layoffs today. They must be hemorrhaging money with that unreasonable NBA deal.
Until networks stop WAAAAAAY overpaying for sports, you are going to continue to see this.
Live sports are still one of the only things that gets ratings. It’s understandable why some companies paid the money they did for it a few years back. They just did a poor job of reading the market and didn’t figure out streaming.
ESPN just gave Pat McAfee 17 million a year and Aikman and Buck make a crapload of money. I'm sure that is leaving a bitter taste in the long time employees who were let go recently.
I'm 50% factual and 50% sarcastic. When you get to know me, you will know which is which.
Aloha!
ESPN doing another round of layoffs today. They must be hemorrhaging money with that unreasonable NBA deal.
Until networks stop WAAAAAAY overpaying for sports, you are going to continue to see this.
Live sports are still one of the only things that gets ratings. It’s understandable why some companies paid the money they did for it a few years back. They just did a poor job of reading the market and didn’t figure out streaming.
Kind of. Football gets consistent ratings but other sports cannot be counted on. Overpaying for the NBA was a massive error.
As for ESPN layoffs...part of the reason for layoffs is how Di$ney funds things. Lots of corporate accounting going on. ESPN is a sacrificial lamb for the parts of the corporation that are more "valuable". Bern doing this for a while.
Disney's stock being the same price it was 9 years ago definitely has something to do with this.
ESPN just gave Pat McAfee 17 million a year and Aikman and Buck make a crapload of money. I'm sure that is leaving a bitter taste in the long time employees who were let go recently.
Aikman and Buck got like 160 million to do 17 games a year to be second fiddle to the ManningCast on MNF. I'm guessing those ridiculous contracts are more the reason for the layoffs than their broadcast contracts.
Those ESPN salaries are astonishing.
Here's a cost-cutting move: stations do not need 5 pre-game/halftime/post-game analysts. 2 is a perfectly good number. Just sayin'.
When you tell somebody somethin', it depends on what part of the United States you're standin' in... as to just how dumb you are.
ESPN just gave Pat McAfee 17 million a year and Aikman and Buck make a crapload of money. I'm sure that is leaving a bitter taste in the long time employees who were let go recently.
Mostly cause McAfee is a next level dingus
I'm 50% factual and 50% sarcastic. When you get to know me, you will know which is which.
Wow, seismic change.
I get the digital version of the NYT and seem to remember doing a survey recently about what I read and where my interests were. I suspect a lot of people are similar to me where they subscribe for news and not necessarily for sports
Seems to be good news for Athletic subscribers
“When your best friend is the son of God, you get tired of losing every argument.”
― Christopher Moore, Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal
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I just can't believe they laid off Kolber.
They did? They keep a twatwaffle like McAfee but get rid of Kolber?
ESPN is awful...
Do they think packing their hours up with unlikeable people is good for ratings? Cause they have a lot of em.
They are gambling that McAfees fans (most of whom seen to dislike ESPN from what I hear) will still watch his stuff on YouTube and forget he now works for the enemy. That never worked with Jim Rome but honestly I don't think The Mouse cares. ESPN is a line item for them...
ESPN seems to think PTI is successful because of the arguing not because people like Wilbon and Kornheiser and respect their opinions because of their reputations in the business. It's the last of a dying breed of shows like The Sport Reporters. Soon ESPN will just be a series of podcasts and re-airings of Sport center or live events.
The Sport Reporters
That was such a good show when Dick Schaap was the host.
I am the official Iowa Hawkeye football fan of GPL!
I watch ESPN for live events and…not much else. A few pregame shows are ok but I can’t recall the last time I watched any other programming. Basically the same way I treat (yawn) sports radio.
“When your best friend is the son of God, you get tired of losing every argument.”
― Christopher Moore, Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I just can't believe they laid off Kolber.
They did? They keep a twatwaffle like McAfee but get rid of Kolber?
ESPN is awful...
Do they think packing their hours up with unlikeable people is good for ratings? Cause they have a lot of em.
