Offseason 2024

[jpfalcon09]

What a massive L for the CCHA. Not like their rights have any worth anyways, but getting in bed with a media organization that has zero other properties in its portfolio is simply malpractice.

The league is turning into second-rate on the ice and now apparently in the board room as well.

[TalonsUpPuckDown]

Oh, Midco has other properties, not sure what you’re talking about. All sorts of Summit League sports. Yay! Who DOESN'T want to watch Oral Roberts vs. Northern Colorado?

I’m sitting here trying to figure out why this is such a good deal. All I can come up with is the cash flow back to the CCHA teams is better (seriously, how much better could it really be?) and it helps the small schools in MN and the UP. It not only does nothing for us, it can be argued it’s a net detriment for us.

I agree with everyone who is saying this move makes the CCHA more small time than ever. I wasn’t big on Flo because of their pricing model, but this is definitely worse. I’d love to hear Lucia’s rationale. Maybe he’s a closet genius and I’m too dumb to see the big picture.

[pdt1081]

Oh, Midco has other properties, not sure what you’re talking about. All sorts of Summit League sports. Yay! Who DOESN'T want to watch Oral Roberts vs. Northern Colorado?

I’m sitting here trying to figure out why this is such a good deal. All I can come up with is the cash flow back to the CCHA teams is better (seriously, how much better could it really be?) and it helps the small schools in MN and the UP. It not only does nothing for us, it can be argued it’s a net detriment for us.

I agree with everyone who is saying this move makes the CCHA more small time than ever. I wasn’t big on Flo because of their pricing model, but this is definitely worse. I’d love to hear Lucia’s rationale. Maybe he’s a closet genius and I’m too dumb to see the big picture.

Imagine you're Augustana's play by play guy. You, and a bunch of your coworkers, just got laid off so your employer could pay for the broadcast package for CCHA games. No part of this makes sense.

[jpfalcon09]

Oh, Midco has other properties, not sure what you’re talking about. All sorts of Summit League sports. Yay! Who DOESN'T want to watch Oral Roberts vs. Northern Colorado?

I’m sitting here trying to figure out why this is such a good deal. All I can come up with is the cash flow back to the CCHA teams is better (seriously, how much better could it really be?) and it helps the small schools in MN and the UP. It not only does nothing for us, it can be argued it’s a net detriment for us.

I agree with everyone who is saying this move makes the CCHA more small time than ever. I wasn’t big on Flo because of their pricing model, but this is definitely worse. I’d love to hear Lucia’s rationale. Maybe he’s a closet genius and I’m too dumb to see the big picture.

Whatever rationale can't be good. Feels like a bone was thrown to the western schools of the conference. The goal should be both finding a deal that works for all the member schools while also expanding the opportunities to watch its product. Can only hope Midco's bid was lucrative enough to justify the deal.

[pdt1081]

College Hockey News lists the following assistants for BG, Is this official? Maybe I missed the memo on these, wasn't sure how up to date these are.

Curtis Carr, Stavros Paskaris, Dylan Schoen

They've still been working. I'm not sure when that will change. At the same time, they've also been seeking employment elsewhere. I would not be surprised at all if one of them ends up staying in BG for a couple years, even if not on staff.

[jpfalcon09]

College Hockey News lists the following assistants for BG, Is this official? Maybe I missed the memo on these, wasn't sure how up to date these are.

Curtis Carr, Stavros Paskaris, Dylan Schoen

They've still been working. I'm not sure when that will change. At the same time, they've also been seeking employment elsewhere. I would not be surprised at all if one of them ends up staying in BG for a couple years, even if not on staff.

Louis Mass has been rumored to be coming on board since the Willy hire was announced. Agree that I wouldn't be shocked to see one of the current three stay. Some continuity for recruiting purposes may not be a bad thing.

[nodak651]

What a massive L for the CCHA. Not like their rights have any worth anyways, but getting in bed with a media organization that has zero other properties in its portfolio is simply malpractice.

The league is turning into second-rate on the ice and now apparently in the board room as well.

Could make a little bit more sense if Fenton can work a miracle and add hockey to the Summit League.

The CCHA/Midco news adds a lot of credibility to this tweet, below. If the CCHA knew that NCHC schools would also be broadcast on Midco Sports Plus, I think that probably would have made a big difference and it would help to explain the CCHA's interest in this partnership.

https://twitter.com/CollConsulting/stat ... 9951763849
@CollConsulting
Keeping a close eye on rumblings Summit League will add Ice Hockey as championship sport, and the impact for @TheNCHC if this occurs.
6:30 PM · Apr 28, 2024

[Schadenfreude]

Could make a little bit more sense if Fenton can work a miracle and add hockey to the Summit League.

