DirecTV became the last major hurdle for the SEC Network to clear before it launches next week, and the powers that be at the negotiating table managed to get a deal done with some time to spare. Standing on the sideline wondering where the same will to negotiate can be found is Pac-12 commissioner Larry Scott. The visionary in charge of expanding the Pac-12 brand has done some great things with the conference since he took over in the position, but a deal with DirecTV continues to elude him and the Pac-12 Network. Ater witnessing the deal come together between DirecTV and the SEC Network, Scott seems to be a bit agitated.
“We’ve been disappointed that DirecTV has been willing to negotiate with ESPN for the SEC Network but not Pac-12,” Scott said in a story by the Los Angeles Times. “It is certainly not consistent with them saying they care about what the consumer wants.”
But wait, there’s more!
“It appears this is an example of DirecTV being willing only to deal with big conglomerates who have muscle and leverage beyond the interest of consumers,” Scott said.
The SEC Network was set up in partnership with ESPN and the Disney Company that owns ESPN. The Pac-12 Network lacks that kind of support and power of course, giving the SEC Network a more likely chance to build up a potential audience reach before launching, unlike with the Pac-12 Network or even the Big Ten Network. The SEC Network is scheduled to launch with an estimated potential customer reach over 90 million.