Tim Brando Doesn't Work For ESPN, Pal...

((HT: Brooks))

Pawwwwwwwwlllllllll...

CBS's Tim Brando does a weekly drop on the PFRN, and it's usually very entertaining...

This past round was no different...
Evidence below...


Gawd, the HQ really likes Brando- if only because he doesn't take fools or idiots lightly when they call in...

My, how fiery...

TWTW: LSU-UT WTF!!!

That's all that can really be said about this finish...

The HQ figures The Hat has pictures of his divine being with someone in a compromising manner, or he's just damn crazy like a fox...

Here's the last minute and a half of regulation plus postgame stuff...
While it's up...
((HT: SEC on CBS/Youtube))


And here's Dooley postgame after he threw his headset toward Lafayette...
Someone, truly, did kick his dog...
((HT: WBIR-TV Knoxville))

New SEC Media Guidelines Take On Everyone

((HT: Tuscaloosa News/Morton))

The policy, distributed to member schools Thursday and obtained by The Tuscaloosa News on Friday, also places restrictions on TV broadcasts, limiting news stations to clips of no longer than three minutes and allowing highlights for only 72 hours after the conclusion of a game.

Charles Bloom, associate commissioner of the Southeastern Conference, said the intent of the new restrictions is to protect an agreement between the SEC and XOS Technologies, which last month was announced as the host of the SEC Digital Network.

Certain exceptions will be granted to the schools themselves as well as those who have paid for specific rights, such as ESPN and CBS, which together have paid the SEC more than $3 billion to broadcast games for the next 15 years.

But these new rules will affect local news outlets across the region ((some pictured, thanks Dusty Compton/Tuscaloosa News)), some of which have been following SEC athletics for decades.

“I’m disappointed,” said Gary Harris, sports director for WVUA-TV, Tuscaloosa’s only locally-produced TV station. “I’m disappointed that the SEC ... would now try to put limitations on us.

“Once we start working within the framework of the rules, I’ll have a much better understanding of how it’s going to affect us. But it’s going to affect us — no doubt about it.”

In addition to game coverage, the new media policy also affects pre- and post-game press conferences, practices or any other “event sponsored or hosted by the Southeastern Conference or by any one or more of its member institutions.”

Chris Rattey, new media director for The Tuscaloosa News and TideSports.com, said “monopoly” was the first word that occurred to him when he heard about the SEC’s new rules.

“From my perspective, in having been in the online industry for 10 years, it’s over the top and bordering on ridiculous,” Rattey said. “It’s almost as if the SEC is monopolizing the content, and business is really getting in the way of journalism.”

The SEC Digital Network is expected to launch in time for the upcoming college football season. Bloom said that some video will be available free to fans while other video content will be for paid subscribers only.

“In that regard, it’s a great arrangement for the SEC,” Bloom said.

However, Bloom said the policy isn’t iron-clad and is subject to change, especially with regard to non-game footage such as practices and press conferences.

“We are dealing with the first year of an agreement,” Bloom said. “There will be questions and issues that come up that we’ll need to address after the season starts. Those will be taken into account.”

Since receiving the draft policy on Thursday, several athletic departments for SEC institutions have been scrambling to incorporate the new rules into their own credential issuing procedures.

“As a Southeastern Conference member institution, we are bound by the policy we received this week from the SEC Office,” said Doug Walker, the University of Alabama’s associate athletics director for media relations. “We will work closely with those who cover us ­— as well as with the SEC Office — in dealing with any issues that may arise.”

Athletic departments from around the league have expressed concerns about the new rules. Ranging from the wording of the policy — which, as it now stands, limits credentials to “full-time salaried” employees (many news organizations pay hourly wages, employ part-time workers and use freelancers) — to the task to implementing its mandates.

From a legal standpoint, the SEC is balancing between solid, precedent-based ideas and the unknown, grey areas of untrodden legal ground.

“We believe that the new policy is an arbitrary attempt to limit independent news reporting on SEC sporting events and ultimately to restrict the coverage that SEC fans have long enjoyed and have every right to expect as supporters of SEC teams and taxpayers financing SEC institutions,” said David McCraw, vice president and assistant general counsel for the New York Times Co., owner of the The Tuscaloosa News.

