1 00:00:02,600 --> 00:00:06,119 Speaker 1: Hello, I'm Michael larn and I'm Scottsnik. On this weekly podcast, 2 00:00:06,200 --> 00:00:08,080 Speaker 1: we explore the big money issues in the world of 3 00:00:08,080 --> 00:00:09,920 Speaker 1: sports and talk to some of the biggest players in 4 00:00:09,920 --> 00:00:13,120 Speaker 1: the industry. Today, we speak with Craig Sloan, executive vice 5 00:00:13,119 --> 00:00:16,279 Speaker 1: president of Home Team Sports, on the current state of 6 00:00:16,360 --> 00:00:21,120 Speaker 1: the sports media landscape. In a world of declining ratings, 7 00:00:21,560 --> 00:00:24,120 Speaker 1: you have products like these regional sports networks that are 8 00:00:24,120 --> 00:00:26,320 Speaker 1: not only just rating juggernauts and alley basis, but they're 9 00:00:26,400 --> 00:00:29,200 Speaker 1: very consistent. So about the only thing that seems to 10 00:00:29,200 --> 00:00:34,040 Speaker 1: affect him is wide swings and team performance, and other 11 00:00:34,080 --> 00:00:36,560 Speaker 1: than that, they're basically immune to some of the other 12 00:00:36,600 --> 00:00:40,320 Speaker 1: things that are troubling the media landscape. Today, we'll have 13 00:00:40,479 --> 00:00:43,200 Speaker 1: more of our interview with Craig Sloan coming up. At first, 14 00:00:43,280 --> 00:00:45,320 Speaker 1: let's look at the top stories of the week, and 15 00:00:45,400 --> 00:00:48,360 Speaker 1: let's start with the story Scott that you were all 16 00:00:48,360 --> 00:00:52,479 Speaker 1: over you broke about the NFL Carolina Panthers and the 17 00:00:52,560 --> 00:00:56,560 Speaker 1: bids are said to pass two point five billion dollars 18 00:00:56,560 --> 00:00:58,760 Speaker 1: and if that stands, that's a record for a sports 19 00:00:58,840 --> 00:01:01,800 Speaker 1: upwards team. Forbes said there worth two point three and 20 00:01:01,840 --> 00:01:04,560 Speaker 1: people were wondering whether or not this would actually push 21 00:01:04,640 --> 00:01:07,840 Speaker 1: higher not the greatest market in the NFL, perhaps in 22 00:01:07,840 --> 00:01:10,360 Speaker 1: need of a new stadium. But two parts story here. Yes, 23 00:01:10,400 --> 00:01:12,120 Speaker 1: the bids are at a certain level. Now that's set 24 00:01:12,120 --> 00:01:14,840 Speaker 1: a crazy record to five and probably going even higher. 25 00:01:15,160 --> 00:01:18,720 Speaker 1: But the fact that that was enough to make Michael 26 00:01:18,760 --> 00:01:21,679 Speaker 1: Rubin a fanatic backed by Joe Si who Ali Baba 27 00:01:21,720 --> 00:01:24,000 Speaker 1: is Josi who is also investing in the Brooklyn Nets 28 00:01:24,000 --> 00:01:26,679 Speaker 1: and will one day take over that franchise. They backed 29 00:01:26,680 --> 00:01:29,360 Speaker 1: out it was too rich for their blood. That surprises 30 00:01:29,400 --> 00:01:32,080 Speaker 1: me because I mean, those are some high powered folks 31 00:01:32,160 --> 00:01:34,320 Speaker 1: and they got out of the running. Yeah, you're wondering 32 00:01:34,360 --> 00:01:37,959 Speaker 1: who else Like David Tepper of Appaloosa Management, he owns 33 00:01:37,959 --> 00:01:40,480 Speaker 1: a piece of the Pittsburgh Steelers, He's involved. You have 34 00:01:40,560 --> 00:01:43,959 Speaker 1: Jim Goodnight, a local guy, Ben ben Navarro, also local 35 00:01:44,000 --> 00:01:47,320 Speaker 1: guy Alan keston Baum. These guys can right to check themselves. 36 00:01:47,760 --> 00:01:50,560 Speaker 1: So you wonder how high are they going to push this? 37 00:01:51,040 --> 00:01:53,280 Speaker 1: Is there going to be value investment or is this 38 00:01:53,320 --> 00:01:55,160 Speaker 1: going to be one of those auctions where people say, 39 00:01:55,200 --> 00:01:57,400 Speaker 1: I want it, I don't care what it costs. I've 40 00:01:57,400 --> 00:01:59,600 Speaker 1: got the means, so I'm gonna do it right now. 41 00:01:59,640 --> 00:02:04,240 Speaker 1: At two five suggest that there's some major interest in 42 00:02:04,280 --> 00:02:07,080 Speaker 1: this thing. Well, I know Panthers owner, the current Panthers owner, 43 00:02:07,160 --> 00:02:09,320 Speaker 1: Jerry Richardson right now, he's got to be smiling. But 44 00:02:10,280 --> 00:02:13,800 Speaker 1: it is this team worth two point five billion dollars. 45 00:02:13,960 --> 00:02:17,000 Speaker 1: You know the adage bar something is worth what somebody's 46 00:02:17,000 --> 00:02:19,280 Speaker 1: willing to pay for it. And take it from somebody 47 00:02:19,280 --> 00:02:22,280 Speaker 1: who is now house hunting in the suburbs. I don't 48 00:02:22,280 --> 00:02:24,720 Speaker 1: think any of these homes that I'm looking at are 49 00:02:24,880 --> 00:02:27,760 Speaker 1: worth what everybody else seems to be willing to pay 50 00:02:27,800 --> 00:02:31,160 Speaker 1: for it. But this is the NFL. There's only so many. 51 00:02:31,240 --> 00:02:34,560 Speaker 1: It's the crown jewel of US pro sports. The media 52 00:02:34,800 --> 00:02:36,840 Speaker 1: is only going to go up in terms of revenue 53 00:02:36,919 --> 00:02:40,160 Speaker 1: for now. There are some some concerns, but if you 54 00:02:40,240 --> 00:02:42,760 Speaker 1: want in the club, you've got to pay up. That's 55 00:02:42,800 --> 00:02:45,520 Speaker 1: what these guys are doing. The NFL has been trying 56 00:02:45,560 --> 00:02:48,400 Speaker 1: to make a push into London. That's what Roger Goodell, 57 00:02:48,480 --> 00:02:50,560 Speaker 1: the commissioner of the league said when he spoke to 58 00:02:50,560 --> 00:02:53,359 Speaker 1: Bloomberg a few years ago. At some point in time, 59 00:02:53,400 --> 00:02:55,480 Speaker 1: if we continue to be successful and we can work 60 00:02:55,480 --> 00:02:59,040 Speaker 1: out the logistics and the competitive issues, we think one 61 00:02:59,120 --> 00:03:03,680 Speaker 1: that could could handful of franchise. Speaking of London gas, 62 00:03:03,800 --> 00:03:06,959 Speaker 1: who's going to play in London? At least what we're 63 00:03:06,960 --> 00:03:10,720 Speaker 1: talking about. Another story that you've been all over, the 64 00:03:10,760 --> 00:03:13,600 Speaker 1: New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox near an 65 00:03:13,639 --> 00:03:19,080 Speaker 1: agreement to play two game regular season games in London 66 00:03:19,160 --> 00:03:23,280 Speaker 1: in June. Of every major US sports league of the 67 00:03:23,320 --> 00:03:26,840 Speaker 1: big four will say, so, that means the NFL, the NBA, 68 00:03:27,440 --> 00:03:31,760 Speaker 1: and the NHL, all three have staged games that count 69 00:03:32,280 --> 00:03:37,000 Speaker 1: in Europe. Amazing to think that baseball has not yet 70 00:03:37,000 --> 00:03:39,240 Speaker 1: done it. They've done it in Asia, they've done other 71 00:03:39,280 --> 00:03:42,560 Speaker 1: parts of the world. They have never staged a regular 72 00:03:42,600 --> 00:03:45,280 Speaker 1: season game in Europe, and they figure it's about time 73 00:03:45,320 --> 00:03:47,760 Speaker 1: they maybe get some customers on the continent, so to speak. 74 00:03:48,040 --> 00:03:51,120 Speaker 1: So they're not just sending anybody. They're sending Yankees and 75 00:03:51,200 --> 00:03:55,080 Speaker 1: Red Sox, and that sends a message. We're sending the best, 76 00:03:55,200 --> 00:03:58,440 Speaker 1: We're sending the most compelling. We're sending the rivals. We 77 00:03:58,520 --> 00:04:01,360 Speaker 1: want you folks to find the interesting and come and 78 00:04:01,400 --> 00:04:06,080 Speaker 1: sample our product, not to offend our friends across the pond. 79 00:04:06,600 --> 00:04:10,200 Speaker 1: Why why are we going to now take baseball, which 80 00:04:10,280 --> 00:04:14,000 Speaker 1: is supposed to be America's game, now going over to London. 81 00:04:14,440 --> 00:04:16,599 Speaker 1: Should I let you answer your own question? Do you 82 00:04:16,680 --> 00:04:19,440 Speaker 1: really need me to answer this? Can people see me? 83 00:04:21,760 --> 00:04:26,560 Speaker 1: She Nichols? But dollars revenue from national media and let's 84 00:04:26,560 --> 00:04:30,279 Speaker 1: say international media. Now, when the broadcasters of tomorrow are 85 00:04:30,920 --> 00:04:32,440 Speaker 1: let's take a deep breath, because we do this all 86 00:04:32,440 --> 00:04:37,640 Speaker 1: the time, Amazon, Facebook, Twitter, Apple, YouTube. So when those 87 00:04:37,640 --> 00:04:41,000 Speaker 1: are the broadcasters of tomorrow, they can scale these games. 88 00:04:41,000 --> 00:04:43,240 Speaker 1: And this is a hundred and sixty two games season. 89 00:04:43,720 --> 00:04:47,480 Speaker 1: This is great to cut up into highlights and shoulder programming. 90 00:04:47,720 --> 00:04:50,240 Speaker 1: Will people pay for that? Can they follow the Yankees 91 00:04:50,240 --> 00:04:52,200 Speaker 1: and the Red Sox from London? Of course you can. 92 00:04:52,240 --> 00:04:54,160 Speaker 1: There are no borders anymore. This is a flat world. 