Devils-Mets Cable Station...

The Devils and Mets have opened discussions about launching a regional sports network.

Sports executives close to Mets principal owner Fred Wilpon and Devils principal owner Jeffrey Vanderbeek said the talks are in the early stages, but both owners agree the best way to maximize the investments in their teams is to create a network modeled on the success of YES, the $1 billion sports channel owned by the Yankees, the outgoing Nets ownership group and the investment firm Goldman Sachs.

"If the serious talking hasn't started yet, it's going to soon," said one sports executive who requested anonymity but has served as a financial adviser to Wilpon and Vanderbeek. "That is the direction they are headed in."

A new network featuring the Devils and Mets would complete a monumental change for sports television in the nation's largest market. As recently as 2000, Cablevision, the region's largest cable provider, controlled the broadcast rights for all nine professional franchises and the only two regional sports networks.

While the Mets and Devils could still sign new broadcast deals with Cablevision, which owns the sports networks MSG and Fox Sportsnet New York, their talks underscore the fact franchise owners realize that, positioned correctly, their games can be used as the foundation of a media venture whose worth almost immediately exceeds the value of their teams.

http://www.nj.com/sports/ledger/index.ssf?/base/sports-1/108693663048470.xml

Hmm.. interesting.

You'd need to add the Nets or Metrostars or something to really get a station going I'd think. Still, could be successful.

Hmm.. interesting.

You'd need to add the Nets or Metrostars or something to really get a station going I'd think. Still, could be successful.
The Nets are on the YES Network I believe. It would be a good thing from a fan's perspective. We would get more covarage and maybe even classic Devils games.

I'll tell you things are looking real good for the Devils, being broadcast on WFAN, the new arena in Newark and now this if it happens. Hopefully we can take advantage of this and continue to build a strong fan base.

However the on-ice product is begining to deteriorate assuming Niedermayer leaves. Our defense:

Rafalski-White
Hale-Martin
Giroux-Brown

:shakehead

But your assuming no FAs, Trades, or Stevens :)

At the very least we have Niedermayer and possibly Stevens for another year. Thats plenty of time to get some trades done. We have enough surplus forwards (and without those two, surplus cash), to do so.


Plus, Niedermayer hasn't left us yet :)

But your assuming no FAs, Trades, or Stevens :)

At the very least we have Niedermayer and possibly Stevens for another year. Thats plenty of time to get some trades done. We have enough surplus forwards (and without those two, surplus cash), to do so.


Plus, Niedermayer hasn't left us yet :)
I agree, he hasn't left yet. I think everybody is panicking and overreacting to the possibilty of him leaving. My gut feeling is he's staying, he's the next captain for us and plus I believe that he does have a loyal bone in his body unlike Bobby Holik.

I'll believe Madden will stay, but Niedermayer I have more doubts. If neither Stevens nor Niedermayer come back Lou had better do something. I would actually try to aquire Pronger since we'd be able to afford him, but thats in the future. Its Vancouver or NJ for Scott.

I'll believe Madden will stay, but Niedermayer I have more doubts. If neither Stevens nor Niedermayer come back Lou had better do something. I would actually try to aquire Pronger since we'd be able to afford him, but thats in the future. Its Vancouver or NJ for Scott.
Lets see what happens, but until then maybe we should stop turning every thread in this forum into a "Will Neidermeyer stay or not" thread, which I am guilty of too.

I almost forgot that this was a thread about the potential Devils-Mets cable station! :)

Uh, they would still be on cablevison right? Just on that new channel.

(Im a Mets fan)

Sounds good to me! :D As long as it is not on that damn Metro channel! :banghead:

However the on-ice product is begining to deteriorate assuming Niedermayer leaves.

If Niedermayer leaves this year, the Devils will get 4 or 5 1st-Round picks. I think I would take that. I also think that Lou Lamoriello would address the need for another verteran defensemen with either a trade or a substantial signing.

The thing that hurts even more if Scott Stevens can't play is he must still be payed nearly $7 million.

If Niedermayer leaves this year, the Devils will get 4 or 5 1st-Round picks. I think I would take that. I also think that Lou Lamoriello would address the need for another verteran defensemen with either a trade or a substantial signing.

The thing that hurts even more if Scott Stevens can't play is he must still be payed nearly $7 million.They would get 4 first-rounders. I'd take that too, but I'd rather have Niedermayer retire as a Devil.

As long as there off Metro!!!

Just a quick note on Nieds:

A friend of mine install home entertainment centers and has done so for a couple of Devs, Nieds included. Earlier this summer he was installing a system and when he asked Nieds wife if she would like a list of different upgrades they could install in the future she said "I don't think so. I don't think we're going to be here for much longer anyway". I know this info is third hand but he's a reliable source. I think Nieds wants to play for a Canadian team and wants soem more spotlight. He already passed on a lucrative offer Lou made to him.

Just a quick note on Nieds:

A friend of mine install home entertainment centers and has done so for a couple of Devs, Nieds included. Earlier this summer he was installing a system and when he asked Nieds wife if she would like a list of different upgrades they could install in the future she said "I don't think so. I don't think we're going to be here for much longer anyway". I know this info is third hand but he's a reliable source. I think Nieds wants to play for a Canadian team and wants soem more spotlight. He already passed on a lucrative offer Lou made to him.
:cry: :cry: :cry:

I believe it.

As long as there off Metro!!!

Preach it, brother!