In New Orleans, Ron Higgins cited research as saying that ESPN's SEC Network is valued at $4.692B, down from its '15 evaluation of $4.77B but still "by far the most profitable of the college networks." BTN is valued at $1.142B (down from its '15 value of $1.59B) and the Pac-12 Networks are worth just $305M. Research firm SNL Kagan's most recent data indicates the SEC Network's "average monthly subscriber fee" is $0.74, substantially more than BTN ($0.43) and Pac-12 ($0.27). It makes the SEC Network the "fifth-most expensive sports network for consumers" behind ESPN, NFL Network, FS1 and ESPN2 (NOLA.com, 5/6).
THE BUS IS LEAVING THE STATION: SPORTING NEWS' Michael McCarthy cited sources saying that ESPN's Jerome Bettis is "out as an NFL analyst." Sources said that Bettis "lost his gig as part of ESPN's recent layoffs." About 75 of the 100 laid-off ESPNers have "announced via social media that they're leaving." While the remaining names like Bettis' "gradually emerge, ESPN is not sitting back." It is "reorganizing its talent lineup to focus more on digital and multiplatform performers" (SPORTINGNEWS.com, 5/7). Meanwhile, ESPN this morning announced a multiyear contract extension for commentator Will Cain, who will continue to appear on shows such as "First Take," "OTL" and "E:60," as well as ESPN Radio (ESPN). ESPN also announced it has re-signed MLB analyst Eduardo Perez with a new multiyear deal (THE DAILY).
CHANGE OF PACE: In N.Y., George Willis profiled ESPN's Chris Berman, whose "colleagues were victims of massive layoffs last week, a truth that is hard to accept." Berman: "Those were real people with real families. I will miss the people who helped make us great, people whose work ethic helped make us great. Almost everyone who has been let go would qualify." Berman, who signed a multiyear contract with ESPN in January, for the first time in 37 years "did not report on the NFL draft." He "insists he wasn’t interested in the draft any more than the average fan." He spent the week in New Orleans, where he played with pro golfer William McGirt in the PGA Tour Zurich Classic Pro-Am. Berman will spend the first week of the NFL season "golfing in Northern Ireland, because he can" (N.Y. POST, 5/7).