93 00:04:54,520 --> 00:04:56,560 Speaker 1: So this is all the Sports league looking to see. 94 00:04:56,600 --> 00:04:59,599 Speaker 1: How do we export not only are games, but our 95 00:04:59,720 --> 00:05:02,640 Speaker 1: brand ends and our content and our marks and our 96 00:05:02,720 --> 00:05:06,599 Speaker 1: t shirts. How do we sell that around the world? 97 00:05:07,040 --> 00:05:09,839 Speaker 1: And playing games over there is not It's just a 98 00:05:09,960 --> 00:05:13,479 Speaker 1: small part of gaining interest in the rest of the world. 99 00:05:13,600 --> 00:05:16,080 Speaker 1: By the way, the series will be played at London 100 00:05:16,240 --> 00:05:18,880 Speaker 1: Stadium when all the details are worked out, home of 101 00:05:19,000 --> 00:05:22,000 Speaker 1: west Ham. John Henry, owner of the Red Sox, owns 102 00:05:22,000 --> 00:05:24,520 Speaker 1: an EPL team in Liverpool, so maybe do some soccer 103 00:05:24,560 --> 00:05:28,160 Speaker 1: business while he's there, heading into our next sports item 104 00:05:28,279 --> 00:05:31,480 Speaker 1: of the week. Does this sound familiar? There's a new 105 00:05:31,600 --> 00:05:36,320 Speaker 1: brand of football coming, a league where players must crane 106 00:05:36,400 --> 00:05:39,880 Speaker 1: on it and push themselves to the extreme and deep. 107 00:05:39,920 --> 00:05:49,160 Speaker 1: We mentioned no fair Gus is February. Guess what league 108 00:05:49,640 --> 00:05:52,440 Speaker 1: is now going to start up on top of the 109 00:05:52,640 --> 00:05:56,080 Speaker 1: XFL brand new league is coming. So it's gotten to 110 00:05:56,160 --> 00:05:58,720 Speaker 1: the point now where I'm confused. Was that the XFL 111 00:05:59,160 --> 00:06:04,159 Speaker 1: Vince McMahon take one or was that the XFL reboot 112 00:06:04,520 --> 00:06:08,479 Speaker 1: take two? Because now on top of those now we 113 00:06:08,600 --> 00:06:14,200 Speaker 1: have the Alliance of American Football. The interesting part of this, 114 00:06:14,279 --> 00:06:17,800 Speaker 1: and again I don't know if anybody needs more pro football, 115 00:06:17,880 --> 00:06:21,840 Speaker 1: I have no idea. But the interesting part of this announcement, 116 00:06:21,880 --> 00:06:25,000 Speaker 1: Michael is who's involved, is that this is being done 117 00:06:25,040 --> 00:06:30,560 Speaker 1: by Charlie Ebersolt. Now that surname might sound familiar. Dick Ebersol, 118 00:06:30,760 --> 00:06:35,520 Speaker 1: NBC partner with Vince McMahon the original XFL and also 119 00:06:35,600 --> 00:06:37,159 Speaker 1: the back and one thing. They have a TV deal. 120 00:06:37,200 --> 00:06:39,240 Speaker 1: They have a TV deal with CBS. That's always an 121 00:06:39,240 --> 00:06:40,640 Speaker 1: important part of the thing, are you going to be 122 00:06:40,640 --> 00:06:43,560 Speaker 1: on TV? So they've answered that that portion and the 123 00:06:43,600 --> 00:06:46,280 Speaker 1: investment coming. There's there's a lot of them, but I 124 00:06:46,320 --> 00:06:50,440 Speaker 1: want to highlight two founders fund that's Peter Teel sitting 125 00:06:50,480 --> 00:06:54,719 Speaker 1: on the board of Facebook and the churning group Barstool 126 00:06:54,720 --> 00:06:58,719 Speaker 1: Sports majority holder. Will this appeal to the bar Stools? 127 00:06:58,760 --> 00:07:02,600 Speaker 1: How does that all happen? And what did Charlie Ebisol 128 00:07:02,680 --> 00:07:04,839 Speaker 1: know when? By the way, he's also made making the 129 00:07:04,880 --> 00:07:08,800 Speaker 1: documentary for thirty on the XFL and why it failed? 130 00:07:09,160 --> 00:07:11,120 Speaker 1: Well yeah, so so was that really part of his 131 00:07:11,160 --> 00:07:14,120 Speaker 1: business plan? So more football? Don't know if we need it, 132 00:07:14,120 --> 00:07:16,360 Speaker 1: but there's another league coming. Those are some of our 133 00:07:16,520 --> 00:07:19,920 Speaker 1: top business stories this week in sports. Now let's get 134 00:07:19,960 --> 00:07:23,080 Speaker 1: to this week's interview with Craig Sloan. He's the executive 135 00:07:23,160 --> 00:07:26,800 Speaker 1: vice president of Home Team Sports, a division of Fox Sports, 136 00:07:27,040 --> 00:07:29,760 Speaker 1: and an expert when it comes to regional sports networks. 137 00:07:30,040 --> 00:07:33,680 Speaker 1: We're talking about channels like Yes, New England Sports Network 138 00:07:33,880 --> 00:07:36,520 Speaker 1: and a whole host of others. Craig, thank you very 139 00:07:36,600 --> 00:07:38,320 Speaker 1: much for joining us, and I want to start by 140 00:07:38,360 --> 00:07:41,360 Speaker 1: asking you who really deserves the credit for the YES Network, 141 00:07:41,360 --> 00:07:43,920 Speaker 1: Because I'm gonna tell you, after more than twenty years 142 00:07:43,920 --> 00:07:46,800 Speaker 1: of lunches and conversations, I think about four hundred people 143 00:07:46,840 --> 00:07:50,200 Speaker 1: have told me it was their idea. I think I've 144 00:07:50,240 --> 00:07:54,480 Speaker 1: met all four hundred, so I am with you. Uh 145 00:07:54,720 --> 00:07:56,760 Speaker 1: you know what I I don't. Here's what I can 146 00:07:56,880 --> 00:08:01,640 Speaker 1: tell you is uh post launch uh and and and 147 00:08:01,680 --> 00:08:04,400 Speaker 1: the idea of of what the value of the S 148 00:08:04,480 --> 00:08:09,680 Speaker 1: network was versus what the folks in the marketplace we're 149 00:08:09,680 --> 00:08:13,120 Speaker 1: paying for the S network. Uh. The Fox folks looked 150 00:08:13,120 --> 00:08:16,680 Speaker 1: at as an undervalued asset. And and at one point 151 00:08:17,240 --> 00:08:20,120 Speaker 1: back boy, it's probably over ten years ago. Now in 152 00:08:20,200 --> 00:08:22,480 Speaker 1: my time, I've been in the business now with Fox 153 00:08:22,520 --> 00:08:24,480 Speaker 1: for over twenty years, and my years get a little 154 00:08:24,480 --> 00:08:26,760 Speaker 1: bit mixed up. But there were a couple of key 155 00:08:26,800 --> 00:08:30,280 Speaker 1: folks in the conversation, one of which was Jeff Krolik, 156 00:08:30,640 --> 00:08:33,320 Speaker 1: who's our president of the regional sports networks on the 157 00:08:33,360 --> 00:08:37,480 Speaker 1: Fox side equation of twenty two of them, uh and 158 00:08:37,480 --> 00:08:40,360 Speaker 1: And the other was Tracy doulg In on the other side, 159 00:08:40,400 --> 00:08:43,439 Speaker 1: who's the CEO of Yes and and having some discussions 160 00:08:43,440 --> 00:08:45,640 Speaker 1: that ended up obviously involving the Yankees and the and 161 00:08:45,720 --> 00:08:48,760 Speaker 1: the Golden Sax folks and uh and and took us 162 00:08:48,760 --> 00:08:51,760 Speaker 1: into a situation of where we had looked at and 163 00:08:51,800 --> 00:08:54,839 Speaker 1: admired and thought of the S Network for many years 164 00:08:54,840 --> 00:08:56,960 Speaker 1: on the Fox side of the equation, but in the 165 00:08:57,000 --> 00:08:59,760 Speaker 1: same breath looked at it as here's a pretty mature 166 00:09:00,160 --> 00:09:02,720 Speaker 1: is now that went through some of those early growing 167 00:09:02,760 --> 00:09:06,680 Speaker 1: pains of distributions on the other obstacles that sometimes getting 168 00:09:06,800 --> 00:09:10,160 Speaker 1: involved in the situation, but then decided to make a 169 00:09:10,200 --> 00:09:11,960 Speaker 1: play and and and get into the mix. And I 170 00:09:12,000 --> 00:09:15,200 Speaker 1: think the thought process again at that time was really 171 00:09:15,320 --> 00:09:18,520 Speaker 1: was this that striking point of the regional sports networks 172 00:09:18,760 --> 00:09:22,360 Speaker 1: were undervalued. And so the thought process was on those 173 00:09:22,400 --> 00:09:25,480 Speaker 1: next terms of those contract agreements with the m v 174 00:09:25,640 --> 00:09:28,640 Speaker 1: P D s across the cable and satellite world, was 175 00:09:28,920 --> 00:09:30,480 Speaker 1: you know, we could make a heck of a lot 176 00:09:30,520 --> 00:09:33,440 Speaker 1: of of hey on making sure that we got the 177 00:09:33,440 --> 00:09:36,200 Speaker 1: proper value out of it for what the Yankee fan 178 00:09:36,280 --> 00:09:38,280 Speaker 1: and net fans are getting for the S Network and 179 00:09:38,440 --> 00:09:42,040 Speaker 1: and and the like across the business. Because, uh, in 180 00:09:42,040 --> 00:09:46,199 Speaker 1: a world of declining ratings, you have products like these 181 00:09:46,200 --> 00:09:48,800 Speaker 1: regional sports networks that are not only just rating joggernauts 182 00:09:48,800 --> 00:09:51,600 Speaker 1: and alley basis, but they're very consistent. So about the 183 00:09:51,600 --> 00:09:55,280 Speaker 1: only thing that seems to affect him is wide swings 184 00:09:55,320 --> 00:09:58,439 Speaker 1: and team performance uh. And other than that, they're basically 185 00:09:58,520 --> 00:10:01,520 Speaker 1: immune to some of the other things that are troubling 186 00:10:01,559 --> 00:10:04,800 Speaker 1: the media landscape today. Talk about transformation. Although because at 187 00:10:04,800 --> 00:10:08,960 Speaker 1: the time the Yankees were on MSG and probably thought, well, 188 00:10:09,080 --> 00:10:11,240 Speaker 1: this is just something we're going to resign and keep. 189 00:10:11,720 --> 00:10:14,280 Speaker 1: I don't think they saw it coming, did they. No. 190 00:10:14,520 --> 00:10:17,320 Speaker 1: I think when you know, they obviously had it all 191 00:10:17,440 --> 00:10:20,160 Speaker 1: right at that point. They had the Yankees and the Mets. 192 00:10:20,200 --> 00:10:24,320 Speaker 1: They had all the hockey and and the basketball. So yes, 193 00:10:25,160 --> 00:10:30,160 Speaker 1: they had basketball in New York. Little Joe, Little Joe. Uh. 194 00:10:30,480 --> 00:10:36,440 Speaker 1: And I can't I can't wait until there's some playoff basketball. 