Topic: new conference tv deal....... good or bad?

[DJdaHERDfan]

Just curious on what people think of the New tv deal

[jocktalker]

Is this a trick question?

I'm not saying you won't be able to find Marshall games on some platform but it seems clear what the networks think the collective value of CUSA is.

[Big City]

I don't think we will know until midway or further in to the season. At first glance I am not impressed. we are lucky as a program because Marshall for whatever reason has been able to have their football games televised in some shape or form.

[gochneaur645]

It's actually sort of neat once you accept that C-USA will never again make any significant TV money or draw any significant interest outside of C-USA.

Seems like online access and kickoff times will be improved, and that's really all I care about.

[FlyHawk98]

If this allows us to have more night games it will make up for it some.

I wish we could keep our own rights to air on the local channels such as WSAZ as well as ESPN3.

[MUalumni0912]

It's good and bad...

Marshall and ESPN used to be good together...ESPN often covered Marshall and had praise for us for being a solid program each season (before Snyder stepped foot on campus, and even then, they were still somewhat complimentary).

The good...

Exposure on ESPN...obviously that will help, plus their brainwashed commentators will most likely be akin to talking good about the program again, more of our players who are standouts, will be featured, and we can make a bigger impact socially and media-lly than we would another TV provider.

Marshall could end up being the next Boise...originating the concept, losing the spot, then taking it back again...if that's true, we could really see a bright spotlight shine on the program.
Don't forget, ESPN controls the game times and days, which means if we become a solid product, they'll give us maximum exposure...we could be a great feel good underdog story...especially if we beat UL and Pitt.
If Marshall should really turn some heads this year and win a BCS bowl game...they could be asked to play in a kickoff game somewhere like what Boise and UGA did.
Being on ESPN could also influence the CFP committee's rankings...especially if that's all they hear about in the G-5.

The bad...

Exposure on ESPN is a good thing, but if you're on ESPN 3 and nobody else, it'll really suck.
I have theorized ESPN may just act like a slumlord with C-USA...buying it up like a run down property, putting minimal effort and money into said product, to churn out a below average result, and since TV ownership and contracts rule all, much like a lease, C-USA will have no choice but to obey.
Marshall ends up collapsing and becomes a total afterthought and relegated to the mid day lineup.
We obviously may not make as much money as we used to, which will hurt.


My take...

Just win and keep it up. Marshall can really make a splash this year in their games, pick up the momentum and ride it along. ESPN loves a story, and they'll get one on this team if they win. I really believe they didn't cover Marshall more with Cato because we weren't on their network, had we been there?
I think ESPN will treat us well and they'll give us a fair amount of coverage throughout. Marshall wins, they'll show us on Saturdays mostly because they'll hype the team up.
I also think the good outweighs the bad.

However, much of the good, is contingent on a solid product on the football field.

In case you don't know, that means winning.


PS

ESPN can sway the public in any way they want. Look at Boise...who in the blue hell had heard of them before ESPN?! Nobody....they actually live in a more boring state than WV!

[Herdmeister]

It's a terrible deal. For Marshall to go from over $1 million per year to about half that is NOT good. Big deal, ESPN. 5 games and $0. MAC teams are now getting more money than CUSA.

[svherd]

If this allows us to have more night games it will make up for it some.

I wish we could keep our own rights to air on the local channels such as WSAZ as well as ESPN3.

Agree. More Saturday night games is what many want and yeah, bring back THN with Sonny and Keith! The media views the league as not having much value despite all that glorious potential that Charlotte and ODU have.

[iherdya]

It's a terrible deal. For Marshall to go from over $1 million per year to about half that is NOT good. Big deal, ESPN. 5 games and $0. MAC teams are now getting more money than CUSA.

that's the market now, if the mac's rights were up this year they'd be looking at a similar/worse deal than we received.

[herdfan429]

that's the market now, if the mac's rights were up this year they'd be looking at a similar/worse deal than we received.

Exactly we were just I. The unfortunate position of going first

[Herdmeister]

that's the market now, if the mac's rights were up this year they'd be looking at a similar/worse deal than we received.

Oh, I agree. It doesn't make it any sweeter, however.

[FlyHawk98]

Agree. More Saturday night games is what many want and yeah, bring back THN with Sonny and Keith! The media views the league as not having much value despite all that glorious potential that Charlotte and ODU have.

Yes.

Saturday night games. Shown locally on WSAZ and available anywhere on ESPN3.

I would actually be happy about this. If we turn out good ratings, ESPN might opt for more games in 2 years time.

[Thundering Herb]

I'm excited we're on Al Jazeera sports now.

[whf]

No money, no happy for me.  Sorry, I can't be happy about a starving program getting less food.  We've had Plenty of coverage for those who wanted it for the last several years.  We have no more access and much less money.  Not happy here.

[luvherd]

CUSA missed the boat with the gamble on CSTV. This deal is more fan appealing but TV payouts are going to drop for all conferences, IMO.

[dshoe]

CUSA missed the boat with the gamble on CSTV. This deal is more fan appealing but TV payouts are going to drop for all conferences, IMO.

Not for all conferences, NO.

Timing was bad for CUSA for sure, but this is only a 2 year deal, so it will come back up again soon.  More players are entering the market, so next go around could be better.......not likely by a lot, but possibly better.

[goherd24]

Ask a serious question.