1 00:00:02,840 --> 00:00:05,520 Speaker 1: Hello, I'm Michael barn and I'm Scott Sashnik. On this 2 00:00:05,559 --> 00:00:08,240 Speaker 1: weekly podcast, we'll explore the big money issues in the 3 00:00:08,240 --> 00:00:10,160 Speaker 1: world of sports and talk to some of the biggest 4 00:00:10,160 --> 00:00:12,640 Speaker 1: players in the industry. Will speak to demand of the 5 00:00:12,680 --> 00:00:15,120 Speaker 1: thirty third owner of the NFL. He's Mark Gannis, the 6 00:00:15,120 --> 00:00:18,439 Speaker 1: co founder of sports consulting firms Sports Corps. But first, 7 00:00:18,520 --> 00:00:20,200 Speaker 1: let's look at the top stories of the week. Joining 8 00:00:20,239 --> 00:00:24,240 Speaker 1: us is Bloomberg Business of Sports reporter Evan Noby Williams 9 00:00:24,640 --> 00:00:27,640 Speaker 1: and right here Bloomberg Headquarters in New York. We made news. 10 00:00:27,800 --> 00:00:31,120 Speaker 1: Roger Goodell, the Commissioner of the NFL, at the Year 11 00:00:31,160 --> 00:00:35,080 Speaker 1: Ahead Summit, talked about several topics, including kneeling in the NFL. 12 00:00:35,200 --> 00:00:40,839 Speaker 1: I've been very clear about this at UH. The anthem um, 13 00:00:40,880 --> 00:00:43,159 Speaker 1: the respect for our flag is really important. So I 14 00:00:43,159 --> 00:00:48,000 Speaker 1: want to see our players stand. Our players repeat over 15 00:00:48,040 --> 00:00:50,479 Speaker 1: and over again. This isn't about disrespect for the flag 16 00:00:51,120 --> 00:00:54,720 Speaker 1: or military or abitions UH and I believe them, but 17 00:00:55,000 --> 00:00:58,440 Speaker 1: they also understand that it's interpreted much differently on the 18 00:00:58,640 --> 00:01:02,560 Speaker 1: national basis. What we tried to do is really tried 19 00:01:02,640 --> 00:01:07,119 Speaker 1: to listen and learn and understand what our players are 20 00:01:07,160 --> 00:01:11,600 Speaker 1: actually focusing on, and what they're focusing on is really 21 00:01:11,720 --> 00:01:15,800 Speaker 1: very American. They're talking about improving their communities. Well, gentlemen, 22 00:01:15,840 --> 00:01:19,319 Speaker 1: where do we begin with this? Because Goodell has faced 23 00:01:19,319 --> 00:01:23,080 Speaker 1: this question many times, the number one controversy in the NFL, 24 00:01:23,520 --> 00:01:26,000 Speaker 1: and the top it off. Now you have Dallas Cowboys 25 00:01:26,000 --> 00:01:29,720 Speaker 1: owner Jerry Jones upset with Goodell and threatening to suit. Yeah, 26 00:01:29,720 --> 00:01:31,440 Speaker 1: it's funny. We a couple of years ago we talked 27 00:01:31,480 --> 00:01:34,000 Speaker 1: about how one of the side effects of the Fleet 28 00:01:34,680 --> 00:01:37,800 Speaker 1: was that Roger Goodell was alienating a very powerful owner 29 00:01:38,080 --> 00:01:40,360 Speaker 1: in Robert Kraft, and the dangers that could have for 30 00:01:40,480 --> 00:01:43,520 Speaker 1: his position as commissioner of the NFL. This seems like 31 00:01:43,640 --> 00:01:47,600 Speaker 1: so much worse with what's happening with Ezekiel Elliott. Jerry 32 00:01:47,680 --> 00:01:50,000 Speaker 1: Jones is on a warpath and he is the most 33 00:01:50,040 --> 00:01:53,400 Speaker 1: powerful owner in the NFL right now. Um, and it's 34 00:01:53,400 --> 00:01:55,840 Speaker 1: interesting to see what's gonna happen here. You take the 35 00:01:55,920 --> 00:02:01,400 Speaker 1: issue itself, then you multiply it by the amplification abilities 36 00:02:01,480 --> 00:02:03,520 Speaker 1: of the Twitter feed of the President of the United 37 00:02:03,600 --> 00:02:08,360 Speaker 1: States and the zealousness with which his followers take his directive. 38 00:02:08,880 --> 00:02:12,320 Speaker 1: And you have longtime fans And I never thought I 39 00:02:12,360 --> 00:02:16,560 Speaker 1: would see the day where football fans and Dallas would 40 00:02:16,600 --> 00:02:20,400 Speaker 1: say I'm not watching the Cowboys because I don't even 41 00:02:20,480 --> 00:02:23,200 Speaker 1: know what the because after that would have been. But 42 00:02:23,360 --> 00:02:27,200 Speaker 1: that's what's happening here. It is a real business issue 43 00:02:27,240 --> 00:02:32,120 Speaker 1: for the NFL that people are shutting off football, and 44 00:02:32,440 --> 00:02:35,880 Speaker 1: it doesn't seem as if they have an answer right now. 45 00:02:36,120 --> 00:02:38,040 Speaker 1: That is the scary part if I'm an NFL owner. 46 00:02:38,040 --> 00:02:39,800 Speaker 1: They don't have an answer. But to what extent do 47 00:02:39,840 --> 00:02:42,880 Speaker 1: we think that Jerry Jones is upset that the business 48 00:02:43,000 --> 00:02:46,440 Speaker 1: is being hurt by Roger Goodell not handling this protest 49 00:02:46,560 --> 00:02:49,760 Speaker 1: kneeling issue properly. To what extent do we think that 50 00:02:49,840 --> 00:02:52,919 Speaker 1: the business problems related to the protest and the kneeling 51 00:02:53,240 --> 00:02:55,679 Speaker 1: is the main motivation here for for Jerry Jones? And 52 00:02:55,720 --> 00:02:58,800 Speaker 1: to what extent do we think it's the Ezekiel Elliott situation, 53 00:02:58,960 --> 00:03:01,880 Speaker 1: which he's obviously been pretty upset with with Caddell's handling up. 54 00:03:01,919 --> 00:03:05,960 Speaker 1: Whether it's the fact remains they have a problem. Michael, 55 00:03:06,000 --> 00:03:07,640 Speaker 1: Can I give you the bright side of things? If 56 00:03:07,639 --> 00:03:10,399 Speaker 1: there's a bright side and all this I remember years ago, 57 00:03:10,480 --> 00:03:12,480 Speaker 1: this is true story. I'm walking down Fifth Avenue with 58 00:03:12,560 --> 00:03:15,560 Speaker 1: David Stern During the lockout, some guy leans out of 59 00:03:15,600 --> 00:03:18,400 Speaker 1: his car window, drops a couple of f bombs on 60 00:03:18,440 --> 00:03:21,120 Speaker 1: the commissioner and says, I'm never watching the NBA again, 61 00:03:21,200 --> 00:03:25,200 Speaker 1: you guys. Bleep bleep, bleep, bleep bleep. David calmly looks 62 00:03:25,200 --> 00:03:27,960 Speaker 1: at me and he says, I'm not worried about that guy. 63 00:03:28,040 --> 00:03:32,040 Speaker 1: The passion that made him roll down the window and 64 00:03:32,120 --> 00:03:34,720 Speaker 1: lean out and yell at me. That's how