30 MVC games to be aired on ESPN networks

[Khan4Cats]

As for the actual number of games on ESPN or the TV contract in general, I agree with those who are disappointed that the league can't negotiate a better deal, but it is what it is. Maybe with NBC and FOX both trying to rachet up their coverage (as well as the CBS College Sports) it will open up greater opportunities. ESPN is always going to be first in line for the BcS leagues-we need to see if we can get in with some of the newer networks who are looking for good programming options. And I'd still like to see us try and get some kind of league-wide internet package available for fans to be able to watch all the teams in the league.

[rally]

As for the actual number of games on ESPN or the TV contract in general, I agree with those who are disappointed that the league can't negotiate a better deal, but it is what it is. Maybe with NBC and FOX both trying to rachet up their coverage (as well as the CBS College Sports) it will open up greater opportunities. ESPN is always going to be first in line for the BcS leagues-we need to see if we can get in with some of the newer networks who are looking for good programming options. And I'd still like to see us try and get some kind of league-wide internet package available for fans to be able to watch all the teams in the league.

The issue is that those networks are amping up coverage now and our contract that gives ESPN exclusive rights to all our games doesn't expire for another 4 years. Our hands are basically tied until then.

[Red]

As for the actual number of games on ESPN or the TV contract in general, I agree with those who are disappointed that the league can't negotiate a better deal, but it is what it is. Maybe with NBC and FOX both trying to rachet up their coverage (as well as the CBS College Sports) it will open up greater opportunities. ESPN is always going to be first in line for the BcS leagues-we need to see if we can get in with some of the newer networks who are looking for good programming options. And I'd still like to see us try and get some kind of league-wide internet package available for fans to be able to watch all the teams in the league.

I tend to think if we could get a better deal, we would.

[DoubleJayAlum]

As for the actual number of games on ESPN or the TV contract in general, I agree with those who are disappointed that the league can't negotiate a better deal, but it is what it is. Maybe with NBC and FOX both trying to rachet up their coverage (as well as the CBS College Sports) it will open up greater opportunities. ESPN is always going to be first in line for the BcS leagues-we need to see if we can get in with some of the newer networks who are looking for good programming options. And I'd still like to see us try and get some kind of league-wide internet package available for fans to be able to watch all the teams in the league.

The issue is that those networks are amping up coverage now and our contract that gives ESPN exclusive rights to all our games doesn't expire for another 4 years. Our hands are basically tied until then.

Not to mention that our exclusive deal with ESPN requires us to participate in an extremely watered down brackbusters. For the most part, the best opponents historically have been CAA schools (which ESPN is not letting compete this year b/c they didn't resign with ESPN), Butler (which is now in the A10) or WAC schools that have since left that conference and joined the MWC (e.g., Nevada). Essentially, all that is left is Murray St, Long Beach St. and St Mary's. Hopefully ESPN makes Gonzaga and BYU participate just to get some decent match-ups...

[TheAsianSensation]

With conference realignment, everyone is changing membership and are able to void their current TV contracts to set up new ones.

MVC, by not changing, is handcuffed into their current signed deal until it expires or they change membership.

This could easily be a musical chairs situation where every other conference finds a chair (CBS, NBC, ESPN, Fox) to get a good TV deal, and when the Valley hits the open market in 2016 there may be no room left and no money left to get.

[DoubleJayAlum]

With conference realignment, everyone is changing membership and are able to void their current TV contracts to set up new ones.

MVC, by not changing, is handcuffed into their current signed deal until it expires or they change membership.

This could easily be a musical chairs situation where every other conference finds a chair (CBS, NBC, ESPN, Fox) to get a good TV deal, and when the Valley hits the open market in 2016 there may be no room left and no money left to get.

How can this possibly be? Several posters have assured us that the MVC's stability is its greatest asset.

[Red]

With conference realignment, everyone is changing membership and are able to void their current TV contracts to set up new ones.

MVC, by not changing, is handcuffed into their current signed deal until it expires or they change membership.

This could easily be a musical chairs situation where every other conference finds a chair (CBS, NBC, ESPN, Fox) to get a good TV deal, and when the Valley hits the open market in 2016 there may be no room left and no money left to get.

How can this possibly be? Several posters have assured us that the MVC's stability is its greatest asset.

Stability is what half the conference desires because they will never have a better option.

[valleychamp]

With conference realignment, everyone is changing membership and are able to void their current TV contracts to set up new ones.

MVC, by not changing, is handcuffed into their current signed deal until it expires or they change membership.

This could easily be a musical chairs situation where every other conference finds a chair (CBS, NBC, ESPN, Fox) to get a good TV deal, and when the Valley hits the open market in 2016 there may be no room left and no money left to get.

How can this possibly be? Several posters have assured us that the MVC's stability is its greatest asset.

Stability is what half the conference desires because they will never have a better option.

Unfortunately that other half fails to realize they do not have a better option either.

[Red]

Stability is what half the conference desires because they will never have a better option.

Unfortunately that other half fails to realize they do not have a better option either.

A couple of schools could have options. Creighton is a well discussed school if the A-10/Big East has further movement. Illinois State has publicly said that FBS football is the goal which would mean a new league. Wichita St and Missouri St could have options if the WAC or CUSA wanted to add basketball schools. Evansville and the Horizon were discussed last week.

The schools that are screwed are UNI, SIU, Drake, Indiana St, and Bradley.

[uniftw]

Stability is what half the conference desires because they will never have a better option.

Unfortunately that other half fails to realize they do not have a better option either.

A couple of schools could have options. Creighton is a well discussed school if the A-10/Big East has further movement. Illinois State has publicly said that FBS football is the goal which would mean a new league. Wichita St and Missouri St could have options if the WAC or CUSA wanted to add basketball schools. Evansville and the Horizon were discussed last week.

The schools that are screwed are UNI, SIU, Drake, Indiana St, and Bradley.

UNI would not be screwed....Have you missed the talk about UNI, FBS football and the MAC football the last month or two?