ESPN/NFL Network Talks Close To Impasse Over Deal's Structure
Discussions between ESPN and NFL Network that would "give ESPN Classic's slot to the NFL Network or fold it into the ESPN family" are at "an impasse, or at least are extremely close to one," according to Richard Sandomir of the N.Y. TIMES. Among the issues that have prevented a deal are "the structure of the venture and how the ESPN/NFL Network channel would be run," as "logic dictates that ESPN would want some of its executives and announcers in the mix." Should a deal be reached, it "would demonstrate how much the league needs the breadth and power of ESPN." The NFL Network starts the '08 NFL season with 41.5 million subscribers, "a little better than earlier this summer but a little worse than at the end of last year," and a total "less than the league ever thought possible when it added regular-season games to its programming in 2006." The league is "still in court and at the [FCC], battling ... Comcast," and has no agreements with Time Warner, Cablevision and Charter. It also cannot "rely yet, if at all, on the grail of greater availability" with ESPN. If a deal is reached between ESPN and the net, "it would not be surprising that for broadening the NFL Network's distribution, the league would extend ESPN's 'Monday Night Football' rights beyond 2013." Sandomir writes if ESPN "drives enough of a bargain, and it is in a position to, it may get a reduction of its current rights fee of an average $1.1[B], or at least not have it raised, during the term of extension" (N.Y. TIMES, 9/3).
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