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May 15, 2013

It’s All About Conference Stability

Filed under: ACC,Conference,Media,TV — Chas @ 6:16 am

For all the chaos and angst regarding the football and basketball teams with players coming and going, it somehow makes sense that for the first time in more than ten years there is a calm — nay, giddiness — over how positive things are for Pitt athletics as a whole now that the membership in the ACC is weeks away. There’s no worrying over rumors of new expansiopocolypse. There’s no concerns about being insanely behind every other conference in terms of money and media exposure. There’s actual confidence in the conference structure and the commissioner actually knowing what he is doing and not trying to serve two masters.

The ACC meetings are taking place, and the buzzword is stability.

As the league’s athletic directors gathered Monday for their annual meetings, one item not on the agenda was the prospect of future conference realignment. That seemingly persistent worry was put to bed last month when the ACC members agreed to a grant of media rights that would appear to lock in the conference membership through 2027.

“In the room, we always felt good, but then you go outside the room and no one else seemed to feel good,” Pitt athletic director Steve Pederson said. “There was always this undercurrent that there was something else going on. I think what [the grant of rights] did was kind of sent a message to everybody that we’re in this and this is the way it’s going to be.”

Whereas last year was about trying to maintain the status quo, this year’s meetings will be about how the league can move forward.

Last year, Pitt was just happy to be there. This year, they are an actual participant.

Pederson also said that, while he was here last year, the meetings didn’t provide the same sort of immediacy they do now. Last year, Pederson could be a part of big picture ACC discussions (bowl tie-ins, TV rights, realignment, etc.) but not really in terms of smaller stuff like officiating and rules changes (where Pitt still had one more year in the Big East). This year, it’s all ACC everything for Pitt, which will officially join the conference July 1.

“Instead of sitting in there listening to everything about a year from now, everything is about this fall and who we’re playing and what we’re doing,” he said. “That’s the reality of it. We’ve been planning and so forth but all of a sudden instead of being on the edge of the discussion, you’re in the discussion in terms of how everything affects you going forward, and that’s important.”

In light of recent announcements by the SEC and ESPN on an SEC Network, questions of what is going to happen with an ACC channel were at the forefront.

“We don’t want to let any grass grow, and I don’t think ESPN does either,” said Swofford, who updated conference athletic directors Monday on the viability of the proposed ACC Network.

A major part of the business being conducted this week at the ACC spring meetings involves discussions aimed at building that network. Swofford said the conference — now that it is growing westward from the Atlantic Ocean and northward with the additions of Pitt and Syracuse — is well-positioned to undertake many ventures.

“Everything is very healthy from an exposure standpoint,” he said. “I don’t know if anybody has any greater exposure. With the grant of (media) rights agreement, that enhances a lot of things for us going forward.”

Swofford said the 15 schools will give the ACC footprint a population of about 107 million, the largest of any conference.

“By 2030,” he said, “over 50 percent of the population of the U.S. will be in the ACC footprint.”

Swofford put the timetable for an ACC network on a similar planning clock as the SEC, which started talking about its network about two years ago and is a year from fruition. “Something of that nature is probably realistic for us in terms of that decision being made,” he said.

The exploration of an ACC Network started back in January. Given the rights to ACC media are held by ESPN, there really was/is no doubt about who their broadcast partner would/will be in such a venture. It is no coincidence that after the exploration of the ACC Network began, things began to fall into place for a Grant of Rights in the ACC. There’s no way ESPN — or any broadcast partner — would agree to back an ACC Network without hard guarantees of conference stability.

The revenue potential and growth of a conference network in the medium to long-term is still superior to a deal where a school would control only their tier 3 TV rights. Controlling tier 3 rights might give you a nice bump initially and ego boost to say you control them, but they are going to be constrained by the interest limited to not far beyond the state where the school is located (right, Texas?). A conference network, though, has much broader appeal and growth potential.

The issue, as always, is getting it picked up by various distributors. As the B1G Network learned. As the Longhorn Channel and Pac-12 Network are learning. As even the SEC will learn. It isn’t as simple as snapping fingers to get the cable and satellite and FIOS companies to agree to carry the channel. Heck, it has taken the NFL Network years to start to get near the penetration it wanted. But — and once more the B1G is the example — once they do get the distribution, the money really does roll. The B1G is pushing out bigger money than ever because it has had years to get itself distributed. That’s why the revenue distribution is so high. Years to push it out onto markets. Years of negotiations. Years of being mocked because it wasn’t being distributed as widely right away.

It will happen. It will also take time.

As much as everyone wants to predict the bursting of the bubble for what media companies will pay for live sports, it does not appear to be happening anytime soon. The Sports Business Journal had a good article explaining why rights fees aren’t going to pop anytime soon.

