Looking on the bright side of The Fan

[whodatdj]

The FAN basically cleared the bench at The Ticket. Kevin Scott, Pete, Ben & Skin. These are all guys that have been around there for a while but could see that no fulltime slot was opening in the Ticket lineup anytime soon.

Or is it that they are all guys who weren't good enough to crack the fulltime lineup?

And if they did clear the bench, aren't you basically saying that they're sending Brad Johnson and Miles Austins out to compete with Tony Romo and Tarrell Owen? Sure Johnson might win you a game, but a championship?

You have to remember that the line up at the Ticket has been unchanged (except the exit of Greg Williams and the addition of Donovan's role on the Mid Day show) for over 5 or 6 years. The "bench" or "practice squad" or whatever else you want to call the guys the Fan hired have not had an opening to compete for at the Ticket.

I think CBS got some good local talent at a price that everyone involved could live with. Do I think they can beat the Ticket talent head to head? Probably not...but will they attempt to brand themselves as a serious sports talker more in the vein of ESPN or will they try to yuck it up where they will be looked upon as Ticket lite. Time will see.

 

[Slambang]

I said this in another thread and i'll say it here: Cumulus is going to see some major defections come next contract cycle. With the exception of D&M and Rhyner, probably noone on and off air is getting paid what they're worth up there. I can imagine KTCK losing the cowboys/deparados broadcasts rights after this season, as jerry would rather have a signal that can be heard all over the region, not just in the 10 mile area around turtle creek.

 

[LibertyNT]

I said this in another thread and i'll say it here: Cumulus is going to see some major defections come next contract cycle. With the exception of D&M and Rhyner, probably noone on and off air is getting paid what they're worth up there. I can imagine KTCK losing the cowboys/deparados broadcasts rights after this season, as jerry would rather have a signal that can be heard all over the region, not just in the 10 mile area around turtle creek.

Only Issue i See is that KTCK is the Flagship of the Dallas Cowboys Radio Network.
Im not sure If they can take it from KTCK. Maybe KDBN.

 

[Slambang]

I said this in another thread and i'll say it here: Cumulus is going to see some major defections come next contract cycle. With the exception of D&M and Rhyner, probably noone on and off air is getting paid what they're worth up there. I can imagine KTCK losing the cowboys/deparados broadcasts rights after this season, as jerry would rather have a signal that can be heard all over the region, not just in the 10 mile area around turtle creek.

Only Issue i See is that KTCK is the Flagship of the Dallas Cowboys Radio Network.
Im not sure If they can take it from KTCK. Maybe KDBN.

Liberty, I going to disagree with you on this, as the flagship has been moved from station to station over the years(mostly with CBS radio or their previous relations). The Cowpokes will prolly wiggle out of this contract, as the sound quality of the games has gone down dramatically since KTCK has taken over and jerry has noticed...

 

[judypatudy]

There is NO bright side for this station. :

 

[FrontRowGreg]

This is an article from October on the Dallas Observer blog about how the Cowboys have an opt out clause in their contract with the Ticket and speculates that CBS could be a serious contender.

http://blogs.dallasobserver.com/sportatorium/2008/10/cowboys_may_opt_out_of_radio_d.php#more

 

[whodatdj]

I said this in another thread and i'll say it here: Cumulus is going to see some major defections come next contract cycle. With the exception of D&M and Rhyner, probably noone on and off air is getting paid what they're worth up there. I can imagine KTCK losing the cowboys/deparados broadcasts rights after this season, as jerry would rather have a signal that can be heard all over the region, not just in the 10 mile area around turtle creek.

Only Issue i See is that KTCK is the Flagship of the Dallas Cowboys Radio Network.
Im not sure If they can take it from KTCK. Maybe KDBN.

Liberty, I going to disagree with you on this, as the flagship has been moved from station to station over the years(mostly with CBS radio or their previous relations). The Cowpokes will prolly wiggle out of this contract, as the sound quality of the games has gone down dramatically since KTCK has taken over and jerry has noticed...

