I don't think anyone promoted the idea of the MAC having its own PPV app, I floated the idea that having the games on a platform like Peacock, Paramount+ or *exclusively* on ESPN+ (not strung out on three different cable stations on a given night) makes more sense in 2023 and beyond than hanging on to ESPN2/ESPNU and CBS Sports Network. The three networks I mentioned probably won't exist by the end of this contract. Disney would LOVE to be rid of ESPN, like, tomorrow.

Didn't I read that Apple has made an offer, or is considering making an offer?

Something may be brewing. I would imagine ESPN’s existence on cable and satellite and other companies streaming platforms like Sling and Fubo would end. Apple wants butts in front of their Apple TV and sports would do it. It wouldn’t necessarily be good for the consumer though.

I don't know if they're considering it, but it's been suggested by several commentators.

It will probably kill what is left of cable. The bills will go down, which sounds like a good thing, but a lot of cable stations are indirectly propped up by ESPN's ability charge exorbitant prices to cable companies. An example would be Turner Classic Movies which doesn't have a subscription service like an HBO or Showtime but also doesn't sell advertisements. The other part of the equation is ESPN potentially charging $35 - $40 per month for a standalone service. With some sports over on MAX, some over on Prime, some on Peacock, it will end up costing a bit much for people that follow a lot of sports.

I need to insert a Tim Robinson gif here.

"You sure about that?"

It may have been an older video, but I'm pretty sure I just saw an interview with a former Disney exec that said ESPN makes more money for Disney than their parks and cruises combined.

What I heard is they're looking to sell minority stakes, and that their first call was to MLB, the NBA, the NFL, and the NHL. Basically in the hopes of turning themselves into the distribution model for the leagues.

No idea how likely that is though.

But it's not quite that simple. ESPN is still able to charge the cable companies $9.42 cents per customer in carriage fee. Plus, whatever they get out of ESPN2 & ESPNU. There are still about 74 million cable homes. That's a lot of money. That has allowed ESPN to significantly OVERPAY for all 4 leagues but mostly the NFL> That all sounds good, but all these companies are losing about 500,000 - 1 million subscribers every six months. At some point, the math stops working for ESPN under this model. Potentially, ESPN could make more as a standalone service. However, they could also potentially go bankrupt. They're not going have 74 million, that's for sure. How many will pay how much? Then how much are ads worth? See where I'm going here? Disney would just rather not have to deal with this and focus on, ya know, Disney stuff.