I know 65 00:03:34,920 --> 00:03:38,040 Speaker 1: he's coming back, because he's showing that passion. If he 66 00:03:38,120 --> 00:03:41,400 Speaker 1: drives by sees me and doesn't care enough to do anything, 67 00:03:41,960 --> 00:03:45,880 Speaker 1: that's the guy I worry about. So if David was right, 68 00:03:46,400 --> 00:03:51,280 Speaker 1: all these people screaming they love football, at some point 69 00:03:51,320 --> 00:03:53,360 Speaker 1: they'll be back. But I have to ask in the NFL, 70 00:03:53,560 --> 00:03:57,119 Speaker 1: is there such a thing as the casual viewer? Oh, 71 00:03:57,200 --> 00:04:00,000 Speaker 1: there certainly is a casual viewer in the NFL. You've 72 00:04:00,000 --> 00:04:02,600 Speaker 1: got your hardcore fan. But I mean, when you look 73 00:04:02,600 --> 00:04:05,680 Speaker 1: at the Super Bowl and half that audience is casual viewers, 74 00:04:05,960 --> 00:04:08,760 Speaker 1: you want them all. You want everybody. You can't just say, well, 75 00:04:08,840 --> 00:04:11,520 Speaker 1: they tune in. Sometimes. If I'm an advertiser, if I'm 76 00:04:11,520 --> 00:04:13,680 Speaker 1: the NFL, I mean, I need to know that I'm 77 00:04:13,720 --> 00:04:19,280 Speaker 1: capturing the most possible eyeballs. This is a big time 78 00:04:19,360 --> 00:04:22,960 Speaker 1: hiccup right now. Does it have legs? That's the one 79 00:04:23,000 --> 00:04:25,120 Speaker 1: that would scare me if I'm an elephant owner. Does 80 00:04:25,160 --> 00:04:28,680 Speaker 1: it have legs? Or will these people come back? Turning 81 00:04:28,720 --> 00:04:32,280 Speaker 1: to the NBA, Nike pay the association one billion dollars 82 00:04:32,320 --> 00:04:36,640 Speaker 1: to use its uniforms, and the uniforms are ripping. It's 83 00:04:36,680 --> 00:04:39,960 Speaker 1: a problem for Nike. Absolutely. This is the biggest stage 84 00:04:40,000 --> 00:04:43,919 Speaker 1: they They pay to have the biggest basketball players in 85 00:04:43,920 --> 00:04:48,800 Speaker 1: the world. These global icons as walking billboards. So if 86 00:04:48,839 --> 00:04:52,080 Speaker 1: they're out there and the product is failing, which is 87 00:04:52,080 --> 00:04:55,120 Speaker 1: what people are seeing on a what two three times now, 88 00:04:55,120 --> 00:04:57,960 Speaker 1: and that would be a fairly regular basis, I'd have 89 00:04:58,040 --> 00:04:59,960 Speaker 1: to wonder as a consumer do I want to buy 90 00:05:00,040 --> 00:05:03,400 Speaker 1: this product? Is there a quality control issue? Nike? He's 91 00:05:03,400 --> 00:05:05,479 Speaker 1: gonna fix it, obviously. I mean there's a billion dollar deal. 92 00:05:05,480 --> 00:05:07,719 Speaker 1: They're gonna They're gonna figure it out. This is the 93 00:05:07,720 --> 00:05:10,880 Speaker 1: problem when you go from the new cutting edge, thinnest 94 00:05:10,920 --> 00:05:13,520 Speaker 1: material ever wix all the sweat is the coolest thing, 95 00:05:13,880 --> 00:05:15,640 Speaker 1: and this is what happens. You know, you put it 96 00:05:15,640 --> 00:05:17,279 Speaker 1: through the test and then if it doesn't work, you 97 00:05:17,320 --> 00:05:19,640 Speaker 1: fix it, and let's not forget in the NBA it 98 00:05:19,680 --> 00:05:23,200 Speaker 1: is pretty rigorous. A seven foot pound guy comes down 99 00:05:23,240 --> 00:05:25,840 Speaker 1: and you know, rips a jersey. There's unless it's made 100 00:05:25,839 --> 00:05:28,040 Speaker 1: of kevlar, there's a chance that we'll get a rip. 101 00:05:28,080 --> 00:05:30,520 Speaker 1: It's just we've seen too much. Perhaps Nike can be 102 00:05:30,560 --> 00:05:33,440 Speaker 1: a little self deprecating. Lucky Lebron is one of their guys. 103 00:05:33,760 --> 00:05:37,040 Speaker 1: They can say, look, this guy is just so built 104 00:05:37,120 --> 00:05:39,800 Speaker 1: like a v that he's got these muscles that we 105 00:05:39,920 --> 00:05:43,000 Speaker 1: didn't even have on our on our testing, that that's 106 00:05:43,000 --> 00:05:46,159 Speaker 1: our problem. Everybody would know that it's just a self 107 00:05:46,240 --> 00:05:50,120 Speaker 1: delt deprecating uh move by Nike, while they can work 108 00:05:50,120 --> 00:05:52,400 Speaker 1: to fix the issue. Talking old school, this used to 109 00:05:52,400 --> 00:05:54,160 Speaker 1: happen all the time in the NFL. Used to see 110 00:05:54,240 --> 00:05:57,480 Speaker 1: jersey's rip all the time. Wasn't any big deal, So 111 00:05:57,640 --> 00:05:59,880 Speaker 1: why is it a big deal now? Well, the end 112 00:06:00,040 --> 00:06:02,320 Speaker 1: fell In the NBA, two different things. When you're tackling, 113 00:06:02,320 --> 00:06:03,680 Speaker 1: I mean, you got a big guy running and you're 114 00:06:03,680 --> 00:06:06,240 Speaker 1: grabbed by the jersey and pull. That's a little bit 115 00:06:06,240 --> 00:06:09,520 Speaker 1: different than just seeing these NBA players who aren't really 116 00:06:09,600 --> 00:06:13,640 Speaker 1: doing that in tatters. Seeing it just down to the 117 00:06:13,720 --> 00:06:15,480 Speaker 1: down to the ground. It is a problem for Nike, 118 00:06:15,560 --> 00:06:17,600 Speaker 1: but as Evan said, they'll get it right. Two of 119 00:06:17,640 --> 00:06:21,120 Speaker 1: the NBA's biggest stars, they are hiding the Nike swoosh 120 00:06:21,200 --> 00:06:24,160 Speaker 1: Stephan Curry and James Harden. They're not Nike athletes and 121 00:06:24,200 --> 00:06:27,080 Speaker 1: apparently they do not want the swoosh near their shoes. 122 00:06:27,560 --> 00:06:30,120 Speaker 1: This is the kind of protests. This dates back too 123 00:06:30,200 --> 00:06:32,440 Speaker 1: with the with the Dream Team, when I believe Michael 124 00:06:32,880 --> 00:06:34,920 Speaker 1: hid the Reebok logo right because he was he was 125 00:06:34,960 --> 00:06:37,760 Speaker 1: a Nike guy. I mean, we see this all over sports. 