[Proodustommor]

There are two jaw-dropping aspects to the reports Thursday that ESPN and the National Football League have reached a general agreement to extend their media rights deal.

The first shocking part is the estimated $1.9 billion a year ESPN is to pay the NFL for broadcast rights under the deal, a rights fee that represents perhaps a 65% increase over the old deal, which is for eight years at an average of $1.1 billion, more than what NBC ($603 million) or Fox ($720 million) or CBS ($620 million) pay the league annually.

Almost $2 billion a season for 10 years? Unless you are the Timothy Geithner, Warren Buffett or Oprah Winfrey, that figure has to stagger you.

The second stunner – ESPN gets 16 regular-season games (or 18 if that’s increased in the CBA), the draft, but no Super Bowl on either ESPN or ABC-TV and maybe a wild card game. Maybe. But not right away. Wha, wha, what?

So NBC on Sunday nights, paying less than ESPN, gets a better schedule to begin the season, gets flex games between weeks 11 and 16, gets playoff games and is included in the Super Bowl rotation.

Amazing.

[grofvuri]

I don't think it's all that surprising, really.

Now when NBC takes their turn at the bargaining table, the NFL can say, "This is what Disney is paying us. If you want to continue your package with all it's perks, we will need more than that."

[Seiblybiozy]

I don't think it's all that surprising, really.

Now when NBC takes their turn at the bargaining table, the NFL can say, "This is what Disney is paying us. If you want to continue your package with all it's perks, we will need more than that."

That still still doesnt change the fact that, if this report is accurate, E$PN will have put themselves on the hook for almost $2 billion/year that has no guarantee of getting any perks in scheduling, inclusive of airing a Super Bowl, and only the possibility of a playoff game.

Did you SEE some of the games on E$PN this year? SF @ AZ was a game that the NFL should give E$PN a refund for.

Its a ridiculous amount of money like when FOX outbid CBS for the NFC back in the 90s.

[wowwieholmes]

That still still doesnt change the fact that, if this report is accurate, E$PN will have put themselves on the hook for almost $2 billion/year that has no guarantee of getting any perks in scheduling, inclusive of airing a Super Bowl, and only the possibility of a playoff game.

Did you SEE some of the games on E$PN this year? SF @ AZ was a game that the NFL should give E$PN a refund for.

Its a ridiculous amount of money like when FOX outbid CBS for the NFC back in the 90s.

I didn't say it was smart for Disney.

But it was very smart for the NFL.

[Civilrecordzz]

I didn't say it was smart for Disney.

But it was very smart for the NFL.

No doubt, Mad.

Its just stunning the amount of $$$ that the NFL continues to generate through TV.

Just for arguments' sake, lets round that contract to $2 billion/year to the NFL alone.

Not knowing just what % the NFL (if any) keeps for itself before distributing the TV contract money to the 32 teams, but thats roughly $60 million/per team, each year for the length of the contract.

From E$PN's contract alone.

[GohJHM9k]

Meanwhile, the Mouse House got rid of MNF on ABC, citing the low ratings.

Deal might not make a lot of sense, but the Mouse House won't lose money. They'll just make it up elsewhere.

[9rCR9hWL]

No doubt, Mad.

Its just stunning the amount of $$$ that the NFL continues to generate through TV.

Just for arguments' sake, lets round that contract to $2 billion/year to the NFL alone.

Not knowing just what % the NFL (if any) keeps for itself before distributing the TV contract money to the 32 teams, but thats roughly $60 million/per team, each year for the length of the contract.

From E$PN's contract alone.

All the more reason to believe that the league has no real incentive to sign a CBA until the players cave to their demands.

I believe they get about $4 billion from DirectTv, as well.

[JimmyHas]

Meanwhile, the Mouse House got rid of MNF on ABC, citing the low ratings.

Deal might not make a lot of sense, but the Mouse House won't lose money. They'll just make it up elsewhere.

That was only an excuse to move it to E$PN . . .

[anxpuna]

All the more reason to believe that the league has no real incentive to sign a CBA until the players cave to their demands.

I believe they get about $4 billion from DirectTv, as well.

Again, Mad, agreed.

But I gotta believe DeMaurice Smith and the NFLPA has to hold out until after theyre locked out. Settling earlier will probably cost them a couple of percentage points.

