Larry Baer interview about Giants re-upping with KNBR

[michael hagerty]

"Baer confirmed to SFGATE that the Giants did explore other venues for their audio broadcasts, including looking at starting their own audio platform or buying a station. But Baer said that exploration “never got to a serious stage” and the team’s “first priority” was always sticking with KNBR.

“We had options we could go to, but we didn’t think they were as good for our fans,” Baer told SFGATE. “And again, you’re sitting there, whether it might have been a couple of dollars more, I don’t know — it’s unclear. But what’s best for the fans? At the end, we had to come back to what’s best for the fans.”

https://www.sfgate.com/giants/article/sf-giants-president-knbr-extension-mlb-blackouts-20263709.php

 

[Loverofradio]

It’s always better and easier for other people to give you money for the right to broadcast games than it is to produce games in house. Smart decision from the Giants and that’ll be the last time I ever say that because I’m a Dodgers fan

 

[Moxxie is Awesome]

What other stations were in consideration?

 

[michael hagerty]

What other stations were in consideration?

They haven’t said.

 

[brettbutlerisok]

What other stations were in consideration?

Total speculation, but I'd imagine Cumulus tried to sell them KZAC.

 

[michael hagerty]

Total speculation, but I'd imagine Cumulus tried to sell them KZAC.

The only reference in the posted interview to another station was "starting their own audio platform or buying a station".

I think yours is a pretty solid bet---would explain Cumulus keeping KZAC alive until they had a firm "no".

 

[BossRadioDJ]

Total speculation, but I'd imagine Cumulus tried to sell them KZAC.

Why several teams – the Giants and/or 49ers and/or Warriors and/or Sharks -- wouldn't join up and buy or lease a station and control their own destiny is beyond me. Run ESPN Radio or Fax Sports Radio or Infinity Sports Network during the non-play-by-play hours. Pay podcasters to do "team insider" programs.

Of course, if I'm at home, I'm watching the game on TV, and if I'm in my car, I'm streaming via the team's app and Apple car Play.

DJ

 

[fybush]

A standalone radio station isn't cheap to run. You need engineering, a studio of some sort, a sales staff that is separate from whatever sales and marketing arm your team already has for its own needs.

And for what? Just to support a radio broadcast that's a marginal value add to most NBA, NHL or even NFL teams?

Much easier to have a radio partner that can handle all the expenses of running a station as part of a cluster.

Even for TV rights, which are much more lucrative, look how many teams have found running an entire network to be unsustainable.

 

[brettbutlerisok]

Why several teams – the Giants and/or 49ers and/or Warriors and/or Sharks -- wouldn't join up and buy or lease a station and control their own destiny is beyond me. Run ESPN Radio or Fax Sports Radio or Infinity Sports Network during the non-play-by-play hours. Pay podcasters to do "team insider" programs.

Of course, if I'm at home, I'm watching the game on TV, and if I'm in my car, I'm streaming via the team's app and Apple car Play.

DJ

The streaming is the thing. The people who run the teams aren't even sure radio is important anymore, Sharks for example is streaming only. I think it only really makes a difference to the folks that bring a radio to the game.

 

[adradio]

The streaming is the thing. The people who run the teams aren't even sure radio is important anymore, Sharks for example is streaming only. I think it only really makes a difference to the folks that bring a radio to the game.

For a lot of people, radio is easier to deal with in the car.

 

[TheBigA]

Much easier to have a radio partner that can handle all the expenses of running a station as part of a cluster.

Which is basically the situation the Dodgers have with iHeart in LA. On the other hand, you have the Angels.

Sharks for example is streaming only.

I wouldn't use the Sharks as an example of anything. They're online only because no one will pay.

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