They are gambling that McAfees fans (most of whom seen to dislike ESPN from what I hear) will still watch his stuff on YouTube and forget he now works for the enemy. That never worked with Jim Rome but honestly I don't think The Mouse cares. ESPN is a line item for them...
ESPN seems to think PTI is successful because of the arguing not because people like Wilbon and Kornheiser and respect their opinions because of their reputations in the business. It's the last of a dying breed of shows like The Sport Reporters. Soon ESPN will just be a series of podcasts and re-airings of Sport center or live events.
The few times I get to see/listen to Wilbon/Kornheiser, I kinda like the show.
When you tell somebody somethin', it depends on what part of the United States you're standin' in... as to just how dumb you are.
I just can't believe they laid off Kolber.
They did? They keep a twatwaffle like McAfee but get rid of Kolber?
ESPN is awful...
Do they think packing their hours up with unlikeable people is good for ratings? Cause they have a lot of em.
They are gambling that McAfees fans (most of whom seen to dislike ESPN from what I hear) will still watch his stuff on YouTube and forget he now works for the enemy. That never worked with Jim Rome but honestly I don't think The Mouse cares. ESPN is a line item for them...
ESPN seems to think PTI is successful because of the arguing not because people like Wilbon and Kornheiser and respect their opinions because of their reputations in the business. It's the last of a dying breed of shows like The Sport Reporters. Soon ESPN will just be a series of podcasts and re-airings of Sport center or live events.
The few times I get to see/listen to Wilbon/Kornheiser, I kinda like the show.
They pay Steven A Smith and used to pay Skip Bayless to talk. Seems like a poor business model.
It worked for a while...until everyone figured out it was a bit.
Smith seems to think he is dead in the next round of layoffs if I read right.
Chris Carter to be on KFAN at 4:30 today
Aloha!
I watch ESPN for live events and…not much else. A few pregame shows are ok but I can’t recall the last time I watched any other programming. Basically the same way I treat (yawn) sports radio.
College Gameday on Saturday mornings before the games start (and tbh, I am fully expecting that when Lee Corso passes away, they replace his spot on the panel with Pat McAfee--they are already beginning to limit Corso's screen time due to his declining health). Other than that it's mostly for live sports or the late night/can't sleep Sportscenter for a bit. I can't remember the last time I sat down and watched one of their talking heads shows.
I watch ESPN for live events and…not much else. A few pregame shows are ok but I can’t recall the last time I watched any other programming. Basically the same way I treat (yawn) sports radio.
College Gameday on Saturday mornings before the games start (and tbh, I am fully expecting that when Lee Corso passes away, they replace his spot on the panel with Pat McAfee--they are already beginning to limit Corso's screen time due to his declining health). Other than that it's mostly for live sports or the late night/can't sleep Sportscenter for a bit. I can't remember the last time I sat down and watched one of their talking heads shows.
Same here. I can't remember the last time I watched any ESPN channel except to watch a game. I don't watch SportsCenter or any talking heads show.
College Gameday on Saturday mornings before the games start (and tbh, I am fully expecting that when Lee Corso passes away, they replace his spot on the panel with Pat McAfee--they are already beginning to limit Corso's screen time due to his declining health). Other than that it's mostly for live sports or the late night/can't sleep Sportscenter for a bit. I can't remember the last time I sat down and watched one of their talking heads shows.
Same, IMHO the strength of Game Day is the chemistry and banter between Corso & Herbstreit. Pat McAfee is not the answer. I am not sure who is but it's not McAfee.
“When your best friend is the son of God, you get tired of losing every argument.”
― Christopher Moore, Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal
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I remember when watching SC was must see TV but about 20 years ago at least it stopped being that 'important' and at least 10 years for which I haven't intentionally turned it on period period.
So any update yet regarding Bally’s bankruptcy and how we will be able to access Gophers,Wild,Twins next season?
Aloha!