Today, the same situation is happening in Los Angeles, where Time Warner Cable’s recent Dodgers deal — $8 billion over 25 years — has brought out the same speculation. How can sports rights go any higher?

Network and league executives privately say that we are still nowhere close to a rights ceiling, and they believe rights fees will continue to climb for the foreseeable future. Taking a look at the TV market as a whole, it’s difficult to argue with them.

Cord cutting for just online streaming and subscription services are still very minor. They get a lot of attention, but they are only a small percentage. Sadly, by the time they get to a point where there might be an impact, we’ll probably be dealing with metering and throttling for streams.

The only thing that could do it is if Congress actually passed McCain’s bill to unbundle channels and other consumer friendly things. Unfortunately, the odds of that happening are slim and none. Too much money and too many lobbyists that would line up against it. And even if it passed and was signed, you can bet there would be a major court battle to tie it up for more years.

But now that there is stability that networks can feel confident will last, the ACC Network will come together and be rolled out in the next couple of years. And then it will be the painful process of getting the distribution.





Call me cynical but I don’t believe McCain’s bill will necessarily bring about lower cable bills. Everything a la carte seems great on the surface but I have a feeling that the popular channels will carry a hefty price tag, and we may end up clamoring for the packaged deals. Hope I’m wrong

Comment by wbb 05.15.13 @ 6:49 am

wbb, I could see that happening. All of a sudden it becomes quite expensive for those channels that wouldn’t get as much distribution. The advertisers will realize fairly quickly the large potential loss of viewership.

Comment by Benzene 05.15.13 @ 7:04 am

Very nice that Pitt is part of the ACC!

Comment by JR 05.15.13 @ 7:22 am

wbb, I just read an article saying that a la carte will make TV prices higher. Right now ESPN charges cable companies around $5 per subscriber. I could see ESPN increasing that a fee a lot because they know people won’t be paying for the other channels.

Comment by Wardapalooza 05.15.13 @ 7:43 am

Benzene, I have become very cynical in my old age … especially after my investments went down the drain (just like most others) and it now appears that I will have to work even postmortem from the grave just to break even. (I never planned a lavish retirement, just wanted to be comfortable … even settle for basic cable)

Comment by wbb 05.15.13 @ 7:44 am

Here’s a scenario for you… as you know, the first week of the NCAA toruney is not only aired on CBS but their affiltiate along with TBS affiliates … including a couple stations that I never knew existed and had to search the menu guide to find where they were.

Well, in the 2nd round next year, 3rd seeded Pitt plays 6th seed WVU on the CW (or whatever). I along with probably many others do not have the CW in my a la catre package, therefore, have to watch it on CBSsports.com

Comment by wbb 05.15.13 @ 8:48 am

I’ve mentioned it before..if most of the public realized that they are paying $60 a dollars a year for ESPN on their basic cable there would be an uproar. A lot of people who complain about high players salaries and say they would never pay a ticket price to see millionaires play are actually doing so just by having basic cable.

wbb..sounds like you panicked when market crashed..if you would have left your money alone it would be doing just fine right now.

Comment by milobloom 05.15.13 @ 8:59 am

Short article today about Pitt and Syracuse pushing to get the ACC tourney in MSG or Barclays….though doesn’t look like it is going to happen since both places want the conference to lock in for multiple years and not just use on a rotation.
Watch Big Ten will move their conference there in a few years…I can’t see the ‘New’ Big East selling out MSG with it’s current schools.

Comment by milobloom 05.15.13 @ 9:03 am

milo, I didn’t touch my money. I’m not talking about 2008 … I’m talking about 2001 or 2002 when all of my mutual funds decreased to less than half its value

Comment by wbb 05.15.13 @ 9:32 am

wbb, Yeah took 5+ years to get back to the same place in that crash.and then it crashed again..if you quit putting money in market at either of those times that would hurt…I’ve been using advice that a wall street friend told me…just buy and hold when everyone is selling…seems to be working.

Comment by milo bloom 05.15.13 @ 9:55 am

They should have the ACC tournament in DC at the Verizon Center. Stick it to Maryland and Georgetown.

Comment by Jeff 05.15.13 @ 10:10 am

I’m thinking of McCain’s bill as a nice try but I use automobiles as an analogy. The car companies gouge as far as new car prices……… but they have us by the nutts on parts. Imagine trying to build your car from parts at the same price you buy it from a dealer.

Comment by mtoolmn 05.15.13 @ 10:10 am

Milo, I dunno if people would be in an uproar about paying $60 for ESPN for a year. If you just watch two games all year on ESPN you are saving money as opposed to actually going to the event. They do give you a lot of content.

