(06-16-2010 09:58 PM)CatsClaw Wrote:  

(06-16-2010 09:52 PM)animus Wrote:  I think we could get the B.E.N. in Florida and North Carolina w/out adding ECU and UCF and here's why. There's alot of northeastern transplants in those area's and to top it off you get alot of snowbirds that go to Florida starting in mid November. I could be wrong. But if those markets networks are approaching Paul T and we don't even have schools there, that does make you think a little bit.

I'm not sure the networks in Carolina are approaching us, I would bet you that Tagliabue approached them with a "What if" scenerio in that case. "What if" we added East Carolina.

Exactly!

(06-16-2010 09:58 PM)CatsClaw Wrote:  

(06-16-2010 09:52 PM)animus Wrote:  I think we could get the B.E.N. in Florida and North Carolina w/out adding ECU and UCF and here's why. There's alot of northeastern transplants in those area's and to top it off you get alot of snowbirds that go to Florida starting in mid November. I could be wrong. But if those markets networks are approaching Paul T and we don't even have schools there, that does make you think a little bit.

I'm not sure the networks in Carolina are approaching us, I would bet you that Tagliabue approached them with a "What if" scenerio in that case. "What if" we added East Carolina.

Makes sense. I was just dropping something else to think about in all of this. I mean ya never know, esp w/ the amount of NY/NJ/PA/OH/panhandle of WV transplants in North Carolina.

(06-16-2010 09:52 PM)CatsClaw Wrote:  

(06-16-2010 09:42 PM)thatsnotgrass Wrote:  Like I said, Big East doesn't need to head to Texas to add more markets. We can't even exploit our own market. Hence, why we are dead last in revenue. As long as its connecting to another state that we are already or in Florida then I'm all for expanding.

If we get our 25% households on cable... then Northeast market is ours. Wish we still had BC to grab the Boston market... i hate you BC!

We can exploit our own markets now using the BEN. That's why you would look into adding new markets like North Carolina, Tennessee and Texas.

My thing is... we haven't exploited our markets without the BEN and we don't have a network yet. I don't mind adding footprints in NC, TENN and another school in Florida because they are states that are close to our current schools.

(06-16-2010 09:58 PM)CatsClaw Wrote:  

(06-16-2010 09:52 PM)animus Wrote:  I think we could get the B.E.N. in Florida and North Carolina w/out adding ECU and UCF and here's why. There's alot of northeastern transplants in those area's and to top it off you get alot of snowbirds that go to Florida starting in mid November. I could be wrong. But if those markets networks are approaching Paul T and we don't even have schools there, that does make you think a little bit.

I'm not sure the networks in Carolina are approaching us, I would bet you that Tagliabue approached them with a "What if" scenerio in that case. "What if" we added East Carolina.

One of the things that has occurred in NC over the past few year is Time Warner cable refusing to air MASN because they are hooked into CBS college sports so heavily. Despite a massive and yearly effort by both MASN and many sports fans to give them what they want..they still refuse. MASN carries ECU games, Orioles baseball and other crap I cant remember.

(06-16-2010 09:48 PM)CatsClaw Wrote:  That's interesting. If that's true, you would have to think that ECU is at the top of the list along with Memphis. We're struggling to penetrate Florida Network wise, we can get into Tampa and Orlando, but is it worth adding UCF if we only get Orlando? ECU would get us into the heart of ACC country, and Memphis in SEC country. Memphis gets us into Tennessee, Mississippi, and Arkansas as well as Memphis itself. That's impressive. What is really impressive is East Carolina. They get us all of North Carolina/Tidewater and get us into freaking Virginia. I mean, that is pretty impressive in and of itself. I also like the regional packaging idea. The Big Ten is making some big bucks, but I think they made a mistake early on going for the monster markets but settled down and did a regional package, a brilliant idea. A grassroot construction like the Tagliabue's plan is very impressive.

ECU fans have been screaming this for years and why we are so pissed when we keep hearing how we have no market outside of Greenville. It is just total BS! This years Liberty Bowl had a rating of 10.7 in Charlotte which is over 5 hrs away from Greenville. I am glad that maybe some eyes are being opened to what type of market ECU can deliver.

