patchyfogg
06-01-2004, 02:04 PM
http://www.newsday.com/sports/baseball/mets/ny-spmzip0602,0,7540264.story?coll=ny-sports-headlines
Tuesday, June 1, 2004
Mets exploring own cable network?
BY STEVE ZIPAY
STAFF WRITER
June 1, 2004, 12:19 PM EDT
The Mets have taken the first step toward starting a cable network to televise their games. The franchise has paid $54 million to terminate its contract with the Cablevision-controlled MSG Network and Fox Sports New York after the 2005 season.
According to MSG, the team exercised its right to end the deal under the 1996 agreement between the team and Fox Sports New York, which would have expired on May 31. MSG announced Tuesday that the notification and payment were received late last week.
MSG lost the Yankees rights to YES two years ago, and the departure of the Mets would leave the Knicks, Rangers, Liberty, Islanders and Devils as the local pro teams carried by the two networks.
"The Mets have all the leverage," said Lee Berke of LHB Sports, Entertainment and Media, a firm that has advised numerous professional teams about creating networks. "Regardless of what the Mets do, whether it's re-upping with MSG, or creating their own network or creating a hybrid by co-ownership with a media company, the $54 million is well spent and they'll recoup it."
As YES discovered, it is extremely costly to create a network and sign distribution deals. But several industry observers suggested that Mets owner Fred Wilpon might be reluctant to hook up with YES and be the second option for viewers. One option could be a co-ownership deal with a media company such as Time Warner, similar to a venture between the Padres and Cox Communications in San Diego.
"As is the case with all team rights negotiations, this is a process which we hope and expect will result in a continuation of the longstanding partnership between the New York Mets, MSG and Fox Sports Net New York," said MSG Network president Mike McCarthy.
Copyright © 2004, Newsday, Inc.
Tuesday, June 1, 2004
Mets exploring own cable network?
BY STEVE ZIPAY
STAFF WRITER
June 1, 2004, 12:19 PM EDT
The Mets have taken the first step toward starting a cable network to televise their games. The franchise has paid $54 million to terminate its contract with the Cablevision-controlled MSG Network and Fox Sports New York after the 2005 season.
According to MSG, the team exercised its right to end the deal under the 1996 agreement between the team and Fox Sports New York, which would have expired on May 31. MSG announced Tuesday that the notification and payment were received late last week.
MSG lost the Yankees rights to YES two years ago, and the departure of the Mets would leave the Knicks, Rangers, Liberty, Islanders and Devils as the local pro teams carried by the two networks.
"The Mets have all the leverage," said Lee Berke of LHB Sports, Entertainment and Media, a firm that has advised numerous professional teams about creating networks. "Regardless of what the Mets do, whether it's re-upping with MSG, or creating their own network or creating a hybrid by co-ownership with a media company, the $54 million is well spent and they'll recoup it."
As YES discovered, it is extremely costly to create a network and sign distribution deals. But several industry observers suggested that Mets owner Fred Wilpon might be reluctant to hook up with YES and be the second option for viewers. One option could be a co-ownership deal with a media company such as Time Warner, similar to a venture between the Padres and Cox Communications in San Diego.
"As is the case with all team rights negotiations, this is a process which we hope and expect will result in a continuation of the longstanding partnership between the New York Mets, MSG and Fox Sports Net New York," said MSG Network president Mike McCarthy.
Copyright © 2004, Newsday, Inc.