Comment by Wardapalooza 05.15.13 @ 10:31 am

Sports dollars are still king in advertising revenue. A live sports event is one of a few television events that does not lent itself well to TIVOing and fast forwarding through the commercials (although I do a lot of that, but it is because of schedule conflits – I far prefer to watch the event live). I think advertisers believe they get more bang for their buck with a sports event vice a sitcom or movie. So, I can see why the rights fee ceiling has not yet been reached. I’m guessing five years from now, the ACC will be making a large amount of money from the ACC Network. There are 107M homes in the footprint.

Comment by HbgFrank 05.15.13 @ 11:08 am

MOVE THE ACC BB CHAMPIONSHIP TO SOME SORT OF DESTINATION. BIG APPLE, FLORIDA. SOME PLACE YOU CAN WATCH TOURNAMENT AND THEN GO DO OTHER THINGS. I WILL MISS THE GARDEN. I DON’T REMEMBER LAST TIME I WENT TO GREENSBORO (NEVER).

Comment by Wayne 05.15.13 @ 11:22 am

Milo, my fund values have been doing well over the past few years but nothing will make up for the last decade … either lost money or was stagnant

Comment by wbb 05.15.13 @ 12:49 pm

Maybe this will hurt PSU recruiting….

link to post-gazette.com

Comment by Jackagain 05.15.13 @ 12:56 pm

this is all nice and great wonderful.
but i care abought things closer to home what is
going on with are basketball team are football recruting.
this is here now kane comeing to pitt is no longer a sure thing and if cam goes we are down to 9 players even counting the 4 who have signed.
great evry thing is great in the ACC.
but i hate to go into the ACC with the last place team in BB which is how things look at this point.

Comment by FRANKCAN 05.15.13 @ 1:04 pm

Couldn’t agree more about keeping the ACC tourney out of Tobacco Road…just one time in New York City and they would see why such a great place to have the tourney,,,but NC and Duke don’t want to give up there home court advantage for the tourney.

@Ward,if you are a sports fan it’s a good deal. But if you don’t watch sports (and more people don’t than do) you are paying $60 a year for something you never watch….It’s hard to argue that is right.
If McCain bill went thru it would make things fairer to the general public….but as a sports fan we’ll be paying a lot more to see all the games we do now.

@wbb,,I agree it was a lost decade if you invested everything Pre 2001 and left it..but if you would of continued to buy when the markets dropped both times you actually would be quite a bit ahead right now. (My last comment on Stock Market…I’ll keep it to Pitt Sports from this point on.)

Comment by milobloom 05.15.13 @ 1:20 pm

my be we should buy pitt basketball it is on a down turn.and sell when it comes back up some year

Comment by FRANKCAN 05.15.13 @ 1:25 pm

@FRANKCAN LMAO!!!!!!!!!!!

Comment by Dan 05.15.13 @ 1:55 pm

Penn St getting additional heat today about inadequate medical care of athletes. Inference is that they may be exerting unnecessary pressure. ESPN just had HC Obrien on to defend. He sounded disjointed in his arguments.

Comment by Pitt fan in Atlanta 05.15.13 @ 2:45 pm

it seems like whatever psu does wrong, it doesn’t matter, they still recruit very well. what gives??

Comment by goalie44 05.15.13 @ 5:04 pm

goalie44, I was thinking the same thing .. they’ll probably get 2 4-stars this weekend

Comment by wbb 05.15.13 @ 5:38 pm

@Frankcan–I am no where near as pessimistic as you over basketball.

First, I didn’t and don’t think Kane is a player of need. To me he would be no more and nol ess than another Trey Zeigler in terms of his impact on the team.

The only real concern I have is Uchebo’s health. IMHO, if he is healthy and stays that way we are an NCAA tourney “lock.” If he is not healthy then worst case is a season slightly better than the the bad 2011-12 season and an NIT bid. I expect Young to be immediately somewhat better than Dante was as a senior and i expect Chris Jones to surprise us.

Comment by pitt1972 05.15.13 @ 6:59 pm

pitt1972 and you think we will do that with what
could be 9 players 5 of which have never played
in a major college basketball game.
good luck hope you are right .

Comment by FRANKCAN 05.15.13 @ 7:05 pm

Info for you pitt is one of 3 teams in the hunt for
a transfer from alabama 6 foot 3 SG trevor lacey
he was a top 50 player 2 years ago.
but if we got him he would have to sit out a year

Comment by FRANKCAN 05.15.13 @ 7:18 pm

Wbb check this out Chris Dockish said another controversy at penn state their recruiting will pick up.
very funny except there recruiting is all ready
white hot with 9 commits i dont think it could get better.

Comment by FRANKCAN 05.15.13 @ 7:48 pm

Picked up tickets online today for game at Navy on 10/26.