The Cowboys/KTCK marriage was signed because CBS could not afford to resign the contract under the terms Jerry was shopping three yeas ago. He needed a place to park the network at a time when CBS and Clear Channel were both unwilling to pay the high price asked. Susquehanna Radio (which was bought by Cumulus) had wanted to be the flag ship for many years and were able to get Jerry to agree to the 1310/93.3 combo for game day. This was a bonus for Jerry because by having the Ticket as the flagship he could also somewhat control how hard the host of the highest rated sports station in the market were on his Cowboys during a time when he was getting ready to try to sell the seats in his new stadium.

I'd look for Jerry to excerise the option to jump to the Fan at the end of this season. Unlike the KVIL/KLUV days, now CBS really needs a big dog like the Cowboys to give the FAN exposure and credibility as a serious sports player. Look for CBS to give the moon and the stars to get this deal done.

 

[uwf234]

CBS could afford the Cowboys...they just didn't want to hand out that much cash. Now that the new PPMs lean heavy towards sports programming, CBS will probably be able to afford the risk/reward for the Cowboys.

 

[salemjedi54]

SMH......Yall just don't know how play by play sports broadcasting works these days. Most franchises "own" their broadcasting rights. MLB, NHL and the NBA usually package their local TV/Radio rights to go along with the arena signage and other marketing aspects. Now most of the teams in the above listed leagues control there broadcasting rights. I have worked in the corporate accounting office for Hicks Sports Group. The Rangers and the Stars get paid a rights fee from Fox Sports Net, but within that contract Hicks Sports Group controls a certain amount of ad inventory to sell to there corporate sponsors. Now in terms of radio, the Rangers and Stars own most of the ad inventory and they sell that inventory along with arena/ballpark signage. I have seen the contracts.

The Dallas Mavericks own their broadcast rights. How do I know...I used to run the board for the Mavericks on KLIF. KLIF would get the commercial log from the Mavericks and some local KLIF spots would be inserted into the log by the Traffic Dept. Basically the Mavericks "lease" the time on Fox Sports Net, KTXA and KESN.

The Cowboys do not have a local TV agreement because of the revenue sharing commitments the NFL has. Even though the NFL does have a national radio contract with Westwood One, its only for the Sunday/Monday night games and the Playoffs. Those games are seen on a national basis.

The Cowboys decided that they could take their radio broadcast rights in house. Cumulus Media and the Cowboys have a co-marketing agreement. You do hear some local KTCK/KDBN spots and those local spots are given to the stations along the Dallas Cowboys Radio Network. KTCK wanted the prestige of being the Flagship station of the Cowboys Radio Network. Blue Star Media(a Cowboys subsidiary) "owns" the rights. Cumulus Media does not pay any money to the Cowboys. So basically KTCK/KDBN traded prestige for revenue. All of the Cowboys related programming inventory is sold by Blue Star Media not the Ticket.

All these people who say that a deal is done for 105.3 to get the Cowboys, prove it. There are several factors

1. Is CBS Radio Dallas going to pay a straight rights fee or is it a lease time/barter deal.

2. What business model do the Cowboys like: Rights fee or in-house sales? In Tuesday's Sports Business Daily, it was reported that the revenues of the Cincinnati Reds Radio Network increased some 30% since they took them in-house. So that is an incentive to keep them in-house.

3. If the Cowboys are displeased with the agreement with Cumulus and decide to opt-out, don't you think Cumulus would have a right of first refusal clause or exclusive negotiating period clause in that same contract.

4. Would the Cowboys put their games on a station that has yet to develop some type of fan base. Think about it, why would the Cowboys go to the Ticket in the first place. They are established in the marketplace and they did not have any other play by play commitments.

Bottom line...what does the Great Jerrel Wayne Jones want to do.

 

[little1]

4. Would the Cowboys put their games on a station that has yet to develop some type of fan base. Think about it, why would the Cowboys go to the Ticket in the first place. They are established in the marketplace and they did not have any other play by play commitments.

Bottom line...what does the Great Jerrel Wayne Jones want to do.

Good post SalemJedi.

And since I don't work for CBS anymore, let me just say this. Oh please please please get the Cowboys and sign a longterm deal before you figure out if that station is going to be successful or not. Nothing would please me more than to see them locked into a format that they can't make succeed (sports) with a big money albatross of a contract (Cowboys) costing them cash and/or loads of inventory.

If they do decide to move it, it gives both ESPN and KTCK an interesting selling angle "Hey mr advertiser, sure you can pay Jerry's rates over there at the flagship station, or you can pay our much more reasonable rates and advertise with us. Remember us, the people who don't have to kiss Jerry's buttocks (because we're in bed with him)..."