195 00:10:36,440 --> 00:10:38,280 Speaker 1: I moved here ten years ago and I've only seen 196 00:10:38,320 --> 00:10:40,680 Speaker 1: it once, so it would be nice to be around 197 00:10:40,679 --> 00:10:42,880 Speaker 1: New York and watch the Garden laid up. So trust me, 198 00:10:42,920 --> 00:10:46,600 Speaker 1: I'm rooting for that. Uh. Yeah. So I would agree 199 00:10:46,600 --> 00:10:50,160 Speaker 1: with you, Scott that I think that the MSG folks 200 00:10:50,240 --> 00:10:53,440 Speaker 1: not necessarily that they didn't see it coming, but also 201 00:10:53,559 --> 00:10:56,320 Speaker 1: thought at that point that they had the dominant position 202 00:10:56,360 --> 00:10:59,760 Speaker 1: because they also were controlling the distribution, right, the majority 203 00:10:59,760 --> 00:11:02,080 Speaker 1: of that distribution in the area. And though that's usually 204 00:11:02,080 --> 00:11:05,280 Speaker 1: a winning formula. That being said, I looked, you know, 205 00:11:05,320 --> 00:11:07,800 Speaker 1: the Yankees looked at it, and as did others like 206 00:11:07,840 --> 00:11:10,440 Speaker 1: the Mets after them. Uh, that that they felt like 207 00:11:10,480 --> 00:11:12,320 Speaker 1: that they could monetize it in in a bigger way 208 00:11:12,320 --> 00:11:14,920 Speaker 1: than just a rights agreement where they had equity stakes 209 00:11:14,960 --> 00:11:18,200 Speaker 1: in those regional sports networks. After twenty plus years in 210 00:11:18,240 --> 00:11:22,360 Speaker 1: the business, what major changes have you seen? I would 211 00:11:22,400 --> 00:11:25,600 Speaker 1: say probably number one first and foremost is what Scott 212 00:11:25,640 --> 00:11:28,800 Speaker 1: sort of alluded to upfront, which is RSNU. No one 213 00:11:28,960 --> 00:11:31,360 Speaker 1: really knew what it was, and I would say now 214 00:11:31,760 --> 00:11:33,840 Speaker 1: I would say the majority of the folks do. We 215 00:11:33,880 --> 00:11:35,400 Speaker 1: had to go through a little bit of a negative 216 00:11:35,440 --> 00:11:38,400 Speaker 1: pr period of where the r Center the regional sports 217 00:11:38,400 --> 00:11:40,400 Speaker 1: networks were on the cover of the sports page and 218 00:11:40,440 --> 00:11:43,560 Speaker 1: the business pages because there was some talk about the 219 00:11:43,600 --> 00:11:46,280 Speaker 1: expense of the regional sports networks. But again, we look 220 00:11:46,320 --> 00:11:49,240 Speaker 1: at it as a tremendous value. If you're paying across 221 00:11:49,360 --> 00:11:52,080 Speaker 1: the twelve months of a year for for one of 222 00:11:52,080 --> 00:11:55,480 Speaker 1: our regional sports networks, it's it's very likely less than 223 00:11:55,520 --> 00:11:58,319 Speaker 1: the cost of one ticket to a game. So uh, 224 00:11:58,520 --> 00:12:00,320 Speaker 1: and you think about the number of events and the 225 00:12:00,320 --> 00:12:02,080 Speaker 1: type of quality of those events in the way they 226 00:12:02,120 --> 00:12:04,880 Speaker 1: bringing presented to you. We look at again as a value. 227 00:12:04,960 --> 00:12:08,440 Speaker 1: So UM, I think that the difference has been that 228 00:12:08,440 --> 00:12:11,080 Speaker 1: that we're now unknown entity. And I think that comes 229 00:12:11,080 --> 00:12:14,520 Speaker 1: in a couple of different ways. One first and foremost 230 00:12:14,640 --> 00:12:17,960 Speaker 1: is is where our bread is buttered. And that's what 231 00:12:18,000 --> 00:12:21,960 Speaker 1: the subscribers. They have clearly spoken and said, we can't 232 00:12:22,000 --> 00:12:25,000 Speaker 1: live without a regional sports network. So as you even 233 00:12:25,040 --> 00:12:28,520 Speaker 1: look at the skinny bundle that's now happening and happening 234 00:12:28,520 --> 00:12:32,040 Speaker 1: in a great pace between direct TV now and Slinging 235 00:12:32,080 --> 00:12:35,160 Speaker 1: TV and others, they're all launching with regional sports networks 236 00:12:35,200 --> 00:12:37,839 Speaker 1: because they can't afford not to at this point. So 237 00:12:37,920 --> 00:12:41,000 Speaker 1: you're you're looking at a skinny bundle from two and 238 00:12:41,120 --> 00:12:44,559 Speaker 1: fifty channels let's say, down to perhaps forty or fifty 239 00:12:44,760 --> 00:12:47,600 Speaker 1: and uh, and what they know is in the top 240 00:12:47,960 --> 00:12:50,960 Speaker 1: ten options for folks, the regional sports networks in there. 241 00:12:51,000 --> 00:12:53,400 Speaker 1: So uh that that's on the radar now. And then 242 00:12:53,440 --> 00:12:56,680 Speaker 1: that you know the secretary components where I spend most 243 00:12:56,679 --> 00:12:59,200 Speaker 1: of my time, which is talking to two brands and 244 00:12:59,320 --> 00:13:02,800 Speaker 1: advertising agencies about the power of these regional sports networks 245 00:13:02,800 --> 00:13:06,120 Speaker 1: for getting involved in from an advertising basis. And and 246 00:13:06,160 --> 00:13:08,720 Speaker 1: I'd say that that has also equally gone up. And 247 00:13:08,760 --> 00:13:12,040 Speaker 1: I probably put that date Michael on on the right, 248 00:13:12,080 --> 00:13:14,840 Speaker 1: A round two thousand and eight seems to be when 249 00:13:14,880 --> 00:13:17,319 Speaker 1: we started to mature. It had been around obviously in 250 00:13:17,360 --> 00:13:20,880 Speaker 1: the nineties early two thousand's, and they were certainly had 251 00:13:21,000 --> 00:13:24,480 Speaker 1: had a great presence in certain local markets. But I 252 00:13:24,520 --> 00:13:27,679 Speaker 1: think we sort of took a bigger step forward at 253 00:13:27,679 --> 00:13:29,319 Speaker 1: around two thousand and eight, when a lot of the 254 00:13:29,440 --> 00:13:34,400 Speaker 1: things were really impaired again from not just a ratings perspective, 255 00:13:34,440 --> 00:13:37,480 Speaker 1: but advertising perspective, and all the revenues that were coming in, 256 00:13:37,720 --> 00:13:40,960 Speaker 1: and these regional sports networks looked somewhat immune. We certainly 257 00:13:40,960 --> 00:13:42,920 Speaker 1: were impacted by all the things that we're going on 258 00:13:42,960 --> 00:13:45,000 Speaker 1: with the economy, but not to the levels that others were. 259 00:13:46,440 --> 00:13:50,160 Speaker 1: We're talking with Craig Sloan, the executive vice president of 260 00:13:50,320 --> 00:13:54,280 Speaker 1: Home Team Sports, part of the Fox Sports Media Group. 261 00:13:54,679 --> 00:13:59,720 Speaker 1: Can you describe how advertising has changed in the sports industry? 262 00:14:00,120 --> 00:14:01,920 Speaker 1: Is way more now than just I'll put on an 263 00:14:01,920 --> 00:14:06,880 Speaker 1: electric shave add is things have changed right exactly. You 264 00:14:06,880 --> 00:14:09,000 Speaker 1: know it used to be put your car ad, put 265 00:14:09,040 --> 00:14:11,960 Speaker 1: your beer ad, and then get your electric shave and 266 00:14:11,960 --> 00:14:15,000 Speaker 1: and then you're good to go. I think what's happened 267 00:14:15,040 --> 00:14:17,240 Speaker 1: again sort of alluding to some of the things I've 268 00:14:17,240 --> 00:14:21,720 Speaker 1: already said. But uh, people have realized that sports, just 269 00:14:21,840 --> 00:14:25,320 Speaker 1: due to the live nature of it is a safe 270 00:14:25,360 --> 00:14:29,000 Speaker 1: area for advertising, adding the way that the content is 271 00:14:29,040 --> 00:14:31,480 Speaker 1: about human achievement. Let me let me jump in there 272 00:14:31,480 --> 00:14:33,520 Speaker 1: for a second, Craig. Craig, let me you said it's 273 00:14:33,560 --> 00:14:35,960 Speaker 1: a safe area. Is it safe in knowing that it 274 00:14:35,960 --> 00:14:38,520 Speaker 1: will still beat everything else? Or is it safe that 275 00:14:38,560 --> 00:14:42,120 Speaker 1: it will draw mails eighteen to thirty four? Because like 276 00:14:42,160 --> 00:14:44,240 Speaker 1: you said before, you're alluding to we're seeing numbers in 277 00:14:44,280 --> 00:14:47,040 Speaker 1: all prime time in sport coming down, including the NFL. 278 00:14:47,080 --> 00:14:50,240 Speaker 1: We've heard a lot about that. How is it safe? Alright, 279 00:14:50,360 --> 00:14:53,480 Speaker 1: So good question. So, uh, here's what I would say. 280 00:14:53,760 --> 00:14:58,320 Speaker 1: One first and foremost is that over of the top 281 00:14:58,360 --> 00:15:02,160 Speaker 1: programs on TV that or entertainment based our time shifted 282 00:15:02,200 --> 00:15:05,440 Speaker 1: and