“We hope that the SEC will agree to sit down with news organizations to work out a new and mutually acceptable credentials policy. Failing that, news organizations will pursue appropriate legal remedies,” he said.

Mike Smith, a Tuscaloosa attorney with more than 20 years experience in media law, said some of the new SEC media rules — such as restrictions on live game content — are protected by legal precedents already established in media and contract law.

“You’ve got new technologies,” Smith said, “and you’ve got broadcast rights that have become so valuable that the people holding those rights want to see them protected, and the people granting those rights want to make sure they continue to bring top dollar.”

Enforcing the rules, however, is another matter.

For example, the new SEC rules also place restrictions on what ticket-holders can do while at the game.

A summary printed on the back of each ticket (likely starting next year with football, since tickets for this season already have been distributed) forbids fans from taking photographs or sharing accounts or descriptions of the event.

Does this mean the SEC will prevent sports fans from posting the pictures they take on social network sites like Facebook? Probably not, Smith said.

But it does mean that the SEC wants the ability to have full control of the memories that these events can generate — something that could hamper the careers of artists like Daniel A. Moore and Rick Rush of Tuscaloosa who have made names for themselves with SEC-themed artwork.

“I think [the SEC] sees the value of the long-term preservation of historic moments ...,” Smith said. “The traditional form of media helped built the prosperity of the contest, and that has to be weighed against the rapidly changing face of the way we get information today, the value of the rights of the institutions and the right to copyright or license.

“That’s a pretty delicate balancing act.”

Mark Bradley of the AJC continues the assault here in black...

Your Georgia/Georgia Tech Postgame

Craig Bolerjack and Trev Alberts track down Tech Head Coach Paul Johnson and Running Back Roddy Jones after Tech's 45-42 shootout win over the Bulldogs in Athens. Tech snaps a seven-game series losing streak with the win.

They can book their trip to somewhere in Florida for New Year's Day.
Georgia can as well, but Defensive Coordinator Willy Martinez may need to file a change-of-address kit with the Postal Service after the season. Tech gashed UGa for 409 yards rushing- Jones getting 214 of those yards on only 13 carries. The Jackets scored 26 points in the third quarter alone to take a 38-28 lead after 45 minutes.

Talk is the Dawgs will head to the "What's-in-your-wallet?" Bowl to take on Ohio State and Terrelle Pryor. The Jackets could end up in the Sports Store Chain Bowl in Orlando, or could have a home game with a bunch of cows involved at the Georgia Dome.

((HT: CBS Sports))

The Big Deal: SEC & ESPN

The SEC and ESPN have become a marriage worth in the billions of dollars. The 4-letter word paid a staggering $2.25 billion to the SEC for the conference’s TV content not taken by CBS for the next 15 years, about $150 million per year.

“This agreement makes the SEC the most widely distributed conference in the country.” SEC Commissioner Mike Slive said.

“We’re thrilled too with the historic nature of this deal.” John Skipper, ESPN Executive Vice President for Content said. “15 years is the longest deal we have ever done.”

So everyone is happy. ESPN gets programming from arguably the best league in college sports and can distribute that content to its numerous platforms while the SEC’s can deposit 9 figure checks for the next 15 years.

Here’s a break down of what ESPN gets:

ESPN has televised the SEC since 1982. All national programming will fall under the branding “SEC on ESPN.” As part of the agreement:

ESPN and ESPN2 will continue to offer premier SEC games, including Saturday night and two primetime Thursday football games, triple the basketball offerings with three nights (two new) of men’s basketball and present SEC Championships in women’s basketball, baseball, softball and gymnastics.

ESPN Regional Television will become the new over-the-air syndication home for SEC football and basketball games. In addition, ESPN and the SEC will work together to offer multi-sport packages (including football, men’s and women’s basketball, Olympic sports and conference championships) of SEC content for regional cable syndication.

