Okay, the SEC Network is now a reality. It’s a 20-year deal with ESPN. (Will we even be watching TV in 2034?)
There’s one little tidbit in all the details I hadn’t anticipated.
As for game times, CBS will retain the first pick for which SEC game it wants each week. After that, Slive said scheduling discussions go to what he called a “content board.” Basically any other game will be on an ESPN platform, including the SEC Network, with other outlets for what Slive called “overflow” games.
But CBS won’t have an exclusive window for its 3:30 p.m. games. The SEC Network or ESPN could have a game going on at that time too. [Emphasis added.]
That’s… interesting. Is there a little message sending going on there to a CBS that is perhaps a bit recalcitrant in ponying up a few more bucks for Slive’s new, improved 14-school SEC? Or is it more outright, say, “pay us for the exclusivity, if you want it”?
Of course, it would be a little weird to have a conference network not showing football mid-afternoon Saturdays. But I can’t imagine the suits at CBS were happy about it when they heard the news.