therefore, let's not kid ourselves. I've still yet to 283 00:15:05,480 --> 00:15:07,720 Speaker 1: meet the one person that then time shifts and then 284 00:15:07,720 --> 00:15:11,680 Speaker 1: watches the commercials. So people are purposefully, you know, building 285 00:15:11,720 --> 00:15:14,160 Speaker 1: out their own schedule of how they went on watch 286 00:15:14,200 --> 00:15:17,360 Speaker 1: TV and then they're skipping through the ads. So start 287 00:15:17,400 --> 00:15:19,680 Speaker 1: with the safety of things. Got from that perspective for 288 00:15:19,680 --> 00:15:21,360 Speaker 1: a brand that they know that when they buy it, 289 00:15:21,400 --> 00:15:25,560 Speaker 1: that if it's live, that that over folks are watching 290 00:15:25,560 --> 00:15:28,520 Speaker 1: that in the moment, and so that therefore they're watching 291 00:15:28,520 --> 00:15:31,320 Speaker 1: the commercial acts. So I think the second component though, 292 00:15:31,360 --> 00:15:34,760 Speaker 1: to answer your questions, there is an oversaturation if you 293 00:15:34,800 --> 00:15:38,280 Speaker 1: ask me, in in the sports scene, right, So there's uh. 294 00:15:38,400 --> 00:15:42,120 Speaker 1: In two thousand four, there were about thirty four hundred 295 00:15:42,200 --> 00:15:48,240 Speaker 1: events broadcast nationally across the country. In two thousand and sixteen, 296 00:15:48,640 --> 00:15:52,320 Speaker 1: there were over ten thousand, almost eleven thousand events. And 297 00:15:52,360 --> 00:15:54,200 Speaker 1: I don't know what my content you would be. I 298 00:15:54,200 --> 00:15:57,120 Speaker 1: don't necessarily believe that back in two four there was 299 00:15:57,160 --> 00:16:00,360 Speaker 1: a lot of nationally worthy sporting events that were sitting 300 00:16:00,400 --> 00:16:04,280 Speaker 1: on the sidelines. I think what has happened is national networks, 301 00:16:04,920 --> 00:16:08,040 Speaker 1: many of them that are entertainment based, saw the writing 302 00:16:08,040 --> 00:16:11,360 Speaker 1: on the wall, saw declining ratings happening on the entertainment side, 303 00:16:11,360 --> 00:16:15,000 Speaker 1: to stem that went towards live programming, specifically to sports, 304 00:16:15,400 --> 00:16:18,560 Speaker 1: to add in what they thought was safe. Now, though, 305 00:16:18,720 --> 00:16:21,800 Speaker 1: you look at the landscape and the game of the 306 00:16:21,840 --> 00:16:23,600 Speaker 1: week is no longer just the game of the week, 307 00:16:23,640 --> 00:16:25,800 Speaker 1: because there's about seven games of the week, right, So 308 00:16:25,880 --> 00:16:30,640 Speaker 1: Thursday night, Friday night, Saturday with causing the diminution, is 309 00:16:30,640 --> 00:16:34,400 Speaker 1: that one of the reasons that down the oversaturation. Yeah, 310 00:16:34,400 --> 00:16:37,240 Speaker 1: I believe so, I just what is special today? Right? 311 00:16:37,280 --> 00:16:41,120 Speaker 1: So on an afternoon on Saturday, uh, and running through 312 00:16:41,160 --> 00:16:43,080 Speaker 1: the evening, you could be looking at in the fall, 313 00:16:43,600 --> 00:16:47,080 Speaker 1: anywhere between fifty to sixty football games on to the 314 00:16:47,120 --> 00:16:50,240 Speaker 1: average person at home, which one is meaningful? What is 315 00:16:50,280 --> 00:16:52,000 Speaker 1: the thing that is actually going to draw them in? 316 00:16:52,760 --> 00:16:55,680 Speaker 1: Where again, I would say my model and luckily sort 317 00:16:55,720 --> 00:16:57,320 Speaker 1: of feel like I stumbled into this area and why 318 00:16:57,320 --> 00:16:59,560 Speaker 1: I'm still in this area is that the regional sports 319 00:16:59,560 --> 00:17:02,560 Speaker 1: network as relevance. We're not trying to say that a 320 00:17:02,600 --> 00:17:05,439 Speaker 1: game in Cleveland is going to matter to everyone across 321 00:17:05,480 --> 00:17:07,880 Speaker 1: the country, but we are saying it means a heck 322 00:17:07,920 --> 00:17:11,480 Speaker 1: of a lot to the folks in eastern Ohio. We're 323 00:17:11,520 --> 00:17:15,080 Speaker 1: not saying again that even a team like the Warriors 324 00:17:15,119 --> 00:17:19,760 Speaker 1: that might have national draw don't have interest across the country. 325 00:17:20,000 --> 00:17:22,560 Speaker 1: But the passion points and and the and the heavy 326 00:17:22,960 --> 00:17:26,000 Speaker 1: ratings on a nightly basis are sitting in the northern 327 00:17:26,080 --> 00:17:30,080 Speaker 1: California area. So for those reasons, I think it's safe. Um, 328 00:17:30,119 --> 00:17:33,520 Speaker 1: I think the second component for the for the the change, 329 00:17:33,560 --> 00:17:35,959 Speaker 1: And again, why I think we're looking at from an 330 00:17:35,960 --> 00:17:39,280 Speaker 1: advertising perspective that there's a bit more attention to it 331 00:17:39,320 --> 00:17:43,480 Speaker 1: is there is a lack of of proof points other 332 00:17:43,520 --> 00:17:47,439 Speaker 1: than just in rating measurements uh coming from in from Nielsen, 333 00:17:47,800 --> 00:17:50,960 Speaker 1: but about actually moving people to transaction. There's a heck 334 00:17:50,960 --> 00:17:53,000 Speaker 1: of a lot of folks out in the advertising marketplace 335 00:17:53,080 --> 00:17:55,600 Speaker 1: talking about data and how data is going to help 336 00:17:55,600 --> 00:17:57,200 Speaker 1: move that forward. But at the end of the day, 337 00:17:57,720 --> 00:18:00,560 Speaker 1: most of these data points that are coming and have 338 00:18:00,760 --> 00:18:03,399 Speaker 1: not proven to be able to move sales forward. What 339 00:18:03,520 --> 00:18:06,800 Speaker 1: I think we have within our regional sports networks is 340 00:18:06,880 --> 00:18:10,600 Speaker 1: people actually feel differently about a brand that's advertising in 341 00:18:10,880 --> 00:18:13,360 Speaker 1: that space. They don't look at it as interruption. There's 342 00:18:13,400 --> 00:18:16,280 Speaker 1: natural breaks in the action. We're filling those brakes and 343 00:18:16,320 --> 00:18:18,640 Speaker 1: the and the natural breaks and the action with advertising, 344 00:18:19,040 --> 00:18:21,880 Speaker 1: and we have short pods that people are actually appreciative 345 00:18:21,920 --> 00:18:25,560 Speaker 1: of when we bring in interesting ways to I guess 346 00:18:25,680 --> 00:18:29,280 Speaker 1: enhance the game. So if you look at Michael's question before, 347 00:18:29,440 --> 00:18:31,679 Speaker 1: some of the things that have changed in ways that 348 00:18:31,920 --> 00:18:34,600 Speaker 1: people have maybe innovated, I think the people are just 349 00:18:34,680 --> 00:18:37,560 Speaker 1: doing it better. There's better, stronger integrations inside the game. 350 00:18:37,600 --> 00:18:40,240 Speaker 1: We have a new technology called stack cast that will 351 00:18:40,280 --> 00:18:42,680 Speaker 1: be across most of our regional sports networks for baseball 352 00:18:42,680 --> 00:18:46,440 Speaker 1: this year. It's an an enhanced statistical analysis of what's 353 00:18:46,480 --> 00:18:50,880 Speaker 1: going on with player movement, ball movement, anything from endurance 354 00:18:50,920 --> 00:18:53,480 Speaker 1: to speed, all those different things that brands can come 355 00:18:53,480 --> 00:18:56,320 Speaker 1: and associate to and therefore look like they're enhancing the 356 00:18:56,320 --> 00:18:59,360 Speaker 1: actual broadcast for the fan experience at home. We are 357 00:18:59,440 --> 00:19:02,200 Speaker 1: chatting with Greig Sloan, executive vice president of Home Team 358 00:19:02,240 --> 00:19:04,719 Speaker 1: Sports and a guy of my age, Home Team Sports 359 00:19:04,720 --> 00:19:06,920 Speaker 1: to me was an rs N in d C years 360 00:19:06,960 --> 00:19:12,520 Speaker 1: ago exactly. Yes, yeah, so I that was a strategic 361 00:19:12,560 --> 00:19:16,639 Speaker 1: decision um years ago when Home Team Sports actually was 362 00:19:16,680 --> 00:19:19,400 Speaker 1: bought out by the folks at Comcast and became Comcast 363 00:19:19,440 --> 00:19:22,399 Speaker 1: sports Net mid Atlantic, that name was going away, and 364 00:19:22,440 --> 00:19:24,640 Speaker 1: I was sitting there with the running a business that 365 00:19:24,800 --> 00:19:27,840 Speaker 1: was called Fox sports Net. And yet most of the 366 00:19:27,880 --> 00:19:31,640 Speaker 1: regional sports networks across the country as that business bifurcated 367 00:19:31,680 --> 00:19:34,320 Speaker 1: and Yes Network and others launch, didn't have that Fox 368 00:19:34,359 --> 00:19:37,160 Speaker 1: Sports Net branding in their local markets. So it became 369 00:19:37,200 --> 00:19:39,680 Speaker 1: a decision of do we try to reinvent and start 370 00:19:39,760 --> 00:19:41,640 Speaker 1: something new, or do we just go with a thing 371 00:19:41,680 --> 00:19:43,679 Speaker 1: that actually describes what the heck, we do on a 372 00:19:43,720 --> 00:19:45,960 Speaker 1: daily basis, which is yeah, that's the local part of it, 373 00:19:46,000 --> 00:19:49,040 Speaker 1: all local part of it. Creig, We've been talking about 374 00:19:49,119 --> 00:19:52,440 Speaker 1: advertising on RSNS regional sports networks. Let's get a little 375 00:19:52,480 --> 00:19:55,280 Speaker 1: more specific. Can you tell me who your biggest spenders are? 376 00:19:56,240 --> 00:19:58,480 Speaker 1: You know, i'd say on a on a yearly basis. 