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.  

Case Studies

ORDER DENYING DEFENDANT DAUBERTS

IN THE MATTER OF:

In: Re College Athlete NIL Litigation

(Case No. 4:20-cv-03919-CW)

Filed 11/03/2023

REPLY REPORT of Edwin S. Desser

IN THE MATTER OF:

In: Re College Athlete NIL Litigation

(Case No. 4:20-cv-03919-CW)

Filed 07/21/23

LOS ANGELES LAKERS

DSM guided the Lakers through a three year planning and negotiation process for a new English radio flagship, radio network, a Spanish radio flagship and the signing of a new landmark TV agreement - each at a substantial revenue increase.  

The Lakers' 20-year agreement with Time Warner Cable has dramatically changed the Southern California TV landscape, resulting in the launch of two new RSNs, including the first ever Spanish-language RSN.

OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER

On July 5, 2008, the Seattle Supersonics received permission to relocate to Oklahoma City for the 2008-09 NBA season, just 4 months later. DSM was called upon to:

  • Negotiate a new cable agreement

  • Negotiate a new OTA agreement

  • Negotiate a new radio flagship agreement

  • Assemble a new statewide radio network

  • Staff a new broadcasting department, hire new talent, producer, director

  • Re-launch the team website and migrate to a new publishing platform

  • Assist in the Upgrade of the arena technical infrastructure

  • Optimize the production of in-arena, radio and TV operations

MAPLE LEAF SPORTS + ENTERTAINMENT (MLSE)

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DSM led a team of senior Maple Leaf Sports + Entertainment executives through multiple assessments of media options for the four teams and three networks to select strategies for game allocation, media partners, and key deal points over a five year period.

The strategy created substantial leverage for MLSE, resulting in a five fold overall increase in team rights fees, achieving wide distribution and dramatic license fee growth for the company-owned TV networks and generating a major increase in enterprise value.

Ultimately, the media strategy led the major cable/satellite operators Rogers and Bell to form a joint venture which acquired MLSE in 2013.

CANADIAN FOOTBALL LEAGUE (CFL)

Over a two year period, DSM worked with the Commissioner's office, its broadcast committee and the Board of Governors to:

  • Perform a market place analysis of the CFL's value and media partnership options.

  • Educate the teams on the media business environment.

  • Negotiate a new media rights agreement with Bell Media which will nationally televise every CFL regular season and playoff game over a multi-year period.

  • Assist the league in negotiation of a US distribution arrangement with NBC Sports and ESPN.

  • Perform an analysis of a potential alternate approach for the CFL to purchase an existing sports network.

Our work with the CFL led to major improvements in the presentation of CFL football on television as well as a three-fold increase in media revenues.

 

NATIONAL hOT ROD ASSOCIATION(NHRA)

DSM overhauled the NHRA's multi-media approach and negotiated a new Fox deal to address major business/brand issues:

  • NHRA Content Control: NHRA now produces the TV content with improved announcers, graphics, cameras, new personality-driven presentation which appeals to non-core audience, plus new NHRA branded services to better serve core fans.  More promotion of ticket and coverage of entire track experience via new NHRA content factory strategy.

  • Improved Viewership: Programming benefits include Most Finals Live; Fox Broadcast Network events, improved qualifying schedule; multiple re-telecasts; added promotion combined to boost total audiences 3x.

  • Better Economics: Fox pays a rights fee, provides commercial time plus retained international rights.  In-house content factory created multi-use content and production savings.  

  • Ed Desser was elected to the NHRA Board of Directors in July 2017.

  • Peter Clifford, NHRA President: “The plan is working incredibly well.  It absolutely blows me away that this was accomplished in less than a year. The viewership numbers are staggering!  I'm so pleased with the results. Thanks for all of your help.”

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