WOuld you tell ESPN to just forget about it?

• thavoice

  Few months ago a marketing company contacted our school about putting our first football game on ESPN sunday night (6pm start). They wanted to air the game as part of a 6 game opening weekend series with two games Fri/Sat/Sunday.
  
  All the stuff got hammered out as the opposing school said OK. Paperwork signed and the marking company said it was a 90% done deal. Marketing company said should know something by that next week, which was the middle of April.
  
  No word had come back for awhile and I suspected they wanted two bigger schools. I guess recently the school got word taht ESPN and teh sponsors want the marketing company to try and find another matchup between two bigger and high profile schools.
  
  
  So...at this point...both schools wait. Would you just tell the marketing company to withdraw this game from consideration at this point (i imagine tho in the contract they cannot do that...but who knows)
  
  I say if ESPN thinks we are too small...then we are too small to watch espn at any time. I guess the big chip is that some states are not started at that point, and some dont allow games on sunday like ohio does
• Con_Alma

  Is the price of waiting not worth it?
  
  I wouldn't simply say no thanks if your school truly had an interest and was willing. Why say no now just because you are considered a fall back?
• thavoice

  I dont know of any price or whatnot if the school is getting anything for this.
  
  I imagine a Sunday 6pm game would have a larger crowd as fans from neighboring communities would show up with their teams playing friday night.
  
  I guess my thinking is that if ESPN/sponsors are wanting a diff game because we are too small then we should just tell them if we are not good enough now then whats the difference in a few more weeks.
  
  It is more of a tongue-in-cheek type of thing I guess. A small town telling ESPN to screw it since they are looking for another matchup instead of the one the marketing firm originally researched and signed up.
  
  
  This is my thknking about ratings......I dont know if it would make much of an impact, if at all, on the rankings if it was this matchup, or two bigger schools from ohio. Do we really think that viewers from the around the country are going to know the difference before they watch if it is a matchup between a DV and DIV school or a couple of DII'? I think pretty much no matter the HS game they put on will have pretty much the same ratings.
  
  I really dont care to watch HS teams on TV that I dont know of, especially out of state. In those other 5 games they will carry I wouldnt care what the schools were and their sizes, and I think many viewers would be that way.
  
  I guess I am saying......ya dont want us......we dont want you!
• Con_Alma

  thavoice;809905 wrote:...
  I guess I am saying......ya dont want us......we dont want you!

  If you don't want them I would think you wouldn't want them if you were the number one choice or the number two choice.
  
  If you find it an interest to be covered then I would say take it if your offered...whether your the first or second choice. JMHO
• thavoice

  I think those feelings can change though when you find out taht they are trying to replace you with a bigger game. Of course the teams are interested when they were first approached about it. They were told in early to mid april it would be finalized within a week and they just have been left hanging as now ESPN wants something bigger.
  I see what you are saying but also the cirumstances have changed a little bit. Its like bringing a girl to the Prom. While there you then tell her that you want to find a prettier and sluttier girl to bring home, but if ya cannot find one then you will just bring her home instead. Not cool.
  
  I am just bringing it up for discussion. Some of my friends dont see eye to eye with me on this one as they are all star struck that it is ESPN. I say ESPN be damned if they wanna try to replace us
  
  In the end tho it will be espn/sponsors call as I imagine neither school will want to do what I suggest
• SportsAndLady

  

  thavoice;809880 wrote:I say if ESPN thinks we are too small...then we are too small to watch espn at any time.

  
  Can't look at it as personal. ESPN is a business, they have people who determine their best possible matchups; if your school doesn't happen to be the best possible matchup, oh well. That's business. No reason to see it as "ESPN smited us! They'll pay!" Because a) they won't and b) they don't care.
• Speedofsand

  

  What schools? Class/Division size does not matter to real fans, those are the ones who will tune in. I'd try to keep the deal if it were my school. Being on ESPN is a boost for the kids. I've seen them be inspired to work harder because of it. Makes your team better.
  I agree with your point that its not cool for them to leave you hanging while looking for another deal.
• Con_Alma

  It just seems a little petty to me. You either want to "go to the prom" or you don't. In my mind it's really that simple whether you're first, second or third choice by the network.
• thavoice

  SportsAndLady;809940 wrote:Can't look at it as personal. ESPN is a business, they have people who determine their best possible matchups; if your school doesn't happen to be the best possible matchup, oh well. That's business. No reason to see it as "ESPN smited us! They'll pay!" Because a) they won't and b) they don't care.