377 00:19:58,560 --> 00:20:01,520 Speaker 1: There are folks that invest think across multiple sports, and 378 00:20:01,480 --> 00:20:03,240 Speaker 1: there's others that just come in and look at the 379 00:20:03,280 --> 00:20:05,400 Speaker 1: sport verticals and say this is the type of thing 380 00:20:05,400 --> 00:20:07,600 Speaker 1: we want online with it it matches up to our brand. 381 00:20:07,640 --> 00:20:09,480 Speaker 1: But if you if you sort of look across the 382 00:20:09,520 --> 00:20:12,959 Speaker 1: calendar year across Major League Baseball, NBA, NHL and our 383 00:20:13,000 --> 00:20:15,600 Speaker 1: college products, which are are bread and butter across all 384 00:20:15,640 --> 00:20:18,960 Speaker 1: of our regional sports hours. Miller Cores is a big 385 00:20:18,960 --> 00:20:22,679 Speaker 1: partner of ours. T Mobile is another strong partner of ours. Apple, 386 00:20:23,440 --> 00:20:25,440 Speaker 1: A lot of the movie studios have found that this 387 00:20:25,520 --> 00:20:27,879 Speaker 1: is a big area for them to be able to 388 00:20:27,880 --> 00:20:31,119 Speaker 1: move tickets in a quick way. If you need an 389 00:20:31,160 --> 00:20:33,560 Speaker 1: impact over a quick two week period of time to 390 00:20:33,600 --> 00:20:36,480 Speaker 1: get people into buy tickets. People like Sony Pictures and 391 00:20:36,480 --> 00:20:39,480 Speaker 1: others have come in and made heavy investments across the 392 00:20:39,560 --> 00:20:43,600 Speaker 1: year has the NFL network with the red zone? Will 393 00:20:43,680 --> 00:20:46,399 Speaker 1: that change college football? Because with the red zone, we 394 00:20:46,480 --> 00:20:49,159 Speaker 1: can just go to the action when they're within the 395 00:20:49,200 --> 00:20:51,719 Speaker 1: twenty to see if they score. Will we see that 396 00:20:52,840 --> 00:20:58,080 Speaker 1: broaden with college football? I would say college is pretty stabilized. 397 00:20:58,080 --> 00:20:59,879 Speaker 1: And you know, here I say this, and it's going 398 00:20:59,920 --> 00:21:01,800 Speaker 1: to be recorded, and I'm going to be made a 399 00:21:01,800 --> 00:21:04,199 Speaker 1: fool because well, we hope it's going to be a recording, 400 00:21:04,240 --> 00:21:07,880 Speaker 1: and we hope. Yeah. All right, So I think he's thinking, 401 00:21:07,920 --> 00:21:11,240 Speaker 1: I'm not sure he's paying attention. Well, I hope, I 402 00:21:11,280 --> 00:21:12,520 Speaker 1: hope he is on this one, because I'd like to 403 00:21:12,560 --> 00:21:14,000 Speaker 1: see if I'm right on this, I can play it 404 00:21:14,040 --> 00:21:18,119 Speaker 1: back years from now. So the thought process is, I 405 00:21:18,160 --> 00:21:20,960 Speaker 1: think in the college space that all the shifting that 406 00:21:20,960 --> 00:21:24,159 Speaker 1: that really happened in a bigger way realignment of the 407 00:21:24,200 --> 00:21:27,760 Speaker 1: schools than of course the subsequent thought process of creating 408 00:21:28,240 --> 00:21:33,159 Speaker 1: championship events, especially for football that that came about, and 409 00:21:33,200 --> 00:21:37,480 Speaker 1: then monetizing that from the conference perspective with different media rights. 410 00:21:37,720 --> 00:21:40,359 Speaker 1: So a lot of those deals, Michael, I think are 411 00:21:40,359 --> 00:21:44,320 Speaker 1: in the long term, uh way, and until something comes 412 00:21:44,359 --> 00:21:47,200 Speaker 1: together of perhaps the only thing that I think would 413 00:21:47,200 --> 00:21:49,720 Speaker 1: disrupted is the power five Conferences, which I think have 414 00:21:49,800 --> 00:21:53,040 Speaker 1: flirted with the idea separated off from the n C 415 00:21:53,119 --> 00:21:56,600 Speaker 1: double A and created some type of different league environment 416 00:21:56,960 --> 00:21:59,680 Speaker 1: that that would allow for them to make more strategic decisions. 417 00:21:59,720 --> 00:22:03,360 Speaker 1: I say together today they operate independently. They cut their 418 00:22:03,359 --> 00:22:06,919 Speaker 1: media deals separately. They create their alliances for these national 419 00:22:06,960 --> 00:22:10,080 Speaker 1: networks that they're that they're creating, like the Big ten network, 420 00:22:10,119 --> 00:22:12,400 Speaker 1: which has been in place for quite a while now, 421 00:22:12,880 --> 00:22:15,919 Speaker 1: I think over eleven years now, and Fox owns the 422 00:22:15,960 --> 00:22:20,359 Speaker 1: majority of that of that network. UH, the ESPN owned 423 00:22:21,000 --> 00:22:24,240 Speaker 1: SEC network and about to launch the CC network, and 424 00:22:24,280 --> 00:22:27,160 Speaker 1: as well as the PAC twelve networks. They all operate 425 00:22:27,240 --> 00:22:30,520 Speaker 1: with with the thought process of the schools, the universities, 426 00:22:30,600 --> 00:22:34,320 Speaker 1: and the and the commissioners really driving those decisions. So 427 00:22:34,440 --> 00:22:36,760 Speaker 1: long went away of me saying I don't see the 428 00:22:36,800 --> 00:22:41,360 Speaker 1: red zone coming into that space. Until something brings those 429 00:22:41,400 --> 00:22:45,280 Speaker 1: Power five conferences together. We can see every US major 430 00:22:45,320 --> 00:22:49,640 Speaker 1: sport except rattlesnake handling, whatever have we at a point 431 00:22:49,760 --> 00:22:53,840 Speaker 1: where it is over saturated. I think I think that 432 00:22:53,880 --> 00:22:55,679 Speaker 1: we have a little bit more runway in front of us. 433 00:22:55,680 --> 00:22:57,440 Speaker 1: But I will say this, I think the strong will 434 00:22:57,480 --> 00:23:01,960 Speaker 1: survive these next set of negotiations that will happen with 435 00:23:02,000 --> 00:23:04,760 Speaker 1: the m v p d s for the these networks 436 00:23:04,960 --> 00:23:07,240 Speaker 1: will be For those who don't know m v p 437 00:23:07,359 --> 00:23:10,080 Speaker 1: D let's keep it comment what and what what who 438 00:23:10,080 --> 00:23:12,320 Speaker 1: they are and what they do. Good point. Let me 439 00:23:12,400 --> 00:23:14,560 Speaker 1: let me put some brands on it, so it's it's 440 00:23:14,560 --> 00:23:18,480 Speaker 1: your cable provider, your satellite video provider. And now in 441 00:23:18,520 --> 00:23:21,040 Speaker 1: the new cases I mentioned a little bit before, these 442 00:23:21,119 --> 00:23:23,280 Speaker 1: virtual m v p d s which are just in 443 00:23:23,480 --> 00:23:26,800 Speaker 1: broadband based, so you're getting your video service not through 444 00:23:26,920 --> 00:23:31,040 Speaker 1: a pipe, but through an actual broadband UH service that's 445 00:23:31,080 --> 00:23:33,840 Speaker 1: coming to your home and then projected throughout your house. 446 00:23:33,880 --> 00:23:36,880 Speaker 1: So the thought process I think for for what's going 447 00:23:36,960 --> 00:23:41,479 Speaker 1: on now with Comcast and and with direct TV and 448 00:23:41,480 --> 00:23:44,680 Speaker 1: and Dish and and Charter, the four biggest ones with 449 00:23:44,800 --> 00:23:49,760 Speaker 1: control about of the country now at this point, UH, 450 00:23:50,000 --> 00:23:54,160 Speaker 1: is that it's a battle between big media companies and 451 00:23:54,160 --> 00:23:57,120 Speaker 1: and and then big distributors. And so what I think 452 00:23:57,119 --> 00:23:59,120 Speaker 1: will end up happening this is, you know, my thought 453 00:23:59,160 --> 00:24:02,920 Speaker 1: at least is to say I don't know whether and 454 00:24:03,040 --> 00:24:05,960 Speaker 1: probably more on the entertainment side, but certainly even on 455 00:24:06,000 --> 00:24:08,800 Speaker 1: the sports side, that everything that exists today will survive 456 00:24:08,840 --> 00:24:11,480 Speaker 1: in the next round of negotiations. I think that the 457 00:24:11,520 --> 00:24:13,639 Speaker 1: strong will survive, So the pope, the folks that have 458 00:24:13,680 --> 00:24:16,720 Speaker 1: the most relevance, that have the most strong content that 459 00:24:16,800 --> 00:24:19,560 Speaker 1: can prove their value, will have to be able to 460 00:24:19,600 --> 00:24:23,400 Speaker 1: be distributed. Fans will will want it, and then subsequently 461 00:24:23,560 --> 00:24:26,680 Speaker 1: they will if they don't get it, will will make 462 00:24:26,720 --> 00:24:30,760 Speaker 1: switches between UH providers. So I think today I would 463 00:24:30,760 --> 00:24:32,919 Speaker 1: say that there's still a little bit more runway, but 464 00:24:33,040 --> 00:24:36,159 Speaker 1: I do think that that oversaturation is dangerously close because 465 00:24:36,200 --> 00:24:38,680 Speaker 1: of the fact again that there's some things on air 466 00:24:38,800 --> 00:24:42,119 Speaker 1: right now that that probably wouldn't have been and probably 467 00:24:42,160 --> 00:24:45,840 Speaker 1: don't necessarily need to be UH that that aren't drawing 468 00:24:46,000 --> 00:24:48,920 Speaker 1: necessarily the large audiences that you would anticipate. Let's name 469 00:24:49,000 --> 00:24:52,359 Speaker 1: some things what doesn't need to be out there all right. So, 470 00:24:52,520 --> 00:24:56,120 Speaker 1: I think if you look at the the amount of 471 00:24:56,359 --> 00:24:59,600 Speaker 1: games that are broadcast in the college football space and 472 00:24:59,640 --> 00:25:03,680 Speaker 1: college basketball space, there's certainly concerned there. If you look 473 00:25:03,720 --> 00:25:05,520 Speaker 1: at again, I think our position at the on the 474 00:25:05,640 --> 00:25:09,480 Speaker 1: on the home team sports side, handling two main conferences, 475 00:25:09,600 --> 00:25:12,040 Speaker 1: the Big Ten Network and Pact twelve Network. We like 476 00:25:12,119 --> 00:25:14,480 Speaker 1: our position because again we're not saying that those games 477 00:25:14,480 --> 00:25:16,919 Speaker 1: are relevant to everybody on every night across the country. 