ABC and the USSF split ways (reportedly)

[BuffloSoldier]

From NAS:
ABC "has passed on renewing its deal with U.S. Soccer, which expires at the end of this year." The current deal "is a pure time buy," and U.S. Soccer and its agency, IMG, "asked for a new contract that would include some sort of revenue sharing" (Andy Bernstein, SBJ, 7/29 issue)
-Sports Business Daily

Trying to find independent confirmation.

[Easybake15]

Ruh-roh

[SoFla Metro]

Interesting.

[Brownswan]

Imagine -- all National Team games on Univision or Fox Sport World -- or nowhere. This includes the women, too. They are part of the USSF as well last time I checked.

[BuffloSoldier]

Yes, keep in mind this is not MLS, nor the '06 World Cup, or the '03 Women's WC.

[monster]

Considering the men don't really have a meaningful game until the middle of next year, I see some posturing here from both sides.

[ThreeApples]

Originally posted by BuffloSoldier
Yes, keep in mind this is not MLS, nor the '06 World Cup, or the '03 Women's WC.

It's also not ESPN. It just affects the time-buys on ABC.

[The Cadaver]

Same story was reported on KSPN (Los Angeles outlet for ESPN radio) this morning. They did not give a source and might have just picked it up from journal mentioned above.

[Minnman]

Oh my. I guess there's always that deal with Telemundo to fall back on. Not that I get Telemundo, of course.

As negative as this sounds, I agree with those who think (or at least hope) that it's not the end of the story; after the strong ratings from the World Cup, this would be an unusual time ABC to cut its ties with US Soccer.

[Eric B]

Originally posted by Minnman
after the strong ratings from the World Cup, this would be an unusual time ABC to cut its ties with US Soccer.

I imagine the USSF deal will somehow get tied into the AEG/MLS/WC setup with Disney.

No need for alawm.

[Sachin]

I can't imagine this mattering too much. What will probably happen is that SUM buys the right from the USSF and packages them somehow or another.

Sachin

[GoDC]

It is about time Fox put some pressure on ABC and gets us some decent coverage.

[WarrenWallace]

It is amusing that it is happening right now, but you never know with these people.......

I won't worry at all until there are some big games scheduled and we can't get them on ABC/ESPN.

[Eric B]

Originally posted by Sachin
I can't imagine this mattering too much. What will probably happen is that SUM buys the right from the USSF and packages them somehow or another.

That's the entity I was thinking about...

[Northside Rovers]

Originally posted by Minnman
As negative as this sounds, I agree with those who think (or at least hope) that it's not the end of the story; after the strong ratings from the World Cup, this would be an unusual time ABC to cut its ties with US Soccer.

Now does seem an odd time. But it also suggests that there is some revenue to be shared, which would be a good sign.

I hope Anschutz doesn't already have his hands full with other matters, though it seems like another darn good fit for SUM.

[jmeissen0]

this should be interesting to see play out

sounds like some fun in the off season

[tcmahoney]

Originally posted by jmeissen0
this should be interesting to see play out

sounds like some fun in the off season

For those of us that yearned for the drama attendant with last year's WC '02 negotiations.

[FootyMundo]

Originally posted by GoDC
It is about time Fox put some pressure on ABC and gets us some decent coverage.

I'm not sure I see anyone "pressuring" ABC. ABC apparently doesn't want the product.

[eric515]

Originally posted by FootyMundo


I'm not sure I see anyone "pressuring" ABC. ABC apparently doesn't want the product.

It doesn't matter anyway, FOX has boreball during the summer on Saturday's. I really don't want to get bumped for it just like we did on ESPN.

I think the USSF, MLS, SUM, etc. should pitch it to NBC, since they have virtually no pro league sports coverage outside of Arena Football. They also have PAX, which already carriers WUSA, and they have MSNBC, CNBC, etc.

I would even suggest AOL/Time Warner...assuming their finances stay stable. Their stable of Networks includes WB Affiliates, the new AOL Sports Network (formerly CNNSI), TNT, TBS, etc.

We need to find a place that will actually pay us to go on the air, not the other way around...regardless of how little they offer (within reason), because getting paid is always better than having to pay...

[SoFla Metro]

Originally posted by tcmahoney


For those of us that yearned for the drama attendant with last year's WC '02 negotiations. Rack him