(06-16-2010 10:03 PM)animus Wrote:  

(06-16-2010 09:58 PM)CatsClaw Wrote:  

(06-16-2010 09:52 PM)animus Wrote:  I think we could get the B.E.N. in Florida and North Carolina w/out adding ECU and UCF and here's why. There's alot of northeastern transplants in those area's and to top it off you get alot of snowbirds that go to Florida starting in mid November. I could be wrong. But if those markets networks are approaching Paul T and we don't even have schools there, that does make you think a little bit.

I'm not sure the networks in Carolina are approaching us, I would bet you that Tagliabue approached them with a "What if" scenerio in that case. "What if" we added East Carolina.

Makes sense. I was just dropping something else to think about in all of this. I mean ya never know, esp w/ the amount of NY/NJ/PA/OH/panhandle of WV transplants in North Carolina.

If West Virginia played a lot of games against North Carolina schools, in North Carolina, or against ACC schools that would help. But the lack of activity of Big East schools up there means that it's basically overrun with ACC fans. Connecticut plays up there and Cincinnati is going to North Carolina to play the Wolfpack this year, but we just don't play enough games to get a presence in Carolina. Meanwhile, East Carolina's fanbase rivals any fanbase in Carolina, and that includes the Hokies and Tarheels.

(06-16-2010 09:52 PM)dwr0109 Wrote:  

(06-16-2010 09:14 PM)Sandiss Wrote:  As some ncaabbs posters know, my father is a major Georgetown booster. After talking to him tonight, I believe I have a better understanding on what is going on and what may happen. First, this is my father's account of some information he was provided in a meeting with G-town's new AD, Lee Reed.

From my father's account, there has been a lot of talk between Big East Presidents, ADs, Coaches, and Big East HQ about expansion; however, at this time and to his knowledge, the Big East has NOT agreed on an expansion candidate. Several things have been proposed such as a football only membership, extending the conference to 17, 18, 19, and even 20 basketball schools, keeping the status quo, and a conditional split between the 8 football playing members. However at this time, every Big East President wants to keep the status quo. Big East Presidents are listening to all present offers from schools interested in joining. Several years ago Big East Presidents would not entertain any offer from any school as many non football playing members thought that a football only membership would lead to a split and there have been rumblings about the Pac 10, Big 10, Big 12, and ACC for the past few years so everything was off the table. Now, everything is on the table.

Under Paul T's watch, the Big East has issued a TV Network analysis on potential universities that are interested in joining the conference. Some of the information that was provided to my father is that regional cable contracts are much more important than markets in regards to establishing a Big East network. From what my father was told, several regional cable providers around Memphis including those in parts of western Arkansas, northern Miss, western TN, and within the City of Memphis have expressed interest in providing a Big East Network channel on basic / tier 1 cable status. Every cable provider in the state of North Carolina along with cable providers in the Tidewater and Richmond areas of Virginia have expressed interest in providing a Big East Network channel on basic / tier 1 cable status. Areas around and within Tampa and Orlando have expressed interest in providing a Big East Network channel on basic / tier 1 cable status; however other areas in Florida have expressed little to no interest. Cable providers in in Delaware, northeastern MD, NJ, and Philly have expressed interest in providing a Big East Network channel on basic / tier 1 cable status.

Several Big East Presidents have their own favorite schools for expansion and from what my father tells me, there is no clear favorite out of the expansion candidates that are frequently mentioned on here however there are some big hurdles with each candidate. The frustration and fixation over one particular expansion candidate is causing some dissatisfaction among some Big East football playing members.

Some Big East and expansion candidate Presidents and ADs are more in tune to what is going on than others. Several Big East ADs were really impressed that ECU's AD Terry Holland has been in talks with officials from the Big 12 and knew that Texas was going to keep the conference together. Other ADs have been really impressed with Houston's commitment to improving their facilities, academics, and desire to push for the Big 12 / AQ status. I know this may sound a little strange however from my fathers take some people earned some brownie points over the past few weeks.

