CAA Nears Media Deal
BALTIMORE — The Colonial Athletic Association is nearing a media rights agreement for football, league commissioner Joe D’Antonio said Tuesday.
D’Antonio, now in his second year with the conference, said the CAA is negotiating with both CBS Digital and Twitter.
“We anticipate announcing some type of package with either or both of those entities,” D’Antonio said. “What we’re trying to do is be as progressive as we possibly can and evolve with the times.
“I don’t think it’s any secret right now that more and more people daily are getting their content on mediums that are different than the conventional television.”
League associate commissioner for football Brian Gordon said an official announcement could come as early as the next three weeks, ahead of the 2017 season start.
The idea behind a digital push is finding the quickest way to reach consumers, D’Antonio said.
A partnership with Twitter would allow fans to watch CAA football games on mobile devices and computers.
In September, the CAA hired Collegiate Sports Management Group to help negotiate and advise on all television and streaming video or audio matters. D’Antonio said CSMG has been key in discussions with both CBS Digital and Twitter.
Earlier this month, CSMG successfully aided the CAA secure a television deal with CBS Sports Network for the rights to broadcast the men’s basketball tournament semifinals and finals. That contract runs for four years through 2021.
CBS Digital and CBS Sports Network are different branches under the CBS umbrella.
If a deal is reached with both CBS Digital and Twitter, D’Antonio said the presentation of the games would look the same.
“What we’re anticipating is that we want those games that are CAA branded to have the same look and feel, so we’ll be announcing another partnership with a production company when we put the package together,” D’Antonio said. “They’ll produce the games for the CAA to ensure that they all have the same look and feel.”
CAA.tv and the school-specific sites like James Madison’s MadiZone will still operate according to the commissioner, but wouldn’t feed into a CBS Digital or Twitter production.
On the linear side, D’Antonio said the league is still in talks with several regional sports networks.
This past academic year was the last for contracts with both NBC Sports Regional Networks and the now-defunct American Sports Network. JMU football had two games air on CSN — Richmond and William & Mary — and ASN – Maine and New Hampshire – in 2016.
An announcement with traditional television partners would likely come following the announcement of a digital agreement. D’Antonio admitted a linear agreement wouldn’t net substantial revenue.
“It’s really, at this point, about exposure,” D’Antonio said. “You look at what’s going on nationally even with some of the FBS conferences as it relates to media rights, the landscape has changed.
“I use the example of 8-track tapes and cassettes, they’ve just gone away and for us, I do think it’s just a matter of exposure.”
D’Antonio said the regional sports networks could put together their own productions, pick up either the CBS Digital or Twitter feeds or possibly pick up the schools’ broadcast.
The league’s first game is Sunday, Aug. 27 when Richmond plays at Sam Houston State. JMU’s opener is Sept. 2 at FBS East Carolina, which will air on ESPN3.