478 00:25:16,960 --> 00:25:19,840 Speaker 1: We are saying for Big ten Conference fans and for 479 00:25:19,920 --> 00:25:22,720 Speaker 1: the PAC twelve Conference fans, the content that we're providing 480 00:25:23,119 --> 00:25:26,440 Speaker 1: is relevant to those folks. When you're broadcasting a game 481 00:25:26,720 --> 00:25:31,719 Speaker 1: of Georgia State versus Georgia Southern as an example, is 482 00:25:31,760 --> 00:25:34,840 Speaker 1: that a nationally worthy broadcast and it's no offense to 483 00:25:34,880 --> 00:25:36,879 Speaker 1: both of those fine universities. But in the same breath, 484 00:25:37,080 --> 00:25:40,399 Speaker 1: I don't know necessarily whether that would have been and 485 00:25:40,480 --> 00:25:43,879 Speaker 1: probably if I went back in time, wasn't broadcast, But 486 00:25:43,960 --> 00:25:46,320 Speaker 1: I would imagine this fall that game or something like 487 00:25:46,400 --> 00:25:49,400 Speaker 1: it will be on TV. I think that those things 488 00:25:49,400 --> 00:25:53,040 Speaker 1: are now just causing more confusion. Uh, certainly in the 489 00:25:53,040 --> 00:25:55,800 Speaker 1: advertising marketplace. So think about what my folks go through 490 00:25:55,800 --> 00:25:57,919 Speaker 1: on a daily basis. They're going out a meeting with brands, 491 00:25:58,240 --> 00:26:00,280 Speaker 1: and they're going out and meet with advertising agents seas, 492 00:26:00,320 --> 00:26:04,040 Speaker 1: and to discern the difference between that game or a 493 00:26:04,080 --> 00:26:07,520 Speaker 1: Georgia Tech team or a Georgia game. Uh, if you're 494 00:26:07,520 --> 00:26:09,600 Speaker 1: not a sports fan, they all sound about the same 495 00:26:09,680 --> 00:26:11,680 Speaker 1: and and really, as we know that are in the 496 00:26:11,760 --> 00:26:15,200 Speaker 1: sports space, there's a big difference between University of Georgia 497 00:26:15,280 --> 00:26:17,439 Speaker 1: and a game that might be at a smaller school. 498 00:26:17,760 --> 00:26:20,240 Speaker 1: We are chatting with Craig Sloan, the executive vice president 499 00:26:20,280 --> 00:26:22,639 Speaker 1: of Home Team Sports, and Craig, I'm gonna say the 500 00:26:22,680 --> 00:26:27,000 Speaker 1: buzzword in the industry these days, millennials Digital. Surely the 501 00:26:27,040 --> 00:26:31,119 Speaker 1: conversation has changed between you, the brands, the advertising agencies 502 00:26:31,440 --> 00:26:34,120 Speaker 1: in the past two three, four years, and that buying 503 00:26:34,119 --> 00:26:36,840 Speaker 1: that commercial just ain't enough anymore. It's how do you 504 00:26:36,840 --> 00:26:38,560 Speaker 1: do how do you approach digital? How do we win 505 00:26:38,640 --> 00:26:41,320 Speaker 1: younger customers? And is this the right place to spend 506 00:26:41,320 --> 00:26:44,879 Speaker 1: our money? Absolutely? Um, And I would say this, I 507 00:26:45,000 --> 00:26:48,440 Speaker 1: you know, I've got um a pretty good focus group 508 00:26:48,440 --> 00:26:50,880 Speaker 1: in my own home with my kids. A little bit 509 00:26:50,880 --> 00:26:53,399 Speaker 1: behind the millennials, but not just too dio. Similar to 510 00:26:53,480 --> 00:26:56,600 Speaker 1: some of the same habits that we see that we've 511 00:26:56,640 --> 00:27:00,160 Speaker 1: studied through our research regarding their their viewing behaviors. Are 512 00:27:00,160 --> 00:27:05,320 Speaker 1: they paid research groups? These are board? Yeah, just free 513 00:27:05,400 --> 00:27:09,920 Speaker 1: room and boards. By the way, if they would even 514 00:27:09,960 --> 00:27:11,760 Speaker 1: help around the house, I would be giving it a 515 00:27:11,800 --> 00:27:14,679 Speaker 1: heck of a lot more than what I got today. Uh. 516 00:27:14,720 --> 00:27:16,800 Speaker 1: But I will say this, Uh, you know, I do 517 00:27:16,880 --> 00:27:19,480 Speaker 1: look at it from a perspective of the mollennials that 518 00:27:19,480 --> 00:27:22,840 Speaker 1: you're referring to, which are increasing and buying power, increasing 519 00:27:22,840 --> 00:27:25,520 Speaker 1: in importance to the brands and the companies that we 520 00:27:25,560 --> 00:27:28,280 Speaker 1: speak to on a regular basis, and they don't view 521 00:27:28,320 --> 00:27:30,520 Speaker 1: the world the same way. They really don't. I do 522 00:27:30,640 --> 00:27:33,159 Speaker 1: think that there is certain lifestyle things that are generational, 523 00:27:33,240 --> 00:27:36,760 Speaker 1: right you you settle down, you you get married, you 524 00:27:36,880 --> 00:27:39,520 Speaker 1: buy a home, and then you're gonna want video service 525 00:27:39,520 --> 00:27:41,560 Speaker 1: to your home. I think that that process, for the 526 00:27:41,600 --> 00:27:44,800 Speaker 1: most part, is pretty stable. It just probably won't be 527 00:27:44,800 --> 00:27:47,240 Speaker 1: at the same adoption rate that it has been for 528 00:27:47,280 --> 00:27:50,919 Speaker 1: previous generations. So what do people do in lieu of that? 529 00:27:51,000 --> 00:27:53,160 Speaker 1: And I think if as you're talking about the millennials 530 00:27:53,200 --> 00:27:55,639 Speaker 1: in particular, yeah, there has to be other ways that 531 00:27:55,680 --> 00:27:58,199 Speaker 1: we're going to engage them. So what I love and 532 00:27:58,320 --> 00:28:01,399 Speaker 1: probably the most the biggest impact I've seen over the 533 00:28:01,520 --> 00:28:04,840 Speaker 1: last few years to our business has been the right 534 00:28:05,040 --> 00:28:07,840 Speaker 1: for the league's to allow our regional sports networks, of 535 00:28:07,840 --> 00:28:10,720 Speaker 1: course with a few bucks changing hands, but to be 536 00:28:10,800 --> 00:28:14,800 Speaker 1: able to stream games in local markets. That was something 537 00:28:14,840 --> 00:28:16,520 Speaker 1: that was afforded a few years ahead of us to 538 00:28:16,520 --> 00:28:19,399 Speaker 1: the national networks, and we said on the sidelines, you know, 539 00:28:19,440 --> 00:28:21,760 Speaker 1: wondering why I was taking so long for us to 540 00:28:21,800 --> 00:28:23,760 Speaker 1: be able to have an ability to broadcast and make 541 00:28:24,119 --> 00:28:27,240 Speaker 1: a better experience for our consumers UH and fans to 542 00:28:27,280 --> 00:28:30,520 Speaker 1: be able to watch games anywhere they want and whenever 543 00:28:30,560 --> 00:28:33,439 Speaker 1: they want. Now that's afforded them. So the the average 544 00:28:33,520 --> 00:28:36,240 Speaker 1: Yankee fan or or or home team fan across the 545 00:28:36,280 --> 00:28:38,680 Speaker 1: country that has a regional sports network that they pay 546 00:28:38,760 --> 00:28:42,080 Speaker 1: for through their cable company or their satellite company, they 547 00:28:42,120 --> 00:28:45,680 Speaker 1: can now just through an authenticated process, watch their home team, NBA, 548 00:28:45,840 --> 00:28:48,400 Speaker 1: n h L, and MLB games, UH and and our 549 00:28:48,440 --> 00:28:52,200 Speaker 1: college content as well, just through a onetime authentication process. 