I would be shocked. Swofford HAS to go, but the ACC won't budge.
ACC is simply too late. They waited too late to be concerned.
How essential is ACC Network? In 2013-14, ACC TV $ lagged behind SEC by $13.2M. Three years later, the difference was $173.1M. Details:https://t.co/bCPoGnRumG #Hokies #UVa— David Teel (@DavidTeelatDP) June 27, 2018
http://www.dailypress.com/sports/dp-spt-acc-network-revenue-0628-story.html
A partnership with ESPN, the ACC Network is scheduled to launch in August 2019, its earnings potential the subject of rampant speculation and, among athletic directors, anticipation.
The ADs wonder because they’re investing millions in on-campus network production facilities. They worry because sustaining a business long-term with a fraction of competitors’ resources borders on impossible.
The revenue gap has never been larger and likely will grow until the ACC Network debuts. The overarching question is: How much can the channel bridge the gulf?
Many consider the SEC Network, born in 2014, the most successful launch in cable television annals. In its final fiscal year without the network, the conference reported $210.4 million in television and radio revenue. One year later, the SEC earned $311.8 million from TV-radio, a 48.2-percent increase.
The league’s most recent tax filing, for 2016-17, showed $409.1 million, a 94.4-percent bump over the network’s three years.
During that same time, ACC television money has risen 19.7 percent, from $197.2 million to $236 million.
Translation: In 2013-14, ACC television money lagged behind the SEC by a modest $13.2 million. Three years later, the difference was a staggering $173.1 million.
Since the SEC also has a lucrative contract with CBS, its increases can’t be solely attributed to the SEC Network. But there’s no questioning the network’s impact.
Some may recall that in February 2017 Florida State athletic director Stan Wilcox told the school’s Board of Trustees that the ACC Network could net each school $8 million-$10 million in Year 1, and $10 million-$15 million per year thereafter.
“These are all projections,” Wilcox told the board, according to 247sports.com. “It all depends on how well the network does. They are saying this network should have the same kind of return that the SEC Network has had in (its) first couple of years.”
Optimistic doesn’t begin to describe, and no one associated with the ACC Network project has echoed Wilcox, publicly or privately.
Firm answers? They won’t emerge until the conference’s 2019-20 tax return is released in the spring of 2021 — three years from now.
They'll know in 2 years; we won't know for 3. I wish I had 1% of the money the ACC has left on the table in the last decade...
ReplyDeleteI thought #goacc fans such as yourself were completely gung ho about "ninja" Swofford and the ACCN for the past decade.
DeleteI'm noticing an abrupt about face mixed with some amnesia.
I don't think I've ever been "gung ho" about Swofford. I continue to be optimistic about the ACCN, but can it overcome the bad 2010 contract though? 2 different things.
DeleteAs for Teel, he can suck it.
ReplyDeleteOh wait, he's already been doing that for Swofford. Too little, too lack. Hack.
What has the average school spent to upgrade their tv production capabilities for the impending ACCN? Somewhere in the $5-10M range? It's certainly possible - I might even say likely - that those expenses take at least the first year to be recouped, and maybe take part of the second year as well.
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If FSU had a strong AD, I'd feel confident we have a backup plan in case the ACC doesn't pan out. But Wilcox is...mediocre, and there's no way he's having any success making backroom deals for a future conference home for FSU if/when the ACC implodes. That is, if he's even intelligent enough to be having those conversations in the first place.