 

[salemjedi54]

4. Would the Cowboys put their games on a station that has yet to develop some type of fan base. Think about it, why would the Cowboys go to the Ticket in the first place. They are established in the marketplace and they did not have any other play by play commitments.

Bottom line...what does the Great Jerrel Wayne Jones want to do.

Good post SalemJedi.

And since I don't work for CBS anymore, let me just say this. Oh please please please get the Cowboys and sign a longterm deal before you figure out if that station is going to be successful or not. Nothing would please me more than to see them locked into a format that they can't make succeed (sports) with a big money albatross of a contract (Cowboys) costing them cash and/or loads of inventory.

If they do decide to move it, it gives both ESPN and KTCK an interesting selling angle "Hey mr advertiser, sure you can pay Jerry's rates over there at the flagship station, or you can pay our much more reasonable rates and advertise with us. Remember us, the people who don't have to kiss Jerry's buttocks (because we're in bed with him)..."

Little 1,
Since you worked at CBS, don't they like to pay straight rights fees for most of their play by play sports contracts. Would they even consider a lease time/barter arrangement.

 

[ISaidSo]

Jerry went to the Ticket because he had no other place to go at the time... now with the New stadium and the huge events it will bring in he thinks (rightfully so) that the time is right to get paid... He also does not care about the format or the ratings of the station he is on as long as the money is right... KVIL, KLUV, KRLD, the Ticket, doesn't matter it's the freaking cowboys they sell that, not ratings...If The fan fails then the new format works around the Cowboys, not big deal... As far as money per spot, you think that having the Cowboy hurt the Ticket selling spots? Just the opposite, more value for the buy... As I have stated before if you break even with the Cowboys it is worth it due to perception of having the Cowboys is worth so much. Jerry doesn't seem to care about what a station says as long as they are talking about the Cowboys. Rumor I hear is that the deal with CBS is already done, and will be made official this summer.

 

[salemjedi54]

Jerry went to the Ticket because he had no other place to go at the time... now with the New stadium and the huge events it will bring in he thinks (rightfully so) that the time is right to get paid... He also does not care about the format or the ratings of the station he is on as long as the money is right... KVIL, KLUV, KRLD, the Ticket, doesn't matter it's the freaking cowboys they sell that, not ratings...If The fan fails then the new format works around the Cowboys, not big deal... As far as money per spot, you think that having the Cowboy hurt the Ticket selling spots? Just the opposite, more value for the buy... As I have stated before if you break even with the Cowboys it is worth it due to perception of having the Cowboys is worth so much. Jerry doesn't seem to care about what a station says as long as they are talking about the Cowboys. Rumor I hear is that the deal with CBS is already done, and will be made official this summer.

That may be true at the time, but you still have to factor, and I will continue to say this......What business model is working for the Dallas Cowboys....straight rights fee or owning the radio rights. Can the Cowboys generate more revenue selling the inventory. We don't know at this point.

SaidSo....there is one flaw in your thinking. Cumulus Media is not paying any rights fees to the Cowboys. The Cowboys control all the inventory during the network pregame show, in game, and post game. Also they control all the inventory during the Ranch Reports, Jerry, Wade, and Witten Shows. Also the Cowboys Hour, the Tuesday night show and the Cowboys Legend show are produced by Blue Star Media.

The opt-out clause may be in the contract, but I am sure Cumulus should have a right of first refusal clause as well. Usually these media deals may have an exclusive negotiating period. If so then any deal struck between the Cowboys and another radio station during that period would be a breach of contract. Now I am not saying that all these things are in the contract with Cumulus and the Cowboys, but one would stand to reason that they would be in there.

 

[ISaidSo]

Well that all maybe true, but you and I know that coming to an agreement off the record happens all the time, and is exactly what has happened according to some people I know close to the situation. Also, who is to say that they can't get a rights fee, and still keep control of a majority of the inventory?

 

[salemjedi54]

Well that all maybe true, but you and I know that coming to an agreement off the record happens all the time, and is exactly what has happened according to some people I know close to the situation. Also, who is to say that they can't get a rights fee, and still keep control of a majority of the inventory?

We will see.