MVC deal with ESPN for 5 year 40 game minimum TV contract

[_kai_]

Patrick Marshall with White and Blue Review just tweeted me that FSN still has a sports package with the MVC.

https://twitter.com/#!/wildjays/statuses/128490946320007169

This is great. It means more exposure all around for The Valley.

[The Mad Hatter]

Now that the numbers have sunk in . . .

"40 national appearances" probably means 20 games (2 MVC teams per game). 8 on ESPN/ESPN2, 8 on ESPNU (both as specified in the contract) and 4 on ESPN3.

The question is, where does that put the MVC with Fox Sports? And what about the first 3 days of Arch Madness?

Judging by their language, I wouldn't assume that there will be 8 men's basketball games on ESPNU each year. Here is what the article says (bold mine):

In addition to those contracted appearances on ESPN and ESPN2, eight additional Valley events will be produced for distribution on ESPNU, which debuted on March 4, 2005.

The section on games on ESPN and ESPN2 said (bold mine):

The ESPN agreement will also include at least eight regular-season national TV men’s basketball appearances for the Missouri Valley Conference on ESPN or ESPN2 each year.

I think the fact that the ESPNU information says events rather than men's basketball probably isn't by accident. While some of those events might be men's basketball, I doubt all of them are guaranteed to be.

EDIT: _Kai_ beat me to posting this stuff.

[Aargh]

I hope the ESPN3 games don't mean Cox can't carry them with Bruce and Craig.

[AndShock]

http://twitter.com/#!/MVCsports/status/128477782677270528

[RoyalShock]

Tweet from MVC:

@MVCsports

Missouri Valley

With the announcement of the new ESPN agreement, the Arch Madness Championship game will still be on CBS.

[_kai_]

I hope the ESPN3 games don't mean Cox can't carry them with Bruce and Craig.

Sarcasm?

[Aargh]

Sarcasm?

It didn't start as sarcasm - then I cringed when I typed "Bruce and Craig". I always mute the TV and listen to Kennedy. I'd much sooner watch a game on a TV than a computer. If I'm watching the game o ESPN3, I have to switch away from there in order to post on SN that "These refs suck".

[_kai_]

It didn't start as sarcasm - then I cringed when I typed "Bruce and Craig". I always mute the TV and listen to Kennedy. I'd much sooner watch a game on a TV than a computer. If I'm watching the game o ESPN3, I have to switch away from there in order to post on SN that "These refs suck".

Bruce and Craig... words can not describe how bad they are.

[rjl]

It didn't start as sarcasm - then I cringed when I typed "Bruce and Craig". I always mute the TV and listen to Kennedy. I'd much sooner watch a game on a TV than a computer. If I'm watching the game o ESPN3, I have to switch away from there in order to post on SN that "These refs suck".

It's 2011. If you don't have, or know how to have, a computer connected to your television set by now, it's probably high time to learn.

As has been stated previously, the games that are likely to be espn3 exclusives are ones that we probably would not have seen otherwise.

Speaking as someone who does not live within the Cox viewing area, they are guaranteed to be games I wouldn't have seen otherwise.

[SpanglerFan316]

Bruce and Craig... words can not describe how bad they are.

I feel like posting your comment in my office on a huge banner. You hit the nail on the head.

[shock-it-to-me]

Interesting. I'm a little concerned that a lot of games could get buried on ESPN3.

The agreement also puts the Valley championship game back on ESPN, and away from CBS.

Yes, the ESPN3 games suck. Plus, they 'black out' local games often on ESPN3.

[_kai_]

I feel like posting your comment in my office on a huge banner. You hit the nail on the head.

Be my guest to reuse and publish that comment as you see fit.

[Kung Wu]

Interesting. I'm a little concerned that a lot of games could get buried on ESPN3.

The agreement also puts the Valley championship game back on ESPN, and away from CBS.

You mean we will actually be able to read the font they use for the scores now? KICK ASS!

[AndShock]

http://www.mvc-sports.com/mbasketball/news/2011-12/5545/Missouri_Valley_Conference_Signs_Three-Year_Agreement_with_FOX/

[pogo]

You mean we will actually be able to read the font they use for the scores now? KICK ASS!

I don't know what you are worried about. You will be watching the MVC Championship game with the rest of us in person in St. Louis. Unless you wuss out.