Shedding a bit more light on our recent RSN issues

[TheJackBurton]

For those who continually harp on about this, this is likely why Kelly's contract was not renewed:

Main Street Sports Group, the owner of the FanDuel-branded regional sports networks, is reportedly on its death bed.

According to a report by Tom Friend in Sports Business Journal, the FanDuel Sports Networks are at serious risk of dissolving unless a previously reported sale to sports streaming platform DAZN closes by January. The news comes as Main Street missed a December rights payment to the St. Louis Cardinals. The company’s 29 combined franchises between the NBA, NHL, and MLB are similarly at-risk of missing rights payments in the coming months.

Per Friend, if the DAZN purchase does not close, Main Street will “wind down and dissolve” the FanDuel Sports Networks at the end of this year’s NBA and NHL regular seasons, though the NBA is seemingly preparing for a scenario in which the company could fold in the middle of this season. Should that occur, the league will step in and utilize its League Pass platform for the 13 teams currently airing on FanDuel Sports Networks. In this scenario, teams would need to scramble to ink linear distribution deals with local over-the-air affiliates in order to remain on traditional television platforms.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/general ... r-AA1SMh31

Not sure what you are saying here Jack....the Blues saved John Kelly? Spared him from.....what he could not see himself? This was really not a cost cutting move by the Blues but an act of grace? What are you saying about how he was let go?

If they knew of this impending doom, did they share it with Kelly when they canned him?

I'm not a media attorney or accountant but call me skeptical. I'll wait to hear more facts before cleansing the Blues on their decision.

No, that's not what I'm saying at all. They didn't renew his contract because odds are they couldn't afford him any longer. The channel has barely existed for a year and they are already about to be dissolved. It was a cost cutting move plain and simple. Now we could potentially be looking at a 3rd ownership group DAZN taking control, if they do the buyout, in less than 2 years.

[TheJackBurton]

For those who continually harp on about this, this is likely why Kelly's contract was not renewed:

Main Street Sports Group, the owner of the FanDuel-branded regional sports networks, is reportedly on its death bed.

According to a report by Tom Friend in Sports Business Journal, the FanDuel Sports Networks are at serious risk of dissolving unless a previously reported sale to sports streaming platform DAZN closes by January. The news comes as Main Street missed a December rights payment to the St. Louis Cardinals. The company’s 29 combined franchises between the NBA, NHL, and MLB are similarly at-risk of missing rights payments in the coming months.

Per Friend, if the DAZN purchase does not close, Main Street will “wind down and dissolve” the FanDuel Sports Networks at the end of this year’s NBA and NHL regular seasons, though the NBA is seemingly preparing for a scenario in which the company could fold in the middle of this season. Should that occur, the league will step in and utilize its League Pass platform for the 13 teams currently airing on FanDuel Sports Networks. In this scenario, teams would need to scramble to ink linear distribution deals with local over-the-air affiliates in order to remain on traditional television platforms.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/general ... r-AA1SMh31

I don't know, they still had to pay him his last year of his contract.

They did. His contract ended at the end of the 2024-2025 season.

[TheJackBurton]

This would help explain why FanDual Sports Midwest couldnt afford JK.

But wouldn't explain why FanDual Sports West could afford JK…

My complete uneducated guess would be that should FDSW go under, the Dodgers, Kings, Lakers can all create their own channel and be perfectly fine. Should it happen the Kings aren't worried about costs.

[bluetunehead]

This would help explain why FanDual Sports Midwest couldnt afford JK.

But wouldn't explain why FanDual Sports West could afford JK…

My complete uneducated guess would be that should FDSW go under, the Dodgers, Kings, Lakers can all create their own channel and be perfectly fine. Should it happen the Kings aren't worried about costs.

This is probably true, but also that the financials make it much easier for FD to justify higher priced on air talent in a market like LA than St.Louis. LA is probably not a money losing market.

[TheJackBurton]

This would help explain why FanDual Sports Midwest couldnt afford JK.

But wouldn't explain why FanDual Sports West could afford JK…

My complete uneducated guess would be that should FDSW go under, the Dodgers, Kings, Lakers can all create their own channel and be perfectly fine. Should it happen the Kings aren't worried about costs.

This is probably true, but also that the financials make it much easier for FD to justify higher priced on air talent in a market like LA than St.Louis. LA is probably not a money losing market.

I wouldn't imagine St. Louis isn't a money losing market either, especially when we hear such things as St. Louis tends to be one of the higher viewing playoff markets even when the blues are eliminated.

I do think however it isn't a major money market as they can't charge prime dollars for games, just normal. My best guess is it's the lower markets such as a Columbus that drags the money down. That's not to say Blue Jackets fans shouldn't be able to watch their games, but I would guess they can't charge very much for advertising as they just aren't an in demand product or a large market.

What likely hurts them the most is the lower markets not mid to high markets. I don't know what the answer is for them however.

[Old_Goat]

My issue is the quality of the product.

Half the time you go from not knowing where the puck is to out of the Blue...He SCORES!

Sounds like an amateur who cant follow the play and doesnt know the players.

Related, but different data point...I was getting ready to start a post about last night's broadcast from Amerant Bank Arena. I could not help but notice the excellent TV cameras' set ups, quality of HD signal, ability to zoom in for outstanding clarity for down close practically on-ice fuel etc. It was the best feed of any game that I have watched this season. Understand that the arena provides the equipment and feed to the other broadcast networks. Almost 30 Years ago, I can't remember exactly which venue now, but I think it was Madison Square Garden was cutting edge on the technology.
This many times is a function of affordability thus financial stability (that's you FanDuel). And the first game of the season at home for the Blues was a disaster, with many of us grappling with adjusting our TVs, until we realized it was not our fault. Recently, I have noticed some of those resolution issues, but not as severe, not for as long nor as often as that first game. I attribute the substandard view to our home Broadcast partner.
Last night was a real pleasure to watch.

Yeah the picture is certainly brighter.

Ahh, I get it, well that too. That added to the enjoyment of watching! Merry Christmas!

[skeezix]

I'm surprised that the Grand Slam of Curling didn't resurrect FDSN. Were any of you?

[Cahokanut]

This would help explain why FanDual Sports Midwest couldnt afford JK.

But wouldn't explain why FanDual Sports West could afford JK…

I heard it was about having just one boardcast instead of two. I didn't know it was specifically about Kellys pay.

Is there a link or is this putting things together

[Old_Goat]

This would help explain why FanDual Sports Midwest couldnt afford JK.

But wouldn't explain why FanDual Sports West could afford JK…

Could it be that each broadcast unit/subsidiary is tracked by their own Operating Profit and local broadcast advertising deals, etc.? LA area has a lot more TVs and there is likely a larger number tuning in?
So, Fan Duel is doing what they can to maintain viewership local Nielsen ratings/share where they are good (including excellent broadcast crew), and show better profit where they aren't (cheap broadcast crew). Thus trying to make the whole entity more attractive to another purchaser?