ESPNU will now offer exclusive SEC telecasts, including football and basketball and selected conference championships. In addition, the network will present a weekly, hour-long program on SEC sports throughout the academic year as well as sport-by-sport previews, reviews and specials.

The semifinals and championship of the SEC Men’s Basketball Tournament will be televised nationally for the first time on ESPN on ABC.

All SEC championship games except football will be aired on either ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN on ABC, ESPNU or ESPN Classic.

The agreement will also showcase the academic successes of SEC student-athletes by including twice-annual programs dedicated to academic accomplishments of SEC student-athletes; an annual Campus Connection (students take part in the production) telecast at each SEC institution; a weekly segment on an SEC show featuring academics; and an online SEC Academic Network utilizing ESPN360.com technology.

Extensive coverage of women’s basketball and Olympic sports will be offered nationally through ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPNU and regionally through ESPN Regional Television, including both regular-season and conference championships.

Comprehensive multimedia rights are also an integral part of the agreement as live SEC action, including football and basketball, will be offered via simulcasts on ESPN360.com and ESPN Mobile TV and extensive content rights have been granted to ESPN.com.
ESPN International, ESPN GamePlan, ESPN FULL COURT, ESPN Classic and ESPN Deportes will also feature the SEC.

Each SEC institution retains the right to continue a local multi-media rights package.

“The SEC delivers tremendous quality and depth and a devoted, widespread fan base,” Bodenheimer said. “This historic deal will offer fans more SEC access than ever before through every form of media that exists today or may be developed during the life of this long-term arrangement. We applaud the leadership of the conference as well as these great academic and athletic institutions for supporting this groundbreaking collaboration.”

Slive said, “The Southeastern Conference has embodied excellence for 75 years and during the last 26 years, ESPN has carried the stories of our 12 member institutions throughout the nation and the world. With this landmark agreement, ESPN and its platforms will continue to showcase the SEC with more games and original SEC-dedicated content than ever before. The SEC is looking forward to continuing its relationship with ESPN as we move into our next 75 years.”

“The Southeastern Conference is pleased to extend its relationship with ESPN and its wide-ranging outlets in this milestone agreement,” said Dr. Lee Todd, President of the University of Kentucky and the Southeastern Conference. “This contract represents an innovative and revolutionary direction for the SEC that will showcase our conference in a variety of means both academically and athletically.”

Following are the key details of the new agreement:

Football ESPN has acquired rights to every SEC home football game (excluding those on the network broadcast package) and will serve as the exclusive national cable home and the syndication rightsholder for the conference.

ESPN and ESPN2: The networks will increase coverage by combining to televise a minimum of 20 SEC games annually, including Saturday night and two primetime Thursday matchups.

ESPNU: The 24-hour college sports network, which launched in March 2005, will present a package of SEC football for the first time, with a Saturday game-of-the-week (generally in primetime and a minimum of 13 games annually).

ESPN Regional Television (ERT): The nation’s largest syndicator of collegiate sports programming, becomes the official over-the-air syndication home for the SEC and will feature a game-of-the-week package (generally at 12:30 p.m. ET), with a minimum of 13 games each season throughout the SEC footprint and beyond. In addition, ERT will produce and distribute a studio show.

ESPN360.com: Simulcasts of SEC game telecasts will be offered on the broadband network.

ESPN Mobile TV: Live games will be simulcast on mobile phones. ESPN International: The agreement includes global rights to present live games and encore presentations. ESPN Deportes: ESPN has acquired domestic Spanish-language rights for SEC football on the 24-hour, U.S.-based network.

ESPN GamePlan: The out-of-market college football pay-per-view service, will offer SEC action. ESPN Classic: The network may telecast select SEC live games as well as historic and immediate encore presentations. ESPN.com: Extensive SEC content, including highlights, will be presented online.

Men’s Basketball: As the exclusive national cable home and syndication rightsholder, an ESPN outlet will offer every SEC intra-conference game (excluding those on the network broadcast package) and numerous inter-conference matchups.