So any update yet regarding Bally’s bankruptcy and how we will be able to access Gophers,Wild,Twins next season?
Do NOT count on the Gophers being on Bally's no matter what happens with the other teams.
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So Big Ten Network is our primary hope?
So Big Ten Network is our primary hope?
Still being decided... Tough to get info.
But a local network may be where quite a few games go... But BTN+ may be the solution for some home games. So get your tickets!
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If Ch 9+ can carry MN Aurora I don't see why they couldn't carry Gopher Hockey.
I read a lot about the whole Bally Sports/overall broadcasting situation and I feel like one theme stands out from all of the experts: no one knows.
It’s uncharted territory with consumers having so many options.
If Ch 9+ can carry MN Aurora I don't see why they couldn't carry Gopher Hockey.
They already have a contract to carry most SCSU home games. It would most likely need to be weekends where SCSU is on the road and MN is home if it will be on the plus.
The CW is getting back into the sports game nationally so I could easily see that being the spot--a return back to the old channel 23.
Aloha!
I'm 50% factual and 50% sarcastic. When you get to know me, you will know which is which.
The kitten that roared. I like it!If Ch 9+ can carry MN Aurora I don't see why they couldn't carry Gopher Hockey.
They already have a contract to carry most SCSU home games. It would most likely need to be weekends where SCSU is on the road and MN is home if it will be on the plus.
The CW is getting back into the sports game nationally so I could easily see that being the spot--a return back to the old channel 23.
So any update regarding Bally’s I keep hearing on KFAN that nationally they are going under due to being bankrupt but no one has said what will happen to the local coverage
Aloha!
So any update regarding Bally’s I keep hearing on KFAN that nationally they are going under due to being bankrupt but no one has said what will happen to the local coverage
BSN made whatever payment they needed to and they announced the Twins games for the remainder of the season will be on BSN. After that their contract with the Twins ends.
@bigbeer BSN has the contract with the Twins through this year and the Wild and Wolves for the next two (I think).
Basically the bankruptcy was an attempt by DSG (Diamond Sports Group, owner of BSN and others) to try to force the hand of the leagues to take a lesser amount for rights and make the entity profitable. But it didn't work-- MLB Network was standing in the wings so there was no leverage for DSG to hold over the teams, and the bankruptcy court wasn't going to institute a lesser payment amount just because DSG wanted it.
So DSG is forced to determine whether they want to try to make a go of it on a market-by-market approach. They got out of San Diego and essentially have gotten railroaded out in PHX, but chose to continue in Dallas and MSP.
I think they like the winter coverage numbers in this market because of the TV strength of the Wild and the perceived improvement of the Wolves. They needed to keep the Twins-- at least for this summer-- or risk local subscribers leaving and not coming back ever. They have a decent deal for the Wild and Wolves so they wanted to protect those.
Will they continue with college/HS hockey locally? Unsure. Again, BTN+ can produce these games already so there is competition already and it is unclear what BSN/DSG's long terms strategy is going to be.
Remember that DSG made a deal with Bally's in the hopes of making ties with sports gambling. But that has grown to be a bit of a problem, as locally the legislature didn't pursue allowing it in MN and you have Iowa/Iowa State student-athletes accused of gambling as well.
So just about every move DSG has made to date has not panned out for them as hoped. At some point they probably consolidate into their core strengths and grow from there.
I know the Twins are covered for the rest of the season, what is going on with the Wild,Timberpuppies and Gophers coverage? I know they all are working on something but I have not seen anything yet
Aloha!
Gophers coverage?
I was told that Gopher Hockey will NOT be on BSN this season. I think the U saw the writing on the wall and got out, but who knows. I just know that they will not be on BSN.
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Just waiting on the day where Fox9+ announces not just gopher hockey but other sports like volleyball, basketball, women’s hockey, softball, wrestling, all of it on their air, it would generate much more interest in gopher sports I feel.
As has been brought up already They have the contract for SCCC and likely don't have the money for all of Gopher Sports...