126 00:06:38,040 --> 00:06:40,440 Speaker 1: There are people that get paid by companies that are 127 00:06:40,440 --> 00:06:43,440 Speaker 1: not the league sponsor. They have to wear the league 128 00:06:43,480 --> 00:06:46,479 Speaker 1: sponsor in certain situations, but they're starting to chip away 129 00:06:46,480 --> 00:06:48,599 Speaker 1: at the edges to see how far they can push 130 00:06:48,600 --> 00:06:50,359 Speaker 1: it out, how far they can get their own brand 131 00:06:50,440 --> 00:06:52,599 Speaker 1: up there without getting the one they have to wear 132 00:06:52,920 --> 00:06:55,560 Speaker 1: more prominently from These are the biggest billboards in the world, 133 00:06:55,600 --> 00:06:58,359 Speaker 1: no joke. Years ago, Michael I was in the Pepsi 134 00:06:58,400 --> 00:07:00,800 Speaker 1: Center in Denver and I don't know where I got 135 00:07:00,880 --> 00:07:03,320 Speaker 1: a coke. It must have been one of the inside machines, 136 00:07:03,440 --> 00:07:05,440 Speaker 1: but I got a coke and I started to walk 137 00:07:05,480 --> 00:07:08,800 Speaker 1: towards the floor. I do not exaggerate when I say 138 00:07:08,880 --> 00:07:13,800 Speaker 1: security guard almost tackled me because Pepsi pays big dollars 139 00:07:13,840 --> 00:07:17,400 Speaker 1: for that association with that building, and they don't want anybody, 140 00:07:17,440 --> 00:07:19,880 Speaker 1: I mean little o me walking out with a coke. 141 00:07:20,120 --> 00:07:22,800 Speaker 1: Imagine now if we're talking about the biggest stars in 142 00:07:22,840 --> 00:07:25,280 Speaker 1: the game, it's the same thing. They just don't want 143 00:07:25,320 --> 00:07:28,200 Speaker 1: brand confusion. If you're you A and you're paying Steph Curry, 144 00:07:28,240 --> 00:07:31,160 Speaker 1: if you are Adidas and you're paying James Harden, you 145 00:07:31,280 --> 00:07:34,800 Speaker 1: want consumers to think of them and only your brand. 146 00:07:35,080 --> 00:07:37,760 Speaker 1: Clever marketing for the other company, right. I mean, we 147 00:07:37,800 --> 00:07:40,760 Speaker 1: talked about the headphone scandal in the NFL a couple 148 00:07:40,800 --> 00:07:42,240 Speaker 1: of years ago, when a lot of guys were wearing 149 00:07:42,280 --> 00:07:44,640 Speaker 1: beats by Dre to warm up on the field, when 150 00:07:44,680 --> 00:07:47,000 Speaker 1: Bows had paid a lot of money for this uh 151 00:07:47,040 --> 00:07:48,840 Speaker 1: and there were rumors that beats by Dre was paying 152 00:07:48,840 --> 00:07:51,520 Speaker 1: those fines for them just because it gets people talking, 153 00:07:51,680 --> 00:07:53,880 Speaker 1: it gets people looking. Oh, beats by Dre are so 154 00:07:53,920 --> 00:07:55,920 Speaker 1: cool that they're willing to risk fines to wear them. 155 00:07:56,120 --> 00:07:58,680 Speaker 1: Here's a guy that loves Nike and he announced a 156 00:07:58,760 --> 00:08:02,720 Speaker 1: long term partnership Johanna's onto the Copo. He has signed 157 00:08:02,720 --> 00:08:05,920 Speaker 1: a big deal. And this is a young guy in 158 00:08:05,960 --> 00:08:07,960 Speaker 1: the league. He's gonna be with Nike for a long time. 159 00:08:08,080 --> 00:08:10,480 Speaker 1: You want to talk cool. Greek Freak is cool. I mean, 160 00:08:10,520 --> 00:08:13,160 Speaker 1: he is the future. He's this seven footer kind of 161 00:08:13,160 --> 00:08:16,320 Speaker 1: plays like a point guard one step from half court dunk. 162 00:08:16,400 --> 00:08:18,760 Speaker 1: Kids take notice. They love him. That's why you keep 163 00:08:18,920 --> 00:08:21,320 Speaker 1: from journey. It's tremendous overseas appeal. And as the NBA 164 00:08:21,400 --> 00:08:25,240 Speaker 1: continues to look overseas stars like the Greek Freak and 165 00:08:25,320 --> 00:08:29,600 Speaker 1: like christophs porzingisni he decided they didn't want to extend. Uh, 166 00:08:29,640 --> 00:08:30,760 Speaker 1: these are the guys who are going to be the 167 00:08:30,760 --> 00:08:33,160 Speaker 1: next face of the NBA in ten or fifteen years. 168 00:08:33,200 --> 00:08:36,120 Speaker 1: Our thanks to Bloomberg Business of Sports reporter Evan no 169 00:08:36,200 --> 00:08:39,199 Speaker 1: Wie Williams now our interview with Mark Ginnis, the co 170 00:08:39,320 --> 00:08:43,880 Speaker 1: founder of sports consulting firm Sports Corps. Mark, you deal 171 00:08:44,000 --> 00:08:47,520 Speaker 1: a lot with NFL owners. So the question I have 172 00:08:47,800 --> 00:08:51,080 Speaker 1: for you is everything we're hearing taking in its totality 173 00:08:51,200 --> 00:08:55,240 Speaker 1: right now, what's the mindset of that group? What are 174 00:08:55,280 --> 00:08:57,600 Speaker 1: they thinking? Well, there are a number of things they're thinking. 175 00:08:58,200 --> 00:09:01,160 Speaker 1: It depends on the topic. If the if the topic 176 00:09:01,320 --> 00:09:05,040 Speaker 1: it has to do with the trajectory of the NFL. UH. 177 00:09:05,080 --> 00:09:09,600 Speaker 1: Their question, what they're thinking, is, all right, we understood 178 00:09:09,600 --> 00:09:12,480 Speaker 1: why last year things didn't go quite the way we 179 00:09:12,559 --> 00:09:16,240 Speaker 1: had planned. Why is that the case this year. Uh? 180 00:09:16,400 --> 00:09:19,840 Speaker 1: That's in terms of ratings in particular. Uh. The other 181 00:09:19,920 --> 00:09:24,000 Speaker 1: question is how did some matter that was a non issue, 182 00:09:24,520 --> 00:09:28,439 Speaker 1: something as innocent and as you know, mom and apple 183 00:09:28,480 --> 00:09:32,720 Speaker 1: Pie is the national anthem before a game becomes such 184 00:09:32,800 --> 00:09:38,920 Speaker 1: a massive issue distraction and create such animosity with the 185 00:09:38,960 --> 00:09:41,840 Speaker 1: significant part of their fan base. And then the third 186 00:09:41,920 --> 00:09:45,200 Speaker 1: question that some may be asking is, all right, we 187 00:09:45,240 --> 00:09:48,640 Speaker 1: want Roger, he wants us. Let's finish this up. Why 188 00:09:48,720 --> 00:09:51,880 Speaker 1: is this not yet done? Are they nervous? Are they angry? 189 00:09:51,880 --> 00:09:54,920 Speaker 1: Are they scratching their heads? Though? I mean on all 190 00:09:54,960 --> 00:09:57,040 Speaker 1: of those things, because like you said, where did this 191 00:09:57,120 --> 00:09:59,400 Speaker 1: come from? Like this is the NFL. It's supposed to 192 00:09:59,400 --> 00:10:02,040 Speaker 1: be impervious to all outside forces, and yet we see 193 00:10:02,080 --> 00:10:06,400 Speaker 1: it's not. The reality is it's it never was impervious 194 00:10:06,440 --> 00:10:11,160 Speaker 1: to all outside forces. Uh. It has been enormously strong, 195 00:10:11,240 --> 00:10:15,880 Speaker 1: it remains enormously strong. It is the most popular sport. Frankly, 196 00:10:15,920 --> 00:10:19,680 Speaker 1: it's the most popular entertainment we have in our nation. 