ESPN and ESPN2: The networks will triple the offerings by featuring SEC action three nights per week through a minimum of 24 intra-conference games plus an additional six inter-conference matchups involving the SEC each season. Highlighting the increased schedule will be the return of the SEC to ESPN’s Super Tuesday and the addition of SEC slots on Thursday and Saturday (ESPN or ESPN2). The SEC will also continue to participate in an annual inter-conference basketball challenge event (e.g. – SEC/Big East Challenge).

ESPNU: The network will televise exclusively a minimum of seven intra-conference and five non-conference games. ESPN on ABC: A minimum of two regular-season games each season plus the addition of a national telecast of the SEC Tournament Semifinals and Championship Game, giving ABC its first entry into the annual Championship Week.

ESPN Regional Television (ERT): Similar to football, ERT takes over the rights to SEC syndication and will produce and syndicate a minimum of 37 intra-conference games each season throughout SEC territories and beyond. Highlights will include weekly doubleheaders on Saturdays, Wednesday night games, a studio show and the first two rounds of the SEC Tournament.

ESPN360.com: Simulcasts of SEC game telecasts will be offered on the broadband network.

ESPN Mobile TV: Live games will be simulcast on mobile phones. ESPN International: The agreement includes global rights to present live games and encore presentations. ESPN Deportes: ESPN has acquired domestic Spanish-language rights for SEC basketball on the 24-hour, U.S.-based network.

ESPN FULL COURT: The out-of-market college basketball pay-per-view service, will offer SEC action. ESPN Classic: The network may telecast select SEC live games as well as historic and immediate encore presentations. ESPN.com: Extensive SEC content, including highlights, will be presented online.

Women’s Basketball:

ESPN and ESPN2: SEC teams will make a minimum of 16 appearances on ESPN or ESPN2 and one of the networks will also televise the conference tournament championship game.

ESPNU: The network will also feature a minimum of 16 appearances by SEC teams, in addition to the women’s conference tournament semifinals.

ESPN Regional Television: ERT will syndicate a game-of-the-week during the regular season as well as the early rounds of the women’s conference tournament.

Olympic Sports:

ESPN and ESPN2: A minimum of three regular-season baseball or softball games will be offered on ESPN or ESPN2 as well as three regular-season gymnastics matches. In addition, the conference championships in gymnastics, softball and baseball will be televised.

ESPNU: A minimum of 25 regular-season events annually will be televised, including baseball, softball, volleyball, gymnastics, soccer, swimming and diving, track and field and others.

ESPNU will cover all SEC Conference events not on ESPN or ESPN2, including swimming and diving, indoor track and field, outdoor track and field and women’s soccer.

The big loser in this is Raycom Sports who has had the SEC syndication package since 1986. This agreement with ESPN ends the SEC’s relationship with Raycom starting in the 2009-10 academic year.

As for the regional sports networks there is still a ray of hope.

“..we expect to have very significant regional cable packages, and ESPN and the SEC will work together to offer multi-sport packages, including football, men’s and women’s basketball, Olympic sports and conference championships with SEC contact for regional cable syndication.” Slive said.

In other words, regional sports networks like FSN South or CSS can buy what the 4-letter word doesn’t want. The SEC expects one or more regional cable package to be sold and coupled with the CBS and ESPN agreements would make the league the most widely distributed conference in the country.

As far as an SEC Channel, that won’t happen for at least 15 years but SEC Commissioner Mike Slive had very strong feelings about starting that network.

“I think I started out with the mind to do the (SEC) channel.” Slive said. “I think I was there about a year.”

But ESPN was able to persuade commissioner Slive that the worldwide leader in sports shared the same vision and goals as the SEC, plus had the cash on hand to pay for it.

“Every time we told them the channel allows us to do this, and they came back with an answer to do that.” Slive said. “Then slowly, but surely, it began to happen.”

The SEC’s goals throughout this process was to make a lot of money which they have, take care of their member institutions which they have and not screw their fans. Check yes to that one to. Now an SEC fans from Albuquerque to Walla Walla can view their favorite SEC school on the numerous platforms available.

August was a good and profitable month in the SEC.

Big Money Deal

It's Official...