Getting locked out, then settling accomplishes a couple things, more money and a bit of face saving for the new head of the NFLPA and the Union.

[Alice_Medichi34]

Again, Mad, agreed.

But I gotta believe DeMaurice Smith and the NFLPA has to hold out until after theyre locked out. Settling earlier will probably cost them a couple of percentage points.

Getting locked out, then settling accomplishes a couple things, more money and a bit of face saving for the new head of the NFLPA and the Union.

They only have so long.

Once the checks stop coming, the pressure to sign whatever deal is offered will increase.

[attackDoold]

They only have so long.

Once the checks stop coming, the pressure to sign whatever deal is offered will increase.

But they players dont get any checks after the season's over anyways. Thats why they (the players) were instructed by the NFLPA to sock away their last three game checks.

And even though the NFC West is a joke, the Seahawk players, while they do suck, will get a nice bonus in the form of a Wild Card game check.

Not bad for a 7-9 football team.

[vipluka]

Some of these guys have 9 kids from 7 different baby mommas. A lockout could end up in a lockup for some so it won't go over real well with those that are actually paying their child support.

[asSexate]

But they players dont get any checks after the season's over anyways. Thats why they (the players) were instructed by the NFLPA to sock away their last three game checks.

And even though the NFC West is a joke, the Seahawk players, while they do suck, will get a nice bonus in the form of a Wild Card game check.

Not bad for a 7-9 football team.

They were advised, yes.

What percentage of the players do you think actually did it, though?

[TriamiCaw]

Disney prints it's own money.

And we wonder why they charge almost $90 for a one day pass to DisneyWorld.

[Crundaangerge]

Disney prints it's own money.

And we wonder why they charge almost $90 for a one day pass to DisneyWorld.

Yer a Florida res now, lotta great deals for the Dis for you....

As for $90 per day? P'shaw...They set up those prices for a reason...to get you to buy more days, thus the price per day drops like a rock if you buy a 5-7 day ticket. They don't want the one day guy...They want the multi-day guy so they get you on the hook for hotel...meals...souvenirs etc....

But you being a Florida res? How about that 4 days for $100 deal? You can't beat that.

[JennaJJxoxoxo]

Disney prints it's own money.

And we wonder why they charge almost $90 for a one day pass to DisneyWorld.

and why cable bills keep rising.

It's our money they spent.

You'd think the cable companies should get some say on this. Eventually ESPN is goign to shoot itself in the foot by pricing more and more people out of cable. Seriously, what's the matter with putting this stuff on ABC? The only thing I can think of is that the broadcasts don't pay for themselves with advertising, again supporting my arugument that you & I will be shelling out a couple extra dollars a month to pay for this deal which doesn't benefit us in the least.

[UvgpXK0J]

no one mentioned how hard that stupid YELLOW is to read?

[Pyuvjzwf]

That still still doesnt change the fact that, if this report is accurate, E$PN will have put themselves on the hook for almost $2 billion/year that has no guarantee of getting any perks in scheduling, inclusive of airing a Super Bowl, and only the possibility of a playoff game.

Did you SEE some of the games on E$PN this year? SF @ AZ was a game that the NFL should give E$PN a refund for.

Its a ridiculous amount of money like when FOX outbid CBS for the NFC back in the 90s.

2 Billion dollars is peanuts

[Niobaralegra]

2 Billion dollars is peanuts

$27.40 per US Cable Subscriber/year JUST for these 16 games. Pay Per View would be a better deal. Continue to accept your fleecing.

[SeLvesTr]

Yer a Florida res now, lotta great deals for the Dis for you....

As for $90 per day? P'shaw...They set up those prices for a reason...to get you to buy more days, thus the price per day drops like a rock if you buy a 5-7 day ticket. They don't want the one day guy...They want the multi-day guy so they get you on the hook for hotel...meals...souvenirs etc....

But you being a Florida res? How about that 4 days for $100 deal? You can't beat that.

I've got the annual resident pass. Bought it July and spent $375 I think. Have gone into the parks at least 15 times since then ($25 per day). We are still planning two more visits before the pass expired.

Right now they are advertising the Wild 4-day resident pass for $120.