2020 NFL Off-season

[MileHigh]

Is that something the NFL wants or is it Disney's choice? If it is the latter, I wonder how much cord-cutting is a factor and ESPN's loss in advertising rates.

That would be Disney's choice because it wants to be in the Super Bowl rotation and the shield isn't putting the Super Bowl on ESPN.

 

[DanOregon]

This Tom Brady to SF nonsense reminds of the time I threatened to run away from home.. "I'm going.....I swear, I'm really going to do it.....Jimmy said I could stay with him and his family.....I'm serious......" Meanwhile, Belichick is in his chair watching the ballgame and reading the paper not even looking up. "OK, we have their phone number if we need to reach you."

 

[TigerVols]

I could see Apple or Amazon buying CBS in order to get a fat NFL package.

 

[DanOregon]

Current market cap is 14.5b. I think Apple might be the better bet, they could use the content library. (Paramount). And ViacomCBS is planning to sell Simon and Schuster two hours ago. Their reason is really dumb though.

"Simon & Schuster is not a core asset. It's not video based; it doesn't have connectivity to our business." ViacomCBS CEO Bob Bakish on Wednesday signaled book publisher Simon & Schuster is up for sale.

Where does he think 60 Minutes gets all of those "exclusives?" Where do ideas for movies/tv shows come from?

 

[heyabbott]

I could see Apple or Amazon buying CBS in order to get a fat NFL package.

Is there a market for 3-4 over the air free network that depends solely on ad revenue?

Local affiliates pay for the privilege of carry 3 hours of network programming, national news and weekend sports? The trumpeters need their lawyer and pharmaceutical ads. They don't have much disposable income, it's all tied up in their 401Ks.

1st network to throw in the towel and go total stream or combo stream and satellite/cable?

 

[DanOregon]

I don't know about Al Michaels leaving NBC for MNF to pair with Manning - seems like Kevin Harlan would be a wiser investment.

https://www.si.com/media/2020/03/06...sVAi2R4b8O-p5Up6ydIR1Twi946wGbwXZR32i7iUq97uM

Manning doesn't seem to be the type that would just do something for money. I doubt he gets any additional endorsements out of the gig. He's already worth $200m. He doesn't need additional fame, or recognition.

 

[MileHigh]

Unless there's a Super Bowl involved, Uncle Al isn't leaving the Peacock. Especially when he's in line to do the Super Bowl in his hometown in L.A. in two years.

Granted, NBC has Tirico waiting in the wings, but why would NBC move on from the greatest football play-by-play announcer of all time when he still has a relatively good fastball?

 

[DanOregon]

Because NBC may end up taking a severe bath with the upcoming Olympics in Tokyo? I don't know why NBC would give Al up. It does make me wonder how much the NFL is going to jack the price up for the rights though when the networks are willing to commit so much money before even bidding on the rights.

 

[MileHigh]

Oh, the prices are going to go up. And NBC could be held holding the bag.

Right now, CBS pays $1 billion a year.
Fox pays $1.1 billion a year.
NBC pays $950 million a year
All three expire after the 2022 season.

ESPN is paying $1.9 billion a year. Without flex. And getting the worst schedule. That expires after the 2021 season.

Who is to say ESPN/ABC/Disney won't come in and say it will pay, oh, $2.5 billion a year and snag Sunday Night Football with its flex scheduling? And put it on ABC? And get into the Super Bowl rotation? That's a modest increase for Disney. That's A LOT for NBC to match (more than double).

Fox will pay whatever it takes. So will CBS. Or will they? I think they keep their packages, especially after CBS went all-in with Romo.

How high will NBC go? And what does it get? MNF? And no Super Bowl? But the NFL will want MAJOR upgrades to the ESPN/ABC booth and production. It's horrid compared to the other three and it's not even close.

Disney has the big-boy chips in this next round of bidding. To say nothing that it won't go all in and grab the CBS or Fox daytime games and package it with the Sunday night game.

Putting out it wants Michaels/Manning, that's nice. They wanted Romo, too. Look how that turned out.

ESPN/Disney can float all the billions in the world, but they need to up their game when it comes to broadcasting/producing NFL telecasts. Because right now, they are DFL and it's not close.

 

[DanOregon]

I saw Leslie Frazier was promoted to Asst. Head Coach in Buffalo. I see this designation in the NFL and in college, and it's rarely the OC or the DC - what does the job actually entail? Or is it more a show of respect for the senior non-coordinator on the staff?

 

[Michael_ Gee]

NBC's corporate parent Comcast is not exactly a charity case. They can keep SNF if they think it's worth their while. And it is. Otherwise, their overall prime time ratings drop to the basement in short order.

 

[CD Boogie]

I don't know about Al Michaels leaving NBC for MNF to pair with Manning - seems like Kevin Harlan would be a wiser investment.

https://www.si.com/media/2020/03/06...sVAi2R4b8O-p5Up6ydIR1Twi946wGbwXZR32i7iUq97uM

Manning doesn't seem to be the type that would just do something for money. I doubt he gets any additional endorsements out of the gig. He's already worth $200m. He doesn't need additional fame, or recognition.

$20 million per year? To call 16 games? Be hard to turn that down.

ESPN Is Reportedly Set to Offer Peyton Manning a Massive Deal to Join Monday Night Football

He doesn't need the fame or money, but no one wants to atrophy or not use their talents, and I think he could be great in the booth. Maybe, maybe not. Certainly worth it for ESPN to explore it. I honestly think the best thing they could do to liven up broadcasts is to regularly bring in celebrities or college coaches to lend some commentary, maybe for a quarter or two. And not people who are just promoting their latest ABC sitcom. Having John Lennon in the booth, that kind of thing. Doesn't have to be every week, but man, just something to keep it fresh.