197 00:10:20,120 --> 00:10:22,320 Speaker 1: Have had for a decade and we'll likely have for 198 00:10:22,360 --> 00:10:26,240 Speaker 1: the next decade. So it it. All of these issues 199 00:10:26,280 --> 00:10:30,000 Speaker 1: are coming in part because of the unique position the 200 00:10:30,120 --> 00:10:35,320 Speaker 1: NFL holds as as being the most popular, the most visible, uh, 201 00:10:35,440 --> 00:10:39,559 Speaker 1: the most consistently highest rated, of all the entertainment or 202 00:10:39,600 --> 00:10:43,240 Speaker 1: sports options that we have in the nation today. There 203 00:10:43,320 --> 00:10:46,680 Speaker 1: is no question that some fans have turned off the 204 00:10:46,760 --> 00:10:49,840 Speaker 1: NFL and are not going to the games. How can 205 00:10:50,480 --> 00:10:53,160 Speaker 1: the NFL get those fans back? This is a really 206 00:10:53,600 --> 00:10:59,240 Speaker 1: tough question, guys, because first your your premise is absolutely accurate. UH. 207 00:10:59,320 --> 00:11:07,079 Speaker 1: The NFL has been unwillingly thrown into the divisive vortex 208 00:11:07,240 --> 00:11:10,080 Speaker 1: we have going on in our nation today. It didn't 209 00:11:10,160 --> 00:11:12,200 Speaker 1: want this. It doesn't want to be a part of it. 210 00:11:12,200 --> 00:11:15,080 Speaker 1: It wants to be a sports enterprise. That's what it is. 211 00:11:15,920 --> 00:11:19,360 Speaker 1: But for reasons that they did that that the owners 212 00:11:19,400 --> 00:11:23,080 Speaker 1: and management of the league did not cause, did not welcome, 213 00:11:23,160 --> 00:11:27,280 Speaker 1: did not encourage, the NFL is now in the middle 214 00:11:27,360 --> 00:11:32,719 Speaker 1: of this divisive, UH political environment. Recognize that in politics, 215 00:11:32,800 --> 00:11:37,160 Speaker 1: if you satisfy fifty point one percent, you're successful. If 216 00:11:37,160 --> 00:11:40,080 Speaker 1: you're the NFL, you have to satisfy ninety plus percent 217 00:11:40,400 --> 00:11:43,560 Speaker 1: to be successful. It's a very different dynamic, and it 218 00:11:43,600 --> 00:11:47,680 Speaker 1: allows for very little opportunity to deal with very little 219 00:11:47,679 --> 00:11:51,280 Speaker 1: wiggle route to deal with these kinds of incredibly difficult 220 00:11:51,400 --> 00:11:55,680 Speaker 1: and divisive issues that have vexed society, our society for decades. 221 00:11:55,960 --> 00:11:58,880 Speaker 1: The NFL is not about to solve them um and 222 00:11:59,000 --> 00:12:01,600 Speaker 1: they haven't been thought for a very long time. But 223 00:12:01,679 --> 00:12:04,480 Speaker 1: the NFL is squarely right in in the middle of 224 00:12:04,559 --> 00:12:06,520 Speaker 1: them today, even though it doesn't want to be. So 225 00:12:06,559 --> 00:12:09,560 Speaker 1: it's very difficult to solve. We are chatting with sports 226 00:12:09,600 --> 00:12:12,440 Speaker 1: consultant Mark Dennis, and Mark, if only I could come 227 00:12:12,520 --> 00:12:16,360 Speaker 1: up with a segue you mentioned politicians were talking about 228 00:12:16,360 --> 00:12:19,640 Speaker 1: the NFL. If only there was a roadmap here, where 229 00:12:19,640 --> 00:12:22,640 Speaker 1: could I possibly go next? Oh? How about Donald Trump, 230 00:12:22,679 --> 00:12:28,280 Speaker 1: the president? How much has his amplification driven this entire issue? 231 00:12:28,480 --> 00:12:31,520 Speaker 1: It was not helpful to the NFL that I can 232 00:12:31,600 --> 00:12:35,760 Speaker 1: tell you. Uh. The issue that that that started with 233 00:12:35,840 --> 00:12:39,439 Speaker 1: Colin Kaepernick taking a knee because he was protesting what 234 00:12:39,440 --> 00:12:42,720 Speaker 1: what he believed was police targeting I believe was the 235 00:12:42,800 --> 00:12:48,200 Speaker 1: term he used of African American men. UM was almost 236 00:12:48,280 --> 00:12:51,360 Speaker 1: going away. There were a handful of players who were 237 00:12:51,360 --> 00:12:54,720 Speaker 1: continuing it, but it was not a big issue any longer. 238 00:12:54,840 --> 00:12:56,840 Speaker 1: It was not getting a lot of media attention, it 239 00:12:56,880 --> 00:12:59,680 Speaker 1: was not getting a lot of fan attention, and most 240 00:12:59,679 --> 00:13:02,800 Speaker 1: import wortantly, it wasn't getting a lot of the players attention. 241 00:13:02,800 --> 00:13:06,679 Speaker 1: They were focused on training, preparing, and then playing the 242 00:13:06,720 --> 00:13:11,000 Speaker 1: games themselves. But then the President of the United States 243 00:13:11,600 --> 00:13:14,040 Speaker 1: made it an issue, so spoke about it in the speech, 244 00:13:14,080 --> 00:13:18,559 Speaker 1: tweeted about it, and that then thrust the issue squarely 245 00:13:18,679 --> 00:13:22,560 Speaker 1: in the middle of the divisive political vortex we have 246 00:13:22,640 --> 00:13:27,559 Speaker 1: here in the nation, and that amplified it many many 247 00:13:27,600 --> 00:13:33,160 Speaker 1: fold and caused many more players to participate. Uh caused 248 00:13:33,240 --> 00:13:37,760 Speaker 1: a lot of a lot of angst among the teams 249 00:13:37,800 --> 00:13:40,040 Speaker 1: because they were hearing from their fans that they wanted 250 00:13:40,080 --> 00:13:42,920 Speaker 1: the players to stand for the national anthem, but they 251 00:13:42,920 --> 00:13:45,080 Speaker 1: were hearing from their players that we wanted that they 252 00:13:45,120 --> 00:13:48,920 Speaker 1: wanted to be able to express themselves. And it was, 253 00:13:49,400 --> 00:13:53,760 Speaker 1: it was and still is an incredibly difficult issue to 254 00:13:53,800 --> 00:13:56,760 Speaker 1: deal with. Some have speculated that this is all happening 255 00:13:56,800 --> 00:14:00,400 Speaker 1: because the President didn't get in the club. He was 256 00:14:00,440 --> 00:14:03,199 Speaker 1: interested in buying the Buffalo Bills. It looks as if 257 00:14:03,200 --> 00:14:06,079 Speaker 1: he perhaps was trying to hurt John bon Jovi's chances 258 00:14:06,120 --> 00:14:08,920 Speaker 1: of winning that which of course it went to Terry Pegoula. 