550 00:28:52,200 --> 00:28:54,360 Speaker 1: And I don't think people really realize that yet. That 551 00:28:54,480 --> 00:28:56,600 Speaker 1: was the key word, the authentication, that's the key word. 552 00:28:56,640 --> 00:28:59,080 Speaker 1: You're paying, you have to pay to have that right, 553 00:28:59,440 --> 00:29:01,440 Speaker 1: you do, but you're only paying the one time. I 554 00:29:01,440 --> 00:29:03,920 Speaker 1: think what the biggest thing that we have is still 555 00:29:04,080 --> 00:29:06,920 Speaker 1: just the people to sit and actually realize this is 556 00:29:07,000 --> 00:29:09,760 Speaker 1: different than and over the top service where we're asking 557 00:29:09,760 --> 00:29:12,520 Speaker 1: for an additional fee. It literally is if you're paying 558 00:29:12,520 --> 00:29:14,360 Speaker 1: for it already wants we're not. We're not making you 559 00:29:14,360 --> 00:29:16,400 Speaker 1: pay for it again. We're just giving you access in 560 00:29:16,440 --> 00:29:19,000 Speaker 1: the TV everywhere model to be able to watch anywhere 561 00:29:19,000 --> 00:29:22,320 Speaker 1: and you'd like and for those like the US other 562 00:29:22,360 --> 00:29:24,880 Speaker 1: than you Scott, who have a long commute, you know, 563 00:29:25,000 --> 00:29:27,840 Speaker 1: we appreciate that. And I'm watching on a nightly basis 564 00:29:27,880 --> 00:29:29,920 Speaker 1: now and I can be afforded that that we're just 565 00:29:29,960 --> 00:29:32,719 Speaker 1: a couple of short years ago I couldn't. The millennials 566 00:29:32,760 --> 00:29:34,720 Speaker 1: we're seeing are engaging at a higher rate as you 567 00:29:34,720 --> 00:29:38,200 Speaker 1: would imagine. They are more tech savvy, they have more 568 00:29:38,200 --> 00:29:40,400 Speaker 1: of an interest of just checking in and seeing what's 569 00:29:40,400 --> 00:29:43,440 Speaker 1: going on with a broadcast. And we're seeing long duration 570 00:29:43,480 --> 00:29:46,560 Speaker 1: times with with that content, so longer than what we anticipate, 571 00:29:46,640 --> 00:29:49,160 Speaker 1: especially for monials, so we've got to be able to 572 00:29:49,200 --> 00:29:52,440 Speaker 1: do that. We're cutting up content on an hourly basis, 573 00:29:52,480 --> 00:29:55,000 Speaker 1: if not you know, a minute by minute basis, to 574 00:29:55,160 --> 00:29:58,560 Speaker 1: feed their their thirst and and and satiate the appetite 575 00:29:58,560 --> 00:30:01,040 Speaker 1: that they have for more content. And we're putting that 576 00:30:01,080 --> 00:30:04,040 Speaker 1: out through obviously as you'd imagine, social platforms and other 577 00:30:04,040 --> 00:30:06,720 Speaker 1: platforms that we own that are going to give them 578 00:30:06,880 --> 00:30:09,960 Speaker 1: more of an ability to engage. I would say this overall, 579 00:30:10,400 --> 00:30:13,000 Speaker 1: the fan is winning. If you look at again fifteen 580 00:30:13,160 --> 00:30:15,719 Speaker 1: years ago, twenty years ago, the difference between what somebody 581 00:30:15,760 --> 00:30:19,000 Speaker 1: had where not every game was broadcast, where they certainly 582 00:30:19,040 --> 00:30:21,160 Speaker 1: wouldn't be able to watch in any device. That wasn't 583 00:30:21,160 --> 00:30:23,440 Speaker 1: even a thought. I think you know that at that point. 584 00:30:23,800 --> 00:30:25,760 Speaker 1: And to be able to have them served up in 585 00:30:25,840 --> 00:30:28,400 Speaker 1: short bits of content that are snack able and and 586 00:30:28,440 --> 00:30:31,080 Speaker 1: something that they want on a regular basis, those things 587 00:30:31,080 --> 00:30:32,960 Speaker 1: were just never afforded us. We had to sit in 588 00:30:33,080 --> 00:30:35,920 Speaker 1: program it or try to watch it when it was 589 00:30:35,960 --> 00:30:38,880 Speaker 1: on and catch that story that you probably would have missed. 590 00:30:38,920 --> 00:30:40,800 Speaker 1: Now there's no reason to miss it because we're putting 591 00:30:40,840 --> 00:30:42,800 Speaker 1: it out there in multiple ways. So why is everybody 592 00:30:42,840 --> 00:30:45,120 Speaker 1: so darn upset about the cost of their monthly cable bill? 593 00:30:46,160 --> 00:30:48,600 Speaker 1: You know? I I do think that it's a value perspective. 594 00:30:48,640 --> 00:30:51,360 Speaker 1: People don't complain when they believe that they're getting the 595 00:30:51,440 --> 00:30:55,160 Speaker 1: right value that value equation at certain at some point, 596 00:30:55,200 --> 00:30:57,680 Speaker 1: and I think that threshold was when the average consumer 597 00:30:57,720 --> 00:30:59,840 Speaker 1: was sitting paying a hundred and fifty dollars a month 598 00:31:00,160 --> 00:31:01,760 Speaker 1: and trying to figure out again that is in a 599 00:31:01,760 --> 00:31:04,760 Speaker 1: bundled way. And I'm not trying to disparage our partners. 600 00:31:04,960 --> 00:31:07,200 Speaker 1: I think that they have done a good job. I 601 00:31:07,240 --> 00:31:09,680 Speaker 1: think coming back now and looking at this from a 602 00:31:09,680 --> 00:31:13,640 Speaker 1: different perspective, the one size does not fit all, so 603 00:31:13,800 --> 00:31:17,120 Speaker 1: that that large bundled plan rather than just say I'm 604 00:31:17,160 --> 00:31:19,560 Speaker 1: just going to hold to that, those are the folks 605 00:31:19,560 --> 00:31:23,080 Speaker 1: that are leading the way with direct TV now with 606 00:31:23,160 --> 00:31:25,680 Speaker 1: the skinnier bundle coming across now from some of the 607 00:31:25,720 --> 00:31:28,719 Speaker 1: cable companies that are being offered and afforded somebody who 608 00:31:28,840 --> 00:31:31,520 Speaker 1: might not be in that same situation and doesn't necessarily 609 00:31:31,560 --> 00:31:34,280 Speaker 1: want that large of a package and can afford maybe 610 00:31:34,280 --> 00:31:36,640 Speaker 1: something in that forty to fifty to sixty dollar range 611 00:31:36,960 --> 00:31:38,960 Speaker 1: and and wouldn't complain. So I think you're going to 612 00:31:39,040 --> 00:31:42,560 Speaker 1: start to see that that that anger and some of 613 00:31:42,600 --> 00:31:46,520 Speaker 1: the comments probably weigh a bit as they get that 614 00:31:46,680 --> 00:31:49,520 Speaker 1: value equation right. Well, I'm gonna go back to different 615 00:31:49,560 --> 00:31:53,120 Speaker 1: generations because I'm an old geezer, of course, yes, And 616 00:31:53,440 --> 00:31:55,360 Speaker 1: you know I'm ready to go warm up the Dumont 617 00:31:55,400 --> 00:31:58,960 Speaker 1: and watch the Rocky Marciano fight. So what I want 618 00:31:59,000 --> 00:32:02,560 Speaker 1: to know is is is there a place for a 619 00:32:02,640 --> 00:32:07,000 Speaker 1: guy like me in this landscape? By cracking in which way? 620 00:32:07,040 --> 00:32:09,600 Speaker 1: Michael A just whether we're whether you're going to be 621 00:32:09,640 --> 00:32:11,800 Speaker 1: served as the type of things you want, whether you're 622 00:32:11,800 --> 00:32:13,840 Speaker 1: gonna have the options that you want, well both there 623 00:32:13,920 --> 00:32:16,840 Speaker 1: am I am I just out of luck? Am I 624 00:32:16,960 --> 00:32:20,160 Speaker 1: being phased out? I don't think. I definitely don't think 625 00:32:20,160 --> 00:32:21,920 Speaker 1: you're being phased out. Here's what I would say is 626 00:32:21,960 --> 00:32:24,840 Speaker 1: that I think that the technology side of the equation 627 00:32:25,600 --> 00:32:27,880 Speaker 1: is going to be a complementary piece. If it was 628 00:32:27,920 --> 00:32:29,880 Speaker 1: going to be in lieu of I think we would 629 00:32:29,960 --> 00:32:33,360 Speaker 1: and and and probably my father included would be in 630 00:32:33,360 --> 00:32:36,080 Speaker 1: a situation of where a big sports fan and if 631 00:32:36,080 --> 00:32:38,239 Speaker 1: it was only available in certain ways, I don't know 632 00:32:38,280 --> 00:32:40,680 Speaker 1: whether you keep up on the technology side of the equation. 633 00:32:41,280 --> 00:32:44,280 Speaker 1: That being said, I think that since these components are 634 00:32:44,360 --> 00:32:46,600 Speaker 1: are additive and it's not just for the regional sports networks, 635 00:32:46,640 --> 00:32:48,800 Speaker 1: let me not say it that, because there's some really 636 00:32:48,800 --> 00:32:51,280 Speaker 1: great offerings that are out there now and and sports 637 00:32:51,320 --> 00:32:55,960 Speaker 1: publications in different ways that you can get content that 638 00:32:55,960 --> 00:32:58,280 Speaker 1: that are additive to the process and not just in 639 00:32:58,360 --> 00:33:01,080 Speaker 1: LOEU love the only thing I think it could be 640 00:33:01,360 --> 00:33:05,040 Speaker 1: uh and it was in danger of really um I 641 00:33:05,040 --> 00:33:08,600 Speaker 1: guess not h taking care of all is that thought 642 00:33:08,680 --> 00:33:11,560 Speaker 1: process of is the price just too high? And is 643 00:33:11,560 --> 00:33:13,760 Speaker 1: it going to be an either or scenario? Either you 644 00:33:13,760 --> 00:33:16,440 Speaker 1: can afford to have it and then you're an actively 645 00:33:16,560 --> 00:33:19,080 Speaker 1: engaged a fan or you can't afford to have it. 646 00:33:19,320 --> 00:33:21,880 Speaker 1: And if you really look at the stadium situation, that's 647 00:33:21,880 --> 00:33:23,920 Speaker 1: sort of what you have right. It's a large corporate 648 00:33:23,960 --> 00:33:26,200 Speaker 1: base filling the lower bowls of most of the arenas 649 00:33:26,200 --> 00:33:28,720 Speaker 1: and stadiums. And then you're talking about a fan base 650 00:33:28,840 --> 00:33:31,240 Speaker 1: that if they can afford, or sitting in the upper tiers. 