We've been told 3 things, all of which probably have some truth to them:

(1)Big carriage deals expire; (2)the Raycom deal needs to be resolved;(3) broadcast facilities need to be developed at the individual schools.

(1) 2019 is the date for at least for some large deals;

(2) there is no obvious reason why 2019 is magic for Raycom;

(3) SEC managed to do the same thing over the course of a year.

But I think this has to do with conference composition. ESPN wants more content. That means a 9 game schedule or more teams. I'll guess the latter.

In response to this post by Stech

Posted: 07/26/2016 at 3:42PM

So ask yourself, why 2019 for the linear channel? What's it about 19 that -- Stech 07/26/2016 12:20PM

Next "Look-in" on the SEC contract with ESPN. Why that is important -- ColumbusHokie 07/27/2016 1:31PM

I think I read something about 2019 being a critical year for the LHN so -- ScottyHeel 07/26/2016 11:26PM

I would think how LHN could be leveraged w/o joining -- Colonel Jessup 07/27/2016 08:20AM

A+ for creativity. Crazier things have happened ** -- daveinop 07/27/2016 08:21AM

Re: I think I read something about 2019 being a critical year for the LHN so -- Stech 07/27/2016 07:47AM

Hmm... I mean if you're ESPN -- MBHokie90 07/27/2016 3:19PM

The start up costs have already been sunk. -- hokieball 07/27/2016 7:02PM

Don't you just love it when Stech goes all Harvard Business School on us? ** -- CobbCountyHokie 07/26/2016 10:34PM

Re: Don't you just love it when Stech goes all Harvard Business School on us? -- Stech 07/27/2016 07:46AM

Totally going Socratic method on the board... -- CobbCountyHokie 07/27/2016 08:11AM

Actually, I think its distributor and raycom distribution ** -- Mercury 07/26/2016 3:47PM

We've been told 3 things, all of which probably have some truth to them: -- daveinop 07/26/2016 3:42PM

While all 3 are valid my guess is expansion -- Red Hokie 07/26/2016 6:59PM

Was thinking about both of those references this a.m. ** -- daveinop 07/26/2016 8:45PM

They want 9 conference games dah ** -- BigCrumpy 07/26/2016 1:12PM

We are not joining in 2019 :) -- goldendomer 07/26/2016 12:53PM

Looks like Brando was right! : ) ** -- daveinop 07/27/2016 10:48AM

Good one...I laughed out loud! ** -- Stech 07/27/2016 07:42AM

Be interesting if new rule cites only conference winners allowed -- Mercury 07/26/2016 3:52PM

If anything, they'll "clarify" the current criteria..something -- daveinop 07/26/2016 5:35PM

With that schedule, I don't think you need to worry about getting left out -- Lakeridgehokie 07/26/2016 3:06PM

Probably has nothing to do with ND ** -- Bashful Baron 07/26/2016 2:32PM

You will not get in for at least 8 years -- BigCrumpy 07/26/2016 1:14PM

They may not win a NC, but it won't have a thing to do with not -- reestuart 07/26/2016 2:34PM

ND may likely never join despite other fans' wishes** -- TerryD 07/26/2016 2:01PM

You're obviously clairvoyant , can you tell me the lottery -- goldendomer 07/26/2016 1:39PM

Well, if Georgia and Navy join the ACC it's all set up. ;^) ** -- Femoyer Hokie 07/26/2016 1:05PM

ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, SECN, ABC, Disney Channel, etc. are all up for bid. -- HOO86 07/26/2016 12:49PM

This article says ESPN's big deals are up in 2021 & 22 -- HokieHollar 07/26/2016 7:46PM

So put it on the backburner to make -more- money? What about -- reestuart 07/26/2016 1:08PM

It will be online next month. I was talking about linear channel. -- HOO86 07/26/2016 1:23PM

Yeah, I meant the linear. I'm sure that's part of the reasoning, -- reestuart 07/26/2016 1:50PM

Is there a clause in the Raycom deal that makes it possible to buy back the -- Hokie CPA 07/26/2016 12:35PM

Re: Is there a clause in the Raycom deal that makes it possible to buy back the -- 33laszlo99 07/27/2016 12:30AM

We've been told 3 things, all of which probably have some truth to them:

Insert a Link

Tech Sideline is Presented By:

Our Sponsors