259 00:14:09,240 --> 00:14:11,520 Speaker 1: If he was in the club, this wouldn't be happening, right, Well, 260 00:14:11,520 --> 00:14:15,360 Speaker 1: it's you know, you I suppose that's true, But but 261 00:14:15,520 --> 00:14:19,040 Speaker 1: it wasn't really a uh you know, he wasn't turned 262 00:14:19,040 --> 00:14:24,040 Speaker 1: down on the Buffalo Bills deal. He never submitted an 263 00:14:24,080 --> 00:14:27,960 Speaker 1: offer that was even close to what the finalists submitted 264 00:14:28,000 --> 00:14:30,960 Speaker 1: and and certainly not anywhere close to the offer that 265 00:14:31,280 --> 00:14:34,400 Speaker 1: Terry Pegoula submitted. So it wasn't that there was a 266 00:14:35,040 --> 00:14:37,200 Speaker 1: you know that he was rejected by the NFL and 267 00:14:37,320 --> 00:14:40,320 Speaker 1: never came to the NFL for determination. Many people have 268 00:14:40,480 --> 00:14:43,640 Speaker 1: called you the thirty third NFL owner. Why don't you 269 00:14:43,640 --> 00:14:46,360 Speaker 1: tell me first? Where did you get that tag? And 270 00:14:46,440 --> 00:14:51,160 Speaker 1: it certainly can hurt for business. Well, it's it's incredibly 271 00:14:51,200 --> 00:14:55,640 Speaker 1: flattering and incredibly inaccurate. These guys are at a level 272 00:14:55,760 --> 00:14:58,280 Speaker 1: so far beyond where I am. It's not even funny. 273 00:14:59,000 --> 00:15:01,080 Speaker 1: But but it's it is. It is flattering, and I 274 00:15:01,360 --> 00:15:05,360 Speaker 1: appreciate it, and I believe it it emanates from the 275 00:15:05,400 --> 00:15:08,640 Speaker 1: fact that many of the owners, um uh, I feel 276 00:15:08,640 --> 00:15:12,680 Speaker 1: comfortable discussing things with me, whether it's it's matters related 277 00:15:12,720 --> 00:15:14,840 Speaker 1: to their own teams, whether it's matters related to the 278 00:15:14,880 --> 00:15:18,160 Speaker 1: league or or even matters related to family and things 279 00:15:18,200 --> 00:15:22,160 Speaker 1: like that. So with some so I'm very fortunate that 280 00:15:22,760 --> 00:15:26,920 Speaker 1: they invite me in to have for discussions that they 281 00:15:27,000 --> 00:15:29,920 Speaker 1: seek out in many cases my my thoughts and opinions, 282 00:15:29,920 --> 00:15:33,520 Speaker 1: and if I can be helpful, I'm delighted to be. Uh. 283 00:15:34,400 --> 00:15:36,560 Speaker 1: I don't know that I am all the time. I 284 00:15:36,560 --> 00:15:38,080 Speaker 1: don't know that I agree with them all the time, 285 00:15:38,080 --> 00:15:40,080 Speaker 1: and they hear that. But the one thing they know 286 00:15:40,160 --> 00:15:42,760 Speaker 1: is they can trust me, and that's the one piece 287 00:15:42,800 --> 00:15:45,680 Speaker 1: I can control. So it's it's flattering. It it has 288 00:15:45,720 --> 00:15:47,800 Speaker 1: been said and then it's been report in the media. 289 00:15:47,880 --> 00:15:51,000 Speaker 1: It is not correct. I wish it was. I would 290 00:15:51,000 --> 00:15:53,520 Speaker 1: love to be on you know, have ab games on Sundays. 291 00:15:53,880 --> 00:15:56,600 Speaker 1: But but it's very flattering. Thank you. Well, then let 292 00:15:56,600 --> 00:15:59,640 Speaker 1: me ask you a quick, short, simple question. What is 293 00:15:59,720 --> 00:16:03,280 Speaker 1: Jerry Joanes so angry about? Well, the obvious answer is 294 00:16:03,360 --> 00:16:06,560 Speaker 1: that Ezekiel Elliott has been suspended despite the fact that 295 00:16:06,600 --> 00:16:08,520 Speaker 1: he feels that it is inappropriate for him to have 296 00:16:08,520 --> 00:16:12,400 Speaker 1: been suspended. Well, Bob Kraft felt that way too. He did, 297 00:16:12,600 --> 00:16:15,600 Speaker 1: and Bob Craft also was was angry. If you recall, 298 00:16:15,640 --> 00:16:19,240 Speaker 1: and Bob Kraft also made a series of public statements. 299 00:16:19,240 --> 00:16:24,080 Speaker 1: But Bob Kraft also under put put the league's interests 300 00:16:24,560 --> 00:16:27,240 Speaker 1: in many cases ahead of his own. Uh. He does 301 00:16:27,240 --> 00:16:29,480 Speaker 1: that on a regular basis. By the ways. He's one 302 00:16:29,520 --> 00:16:34,840 Speaker 1: of the most important and most consequential owners the NFL 303 00:16:34,880 --> 00:16:39,560 Speaker 1: has has had in generations. Uh. And so Uh, Jerry 304 00:16:39,920 --> 00:16:45,080 Speaker 1: Um you know right now is having some some difficulty 305 00:16:45,080 --> 00:16:48,880 Speaker 1: coming to grips with that. Eventually he will. He's been 306 00:16:48,920 --> 00:16:52,640 Speaker 1: a great asset to the NFL during his many years 307 00:16:52,720 --> 00:16:55,800 Speaker 1: of ownership. He has been one of the great voices, 308 00:16:55,880 --> 00:17:01,320 Speaker 1: great marketers, great attention getters, great revenue generators. He changed 309 00:17:01,360 --> 00:17:04,840 Speaker 1: the face of of future stadiums, and not just in 310 00:17:04,880 --> 00:17:08,120 Speaker 1: the NFL, but in all sports man as a visionary. 311 00:17:08,520 --> 00:17:10,879 Speaker 1: He's he's having some trouble coming to grips with the 312 00:17:10,920 --> 00:17:13,879 Speaker 1: Ezekiel Elliott matter. It seems to be pretty clear and 313 00:17:13,880 --> 00:17:17,200 Speaker 1: and um, But he will eventually. I believe he will. Eventually. 314 00:17:17,240 --> 00:17:20,000 Speaker 1: He's always he's always had the league interests at hard 315 00:17:20,000 --> 00:17:21,960 Speaker 1: and I believe I believe he will come to that 316 00:17:22,600 --> 00:17:24,840 Speaker 1: um on his own as well. Well. It doesn't seem 317 00:17:24,880 --> 00:17:26,719 Speaker 1: as he's as if he's angry at the other owners, 318 00:17:26,720 --> 00:17:31,280 Speaker 1: but It certainly seems that his focus is Roger Goodell, 319 00:17:31,400 --> 00:17:33,199 Speaker 1: and now he wants to give Roger sort of an 320 00:17:33,200 --> 00:17:36,600 Speaker 1: incentive laden contract, not just a guarantee. Do you see 321 00:17:36,720 --> 00:17:40,919 Speaker 1: anyway that Roger come three months, six months, whatever it 322 00:17:40,960 --> 00:17:43,439 Speaker 1: may be, is not the commissioner of the NFL. I 323 00:17:43,520 --> 00:17:48,920 Speaker 1: really don't. I have perhaps a better understanding of what's 324 00:17:48,960 --> 00:17:51,720 Speaker 1: going on behind the scenes than than most would. That's 325 00:17:51,720 --> 00:17:55,000 Speaker 1: why we come to you, Mark. I could ask Michael 326 00:17:55,000 --> 00:17:58,400 Speaker 1: Bard this question, but who cares. That's what my wife 327 00:17:58,440 --> 00:18:04,880 Speaker 1: says to the as I. I don't foresee any any 328 00:18:04,960 --> 00:18:09,439 Speaker 1: situation like that. The it's it's one thing if um 329 00:18:09,480 --> 00:18:13,679 Speaker 1: an owner raises matters related to a compensation package for 330 00:18:13,720 --> 00:18:18,760 Speaker 1: the commissioner, and whether it's it's it's too much, too little, structured, right, structured, incorrectly, 331 00:18:19,359 --> 00:18:21,600 Speaker 1: it's it's it's one thing. If they want to discuss 332 00:18:22,000 --> 00:18:24,680 Speaker 1: uh senior management at the league, or the league budget 333 00:18:24,800 --> 00:18:26,639 Speaker 1: or things that you know, the league operating budget or 334 00:18:26,680 --> 00:18:30,800 Speaker 1: things like that, it's an entirely different matter. If the 335 00:18:30,840 --> 00:18:33,840 Speaker 1: discussion veers into we don't want it. I don't want 336 00:18:33,840 --> 00:18:37,600 Speaker 1: this person anymore. There there have always been a handful 337 00:18:37,640 --> 00:18:40,520 Speaker 1: of owners who would prefer someone else's commissioner. By the way, 338 00:18:40,680 --> 00:18:43,320 Speaker 1: back when Roger was selected, Jerry was in that group. 339 00:18:43,560 --> 00:18:45,840 Speaker 1: Jerry Jones was he had a different candidate that he 340 00:18:45,880 --> 00:18:48,760 Speaker 1: wanted and he was part of the part of the 341 00:18:48,800 --> 00:18:51,919 Speaker 1: group that that that pushed for Greg Levy, the league's 342 00:18:52,000 --> 00:18:54,280 Speaker 1: lawyer from Covington and Brewing. They were the two fun 343 00:18:54,359 --> 00:18:56,080 Speaker 1: He was the other finalists with Roger all the way 344 00:18:56,080 --> 00:18:59,639 Speaker 1: towards till till the end. So you know it, Roger 345 00:18:59,720 --> 00:19:03,359 Speaker 1: is never ever been Jerry's first choice. But once Roger 346 00:19:03,440 --> 00:19:06,720 Speaker 1: was selected, Jerry worked extremely well in hand in glove 347 00:19:06,800 --> 00:19:10,840 Speaker 1: with Roger and it's been a great, very successful partnership. 348 00:19:11,240 --> 00:19:15,960 Speaker 1: So there there there is always a question. Um. You know, 349 00:19:15,960 --> 00:19:18,480 Speaker 1: there's always been a few owners who would prefer somebody else. 350 00:19:18,520 --> 00:19:22,600 Speaker 1: But the point being, when in a position like this, 351 00:19:23,359 --> 00:19:26,760 Speaker 1: the you changing someone isn't just a matter of changing. 352 00:19:26,760 --> 00:19:30,199 Speaker 1: You have to ask changing for whom. And I remember 353 00:19:30,240 --> 00:19:33,560 Speaker 1: back in the late nineties when there was a discussion 354 00:19:33,600 --> 00:19:36,480 Speaker 1: to ask Paul to leave the NFL because it's some 355 00:19:36,560 --> 00:19:39,119 Speaker 1: matters related to a guy named Neil Austrian and who 356 00:19:39,200 --> 00:19:42,560 Speaker 1: was the president of league, and some deferred compensation that 357 00:19:42,640 --> 00:19:46,080 Speaker 1: wasn't disclosed to the owners and that Yes, I'm sorry, 358 00:19:46,119 --> 00:19:48,680 Speaker 1: Paul Tagley boo. Yes. Uh. The one of the one 359 00:19:48,680 --> 00:19:51,200 Speaker 1: of the questions that came up was if not Paul, 360 00:19:51,200 --> 00:19:55,159 Speaker 1: who nobody could answer that question. And any discussion of 361 00:19:55,160 --> 00:19:57,800 Speaker 1: of talking to Paul about that went away as a 362 00:19:57,840 --> 00:20:01,360 Speaker 1: result because and and that is a similar situation here. 363 00:20:01,760 --> 00:20:05,879 Speaker 1: He is the best person to manage and run the 364 00:20:05,960 --> 00:20:10,200 Speaker 1: National Football League in the year here, in the year 365 00:20:11,040 --> 00:20:13,760 Speaker 1: and the year in and going into the collective bargain 366 00:20:13,840 --> 00:20:18,960 Speaker 1: agreement and the new TV contract negotiations period full stop. 367 00:20:19,280 --> 00:20:21,920 Speaker 1: The owners are smart enough to know this. The owners 368 00:20:21,960 --> 00:20:24,040 Speaker 1: know how much value he has brought to them into 369 00:20:24,080 --> 00:20:27,399 Speaker 1: the league. The owners love the idea that the commissioner 370 00:20:27,440 --> 00:20:31,360 Speaker 1: takes the slings and arrows that they don't have to. Uh. 371 00:20:31,400 --> 00:20:33,760 Speaker 1: And is the person who's used as a as a 372 00:20:33,880 --> 00:20:36,840 Speaker 1: pinata by fans and the media when they want to 373 00:20:37,400 --> 00:20:40,200 Speaker 1: express displeasure with something that goes on in the NFL. 374 00:20:40,760 --> 00:20:43,520 Speaker 1: That's part of the gig when you're the commissioner. Roger 375 00:20:43,560 --> 00:20:47,439 Speaker 1: does that exceedingly well. And he is going nowhere. The 376 00:20:47,560 --> 00:20:49,919 Speaker 1: question now moving forward to the NFL has to be 377 00:20:50,040 --> 00:20:54,520 Speaker 1: also on media mark Television ratings are down and it 378 00:20:54,720 --> 00:20:57,760 Speaker 1: used to be the NFL was impervious. I know we 379 00:20:57,760 --> 00:20:59,320 Speaker 1: we had mentioned this eariler you said, now they're not 380 00:20:59,320 --> 00:21:02,320 Speaker 1: always imperv is. But when it came to people watching 381 00:21:02,359 --> 00:21:05,479 Speaker 1: on TV, where others went down, the NFL states here 382 00:21:05,560 --> 00:21:09,760 Speaker 1: went up. Are the dipping ratings a concern moving forward 383 00:21:09,800 --> 00:21:12,040 Speaker 1: for NFL owners or is it a blip on a 384 00:21:12,080 --> 00:21:16,520 Speaker 1: bigger piece of media radar. Absolutely, it's a concern, and 385 00:21:16,600 --> 00:21:19,440 Speaker 1: it's it And I can tell you I know firsthand 386 00:21:19,480 --> 00:21:23,040 Speaker 1: that it is a major concern for Roger and the 387 00:21:23,080 --> 00:21:27,199 Speaker 1: senior executives at the NFL on a daily basis. Uh. 388 00:21:27,440 --> 00:21:30,439 Speaker 1: They want to make the fans happy. They want