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- It was reported that ESPN was not the reason for the 8 game schedule. They were prepared to pay for the extra games. Bama decided they didn't like the 3 they were getting, and when they paused it gave cover to enough bottom teams to delay it. The official line is that they want to see the new CFP pan out and see if teams with a couple losses get penalized. Everyone knows we will get to 3-6-6 at some point in time.It's a given the SEC and B1G are not going to add by subtraction because no one is taking less money to add schools.
I think the big question is really at what point do the SEC and B1G grow the inventory where airing all the games becomes problematic? ESPN pushing back on paying for a 9 game SEC season has been an interesting development because I thought that was a no-brainer but ESPN doesn't want to pay for the extra game. Now ESPN is cutting expenses and I'm sure that has a lot to do with it at this present time because I think 3 years ago it happens with no problem. That is the reason the SEC didn't go to 9 games because the league wants to get paid for that additional game and at this point I think ESPN figures they have the cream and would be buying 2nd tier games for 1st tier money.
Disney is exploring selling ESPN altogether or spinning it off completely and if that were to happen it makes the next contract really interesting because who knows who would have control of ESPN or what they're financially able to offer? If ESPN at some point gets neutered then is there enough competition in the broadcasting market to fund big contracts? Chances are yes but nothing is guaranteed.
- ESPN is cutting expenses, not revenue of they can get it. The SEC going to 9 games isn't an expense. It's additional revenue for ESPN that they understand should be shared. So, cutting expenses makes no sense - adding the 9th game will drive net revenue, even once they share some with the SEC.
- The extra games wouldn't be 2nd tier games. They would be top tier games. a 3-6-6 schedule creates both more Tier 1 and 2 games ... they would get the additional Tier 1 games. Again, this is a net revenue gain for them, they aren't the problem.
- No one knows what ESPN is doing, but per reports, they aren't shopping it ... it's profitable. They did split it out into its own division so they can see how profitable it is.