What I find most fascinating is the fact that sports fans actually care. ESPN has the most to lose – not the actual game of college basketball or football. As a network, ESPN has very few sideline reporters that have both beauty and brains – and knowing your stuff isn’t easy. Considering the demographic of much of the programming of the network, losing her could disappoint many (men) and possibly cost the network some viewers.

If EA does pull the plug on ESPN, it would take an entire team to figure out her next move. According to my sources and analysis, there are two possibilities other than ESPN.

1. With either FOX, CBS, or NBC – on NFL sidelines.
2. Transplant to Hollywood, with a similar role as with sports – possibly with Entertainment Tonight or a similar program.

As usual, money will be one of the deciding factors. If ESPN expects to keep her around – expect EA to get a pay day, to a large extent, an in-house promotion.

The challenge for her agent will be to structure the deal — providing the maximum payoff, but also in terms that allow her to partake in the NCAA Basketball Tournament – a desire she has expressed candidly. Jay Bilas has a similar arrangement between ESPN and CBS.

Concurrently, EA has also shown an interest in pursuing opportunities with the NFL, which may not be too far down the road.

For now ESPN’s parent company, ABC – with Dancing with the Stars, will toast her success with a gala of dance and cheer – a possible farewell tour for EA and her six year relationship with the network.

Will Erin Andrews stay with ESPN? from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules

The NCAA can opt out of the remainder of their contract, leaving new bidders coming with one thing in common – maximizing the bottom-line.

It has been reported by numerous sources that any sort of ‘opt-out’ will inevitably lead to an expansion of 32 additional teams in the NCAA Basketball Tournament.

Both Turner Broadcasting and ESPN are said to be likely candidates. It is expected that both will pursue an expansion to 96 teams, extending March Madness beyond what it is today.

So why do this? Money.

The argument by those in the business is that a longer tournament means more television coverage and more viewers. Whether or not that directly translates into a greater amount of revenues is to be determined.

After all, the ‘true’ tournament would not begin until ‘the 64’ anyway. The likelihood of early round blowouts would be significantly higher with many small conference at large bids as well as major conference ‘cup cakes’ providing for an utter mockery of college basketball – none of which would likely even make the traditional NCAA tournament.

ESPN, Turner Broadcasting, and whoever else might be interested in a long-term, multi-billion dollar media rights contract must understand one thing – the tournament is more than just dollar signs to sports fans, it is about the purity and integrity of the game.

Fans and players are what make the tournament what it is today. Neither have a say in this decision.

The NCAA Tournament is a rare spectacle in sports, losing its historical and unique quality is similar to losing one of the eight wonders of the world.

Once it’s gone – it’s gone forever.

What Does the Future Hold for the NCAA Tourney? from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules

It makes sense that major West Coast agencies continue to grow.  Creative Artists Agency was a player in the entertainment world well before it started buying out the largest sports agents/agencies.  It figured that its existing model and connections could bring in more revenue than those entities had been receiving in the past.  It seems to be doing quite well with that business plan.  Another company with broad entertainment connections for its clients is Wasserman Media Group.  I don’t know when agent Arn Tellem finds time to sleep, with his enormous list of clients in professional basketball and football.  He probably receives over one-hundred calls per day from GMs, reporters, and clients, and still finds time to go on the recruiting trail and find new business.  He also keeps his current clients happy, and seems to have a strong connection to the entertainment world through his wife, Nancy Tellem.  Nancy is the President of CBS and is in charge of all of its television programming.

Quite the power couple, and it definitely benefits Arn’s clients.  Recently, Pau Gasol made an appearance on CSI: Miami.  Last year, Gasol and Jordan Farmar appeared on NUMB3RS.  Both shows are on CBS, both players are clients of Arn Tellem and WMG.  Gasol and Farmar are not the biggest names in the game of basketball, but both of them are playing in Los Angeles, so it is natural for them to want a piece of the limelight.

Want to be a MAJOR player in this industry?  Better start cultivating those connections in the entertainment industry, as well.

Sports & Entertainment? from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules

While CAA was busy getting involved in the successful UFC, CBS decided to invest in EliteXC, which turned out to be a failure.  It looks like another SportsAgentBlog.com contributor’s (Jared March) post was right on in his mock letter from WCW’s Eric Bishoff’s to EliteXC’s Gary Shaw.  I really loved fake Bishoff’s parting advice,

My only other real advice is to enjoy it while it lasts. I had this moment you’re at right now. I did this NWO thing and had a good run beating the ratings of WWF. Really, our products just aren’t as good but it sure makes for a fun ride while we are out ahead. If you need someone to book fights, I’m actually available to work now. That’s it for me, but keep up the great work. WCW and Elite XC, like brothers separated at birth.

With Kimbo Slice, Down Goes EliteXC from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules

ProElite, Inc., the title company to Elite XC, struck a deal last week with CBS on a multi year contract to air four live two-hour MMA events at a primetime time spot in each year of the contract. MMA content will also begin to be posted on CBSSports.com. The deal should put a lot of money into the pockets of the MMA producers and will be sure to bring a tremendous spike to the sport’s popularity. Apparently, IMG had its hand in the operation, joining ProElite with CBS.

But that was not the only huge MMA buzz circulating last week. The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) secured a title sponsor in Anheuser Busch. Expect to see a bunch of Bud Light signage in the octagon. Darren Rovell reports that the first time you will see Budweiser ads in UFC is May 24th at a Las Vegas event.

When a sport gains a big sponsor like Anheuser Busch and picks up a major network to broadcast its events in the same week, heads start turning.

All Eyes Are On Mixed Martial Arts from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules