Many of my colleagues are trumpeting the fact that Versus cable channel will be changing its moniker to NBC Sports Network
Jan. 2. NBC and Versus are both majority owned by Comcast Cable, so that makes perfect sense.
And while that’s wonderful, and should provide a little boost to the IndyCar Series—which airs most of its races
on Versus—it’s not the biggest news coming out of the network this week. Not by a long shot.
The NFL is in talks with Versus to bring a package of early season Thursday night games to the cable station, possibly as
early as 2012. That move would seriously legitimize Versus’ attempts to rival ESPN and put it on the map, and, more
importantly, make it more prominent on the cable dial for millions of sports fans nationwide.
That’s news that IndyCar officials and fans should be jumping up and down about. Since the early part of the NFL season
overlaps the last part of the IndyCar season, it could open serious cross-promotional opportunities for the series.
That kind of NFL-fueled cross promotion would give IndyCar Series CEO Randy Bernard a lot more juice to trumpet his season-ending
gala in Las Vegas, which is scheduled for Oct. 16 this year.
The potential Versus-NFL deal also shows the channel soon to be branded as NBC Sports Network is serious about growing, and
bolstering all of its properties.
The NFL package is worth about $700 million annually, according to sources familiar with the deal. Of course, the deal will
have a lot of other ramifications on the NFL, Indianapolis Colts and football fans, but that’s a topic for another blog
post.
But this isn’t a done deal yet. Turner Broadcasting, which aired NFL games from 1990-97, is also bidding for the eight-game
package. Turner wants to air the games on TBS, TNT or truTV.
Fox also is talking with the NFL, and has an interest in putting the games on FX. But there are hurdles for Fox that might
make it too expensive to put on FX.
ESPN and Spike TV also have an interest, but Versus and Turner have emerged as the clear front-runners.
And the roar from the IndyCar paddock is building.
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Welcome to The Score, your place for hard-hitting sports business news, fast-breaking updates and fuel-injected debate. Buckle up. I'm your host, Anthony Schoettle, IBJ sports reporter.
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The Fringe! Plus, the simple fact that there are so many local faves in such close proximity to each other.
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I remenber, watching the toll road, being built, through South Bend, when I was 10 years old. I believe, back then that it was estimated, that the toll road, would be paid for in 20 years and then it would be free. I am now 71, what happened? Since the power is in the people, by that, I mean that, we the people are in total control of everything. I, suggest that no one ever use the toll road again, let it go broke. We the people can control the price of everything, from groceries to gas, if we would just do it. If we don't pay the asking price, the sellers will lower the price and if we wait awhile, they will lower the price to what we accept as reasonable. I would like to know why a highway like interstate 94, is so well maintained, a much better highway, than the toll road, but has no tolls. I would also like to know why, a sitting governor, with a term limit, maximum of eight years, can lease, public property, for 75 years. Even though I have transponders in both of my trucks and will not be affected by the increase, I have been and will contine to avoid using the toll road. I make many trips from northern Indiana to Chicago, every year, and I prefer the better highway, I94!
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Coming from her background,she should be used to those kinds of advances! Menard probably figured it was ok to tuck a buck!
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I'm still waiting for the list of available, high quality apartments in the Village.
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This criminal masquerading as a lawyer obviously has serious issues. He’s been proven by his own testimony to be a pathological liar and probably has a personality disorder as he seems to be constructing a reality around himself. He places no value on truth, honesty or loyalty as evidenced by what he has done to his clients and his own family. And by the demands and lies he has made in court, it is evident he feels entitled to do and say whatever suits his purpose and everyone else is expected to nod obediently and believe him because he is, after all, Bill Super Lawyer; or BS lawyer for short. This millionaire wanna-be no longer owns anything of value; he squandered it and put everything he had into foreclosure. He has no money, house, car, boat or vacation home left to show for what he earned or what he stole. He’s just another loser without morals who will be doing time. I’m certain all of his courtroom shenanigans are antagonizing his poor victims. As Lamar said, his behavior and claims in court have been outrageous. The judge needs to be more than concerned; he needs to be judicial and end this nonsense.
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My sources also tell me that there is serious bidding for the NFL contract and NBC/Versus is just one of several bidders. In other words, don't get yer hopes up Mr. North of $20M.
Also adds fuel to NBC taking all Indycar races.
New engines, new cars, new sponsors, new energy, all bode well
Nothing
Wow, that'll be great. VerSus and no Danika Patrick. Now the IRL will soar to new lows.
Stars and Cars". Indy will fold without Michael Andretti, Sam Hornish, Juan Pablo....fill in the blank driver. Now it is Danica, even though Indycar has several female drivers currently running who can do as well or better.
As Foyt said, "AJ did not make Indy, Indy made AJ". True then, true now.
Try keeping scattershot commentary confined to the actual topic. It is far less tedious.
Thats called cut backs. What gives you any reason to believe NBC will get the contract? Get back to me when they land the NFL.
I win.
Duh, so how do you apologize? By raising tix prices? Foist upon the sport the same unsuccessful droning by 8 year old chassis and engines by foreign lease? Yup, and if you don't like it, well, go play in the street.
See Chief, it's not all that hard to apologize, is it?
How devalued is the sport if the IRL 500 only fetches about $4M a year? Yep, NBC's gonna save the day now with a fractured home of IRLcarz all over the cable box.
This smells like failure to me....