In general, if something happened in regards to expansion this year with the Big East my father would be shocked. Everything presented to him by Lee Reed indicates the Big East is not ready to make a move however everything is on the table. There still seems to be a lot of disagreement between various Big East schools and candidate schools have a lot of lobbying to do.

Ok, I know some other little tidbits and inside information but I won't post on here nor share unless my father feels comfortable with me in posting that information.

Good Night

That's definitely encouraging.

Thanks for the info.

Don't tell buckaineer. We only bring the #103 market.

(06-16-2010 10:05 PM)Fo Shizzle Wrote:  

(06-16-2010 09:58 PM)CatsClaw Wrote:  

(06-16-2010 09:52 PM)animus Wrote:  I think we could get the B.E.N. in Florida and North Carolina w/out adding ECU and UCF and here's why. There's alot of northeastern transplants in those area's and to top it off you get alot of snowbirds that go to Florida starting in mid November. I could be wrong. But if those markets networks are approaching Paul T and we don't even have schools there, that does make you think a little bit.

I'm not sure the networks in Carolina are approaching us, I would bet you that Tagliabue approached them with a "What if" scenerio in that case. "What if" we added East Carolina.

One of the things that has occurred in NC over the past few year is Time Warner cable refusing to air MASN because they are hooked into CBS college sports so heavily. Despite a massive and yearly effort by both MASN and many sports fans to give them what they want..they still refuse. MASN carries ECU games, Orioles baseball and other crap I cant remember.

That's a great point

(06-16-2010 10:07 PM)ECU#7 Wrote:  

(06-16-2010 09:48 PM)CatsClaw Wrote:  That's interesting. If that's true, you would have to think that ECU is at the top of the list along with Memphis. We're struggling to penetrate Florida Network wise, we can get into Tampa and Orlando, but is it worth adding UCF if we only get Orlando? ECU would get us into the heart of ACC country, and Memphis in SEC country. Memphis gets us into Tennessee, Mississippi, and Arkansas as well as Memphis itself. That's impressive. What is really impressive is East Carolina. They get us all of North Carolina/Tidewater and get us into freaking Virginia. I mean, that is pretty impressive in and of itself. I also like the regional packaging idea. The Big Ten is making some big bucks, but I think they made a mistake early on going for the monster markets but settled down and did a regional package, a brilliant idea. A grassroot construction like the Tagliabue's plan is very impressive.

ECU fans have been screaming this for years and why we are so pissed when we keep hearing how we have no market outside of Greenville. It is just total BS! This years Liberty Bowl had a rating of 10.7 in Charlotte which is over 5 hrs away from Greenville. I am glad that maybe some eyes are being opened to what type of market ECU can deliver.

You guy have been yelling that for years and we were totally wrong to blow it off. Thankfully, the people in power are smarter then us on this matter. One thing that sucks is that the Big 12 'leftovers' didn't come. Could you imagine all of these markets along with Kansas, Kansas City, Iowa and Missouri and St. Louis and parts of Illinois? Wow! If we can get this Network up we can be a serious player. I've been pushing for Memphis and East Carolina and this makes it more of a no-brainer. If I were the Big 12 I would scoop up Central Florida and expand their market there. It would be more competition for us in Florida, but hey, what can you do?

(06-16-2010 10:07 PM)CatsClaw Wrote:  

(06-16-2010 10:03 PM)animus Wrote:  

(06-16-2010 09:58 PM)CatsClaw Wrote:  

(06-16-2010 09:52 PM)animus Wrote:  I think we could get the B.E.N. in Florida and North Carolina w/out adding ECU and UCF and here's why. There's alot of northeastern transplants in those area's and to top it off you get alot of snowbirds that go to Florida starting in mid November. I could be wrong. But if those markets networks are approaching Paul T and we don't even have schools there, that does make you think a little bit.

I'm not sure the networks in Carolina are approaching us, I would bet you that Tagliabue approached them with a "What if" scenerio in that case. "What if" we added East Carolina.

Makes sense. I was just dropping something else to think about in all of this. I mean ya never know, esp w/ the amount of NY/NJ/PA/OH/panhandle of WV transplants in North Carolina.

If West Virginia played a lot of games against North Carolina schools, in North Carolina, or against ACC schools that would help. But the lack of activity of Big East schools up there means that it's basically overrun with ACC fans. Connecticut plays up there and Cincinnati is going to North Carolina to play the Wolfpack this year, but we just don't play enough games to get a presence in Carolina. Meanwhile, Carolina's fanbase rivals any fanbase in Carolina, and that includes the Hokies and Tarheels.

I agree with this. Look at Duke basketball, how are they so highly regarded in NYC? Duke actually comes up to NYC area to play against a tri-state area. They love to play in MSG.

With Paul Tags., connection and his know-hows with building a network... I am not surprised by all of this. I remember when the YES network was born (Yankees network) and they fought tooth and nail with cablevision, I wonder if that will be a problem in NYC. And don't forget about the NFL network, cablevision will fight til the very end with this. That is why NYC is hard to penetrate.

(06-16-2010 10:01 PM)Theodoresdaddy Wrote:  

(06-16-2010 09:34 PM)Fo Shizzle Wrote:  Ok...I have a question? Why would every cable company in NC want the BE network when there are no BE teams in NC?

lots of WVU alumni and fans in NC for one thing

probably the same for some of the other schools

For sure....Hell..When the Jersey Devils play the Canes...The Devil fans come out of the woodwork to the game in Raleigh.

I think though from what Sandis is talking about is that this study involves the "what if we bring in xxx to our league" scenario. I'm not real clear on what this study is all about and may be misunderstanding this.

What would annoy me more than them not doing anything, would be knowing that they WANTED to do something, but couldn't come to a concensus on any course of action.

Thanks Sandiss.

You guys are probably right. I enjoy playing devils advocate.

I enjoy beating the Devils.

Excellent thread by the way Sandiss, it definitely makes us feel better. Hopefully the Network will be in place soon.

(06-16-2010 10:13 PM)thatsnotgrass Wrote:  I agree with this. Look at Duke basketball, how are they so highly regarded in NYC? Duke actually comes up to NYC area to play against a tri-state area. They love to play in MSG.

With Paul Tags., connection and his know-hows with building a network... I am not surprised by all of this. I remember when the YES network was born (Yankees network) and they fought tooth and nail with cablevision, I wonder if that will be a problem in NYC. And don't forget about the NFL network, cablevision will fight til the very end with this. That is why NYC is hard to penetrate.

Great points. The Dolans, who own Cablevision also own the Knicks. They may see a BEN as competition & would create obstacles in order to keep it off their cable system.

FedEx Liberty Bowl. Big East vs. SEC. I believe FedEx is extremely interested in a two BCS conference tie in with a local conference member to generate additional interest.

Sandis...Thanks for your input. I personally hope your dad is correct and nothing happens soon. The Idea that a BE network would drive the expansion is something I do not think I have heard put forth thus far. This study by Paul T is very interesting.... It makes perfect sense to actually know what your revenue stream is going to be BEFORE you make a move. If TV revenues are going to drive expansion this would be a logical and prudent way to approach it..IMHO.

(06-16-2010 10:20 PM)Bill Marsh Wrote:  

(06-16-2010 10:13 PM)thatsnotgrass Wrote:  I agree with this. Look at Duke basketball, how are they so highly regarded in NYC? Duke actually comes up to NYC area to play against a tri-state area. They love to play in MSG.

With Paul Tags., connection and his know-hows with building a network... I am not surprised by all of this. I remember when the YES network was born (Yankees network) and they fought tooth and nail with cablevision, I wonder if that will be a problem in NYC. And don't forget about the NFL network, cablevision will fight til the very end with this. That is why NYC is hard to penetrate.

Great points. The Dolans, who own Cablevision also own the Knicks. They may see a BEN as competition & would create obstacles in order to keep it off their cable system.

I think that's why the Big East is marketing the Network as an entertainment network and not just a sports network. I have a question Sandiss, what are these rumors of UCF and Memphis, why are they popping up? I know that Memphis and UCF used backdoor channels to communicate with the Big East the last few weeks. Is this a Missouri situation, they know they don't have an invite but they're making seem like they do, or someone got wind of negotiations, or what is up?