  
  Oh I know.
  ESPN hires a marketing company to come up with a schedule and matchups. They do the background work, study the programs, the history, the matchup, and then brought the 6 game setup to ESPN for final approval. The marketing company out of Illinois I think set up the schedule and ESPN is wanting at least this one change.
  
  
  My thoughts go toward their ratings...do they think they will get marketedly better ratings with two diff HS's? This isnt an NFL or college matchup where everyone knows how good the teams are and such (and btw this matchup has two teams wtih multiple state titles and appearances in recent memory). I just dont see it. If the game was between two small HS from Ca or two large ones I dont think many would make that a factor in watching the game.
  
  Just wondering what others thought about this. Apparently, as I expected, I am in the minority. I guess I am just not as enamored by having a game on national tv and such and will just waint on them to make their decision 2+months late.
• Con_Alma

  Con_Alma;809943 wrote:It just seems a little petty to me. You either want to "go to the prom" or you don't. In my mind it's really that simple whether you're first, second or third choice by the network.

  You are not their to date them but rather using them to get you to the prom.
• Pick6

  

  Speedofsand;809941 wrote:What schools? Class/Division size does not matter to real fans, those are the ones who will tune in. I'd try to keep the deal if it were my school. Being on ESPN is a boost for the kids. I've seen them be inspired to work harder because of it. Makes your team better.
  I agree with your point that its not cool for them to leave you hanging while looking for another deal.

  
  pretty sure he is from Coldwater
• thavoice

  Speedofsand;809941 wrote:What schools? Class/Division size does not matter to real fans, those are the ones who will tune in. I'd try to keep the deal if it were my school. Being on ESPN is a boost for the kids. I've seen them be inspired to work harder because of it. Makes your team better.
  I agree with your point that its not cool for them to leave you hanging while looking for another deal.

  
  The game would be telecast because of the recruiting frenzy of Maty Mauk from kenton. The week one matchup is vs Coldwater.
  As far as a boost to the kids to work harder? Unsure if that would be the case for this matchup. This has been avery good week one team between Coldwater (DV now, have been D IV most seasons) and Kenton (believe DIV, but have been DIII once or twice). Both teams see this matchup as extremely important and I think does ALOT in getting the teams ready...alot more than playing some pushover in week one that is for sure.
  
  
  This matchup is typically a wide open game with tons of passing.
• bigkahuna

  thavoice;810283 wrote:The game would be telecast because of the recruiting frenzy of Maty Mauk from kenton. The week one matchup is vs Coldwater.
  As far as a boost to the kids to work harder? Unsure if that would be the case for this matchup. This has been avery good week one team between Coldwater (DV now, have been D IV most seasons) and Kenton (believe DIV, but have been DIII once or twice). Both teams see this matchup as extremely important and I think does ALOT in getting the teams ready...alot more than playing some pushover in week one that is for sure.
  
  
  This matchup is typically a wide open game with tons of passing.

  
  I'm from St. Marys, and this game was the one we were most interested in (aside from our own obviously). In Midwest Ohio, this was one of the bigger games of the year. I coach up here now, but you can bet your ass I'd DVR this thing.
• friendfromlowry

  A lot of good opinions here, but as S&L said, ESPN isn't going to lose out by you telling them to shove off. They'll turn around and do whatever they want including finding a better match-up because they can, but your school and program will miss out on the opportunity of a lifetime.
• hasbeen

  

  No because the chance to be on ESPN > some fake pride you get from telling ESPN to 'shove it'
• DeadliestWarrior34

  

  pnhasbeen;810703 wrote:No because the chance to be on ESPN > some fake pride you get from telling ESPN to 'shove it'

  
  Simple math
• Jawbreaker

  bigkahuna;810587 wrote:I'm from St. Marys, and this game was the one we were most interested in (aside from our own obviously). In Midwest Ohio, this was one of the bigger games of the year. I coach up here now, but you can bet your ass I'd DVR this thing.

  
  I would guess 44 (if you get it) will pick it up if it isn't on ESPN.
• I Wear Pants

  SportsAndLady;809940 wrote:Can't look at it as personal. ESPN is a business, they have people who determine their best possible matchups; if your school doesn't happen to be the best possible matchup, oh well. That's business. No reason to see it as "ESPN smited us! They'll pay!" Because a) they won't and b) they don't care.

  
  +1
  
  Feel butthurt if you want but you saying "well we don't want them either!" accomplishes nothing and is childish.
• Apple

  

  If I know Coldwater, the coaches are only interested in preparing the team for the game... same goes for Kenton, though I would imagine their head coach has additional motives (getting his son on ESPN).
  
  For the CW Nation it would be awesome to have their crown jewel displayed for the nation to see, and rightfully so. CW epitomizes high school football and everything that IS high school football. It's gotta be frustrating not knowing if the game will be on TV (let alone what day it will be played).
  
  thevoice... ask yourself WWCRD? I'd think that he, and now the current coaches, would be training the team at this point in the summer the same way they would whether game 1 was on TV or not. IMO, ESPN needs to tell both teams no later than Aug 13 if they plan to air the game or not.
  
  CW is ready to play anyone... any where... any time.
  
  ...and it will be one hellava game no matter what the obstacles!
• thavoice

  Apple;810859 wrote:If I know Coldwater, the coaches are only interested in preparing the team for the game... same goes for Kenton, though I would imagine their head coach has additional motives (getting his son on ESPN).
  
  For the CW Nation it would be awesome to have their crown jewel displayed for the nation to see, and rightfully so. CW epitomizes high school football and everything that IS high school football. It's gotta be frustrating not knowing if the game will be on TV (let alone what day it will be played).
  
  thevoice... ask yourself WWCRD? I'd think that he, and now the current coaches, would be training the team at this point in the summer the same way they would whether game 1 was on TV or not. IMO, ESPN needs to tell both teams no later than Aug 13 if they plan to air the game or not.
  
  CW is ready to play anyone... any where... any time.
  
  ...and it will be one hellava game no matter what the obstacles!

  
  100% agreed. I know he wouldnt want this to even be discussed on message boards. 2, I imagine IF he would want it on TV he would want it on channel 44 and not be all into the hoopla that the ESPN game would bring.
  
  They are basically up to the mercy of espn and will do what they say. Probably have to make sure the officials, game workers are lined up for either sunday or friday night as well as the EMS crew and security and such.
  
  I have never been a fan of HS games on ESPN to be honest with ya. When I was told about his in early April I was lukewarm about it and my only saving grace was it is a matchup that is already on the schedule and not some BS thing like the herbstreit thing where some teams travel a thousand miles away to play a HS game where fans from one team pretty much cannot even attend.
  
  We will see how it goes. CW def has the facilities to have this game on TV. The press box from a few years ago is big enough.
  
  I just hope CW competes in this one and is not embarrased on National TV...not that many people will even watch.
• WebFire

  I had heard ESPN wanted a better game but this was the best available right now. They may be holding out to find something better, with Kenton/Coldwater as a fallback.
• Commander of Awesome

  

  Side note, I would love for a legit competition to ESPN to be created. Seems the only way to enforce them to get their act together.
• thavoice

  WebFire;811011 wrote:I had heard ESPN wanted a better game but this was the best available right now. They may be holding out to find something better, with Kenton/Coldwater as a fallback.

  
  Yeah. They do want a matchup between two bigger schools. I wouldnt realyl say a 'better' game as both teams have had very good teams. Marketing company thought it was good enough to bring to ESPN an d now them and their sponsors are balking. Marketing Company is telling them this is about as good as they can get now becuase some states do not allow sunday games, some are not started yet...etc etc etc.
• queencitybuckeye

  pnhasbeen;810703 wrote:No because the chance to be on ESPN > some fake pride you get from telling ESPN to 'shove it'

  
  I don't see either as a BFD, frankly. If it happens, fine. If not, so what?
  
  Just curious, who are the week 2 opponents for these teams?
• ernest_t_bass

  

  How is Coldwater going to be this year? I've heard down, but a "down" year for Coldwater is probably a stellar year for most schools.