ESPN Extends Deal With N.F.L. for $15 Billion
 

Hours before the [URL="http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/organizations/n/national_football_league/index.html?inline=nyt-org"][COLOR=#004276]N.F.L.[/COLOR][/URL] season was to begin Thursday, [URL="http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/business/companies/espn/index.html?inline=nyt-org"][COLOR=#004276]ESPN[/COLOR][/URL] demonstrated what “Monday Night Football” means to the cable empire by renewing it for nearly $15.2 billion through 2021, according to a person briefed on the details.

Read More: [URL]http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/09/sports/football/espn-extends-deal-with-nfl-for-15-billion.html[/URL]



So much for that TV money drying up eh?

Re: ESPN Extends Deal With N.F.L. for $15 Billion
 

Wow, that is one hell of a deal. Amazing how powerful the NFL really is and it's growing market.

Re: ESPN Extends Deal With N.F.L. for $15 Billion
 

Way to go, SmootSmack. Good job.

Re: ESPN Extends Deal With N.F.L. for $15 Billion
 

Only 15 bil? Clearly they're suffering.

Re: ESPN Extends Deal With N.F.L. for $15 Billion
 

Does this mean Smoot is getting a raise?

Re: ESPN Extends Deal With N.F.L. for $15 Billion
 

[quote=NC_Skins;832326]Does this mean Smoot is getting a raise?[/quote]

If they give all the peons raises, how will ESPN be able to afford the ginormous contract? You do realize it's ESPN that's paying the NFL, not the other way around?

It means the [I]owners[/I] get a raise - and some players too.

Re: ESPN Extends Deal With N.F.L. for $15 Billion
 

[quote=JoeRedskin;832347]If they give all the peons raises, how will ESPN be able to afford the ginormous contract? You do realize it's ESPN that's paying the NFL, not the other way around?

It means the [I]owners[/I] get a raise - and some players too.[/quote]

15 billion is a drop in the bucket for Disney.

Re: ESPN Extends Deal With N.F.L. for $15 Billion
 

[quote=NC_Skins;832326]Does this mean Smoot is getting a raise?[/quote]

I better! I have been working on this deal for a while now (along with countless other people, of course)

Re: ESPN Extends Deal With N.F.L. for $15 Billion
 

Monday night was all cool and stuff when I was a young guy but I dread it now.
If I stay up and watch a whole game I'm dead puppies at work the next day.
I usually burn a vacation day for Tuesday when the Skins are on Monday night.
I would like to see all non Sunday afternoon football movde to Friday and Saturday nights.
Especially the Super Bowl.

Re: ESPN Extends Deal With N.F.L. for $15 Billion
 

[quote=Alvin Walton;832389]Monday night was all cool and stuff when I was a young guy but I dread it now.
If I stay up and watch a whole game I'm dead puppies at work the next day.
I usually burn a vacation day for Tuesday when the Skins are on Monday night.
I would like to see all non Sunday afternoon football movde to Friday and Saturday nights.
Especially the Super Bowl.[/quote]


The NFL does not play on Saturdays during college football season because of a handshake deal with Congressthings and Federal regulators. NFL does not upstage college football and the Feds leave the NFL and its TV deals alone.

The NCAA limits - - does not forbid but limits - - Friday games because it does not want to destroy high school football.

The chances you will see NFL prime time games on Friday or Saturday are slim indeed.

And as long as 100 million or more folks tune into the Super Bowl on Sunday night, it will not be moving to any other day either.

Re: ESPN Extends Deal With N.F.L. for $15 Billion
 

First I'm in the wrong business, 2nd MLB, NHL & the NBA must be pissed. I don't beleive they could ever command a deal like that.

Re: ESPN Extends Deal With N.F.L. for $15 Billion
 

Won't be long til we have Thursday night games all season long. Win.

Re: ESPN Extends Deal With N.F.L. for $15 Billion
 

[quote=Mattyk;832921]Won't be long til we have Thursday night games all season long. Win.[/quote]

Based on last nights ratings, it has to be in there plans.

Re: ESPN Extends Deal With N.F.L. for $15 Billion
 

[quote=Mattyk;832921]Won't be long til we have Thursday night games all season long. Win.[/quote]

I agree that the league would love to play a game every Thursday night and put it on NFL Network.

Coaches hate Thursday games; players don't hate them as much as coaches but a secret ballot of players would surely come up with at least 60% of them voting not to play on Thursdays - - except for Thanksgiving of course because those games are part of the fabric of the league.

AND, I would not be the least bit surprised if the NFLPA would want some small concession from the league just for their "benign neglect" when it comes to a change in game scheduling as per the CBA.

Eventually, Thursday Night Football will be expanded - - but there are still come constituencies to finesse here...