Aresco said negotiating a TV deal will be tricky considering all the viewing platforms for fansGETTY IMAGES
The AAC on July 1 celebrates its fifth anniversary, and Commissioner Mike Aresco said the league is "firing on all cylinders" but still has a "lot of work to do because we really want to be" part of a Power Six, according to Adam Grosbard of the DALLAS MORNING NEWS. Aresco said, "People still don't buy that idea that we're going to do it or it's possible, but we're a lot closer than people think and it's not that far off." Aresco said the future is "bright" for the AAC, and the question going forward is "going to be the TV deal." On what the timeline for a TV deal would be, Aresco said, "Next year actually is when the negotiating period starts. Although, is it possible for us to get something done this year? Who knows? You never know. That's going to be tricky with all the new platforms, all the new ways people want to use your product. You gotta make sure you have a good balance of revenue and exposure but revenue is critical for us." Aresco on continuing the Power Six campaign said, "We need another good year to show that this is sustainable. You've done it over a five-year period. It's not a flash in the pan. It's not a fluke. You win three major bowl games against top-10 teams and you do it the way we did it, we belonged on the field with them. Then I think you belong. We got to show we belong. In terms of the campaign, we'll continue to do the branding, we've got the fifth anniversary coming up. Then when the season starts, you've got the UCF and the other hype that you're going to have. The fifth anniversary I think comes at a good time" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 5/31).