to 389 00:21:30,440 --> 00:21:32,679 Speaker 1: have a product that more and more people want to 390 00:21:32,680 --> 00:21:36,040 Speaker 1: watch and enjoy. Uh. And so when when? Although it 391 00:21:36,160 --> 00:21:40,760 Speaker 1: may be an easy thing to say that the NFL's 392 00:21:40,840 --> 00:21:43,840 Speaker 1: rating drop this year is consistent with the with the 393 00:21:43,920 --> 00:21:49,520 Speaker 1: viewership drop for television broadly, the NFL has generally been 394 00:21:49,680 --> 00:21:52,320 Speaker 1: in a better position either the rating drops have been 395 00:21:52,440 --> 00:21:55,480 Speaker 1: less or they've had increases when the rest of the 396 00:21:55,520 --> 00:21:59,160 Speaker 1: industry has gone down in ratings. So of course it's 397 00:21:59,160 --> 00:22:01,400 Speaker 1: a concern, and and they want to know why that's 398 00:22:01,440 --> 00:22:05,640 Speaker 1: the case. Last year, there was an obvious uh, situation 399 00:22:05,680 --> 00:22:09,199 Speaker 1: where the election was sucking the oxygen out of the 400 00:22:09,320 --> 00:22:13,000 Speaker 1: out of the nation and and everyone's television ratings were 401 00:22:13,040 --> 00:22:16,200 Speaker 1: going down because people except for the news outlets, who 402 00:22:16,240 --> 00:22:19,760 Speaker 1: are going up. Okay, that was understandable. And then after 403 00:22:19,800 --> 00:22:22,040 Speaker 1: the election was over, there was a bounce that the 404 00:22:22,119 --> 00:22:25,919 Speaker 1: NFL received that was so that helped validate that this 405 00:22:26,040 --> 00:22:28,800 Speaker 1: year there is no election. So what is going on? 406 00:22:29,560 --> 00:22:32,439 Speaker 1: Is it that people are less interested in the NFL? 407 00:22:32,800 --> 00:22:35,399 Speaker 1: If so, how do they fix that? Is it that 408 00:22:35,480 --> 00:22:38,399 Speaker 1: people are finding other things to do. Remember, one of 409 00:22:38,400 --> 00:22:40,520 Speaker 1: the things that we that we were being told is 410 00:22:40,560 --> 00:22:42,840 Speaker 1: as we had these recessions and people couldn't go out 411 00:22:42,840 --> 00:22:44,600 Speaker 1: and they couldn't go on vacations and they couldn't do 412 00:22:44,600 --> 00:22:47,000 Speaker 1: other things, was that they were watching more television and 413 00:22:47,040 --> 00:22:49,720 Speaker 1: in particular more sports, but they were also watching more 414 00:22:49,800 --> 00:22:52,720 Speaker 1: Netflix and things like that. Now, as the economy is 415 00:22:52,760 --> 00:22:55,560 Speaker 1: getting better, does that mean that we're in a situation 416 00:22:55,560 --> 00:22:59,119 Speaker 1: where fewer people will be watching television at home? And 417 00:22:59,160 --> 00:23:01,399 Speaker 1: that includes the now sational Football League and other and 418 00:23:01,480 --> 00:23:04,800 Speaker 1: other sports. And we're also in a changing media landscape. Mark, 419 00:23:04,840 --> 00:23:08,200 Speaker 1: we have a situation now at ESPN where they're losing 420 00:23:08,240 --> 00:23:11,560 Speaker 1: sub fees Jim Miller, who knows a lot about ESPN, 421 00:23:11,640 --> 00:23:15,800 Speaker 1: has even speculated that ESPN, the worldwide leader, the self 422 00:23:15,800 --> 00:23:19,640 Speaker 1: proclaimed worldwide leader in sports, might be better off without 423 00:23:20,200 --> 00:23:23,280 Speaker 1: the NFL if the costs continue to rise. Could you 424 00:23:23,359 --> 00:23:28,160 Speaker 1: imagine a sports network without football. Jim Miller has written 425 00:23:28,200 --> 00:23:30,439 Speaker 1: a lot of great things, He's absolutely dead wrong on 426 00:23:30,480 --> 00:23:34,040 Speaker 1: this issue. Uh. And that's because the the the point 427 00:23:34,119 --> 00:23:38,240 Speaker 1: that the the acceleration in the loss of subscribers would 428 00:23:38,400 --> 00:23:42,040 Speaker 1: would increase dramatically if they did not have the NFL games. 429 00:23:42,080 --> 00:23:46,280 Speaker 1: And the one thing ESPN must do is reduced the 430 00:23:46,400 --> 00:23:49,239 Speaker 1: rate of subscriber loss, and then and then when they 431 00:23:49,280 --> 00:23:52,359 Speaker 1: do their O T T operation or over the top operation, 432 00:23:52,680 --> 00:23:57,359 Speaker 1: they need compelling programming. And compelling programming is not Australian 433 00:23:57,440 --> 00:24:01,639 Speaker 1: rules football or yet another series is of college basketball games. 434 00:24:01,920 --> 00:24:04,280 Speaker 1: It has to be something people want to watch on 435 00:24:04,320 --> 00:24:08,520 Speaker 1: a nationwide, worldwide basis. And at the moment, the King 436 00:24:08,520 --> 00:24:11,520 Speaker 1: of the Hill, to quote Michael, is still the NFL. 437 00:24:12,040 --> 00:24:15,240 Speaker 1: So I don't I don't buy that piece of it. 438 00:24:15,280 --> 00:24:17,000 Speaker 1: I mean, I'm sure there's a number that that they 439 00:24:17,000 --> 00:24:19,879 Speaker 1: won't go beyond, but I don't buy Jim Miller's basic 440 00:24:19,960 --> 00:24:25,119 Speaker 1: premise there that being the case, the NFL does need 441 00:24:25,320 --> 00:24:28,560 Speaker 1: to find the new audience. You know, one of the 442 00:24:28,600 --> 00:24:31,359 Speaker 1: things that that we don't spend enough time talking about 443 00:24:31,400 --> 00:24:33,199 Speaker 1: in error in the media when we discuss media and 444 00:24:33,240 --> 00:24:36,280 Speaker 1: sports is all those people and all those hours that 445 00:24:36,320 --> 00:24:39,600 Speaker 1: we know are being devoted to Netflix and to Hulu 446 00:24:39,680 --> 00:24:42,640 Speaker 1: and Amazon Prime and that are being devoted to to uh, 447 00:24:42,960 --> 00:24:45,520 Speaker 1: you know, the Internet and YouTube videos and things like 448 00:24:45,560 --> 00:24:48,400 Speaker 1: that have to come from somewhere. They have to come 449 00:24:48,480 --> 00:24:52,520 Speaker 1: out of something. Uh. The NFL and the other sports 450 00:24:52,600 --> 00:24:56,679 Speaker 1: leagues need to find a way to attract and go 451 00:24:57,000 --> 00:25:00,720 Speaker 1: and and be broadcast on the platforms that the youth 452 00:25:00,920 --> 00:25:05,400 Speaker 1: are using, not many cases, digital platforms, and to monetize 453 00:25:05,440 --> 