What is Going On at Disney?

[KBayDog]

Sometimes I wonder if Disney wants ABC/ESPN to self destruct.

First, they move MNF to ESPN from ABC (pssst - newsflash, Disney - not everybody in the world has cable!), and now this:

"USA Today
April 21, 2005
Pg. 7C

Army Strikes TV Deal

Army and ESPN have reached a five-year multimedia agreement, guaranteeing live TV coverage of every Black Knights home football game to fans and troops around the world.

All games at Michie Stadium and select neutral sites in which Army is the home team will be available on ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN Classic or ESPNU. The games will be available live and free of charge to soldiers and military personnel around the world."


Oh, boy oh boy! Army football! Nothing I'd rather see than a team that annually battles Rutgers for the I-A cellar. While it may seem like a sweet patriotic thing to do, are there any business majors out there who can tell us why either of these recent deals makes any business sense?

Personally, I'll be tuning in to The Ocho this fall.

 

[DanMa1156]

You'd be surprised. I live near West Point and there is a huge fan base here. I have been around the U.S. too, and anyone who knows anyone in the military is rooting for them. Any college football fan has a hard time rooting against Army or Navy for that matter. They're a classic team that people enjoy watching, all the patriotism, all the pride in the stands, all the honor of the players.

At the same time though, I do agree with you; it's probably not the smartest business move, but I do think it'll be more sucessful than one might think.

 

[HueyCobra8151]

I live near West Point and there is a huge fan base here.

Man...next you'll tell me there are a lot of Red Sox fans in Boston...

I didn't know they moved MNF to ESPN. That is pretty gay.

Far be it from me to tell them how to run their business, but they are definitely going to take a hit for these marketing decisions.

 

[KBayDog]

Next thing you know, they'll buy the NHL.

 

[Cate]

Next thing you know, they'll buy the NHL.

It'll cost 'em $2.50. They'll pay with a ten, and use the change to get a hot dog.

 

[KBayDog]

I've heard that they are raising hot dog rates in order to give the players their fair cut of the concession profits.