The last piece of the SEC's television package has now been put in place and boy is it a doozy. According to Sports Buisness Journal and and a 3pm Monday teleconference, the SEC and ESPN are expected to announce an agreement of epic proportions.


Big Money, Real Big Money...

According to the SBJ and also a story on the Atlanta Journal Constitution the deal is for get this...15 years and is worth $2.25 Billion dollars! Or for those of you counting about $150 million per year.

This is on top of the recently announced deal with CBS which will pay the league over $50 million per year. For those of us with math skills, that is close to $200 million a year, for College Sports.

Granted the four-letter word (ESPN) has mulitple media platforms for the league (ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN News, ESPN Classic, ESPN 36o and of course ESPN.com), just to name a few; but when you add in CBS, CBS College Sports and CBS Sportsline, you have a pretty large media footprint.

Left Out...

Left out in all of this appears to be long-time SEC Broadcaster Raycom. Known throughout the region for their Saturday game of the week, they now have been shut out. Again, according to the SBJ, ESPN, through their regional syndication network will handle selling the games to local affiliates.

In a way, that kind of sucks, if only for the tradition. Raycom has done the SEC games as long as I can remember and long before CBS jumped on board. They apparently didn't have the money to keep up with the big boys.

What it means...

To the casual fan, it probably doesn't mean much. Again, according to the SBJ, ESPN is working on the one problem that they have with distribution by getting ESPNU a better agreement with Comcast Cable. If they can work that out, then I suspect that most SEC fans will not miss any of the games. The one thing said by just about everyone covering the league is; whatever they do, they need to make sure that the games will still be seen in their markets, the SEC and its broadcasters want no part of an enraged Alabama fan or Tennessee fan who can't see their team play.

SEC+CBS= $$$$$$$

In a move that, once again, surprises no one the Southeastern Conference and the CBS Television network have signed a 15-year deal extending their relationship until the year 2023.

Ahem...quote... courtesy of the SEC themselves...

"CBS Sports has reached a historic 15-year contract extension with the Southeastern Conference to broadcast its football and basketball games, it was announced today by Sean McManus, President, CBS News and Sports and Mike Slive, Commissioner of the SEC.

"In the new agreement, beginning with the 2009-10 season, CBS Sports continues to be the exclusive national network broadcaster of SEC home football games, including the SEC Championship Game. CBS Sports will showcase the top conference matchups each week of the package with the “SEC Game of the Week”. The agreement also includes a prime time game and doubleheader opportunities. In addition, CBS Sports continues its coverage of SEC regular-season basketball.

“This landmark deal allows THE SEC ON CBS to continue to be a cornerstone of our fall programming for many years to come,” said McManus. “The agreement provides CBS Sports with the opportunity to showcase the excitement, pageantry and rich traditions of the SEC across all CBS platforms. We are thrilled to continue our long-standing relationship with one of the premiere conferences in the nation. ”

"The Southeastern Conference is proud to continue its association with CBS Sports,” said Dr. Lee Todd, President of the University of Kentucky and the Southeastern Conference. “This national network agreement provides a unique platform to share both the athletic and academic achievements of the 12 member institutions."

“The SEC is the gold standard in college athletics, and we are proud to be associated with this great conference and its outstanding administrators, coaches and student-athletes,” said Mike Aresco, Executive Vice President, Programming, CBS Sports. “The length of this deal is a testament to the great brand that THE SEC ON CBS has become.”

"The Southeastern Conference is extremely pleased to extend its long-standing relationship with CBS Sports,” added Slive. "THE SEC ON CBS enables the conference to continue its unique full, national network exposure. We have enjoyed working with CBS Sports over the past 13 years and we are excited about our long-term future."

In addition to the broadcast rights on CBS Sports, this comprehensive long-team deal includes certain digital, internet, wireless, Video-on-Demand, data and enhanced highlight rights across all CBS platforms, including CBS College Sports Network and CBSSports.com. Also, simulcasts of CBS Sports games will be available for distribution by the CBS College Sports Network.

Everyone used to call the CBS network the "Tiffany Network." Does this mean the SEC is now the "Tiffany Conference?"

More on the story as it develops...