00:25:08,199 Speaker 1: it in a way consistent with the way they've been 454 00:25:08,320 --> 00:25:12,680 Speaker 1: able to monetize over decades on broadcast television and later 455 00:25:12,720 --> 00:25:16,200 Speaker 1: cable cable television. That is the big challenge and that 456 00:25:16,280 --> 00:25:20,040 Speaker 1: I'm telling you is a major focus at the National 457 00:25:20,040 --> 00:25:22,399 Speaker 1: Football It has been for a few years and is 458 00:25:22,440 --> 00:25:25,359 Speaker 1: going to be one of the major focuses over the 459 00:25:25,400 --> 00:25:28,440 Speaker 1: next three years. And would not surprise me if in 460 00:25:28,520 --> 00:25:32,800 Speaker 1: the next television um broadcast negotiations we see one of 461 00:25:32,840 --> 00:25:36,480 Speaker 1: the major digital players buying a full blown package. Not 462 00:25:36,560 --> 00:25:40,520 Speaker 1: a few games, but a full blown exclusive package, paying 463 00:25:40,560 --> 00:25:44,920 Speaker 1: billions with a paying billions, paying billions. That is correct. 464 00:25:45,359 --> 00:25:49,920 Speaker 1: Mark gadis the president of the influential consulting firm Sports Corps. 465 00:25:49,960 --> 00:25:53,000 Speaker 1: Thank you so much served talking with us. My pleasure, guys, 466 00:25:53,040 --> 00:25:56,480 Speaker 1: are always a pleasure. Takeaways from talking with Mark Dennis. 467 00:25:56,520 --> 00:25:58,920 Speaker 1: I love the part where he said, Hey, we all 468 00:25:58,960 --> 00:26:01,679 Speaker 1: need a huddle around on the TV set, around the 469 00:26:01,760 --> 00:26:06,400 Speaker 1: Dumont and everybody together as a family watch the NFL 470 00:26:06,520 --> 00:26:08,320 Speaker 1: or any sporting event for that matter. This is what 471 00:26:08,400 --> 00:26:11,679 Speaker 1: Mark Huban has been saying. As he stated my takeaway, 472 00:26:11,760 --> 00:26:17,360 Speaker 1: nobody closer to Roger Goodell, and I mean nobody Michael 473 00:26:17,560 --> 00:26:20,040 Speaker 1: closer to Roger Goodell in the world of sports than 474 00:26:20,080 --> 00:26:24,120 Speaker 1: Mark Dennis. He says that he is not going anywhere. 475 00:26:24,160 --> 00:26:27,760 Speaker 1: The commissioner is not going anywhere than what we're hearing 476 00:26:27,800 --> 00:26:32,080 Speaker 1: about Roger and David boys and fights. It's noise. If 477 00:26:32,080 --> 00:26:34,520 Speaker 1: Mark Gannis tells me that Roger Goodell is going nowhere, 478 00:26:34,680 --> 00:26:37,199 Speaker 1: I believe him. He's going nowhere. So your resume is 479 00:26:37,480 --> 00:26:39,040 Speaker 1: no good now, I'm throwing it out, no need to 480 00:26:39,280 --> 00:26:42,680 Speaker 1: here ready, that's it can tossaid. I'm not the commission 481 00:26:42,720 --> 00:26:47,719 Speaker 1: to the NFL. Feels better to be number one than 482 00:26:47,800 --> 00:26:49,720 Speaker 1: number five. I'll wear a number because of Mike. We 483 00:26:49,760 --> 00:26:51,119 Speaker 1: have a chance to go for three and a row. 484 00:26:51,240 --> 00:26:53,120 Speaker 1: Kid numbers in a good time, and let's first started 485 00:26:53,160 --> 00:26:55,200 Speaker 1: wearing the number. I would just have the and found 486 00:26:55,320 --> 00:27:00,719 Speaker 1: Bloomberg Business of Sports the number of the week, Number 487 00:27:00,760 --> 00:27:06,600 Speaker 1: of the week eight point three million, twenty eight point 488 00:27:06,880 --> 00:27:09,080 Speaker 1: three million. I mean, what have I gone through this weekend? 489 00:27:09,240 --> 00:27:12,840 Speaker 1: I don't know. Spring it on me. That is the 490 00:27:13,040 --> 00:27:20,400 Speaker 1: average of viewers watching the latest World Series between the 491 00:27:20,440 --> 00:27:23,479 Speaker 1: Dodgers and the Houston Astros. Oh I thought it was 492 00:27:23,600 --> 00:27:28,840 Speaker 1: downloading our podcast each month. Oh yeah, good number. Good number, 493 00:27:28,920 --> 00:27:32,840 Speaker 1: especially when compared to some previous not a bad number 494 00:27:32,840 --> 00:27:34,800 Speaker 1: for baseball to get. Seven games is what they want. 495 00:27:34,840 --> 00:27:38,800 Speaker 1: Seven games is what advertisers look for. So I would 496 00:27:38,920 --> 00:27:42,639 Speaker 1: think that Rob Manfred and the owners are are happy 497 00:27:42,720 --> 00:27:47,120 Speaker 1: with that that amount of viewers. They put that in comparison, 498 00:27:47,359 --> 00:27:51,399 Speaker 1: ABC's World News Tonight, the evening newscast an average of 499 00:27:51,480 --> 00:27:54,240 Speaker 1: eight point six million viewers. What you see from Michael, 500 00:27:54,280 --> 00:27:56,560 Speaker 1: what you see across the board. Now, When when the 501 00:27:56,640 --> 00:28:00,200 Speaker 1: networks put out their sports ratings, while it maybe out 502 00:28:00,200 --> 00:28:04,399 Speaker 1: from the NFL, down from tent last year six percent. 503 00:28:04,640 --> 00:28:07,800 Speaker 1: The fact remains, Viewing is down across the board, but 504 00:28:08,000 --> 00:28:11,240 Speaker 1: does it win the night, doesn't deliver the most number 505 00:28:11,280 --> 00:28:14,800 Speaker 1: of viewers that they can possibly capture, and right now 506 00:28:14,880 --> 00:28:18,240 Speaker 1: still sports while down, admit lest some wild down, even 507 00:28:18,240 --> 00:28:21,879 Speaker 1: the NFL, it still delivers a whole lot of eyeballs, 508 00:28:22,200 --> 00:28:25,760 Speaker 1: and until somebody figures out a better way, sports will 509 00:28:25,880 --> 00:28:29,560 Speaker 1: still draw the advertising dollar. You've been listening to Bloomberg 510 00:28:29,640 --> 00:28:33,159 Speaker 1: Business of Sports on Bloomberg Radio around the world and online. 511 00:28:33,200 --> 00:28:35,800 Speaker 1: Is an Apple podcast on iTunes on Michael barn and 512 00:28:35,800 --> 00:28:38,160 Speaker 1: I'm Scott sash Nick. Please tune in next week when 513 00:28:38,160 --> 00:28:40,280 Speaker 1: we are joined by the biggest and brightest in the 514 00:28:40,320 --> 00:28:42,880 Speaker 1: world of the business of Sports. You've been listening to 515 00:28:43,040 --> 00:28:46,160 Speaker 1: Bloomberg Business of Sports on Bloomberg Radio around the world 516 00:28:46,160 --> 00:28:48,480 Speaker 1: and online as an Apple podcast on iTunes.