UL exploring options for regional TV deal

[Policarp]

He very carefully did not say we were forced, and the 'reporter' (cough) failed to ask the very obvious followup questions about that. Do you not find that a bit strange?

You honestly expect Farmer to outline his critical path decision errors on purpose? Once it was learned UL no longer owned Tier 3 the Cox deal crashed and burned. We now know Farmer has had ZERO contact with the AAC leadership.......We know this from AAC leadership. This is after he publicly stated "conversations have been had". Dude is way over his head, he needed to be at Troy, but they chose an asst AD over our experienced AD that applied.

Your turn to answer a question....Last week, why did Troy pick a less experienced Asst AD over an experienced AD applicant whose sports teams are doing MUCH MUCH better than USM the last 4 years? On paper it's a no brainer.....How could he not get the job? They hired the lessor experienced candidate whose teams have been historically terrible the last 4 years at the same time UL has done very well, ranking nationally in top 30-40 overall athletic programs. AND they still hired the other guy. Wake up and smell the coffee.

[CajunNation]

JOIN US.....We have the 3rd Tier rights you seek.......

[CajunEXPRESS]

JOIN US.....We have the 3rd Tier rights you seek.......

When did you start drinking the KoolAid?

By the way the inability to take advantage of this CST cable opportunity isn't very funny.

[CajunT]

So if its the markets that lie outside of the contract with the SBC and ESPN that is holding up the "RCN" deal, did Farmer have anything to do with the signing away of UL's right to ESPN or was it a condition of the contract the ALL SBC schools do the since since ESPN owns the rights to ALL SBC schools?

I stated that its not uncommon to do so, but how can ESPN own all the SBC school's 1st, 2nd and 3rd-tier rights if Benson hadn't agreed to bundle them? How could Benson have permission to bundle all of UL's television rights without Farmer agreeing to sign those rights over to the SBC?

One last question, it's been common in the past for ESPN to sell their 2nd or 3rd tier rights to ABC and Raycom. Why wouldn't Benson try and sell the 2nd and 3rd tier rights himself to ABC and Raycom, rather then bundling the entire package to ESPN? I'm assuming that he had no leverage to do so, which would be the practical explanation in making his final decision.

[GeauxCajuns]

Because obviously klaf type stations aren't considered 3rd tier rights... Broadcasting out of the footprint is. He can broadcast from his grandmothers basement all he wants. If we can have the RCN and control our own broadcasts, it's an even bigger mistake not doing that.

so if the "deal" wasnt signed, we would be a go with CST in california?

[CrazyCajun]

so if the "deal" wasnt signed, we would be a go with CST in california?

Yes, or if you could make California touch New Mexico

[Bigbuf]

I figured you might take my comment that way, but I get asked this often and I don't see that question asked to certain people that post on this site. I wasn't trying to be sarcastic, just get tired of people asking a question that is seldom asked of others.

ESPN has the third tier rights to the Sun Belt Conference because Benson agreed to them. Do you have a link to the Sun Belt Conference Contract with ESPN? I haven't found a link.

So, if the ESPN contract states that the individual conference member schools can create their own station or network, and air it in any state the SBC has a school in, or in any state that touches state- but no states beyond that, then why is Farmer stating the area would be from Houston to the Florida Panhandle? Why not Arkansas, Georgia and North Carolina? And if that is the case, what happened to the CRN here in Louisiana once Benson bundled the SBC third tier rights to ESPN?

So essentially what Farmer is saying is that because Benson bundled the SBC third tier rights over to ESPN and he agreed to sign over UL's third tier rights to the conference, he simply can only negotiate for the rights allowed in the area you mentioned with CST? Again, why would he enter into an agreement that would limit his programs television footprint? In either case, he made a decision without getting proper approval for and limits his athletic program's footprint. For the record, he is working with someone that the university has approved to handle the negotiations. I don't know that person.

Thanks for being patient with me on this issue. I wasn't calling into question your integrity, in fact I was counting on it to get a viable answer rather than farmer is the root of all the UL woes.

I am wondering also why he choose the I10 route, maybe it has something to do with the recruiting base, at least that what the article has said.

very good about info about farmer haveing to work with a UL approved negotiator.

[Bigbuf]

How could Benson have permission to bundle all of UL's television rights without Farmer agreeing to sign those rights over to the SBC?

Is it a condition of membership?

One last question, it's been common in the past for ESPN to sell their 2nd or 3rd tier rights to ABC and Raycom. Why wouldn't Benson try and sell the 2nd and 3rd tier rights himself to ABC and Raycom, rather then bundling the entire package to ESPN? I'm assuming that he had no leverage to do so, which would be the practical explanation in making his final decision.

I really don't like Benson as the commissioner.

[CajunT]

Thanks for being patient with me on this issue. I wasn't calling into question your integrity, in fact I was counting on it to get a viable answer rather than farmer is the root of all the UL woes.

I am wondering also why he choose the I10 route, maybe it has something to do with the recruiting base, at least that what the article has said.

very good about info about farmer haveing to work with a UL approved negotiator.

Nothing wrong with what he is doing now, just disappointed he trusted Benson in the matter. I agree the I10 corridor makes sense for recruiting.

[Bigbuf]

Trust but verify!

[CajunDreDog]

Did the SBC signing 3rd tier TV rights to ESPN have anything to do with blackouts? Maybe in doing that the blackouts are lifted on the ESPN3 broadcasts which allowed more "national exposure."

Just guessing here...

[Turbine]

Yes, or if you could make California touch New Mexico

All you need is a "don't count the desert" exemption.