The CCHA/Midco news adds a lot of credibility to this tweet, below. If the CCHA knew that NCHC schools would also be broadcast on Midco Sports Plus, I think that probably would have made a big difference and it would help to explain the CCHA's interest in this partnership.

https://twitter.com/CollConsulting/stat ... 9951763849
@CollConsulting
Keeping a close eye on rumblings Summit League will add Ice Hockey as championship sport, and the impact for @TheNCHC if this occurs.
6:30 PM · Apr 28, 2024

If the NCHC were to become Summit League hockey, the CCHA would presumably lose St. Thomas, which is already a Summit member. Right?

[mbenecke]

Could make a little bit more sense if Fenton can work a miracle and add hockey to the Summit League.

The CCHA/Midco news adds a lot of credibility to this tweet, below. If the CCHA knew that NCHC schools would also be broadcast on Midco Sports Plus, I think that probably would have made a big difference and it would help to explain the CCHA's interest in this partnership.

https://twitter.com/CollConsulting/stat ... 9951763849
@CollConsulting
Keeping a close eye on rumblings Summit League will add Ice Hockey as championship sport, and the impact for @TheNCHC if this occurs.
6:30 PM · Apr 28, 2024

If the NCHC were to become Summit League hockey, the CCHA would presumably lose St. Thomas, which is already a Summit member. Right?

I could see a future with St. Thomas, Mankato, Bemidji, Augustana ending up in the Summit League, with potential for teams like Miami and WMU to look to join the CCHA. Obviously, money will be a factor. But I think it's going to be a discussion.

[TalonsUpPuckDown]

I find this Nacho-to-the-Summit thing amusing. Sure, it could happen and if it does it’s disruptive (not in a bad way). But hockey people view Fenton to Summit as a precursor to adding hockey. If you take a step back and look at it from The Summit perspective who would be the best commissioner— someone who has executive experience running a league along with familiarity with member schools. It’s only college hockey hubris that says Fenton=Hockey Summit.

Edit: the more I think about this Midco the less i get the strategy unless this Nacho to Midco thing is in the works.

[pdt1081]

I find this Nacho-to-the-Summit thing amusing. Sure, it could happen and if it does it’s disruptive (not in a bad way). But hockey people view Fenton to Summit as a precursor to adding hockey. If you take a step back and look at it from The Summit perspective who would be the best commissioner— someone who has executive experience running a league along with familiarity with member schools. It’s only college hockey hubris that says Fenton=Hockey Summit.

Edit: the more I think about this Midco the less i get the strategy unless this Nacho to Midco thing is in the works.

I think the biggest driver to the rumors is the push to eliminate single sport conferences.

[TalonsUpPuckDown]

I find this Nacho-to-the-Summit thing amusing. Sure, it could happen and if it does it’s disruptive (not in a bad way). But hockey people view Fenton to Summit as a precursor to adding hockey. If you take a step back and look at it from The Summit perspective who would be the best commissioner— someone who has executive experience running a league along with familiarity with member schools. It’s only college hockey hubris that says Fenton=Hockey Summit.

Edit: the more I think about this Midco the less i get the strategy unless this Nacho to Midco thing is in the works.

I think the biggest driver to the rumors is the push to eliminate single sport conferences.

I get that, but in college hockey it’s a bigger concern than just the dumb Nachos. The NCAA can tank single sport conferences tomorrow and (I’m too lazy to do the gazintas) 50 teams have an issue. I guess I’m one of those that thinks this whole single sport thing is not as big a deal as others think it is.

[pdt1081]

https://www.therinklive.com/mens-colleg ... gPHOgv_vYZ

[TalonsUpPuckDown]

Midco is official. https://ccha.com/news/2024/5/1/mens-ice ... -plus.aspx

Midco Sports leads the way in covering collegiate sports in Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota

This is exactly what sports fans in Northwest Ohio have been waiting their whole lives to hear. The Nachos better be part of this thing in the next couple of years.

[mbenecke]

Midco is official. https://ccha.com/news/2024/5/1/mens-ice ... -plus.aspx

Midco Sports leads the way in covering collegiate sports in Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota

This is exactly what sports fans in Northwest Ohio have been waiting their whole lives to hear. The Nachos better be part of this thing in the next couple of years.

Whatever. I don't love the move, but as long as it offers some decent packages that are cheaper than Flo's absurd price tag, it'll be fine.

Most important note from the presser, to me, was that the CCHA schedule will be out on Tuesday May 7th. Looking forward to seeing when we will open the freshly renovated Slate!