Comment by markp 05.15.13 @ 8:19 pm

Not that I take certain posters seriously but after awhile the rants just get to be irrational. Does anyone know just how bad VT is going to be in men’s basketball next season. They came in last place in the league! They loose ACC POY Eric Green (like 70% of their offense) and one of their underclassmen recently transferred out! JD could coach just our current returning players to ACC home and/or road victories over VT, Clemson, Wake, GT and BC without a problem. Add in a decent contribution from just our freshmen and we WILL be in all scheduled ACC games including @ UNC! H2P! Let’s go PITT baseball! UPone

Comment by UPone 05.15.13 @ 8:36 pm

Hope you’re right Upone.

Comment by panther94 05.15.13 @ 9:01 pm

Good news – Ped State’s 2nd leading scorer – Jermaine Marshall – is leaving for a pro career. That should make the Spirit feel a little better.

Comment by marcus of schaumburg 05.15.13 @ 9:07 pm

Upone,
Simplistic analysis… Mine is simpler.
Doubtful Pitt basketball will go to NCAA this season based upon current roster.

Too many unknowns at this point. Heck, we don’t know if we have enough players to run a practice or if we need to find some players from intramurals for practice squad duty.
Right now we have 10 players… JJ and Cam may leave and Kane hasn’t signed yet so can’t count him yet. Joe Ochebo is unknown due to injury.
We could be at 8 players in 2 weeks and 1 on injured reserve so 7 players.
Just say’in. Too many unknowns.

Comment by Pitt.Dan83 05.15.13 @ 9:10 pm

Totally agree with Jeff! Although I am a little bias because I live in the DC area. I feel that would be a great venue! So much to do in Little China there and plus the tourist thing but its a great halfway place for all the teams! And the Veruzon Center can really rock when packed! Maryland leaving doesn’t help but with Pitt and UVA and VT drawing good crowds with a lot of those fans in the area and then throw in North Carolina and Duke! Would be great! The ACC will figure it out! ACC tournament really struggled selling tickets this year! And that will continue! Move it to dc!!!

Comment by Sweet Caroline 05.15.13 @ 9:43 pm

pittDan.83 good points. that is close to what i said
and even if we got the SG from bama lacey he would have to sit out a year.
we need players who can play this year so he does
not help us are first year in the ACC.

Comment by FRANKCAN 05.15.13 @ 10:12 pm

the answer to the $64k question: link to triblive.com

I go on record as agreeing with this … JD has to go with what he knows .. now he has to recruit to support his ways

Comment by wbb 05.16.13 @ 6:25 am

wbb & Milo – I took a hit during those times also but my wife was insistent that we use our existing savings and even take out low-interest loans to buy blue chip stocks.

I was crazy with worry but trusted her gut feeling and it worked out very well for us. Our portfolio almost tripled in the last 12 years. She also has a knack for picking low priced stocks that do well which freaks me out a bit as she’s basically been a stay at home mom during our marriage and I handle all the finances at home.

I think the market is in for a multi-year bull run and I just read an article where a well known investment manager predicted we’ll top 25,000 on the Dow before 2023. I think that may be stretching it but I could see 20,000 by 2020. If that happens we’ll be in great shape.

Comment by Reed 05.16.13 @ 7:07 am

Anybody who is presently investing in the stock market should completely understand the dynamics of the Fed’s current fiscal and monitary policies.

I have just two words for them, Quanitative Easing.

Comment by Dr. Tom 05.16.13 @ 7:28 am

And BTW, good on ya, Sweet Caroline, I’m also all for the ACC tournament in Washington, DC at the Verizon Center. It would be a fantastic venue and centrally located for the conference geographically.

Comment by Dr. Tom 05.16.13 @ 7:31 am

I am 100% out of the market now and have no plans to get back in if, or until, there is a major free fall event (greater than 30% drop).

I have seen predictions on an overdue drop that might range from a 10% to a 90% short term fall with about a 30% overall correction when the market re-stabilizes after a bigger initial drop being considered by many of these ultra-bearish forecasters as where the Market really should be if it weren’t for quantitative easing.

So, if QE ends and there is a big drop of over 30% I will get back in with both feet on the way down hoping to catch the re-stabilization bounce back up. Otherwise I am staying on the sidelines and collecting my 1-1.5%. I am too old and too close to retirement to get in now when the market is at record highs.

Comment by pitt1972 05.16.13 @ 9:43 am

Greensboro blows. Went to a few ACC tournaments when I was in Raleigh. It’s a good place for gettin drunk with the local crackers, but it’s a shitty place to hold a world class sporting event. Get it to some city and build it there.

I think they should do it in Miami. That would be a great spring trip.

Comment by Chris 05.16.13 @ 10:08 am

And now for the easy part…winning

Comment by Cool Hand Nuke 05.16.13 @ 3:25 pm

Let’s win a few games in the ACC, then bitch about where the tournament is played. Does it really matter whether we lose in the first round in New York, or Greensboro? The food and entertainment is better in New York, and the bars stay open after 10:00.

Comment by PO'd Panther 05.16.13 @ 9:53 pm

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