You own an expansion team!

[MikeO]

As for what game to air when both are playing at the same time:  given that this proposal involves two teams sharing the same stadium, you can simply look to NYG and NYJ for a clue on how this will work.  Cliff notes: there is no week in 2011 where both NYG and NYJ are playing road games at the same time, and there is only one week where both of them are playing at the same time (excluding NYG vs. NYJ, of course).

The NFL is aware of such issues when creating the schedule.

But the Jets and Giants BOTH aren't on one network because they aren't in the same conference. In LA, you will be giving ONE network a double-header every week if 2 AFC teams are in LA. That ain't gonna fly.

But whatever, live in your bubble and believe what you want.

[Spider-Dan]

So giving both teams to one network is totally unreasonable, but that same network being shut out of 3 of the top 5 NFL media markets (and sharing the other two) is completely fine?

[MikeO]

So giving both teams to one network is totally unreasonable, but that same network being shut out of 3 of the top 5 NFL media markets (and sharing the other two) is completely fine?

Not unreasonable. IMPOSSIBLE for it to work!

And yeah, because the network that has those top teams pays a boatload more than the other. FOX pays a ton more than CBS. Both know what they are getting. CBS or NBC or ABC could pony up a ton of money and get the NFC if they wanted, they don't.

Not that complicated

[Spider-Dan]

And yeah, because the network that has those top teams pays a boatload more than the other. FOX pays a ton more than CBS. Both know what they are getting. CBS or NBC or ABC could pony up a ton of money and get the NFC if they wanted, they don't.

Not that complicated

So if I understand you correctly, two LA teams can't both be in the AFC because that would make the AFC package lopsidedly overvalued... like the NFC package is right now (and has been for years).  And even though CBS or NBC can choose to buy the more expensive NFC package (and they don't), somehow the same does not apply to Fox if the AFC package became more valuable.

You're right, it's not that complicated.

[MikeO]

So if I understand you correctly, two LA teams can't both be in the AFC because that would make the AFC package lopsidedly overvalued... like the NFC package is right now (and has been for years).  And even though CBS or NBC can choose to buy the more expensive NFC package (and they don't), somehow the same does not apply to Fox if the AFC package became more valuable.

You're right, it's not that complicated.

You are twisting everything and don't understand anything correctly. The 2 LA teams won't be in the SAME CONFERENCE because it can't work. It would mean CBS would have a double header every week having to air BOTH LA teams.

It has NOTHING to do with what package would be worth more. Zero. Nill. Nadda. Nothing to do with that.

[Dave Gray]

If I understand correctly, MikeO is saying that the NFL is contractually obligated to 1) show sold out home games on the local affilliate and 2) flip flop between which network has the double-header each week.

If they both were in the same conference, the same network would have the rights to both.  They'd be contractually obligated to either air both games at the same time on the same channel (if one were home and one were on the road at the same time), which can't happen OR have a double-header every week, which also can't happen.

Therefore, it's impossible for them to live up to their contracts and have both teams in the same conference.

[Spider-Dan]

So the NFL can create a new SNF contract that allows NBC to cherry-pick a game from CBS/FOX's schedule, but they can't create a contract that allows for two teams in the same market in the same conference?  They can't make an allowance in the new contract that allows the AFC network to pick one of the LA market games, or have the LA road team have broadcast priority?  (2 of each team's games per year would be owned by the NFC network anyway.)

[Dave Gray]

They could probably do whatever they wanted, if they wanted to.  But it would be easier to take the path of least resistance and complication and put the two teams in different conferences.

It would probably also be better for fan-bases, as you could kinda be fans of both.

I don't know the answer off the top of my head, but are any 2 teams in the same market (in any sport) ever in the same conference?  Mets/Yankees, Giants/Jets, A's/Giants, Raiders/Rams, White Sox/Cubs.

[Spider-Dan]

In the NHL and NBA (which are divided into Eastern/Western conferences), they're in the same division.

Lakers/Clippers
Knicks/Nets
Rangers/Devils/Islanders
Kings/Ducks

[MikeO]

If I understand correctly, MikeO is saying that the NFL is contractually obligated to 1) show sold out home games on the local affilliate and 2) flip flop between which network has the double-header each week.

If they both were in the same conference, the same network would have the rights to both.  They'd be contractually obligated to either air both games at the same time on the same channel (if one were home and one were on the road at the same time), which can't happen OR have a double-header every week, which also can't happen.

Therefore, it's impossible for them to live up to their contracts and have both teams in the same conference.

THANK YOU!!!!

[MikeO]

In the NHL and NBA (which are divided into Eastern/Western conferences), they're in the same division.

Lakers/Clippers
Knicks/Nets
Rangers/Devils/Islanders
Kings/Ducks

But its not a league wide TV contract like the NFL. Each team cuts their own local TV deals in those sports. Can't compare. It's apples to oranges.

[Landshark]

Why can't the NFL allow BOTH networks (CBS and FOX), to show a doubleheader every week?  More variety for fans all over the nation.

[MikeO]

Why can't the NFL allow BOTH networks (CBS and FOX), to show a doubleheader every week?  More variety for fans all over the nation.

They could, but they don't.

I think the reasons is because  the networks pony up BIG bucks because they know if they have a stand-alone game every other week, that football fans are FORCED to watch their channel. And FORCED to watch commercials and promos for their network comedy's and drama's..etc.  So they don't want double-headers every week.

And since the Sunday Ticket reaches so few people, they don't care about that hurting them that much in this way.

[Spider-Dan]

But its not a league wide TV contract like the NFL.

NHL, NBC/Versus Ink 10-Year, $2 Billion National TV Rights Contract
NBA extends TV deals with ESPN/ABC, TNT

OK, then.

[MikeO]

NHL, NBC/Versus Ink 10-Year, $2 Billion National TV Rights Contract
NBA extends TV deals with ESPN/ABC, TNT

OK, then.

Oh my god, I know you are smarter than this. But the teams in the NHL and NBA  have the VAST majority of their games  on local regional sports networks.  The NFL doesn't have that! EVERY NFL game is a national game on a national network where they SPLIT the money evenly! That's why you can't have 2 NFL teams in the same conference. Because its the ONLY league where every game is played essentially on the same day and its really only 1 day a week. Minues the Monday Night schedule an a handful of Thursday games.

Do the Jets sign a deal with the MSG network to air games? No every Jets game is on CBS, FOX, ESPN, or NBC! Do the Dolphins sign a deal with Fox Sports Florida to air LIVE games? I mean come on. Do the Patriots have a deal with NESN to air any games?

It's not comparable. It's apples and Oranges!