Desser Media, Inc.

Sports Media Specialists: Leveling The Playing Field

Santa Monica, CA

(310) 393-2-WIN

Desser Media/Sports Media, Inc. advises premiere sports and media organizations on media rights, M&A, litigation/arbitration, and strategic business development.  We use the unique analytical tools and experience developed both from negotiating over 120 team and league media agreements over the past 19 years and, prior to that, from over 23 years as the senior media executive in the NBA Commissioner’s Office.  The combined value of the media agreements we have completed and the major sports M&A transactions we have advised on already total more than $50 Billion.

One of our primary focuses is media rights transactions, which are highly technical, infrequently negotiated, and ultimately hugely important to an organization’s bottom line and brand. Rightsowners must contend with the savvy of Fortune 500 media companies that routinely acquire rights, have dedicated specialized staff, and have developed a myriad of defenses to thwart owners from achieving fair market value.  What if you could have the equivalent of the NBA’s lead media negotiator in your corner?  In addition, we perform comprehensive valuation analysis, serve as an expert witness providing dispute resolution support, and design media business plans across both traditional and emerging digital media platforms.  Collectively our team has more than 200 years of hands-on sports media expertise. 

We are a sports media boutique, not part of a large agency, law firm, player representative or investment banking organization.  We are independent and dedicated to you.  We have no other agendas, but rather specialize in, and are completely devoted to, sports media matters on behalf of our clients.  We provide this range of services to the full spectrum of sports media participants ranging from professional and collegiate content owners to networks/intermediaries, distributors/retailers, and tech companies; from linear networks to streaming platforms and other digital media, in the U.S., Canada and internationally.  We have unmatched contacts and relationships, a deep understanding of the operations and perspectives of networks, distributors, teams and leagues, plus our up-to-the-minute specialized knowledge of the sports media marketplace to help you level the playing field.

We are passionate about this work, always looking to learn and extend our knowledge on behalf of clients.  Over time, our clients have seen the value of our out-of-the-box solutions and thought leadership.  I am confident that we can customize our work to help you solve whatever puzzle you are confronting, and achieve an outcome that balances the long term needs of your organization and those of your business partners.  Please review this site and reach out to us to discuss your needs.  

20 Key Sports Media Rights Issues:  How Do You Get What You Deserve From Your TV Rights Deal? 

 

A media rights negotiation presents a momentous opportunity to position your business for long-term competitive success. How do you harness the tectonic shifts that propel change, shape the ecosystem and fuel the industry to maximize your opportunity?  Like any great result, meticulous preparation is the key.  Desser Media, Inc.will help you solve your unique TV rights puzzle by starting with a foundation built on answering 20 critical questions like these:

  1. Value Metrics: What do you deserve for your rights? What is the Fair Market Value in today’s market? What recent transactions are appropriate comparables?

  2. Value Drivers: What are the key drivers and variables that establish the value of your rights? What can you do to affect them?

  3. Bonuses/Growth rates: Should your agreement contain growth rates during the term? What is the current range in the marketplace? Should you ask for signing and/or performance bonuses? What kind of deal-over-deal increases can you expect?

  4. Competitors: What alternatives exist to your current distributor? What are the pros and cons? Which potential partner might be best suited to your organization? What are the real risks to changing partners, and how much risk are you prepared to accept? How would a 3rd-party (other than your existing rights holder) obtain value from your rights?

  5. Network Priorities: What are the critical success factors for a national or RSN network business? What new initiatives and/or rights are networks looking for in today’s market?

  6. Profitability: How profitable is the network you currently do business with? What are the key drivers of its bottom line and how do your rights contribute to it?

  7. Industry Trends: What are the impacts of megatrends like “Over the Top”, “Cord Cutters/Shavers/Nevers” and “TV Everywhere” on the value of your rights? How does industry consolidation affect the marketplace for your rights? How is the distribution market changing? How should you view the new market opportunities presented by the shift to streaming?

  8. New Network Dynamics: What are the considerations for starting your own network (an RSN or league-branded platform) and/or distributing your games in a non-traditional method? Should you partner or go it alone? What are the implications for revenue/exposure?

  9. Geography: How does your team territory impact your decision? What territories do other teams in your market have? How many subscribers can you access? What happens to the value of your rights as distance increases? What league assessments are applicable?

  10. Exclusivity/Programming Allocation: What are the benefits and value of exclusivity? What is your optimal game/programming allocation between platforms (over-the-air, cable network, streaming) or another platform (e.g., an alliance with an MVPD or retailer) in your market?

  11. Control: How important is it to control the production of your content? Sponsorship/ad sales? Scheduling? What are the trade-offs? What alternatives are there which maximize control while minimizing risk?

  12. Non-financial Terms: What non-financial benefits are provided by your current agreement? What is lacking? How can your media deal better help to build your brand and market your franchise? What non-financial elements have others obtained in their TV agreements?

  13. Business Integration: How should your TV arrangement integrate with your sponsorship and ticket sales, PR, digital/social platforms and other important business initiatives?

  14. Insurance: What protections are important to you in a new deal? Reopeners? Resets? Options? Prioritization? MFNs?

  15. Parameters: What is the current state of league rules applicable to media agreement?

  16. Term/Backend Rights: What length deal term should you consider? What are the implications? What renewal/extension rights does your existing deal contain and how will they impact your negotiation strategy? What backend rights are optimal/acceptable to you in a new agreement? What are the risks and benefits associated with the options? What is customary?

  17. Marketing/Promotion: What opportunities are available from a media agreement to maximize fan engagement with your brand and foster better awareness of your product?

  18. Programming: What kinds of non-game programming commitments can you obtain in a media rights negotiation? What are best practices, and how can these be valued?

  19. Grant of Rights: What elements should you include and exclude in your media rights agreement? What scope will a third party insist upon? What rights should you reserve? How can you increase the value of your rights package, while protecting your future opportunities?

  20. Timing: When should you start preparations and negotiations? What are the advantages and disadvantages of negotiating a new deal “early?” How long should the process take?

DMI’s unique passion for solving puzzles through our deep understanding of goals/objectives, motivations, risk tolerance and context that drive an entire enterprise, along with the critical insights that come from our extraordinary expertise, experience and excellence, ensure you a custom tailored solution that will maximize your results.

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