651 00:33:31,680 --> 00:33:34,240 Speaker 1: And I know I'm generalizing, but there is a difference 652 00:33:34,240 --> 00:33:37,120 Speaker 1: between what somebody could afford and maybe to the generations 653 00:33:37,120 --> 00:33:39,200 Speaker 1: you're talking about, Michael, you know, to go to a 654 00:33:39,280 --> 00:33:42,240 Speaker 1: game and with your family especially, and to be able 655 00:33:42,280 --> 00:33:46,200 Speaker 1: to park, eat and sit and enjoy a game is 656 00:33:46,240 --> 00:33:49,440 Speaker 1: a totally different cost structure today than it was, you know, 657 00:33:49,480 --> 00:33:53,040 Speaker 1: in previous generations. I don't think that same thing is 658 00:33:53,080 --> 00:33:54,760 Speaker 1: happening on the media side of the equation. I think 659 00:33:54,840 --> 00:33:58,320 Speaker 1: is again a more additive process. And lastly, for your Craig, 660 00:33:58,400 --> 00:34:01,320 Speaker 1: let's close on this. We all know at Fox is 661 00:34:01,360 --> 00:34:04,080 Speaker 1: looking to unload some assets. The rs n s are 662 00:34:04,160 --> 00:34:08,000 Speaker 1: part of that. Is that where the value is now 663 00:34:08,400 --> 00:34:11,720 Speaker 1: is this is what driving the media dollars, the regional 664 00:34:11,719 --> 00:34:15,799 Speaker 1: sports networks and the live content. I would say that 665 00:34:15,840 --> 00:34:19,560 Speaker 1: the evidence is in that deal structure. Yes, I would, 666 00:34:19,719 --> 00:34:22,120 Speaker 1: I would, I would support that. So a couple of 667 00:34:22,160 --> 00:34:24,560 Speaker 1: key components I think to that, Scott so one one 668 00:34:24,560 --> 00:34:28,760 Speaker 1: of which is, uh the the fact that the size 669 00:34:28,880 --> 00:34:31,400 Speaker 1: of the overall deal and then the value of the 670 00:34:31,480 --> 00:34:35,200 Speaker 1: rs ns within that that the rsns were valued in 671 00:34:35,280 --> 00:34:37,680 Speaker 1: that deal at about three times the value of the 672 00:34:37,719 --> 00:34:40,520 Speaker 1: other cable networks that Fox put into that deal combined. 673 00:34:41,120 --> 00:34:45,200 Speaker 1: So uh and that's even without obviously fully national distribution 674 00:34:45,440 --> 00:34:49,040 Speaker 1: on their on the regional sports network business. UM. That 675 00:34:49,440 --> 00:34:52,640 Speaker 1: is a significant part of the equation. The secondary component, 676 00:34:52,680 --> 00:34:54,640 Speaker 1: I'm y I think it was so attractive for Disney 677 00:34:54,640 --> 00:34:57,040 Speaker 1: to come into it is it is a complementary piece 678 00:34:57,120 --> 00:34:59,360 Speaker 1: to something that they had been concerned about, which is 679 00:34:59,560 --> 00:35:03,080 Speaker 1: perhaps over saturation to Michael's point before UM or just 680 00:35:03,200 --> 00:35:06,000 Speaker 1: the fact that it's it's speaking one one game to 681 00:35:06,040 --> 00:35:08,439 Speaker 1: all that they liked the idea of the regional sports 682 00:35:08,480 --> 00:35:11,520 Speaker 1: networks because it does help in a protection mode. Uh 683 00:35:11,560 --> 00:35:14,040 Speaker 1: and and Fox has enjoyed that over the years to 684 00:35:14,160 --> 00:35:18,560 Speaker 1: be able to go into a discussion regarding distribution when 685 00:35:18,600 --> 00:35:21,360 Speaker 1: you have the hammer, if you will, of something that 686 00:35:21,400 --> 00:35:24,080 Speaker 1: people feel like they can't live without. We did study 687 00:35:24,080 --> 00:35:27,040 Speaker 1: with Nielsen just as recently as last year, and essentially 688 00:35:27,080 --> 00:35:29,520 Speaker 1: the Regional Sports network came out tops on a passion 689 00:35:29,560 --> 00:35:32,880 Speaker 1: index that where people said, literally you had a choice 690 00:35:33,239 --> 00:35:35,200 Speaker 1: one or the other, one or the other. Was almost 691 00:35:35,200 --> 00:35:37,000 Speaker 1: like a March Madness game, and you went through this 692 00:35:37,080 --> 00:35:39,759 Speaker 1: study and had to pick it out what you could 693 00:35:39,760 --> 00:35:42,920 Speaker 1: not live without. And the regional sports networks went above 694 00:35:43,000 --> 00:35:45,800 Speaker 1: all cable networks, and they went above all the broadcast 695 00:35:45,800 --> 00:35:49,200 Speaker 1: networks as the number one most valued item that they 696 00:35:49,239 --> 00:35:51,920 Speaker 1: felt like they couldn't live without, right behind the Lifetime network. 697 00:35:51,960 --> 00:35:56,759 Speaker 1: In Michael bars Well, Craig Sloan, e VP of Home 698 00:35:56,760 --> 00:35:59,200 Speaker 1: Team Sports, thanks very much for joining us. Thank you 699 00:35:59,320 --> 00:36:04,080 Speaker 1: very much for there takeaways. I guess speaking has an 700 00:36:04,080 --> 00:36:08,840 Speaker 1: old geezer and I asked, Craig, this is there a 701 00:36:08,920 --> 00:36:13,040 Speaker 1: place for me now in this broad world of viewing sports, 702 00:36:13,080 --> 00:36:15,440 Speaker 1: because I just want to simply turn on the TV 703 00:36:15,719 --> 00:36:19,120 Speaker 1: and watch something. But now it is way beyond that. 704 00:36:19,200 --> 00:36:22,800 Speaker 1: Did you not refer to the Dumont and your exactly? 705 00:36:23,080 --> 00:36:25,560 Speaker 1: The takeaway from me is still the power of sport. 706 00:36:25,960 --> 00:36:28,200 Speaker 1: What they said was we're going to be brand agnostic. 707 00:36:28,280 --> 00:36:30,400 Speaker 1: We don't care what network it is, we don't care 708 00:36:30,400 --> 00:36:32,799 Speaker 1: about the team. We don't care about the league. What 709 00:36:32,840 --> 00:36:36,520 Speaker 1: we care about our local sports fans. How can we 710 00:36:36,800 --> 00:36:41,320 Speaker 1: sell to the local sports fan, which is very energetic, 711 00:36:41,360 --> 00:36:44,200 Speaker 1: we'll use a kind word about their sports team. So 712 00:36:44,239 --> 00:36:47,359 Speaker 1: they decided to bundle it all up and sell it 713 00:36:47,400 --> 00:36:51,800 Speaker 1: as one big package to advertisers. That's been the secret sauce. 714 00:36:55,440 --> 00:36:57,719 Speaker 1: Better to be number one than number five, were number 715 00:36:57,760 --> 00:36:59,319 Speaker 1: because of mine, we have a chance to go for 716 00:36:59,360 --> 00:37:01,080 Speaker 1: three in a ro own numbers in a good time. 717 00:37:01,120 --> 00:37:03,200 Speaker 1: And let's first start wearing the number. I would just 718 00:37:03,239 --> 00:37:09,120 Speaker 1: have the floomberg business of sports. The number of the week. Time. 719 00:37:09,120 --> 00:37:11,200 Speaker 1: Now for the number of the week, now this one, 720 00:37:11,239 --> 00:37:14,839 Speaker 1: you might have to think about. Fifty three. Yeah, knee jerk, 721 00:37:14,880 --> 00:37:18,879 Speaker 1: I have no idea three. We don't, but so everybody knows, 722 00:37:18,920 --> 00:37:20,879 Speaker 1: we don't plan these most of the time. We don't 723 00:37:20,880 --> 00:37:23,200 Speaker 1: plan these ahead of time. And for me to kind 724 00:37:23,239 --> 00:37:25,080 Speaker 1: of crawl in your head and understand where you're going, 725 00:37:25,080 --> 00:37:31,000 Speaker 1: that's a scary proposition. So fifty three, I have no idea. 726 00:37:31,640 --> 00:37:36,880 Speaker 1: Fifty three the number of years ABC has been the 727 00:37:36,920 --> 00:37:41,640 Speaker 1: broadcaster of the Indianapolis five hundred, counting this year. Because 728 00:37:41,680 --> 00:37:44,040 Speaker 1: now it's switching to NBC. It is now switching to 729 00:37:44,280 --> 00:37:47,799 Speaker 1: NBC in twenty nineteen. They shared the package before, but 730 00:37:48,000 --> 00:37:51,440 Speaker 1: now ABC wants out well, they but ABC has always 731 00:37:51,520 --> 00:37:55,160 Speaker 1: had the Indianapolis five hundred. They've shared the the IndyCar 732 00:37:55,320 --> 00:37:58,920 Speaker 1: package where NBC and ABC with broadcast different races, but 733 00:37:59,080 --> 00:38:02,360 Speaker 1: the Indie five five hundred has always been on ABC. 734 00:38:03,080 --> 00:38:05,200 Speaker 1: And this is it. This is this is an end 735 00:38:05,200 --> 00:38:07,400 Speaker 1: of an era coming up. This is the final Indie 736 00:38:07,400 --> 00:38:10,239 Speaker 1: five hundred on ABC coming up in May. So now 737 00:38:10,320 --> 00:38:13,400 Speaker 1: you can tell the world that my limited knowledge of 738 00:38:13,400 --> 00:38:16,759 Speaker 1: auto racing extends far beyond NASCAR. You can attach that 739 00:38:16,800 --> 00:38:19,680 Speaker 1: to India as well, where I know almost nothing, but 740 00:38:19,719 --> 00:38:22,680 Speaker 1: they drink milk when they win. I'm bumming. You've been 741 00:38:22,719 --> 00:38:25,120 Speaker 1: listening to Bloomberg Business of Sports. We are here each 742 00:38:25,120 --> 00:38:27,120 Speaker 1: and every week at the same time, exploring the world 743 00:38:27,160 --> 00:38:30,360 Speaker 1: of money and sports. I'm Michael Blarn and I'm Scott Sashnik. 744 00:38:30,360 --> 00:38:32,279 Speaker 1: Thanks for joining us. Please win it next week when 745 00:38:32,320 --> 00:38:34,040 Speaker 1: we speak to the biggest and brightest in the world 746 00:38:34,040 --> 00:38:37,240 Speaker 1: of sports business. You're listening to Bloomberg Business of Sports 747 00:38:37,320 --> 00:38:40,799 Speaker 1: from Bloomberg Radio around the world and online as an 748 00:38:40,800 --> 00:38:42,080 Speaker 1: Apple podcast on It