In N.Y., Bob Raissman notes YES Network Sunday during a rain delay in its coverage of Mariners-Yankees discussed Roger Clemens' perjury indictment, but the network was "late, three days after the story broke." YES "had a chance to get into it Thursday afternoon, during its Tigers-Yankees telecast, but ignored the story." When YES on Sunday "finally recognized Clemens' indictment, it became an officially sanctioned piece of Yankees memorabilia." The Yankees franchise "has distanced itself from the Rocket," and he has "no current value, marketing or otherwise," to the Yankees or YES. Yet there is "still some affection." YES' Michael Kay: "I don't know if he lied to Congress but I'll tell you this, on a personal level I got along great with Roger Clemens. I liked him. I thought he was a great guy." YES' Ken Singleton "yanked on the same emotional thread," calling it a "sad situation" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 8/24).
 |
Media Analyst Says Potential Big East Network
Could Generate $80M Per Year In Revenue |
BIG PAYOFF: In Milwaukee, Don Walker notes Big East Conference Commissioner John Marinatto earlier this month "raised the possibility of the conference setting up its own television network," and Navigate Marketing officials said that such a network "could generate $80 million a year in revenue." Navigate Valuation Analyst Jeff Nelson: "We think Big East schools that play football and basketball can generate around $15.2 million a year in revenue, while the schools that only play basketball can generate around $7.5 million in revenue." Nelson said that his analysis "showed that the Big East can generate such impressive revenue because of its geographic reach, its quality of play and 'corresponding numbers in viewership'" (JSONLINE.com, 8/23).
MONUMENTAL UNDERTAKING: Monumental Sports & Entertainment Chair Ted Leonsis, when asked if he is looking to start his own network, noted the company has a "great relationship" with Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic. Leonsis: "They are tremendous partners." But he added, "It would make financial sense for us to be involved in the distribution of our assets. ... This certainly is an area of keen interest for us and our teams in the NBA, NHL and WNBA" (WASHINGTON EXAMINER, 8/22).
AIRING DIRTY LAUNDRY: In Vancouver, Yvonne Zacharias reports Calgary-based Shaw Communications "has accused Rogers Sportsnet of using back-door tactics and holding sports fans hostage in the stalled launch of Rogers' new national channel, Sportsnet One." The channel, which was "supposed to air starting Aug. 14 with a six-month free trial period, has yet to become available to a western Canadian audience that is serviced largely by Shaw." Shaw Cable VP Jay Mehr said that "price is a sticking point in the negotiations." Zacharias notes Rogers "plans to broadcast 13 Canuck games on Sportsnet One in addition to the 45 it will show on Sportsnet Pacific" (VANCOUVER SUN, 8/24).
