Conference Realignment Board

Joined: 10/07/1999 Posts: 1962
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What's this?

So what does it really mean when ESPN loses Mike Tirico, Skip Bayless, and

Brad Nessler all for more money in the same week?

It tells me that the 4-letter network is not making the money that they used to.

Oddly enough, I do believe this is why the ACC Network discussions appear to be moving in a direction that excites all of us.

I have heard that on July 1, ESPN owes the ACC $45 million dollars if there is no ACC Network. That is $45 million for absolutely no additional content, noNOTHING! If you are the suits at Disney and you see your bottom line getting tighter, are you really that excited to have to stroke a $45 million dollar check for nothing in return?

It is interesting that the company that used to print money has been outbid for talent by NBC (Tirico), Fox (Bayless), and CBS (Nessler). In days gone by this NEVER would have happened. Tirico is Mr. Everything for Bristol U. He is the lead on their most valuable property - Monday Night Football. He is on the NBA, college hoops, tennis, golf, and World Cup soccer. Losing him probably did not taste very well for John Skipper.

Say what you want about Bayless, but ESPN appears to have really wanted him to stay.

Nessler appears to be getting the nod to be the successor to Verne Lundquist in the near future. Verne is 72 and is beginning to lose his fastball. Already, CBS rents him a corporate apartment in Atlanta during football season but if I were him, I would be seriously thinking about full time in Steamboat Springs.

Back to ESPN. How do they make more cash? Easy, an ACC Network that is a money maker just like the SEC Network. I believe that one of their properties will likely be repurposed into the ACC Network. It may be the loser known as the Longhorn Network or possibly ESPNEWS. The per sub rates that an ACC net will get will dwarf what their underperforming nets are getting nowhence more $$$ for Disney.
[Post edited by CobbCountyHokie at 05/04/2016 11:05PM]

Posted: 05/04/2016 at 11:05PM

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Current Thread:

So what does it really mean when ESPN loses Mike Tirico, Skip Bayless, and -- CobbCountyHokie 05/04/2016 11:05PM

I don't think it means that much. ESPN has always been notoriously cheap -- marcbvtgm 05/05/2016 11:02PM

ESPN has been losing people the past few years. -- Old Line Hokie 05/05/2016 10:51AM

If UT ever joins the ACC, having ESPN holding -- daveinop 05/05/2016 09:56AM

Ut means what? -- BigCrumpy 05/05/2016 12:09PM

Tejas ** -- daveinop 05/05/2016 1:42PM

Gad I'd have though it was Univ of Tennessee. ** -- BigCrumpy 05/05/2016 3:57PM

The loss of Trico and Nessler may hurt because they did multiple -- VTHokie2000 05/05/2016 09:49AM

Like Tirico, love Nessler -- mancunian 05/05/2016 09:33AM

I think it means they need to spend money to make money and the talent -- ColumbusHokie 05/05/2016 07:05AM

Wasted money -- mrcaniac 05/05/2016 01:27AM

Seems to make sense to repurpose a current channel. -- Atlee Hokie 05/05/2016 05:15AM

ESPN worried about the sizzle, not the steak -- mrcaniac 05/05/2016 11:45AM

Re: So what does it really mean when ESPN loses Mike Tirico, Skip Bayless, and -- 33laszlo99 05/05/2016 01:09AM

I think some of this is spot on, but other parts are too far-fetched, imo -- daveinop 05/05/2016 09:12AM

Re: I think some of this is spot on, but other parts are too far-fetched, imo -- 33laszlo99 05/05/2016 09:53AM

All fair points. I think at least part of the holdup is due to -- daveinop 05/05/2016 10:51AM

Your supposition is correct if talking about a brand new channel. -- Atlee Hokie 05/05/2016 05:28AM

ESPN cost cutting helps the ACC -- HOO86 05/05/2016 12:43AM

I like the thought of the BIG being on Fox and ACC on ESPN.... -- Mr. Touchdown 05/05/2016 10:03AM

I have a slightly different spin -- daveinop 05/05/2016 09:37AM

This is all a bubble IMO. At some point this will not be able to sustain -- corvt2000 05/05/2016 08:58AM

Not so sure about that. ESPN's about the only thing keeping cable subscribe -- chuckd4vt 05/05/2016 2:06PM

"Talent" used loosely when referencing Bayless I assume. ** -- crabcake77 05/04/2016 11:40PM

He has a talent for drawing viewers and generating conversation -- Gator Hokie 05/05/2016 08:33AM

Would concur WRT Skip Bayless. -- Atlee Hokie 05/05/2016 05:36AM

I know a lot of people like Tirico, but to me he is nothing special. ** -- Mr. Touchdown 05/05/2016 09:59AM

Nessler leaving is likely, but not confirmed, yes? -- Roanokie 05/04/2016 11:05PM

Correct. Not yet confirmed but discussed openly by media talking heads. ** -- CobbCountyHokie 05/04/2016 11:06PM

In theory, they could pass on the Big 10 rights to help the bottom line -- Roanokie 05/04/2016 11:20PM

This is why their bid for the Tier I Big 10 rights was "ceremonial" -- CobbCountyHokie 05/04/2016 11:24PM

So what does it really mean when ESPN loses Mike Tirico, Skip Bayless, and

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