Luka

Jesus, anything but that. Very few people make that connection, so it didn't even occur to me that's what you were referencing.

We aren't using sources my man, this is just plain old common economic sense. These stories just foreshadow what could come. The CFO even implying that a non-exclusive deal could be reached, tells me he knows something that we don't. At least not yet.

In which case the NFL would have to widen it's potential customer base, leading to non-exclusive deals while maintaining their revune stream.

I believe so. However, all games are broadcast by them, so even though I am watching on Sunday Ticket, I am still watching a FOX/CBS broadcast. They might have to make some adjustments but I am sure they will be compensated/included. Also, since Sunday Ticket does not allow you to watch local broadcats or blacked out games, it really wouldn't have any effect on the local channels. Not to mention that is easily bypassed by puchasing Sunday Ticket Max.

Seeing that the Directv deal was worth $4 billion in 2009, and Microsoft just paid a half billion to have some fancy overlays and fantasy tracking, I have to say that the NFL is looking at $1.5 billion AT LEAST for non-exclusive deals with cable providers. And considering how much Sunday Ticket contributed to driving the install base for Directv, I think it would be safe to say that if you live in a town with more than one provider, you are picking the one with Sunday Ticket. And if the others want to remain competitve, they will all have to carry it. That is a ton of money. And your point to 26, this is exactly the reason I don't see it remaining exclusive. You have lucrative contracts with cable providers, which in turn drives advertising dollars and digital content providers enabling consumers to purchase enhanced experiences. They don't want to alienate any one consumer base, especially with how fragmented it has become.

Nope, 4 bed/2 bath ranch in the 'burbs. Why? Would you like to see my fine china?

Wow... so yea, you're all wrong. I think it is safe to say that, after securing an exclusive, multi year deal with Microsoft, that the NFL and it's content will be distributed in a number of ways beginning in the 2015 season. There won't be an exclusive TV distributor for Sunday Ticket this time around because I think that the NFL realizes that the money is in making a deal with everyone and it keeps all of their fans happy. Microsoft got their piece of the pie to deliver content and an experience that they feel will drive sales of the Xbox One, Windows 8, Surface, etc. Seeing that the NFL dropped support of the PS3 this season, tells me that if Sony wants NFL content on the PS4, a similar amount of money will have to be paid to them for those privilages. And with Sony contemplating and negotiating an a la carte cable TV service (partnering with the likes of Viacom, Virgin, T-Mobile to deliver a propritary internet service is a start) I can't imagine the NFL is going to say "we already have a half billion from Microsoft, that's good enough." Not to mention that, at this point, there is not going to be any one cable provider that will maximize delivery to every potential customer. Not even Directv can do it currently, because people's experiences with their service are all over the map, and there are some people that just can't get it because of trees, etc. And with my experience as a previous Directv customer, I could tell how far away a thunderstorm was by my Directv going out (usually about 5 minutes) and being in Florida, there were times that I was following along on the internet because I had no signal. One game I even had to fully listen to on WGR streaming. So I think the NFL, once the Directv deal expires will be shopping out the Sunday Ticket package to all providers, just like they did with the NFL Network. They want to hit on all fronts, be it live TV or digital distribution. And the rumor of Google bidding on it (or wanting to) would go a long in supporting not only their Chromecast and Android platform, but this little project as well.

I watched that hit live. I thought for sure it was helmet to helmet because of the sound. After watching the replay I was happy for football for a moment. I thought Bostic showed you could still absolutely level a kid without having to use your helmet. Then he gets fined...

If that's true, that's ridiculous. When was the last time we were in playoff contention until the end of the season? 2004?

To address some of this trade speculation, I would think that he would've signed the tender sooner. My common sense says, if you are going to a new team, you would want to do it sooner rather than later. Personally, I feel like the franchise tag needs some refinement. It's purpose is for a team to retain the rights to a player and pay an average salary of the top 5 players at that position. That's great, but what it should do in the end is eliminate deadlines, etc. for that specific contract negotiation. Meaning, while contracts/extensions can't be discussed after a certain point in the offseason, the franchise tag would give you the option to extend talks with that player.

McKelvin will benefit greatly from a consistent pass rush. Besides, the place we still absolutely struggle to cover anyone is in the middle of the field. Hopefully Alonso can rectify that this year.