[Farm93]

I thought the most interesting part of the story was Tara's conclusion that PAC-12 Network is what boosted the conference in women's basketball, through increased visibility, recruiting, and money. Her positive feelings about the Network seem to stand in stark contrast to most cardboarders, though I'm certain I've followed our various sports teams much more closely now that I can reliably watch them on TV.

That's the difference between the Stanford AD and the other Pac-12 schools.

I think it is pretty clear that the Pac-12 is losing ground in football to the SEC and BigTen.   Some of that is the quest for a few extra dollars in the Pac-12 TV deal and some of that is a function of the Pac-12 Nets awful distribution.   The big underlying factor is the relative lack of passion for college football on the West Coast.   All bad things for Pac-12 football and Pac-12 football revenue, most not really under the control of Larry Scott or the Pac-12 University presidents.   Reality is hard accept, so I understand blaming others feels better.

However, the Stanford Nets...err the Pac-12 Nets are a massive positive for Stanford Athletics.   Stanford is easily the most featured school on the Pac-12 Nets national feed.   In most years it is not even close because they usually cover many of the contests of Olympic sports programs if those programs are in the top 10 nationally.   Hello Stanford Athletics!

Stanford Men's and Women's soccer are routinely on the Nets multiple times a month.   Same for Women's Hoops and baseball.   Other sports are covered less, but when they are Stanford is usually one of the featured teams.   Cross Country, Field Hockey and Lacrosse are all examples.

It may seem like a minor thing, but for a recruit from another part of the USA the TV coverage offers a major benefit for friends and families.   Also the extensive Pac-12 Nets coverage likely has improved the quality of equipment used for Stanford Streaming coverage too which also is a big benefit for families of athletes.

All of that creates important benefits for the Olympic sports at Stanford that mitigates the concerns about distance from home, etc. etc. 

Stanford has won 7 NCAA team titles in 2019.   The Pac-12 Nets boost to recruiting over the last few years is probably a factor in that surge.

FWIW - I only attended one Women's soccer game in person (since I am OC based).   But thanks to the Pac-12 Nets I knew full well that #23 carrying the ball to the spot at Avaya was Kiki Pickett.  And I suspect many others at Avaya had a similar type of familiarity as before her kick the stadium was showered in Kiki - Kiki - Kiki cheers.

[Farm93]

I thought the most interesting part of the story was Tara's conclusion that PAC-12 Network is what boosted the conference in women's basketball, through increased visibility, recruiting, and money. Her positive feelings about the Network seem to stand in stark contrast to most cardboarders, though I'm certain I've followed our various sports teams much more closely now that I can reliably watch them on TV.

That's the difference between the Stanford AD and the other Pac-12 schools.

I think it is pretty clear that the Pac-12 is losing ground in football to the SEC and BigTen.   Some of that is the quest for a few extra dollars in the Pac-12 TV deal and some of that is a function of the Pac-12 Nets awful distribution.   The big underlying factor is the relative lack of passion for college football on the West Coast.   All bad things for Pac-12 football and Pac-12 football revenue, most not really under the control of Larry Scott or the Pac-12 University presidents.   Reality is hard accept, so I understand blaming others feels better.

However, the Stanford Nets...err the Pac-12 Nets are a massive positive for Stanford Athletics.   Stanford is easily the most featured school on the Pac-12 Nets national feed.   In most years it is not even close because they usually cover many of the contests of Olympic sports programs if those programs are in the top 10 nationally.   Hello Stanford Athletics!

Stanford Men's and Women's soccer are routinely on the Nets multiple times a month.   Same for Women's Hoops and baseball.   Other sports are covered less, but when they are Stanford is usually one of the featured teams.   Cross Country, Field Hockey and Lacrosse are all examples.

It may seem like a minor thing, but for a recruit from another part of the USA the TV coverage offers a major benefit for friends and families.   Also the extensive Pac-12 Nets coverage likely has improved the quality of equipment used for Stanford Streaming coverage too which also is a big benefit for families of athletes.

All of that creates important benefits for the Olympic sports at Stanford that mitigates the concerns about distance from home, etc. etc. 

Stanford has won 7 NCAA team titles in 2019.   The Pac-12 Nets boost to recruiting over the last few years is probably a factor in that surge.

FWIW - I only attended one Women's soccer game in person (since I am OC based).   But thanks to the Pac-12 Nets I knew full well that #23 carrying the ball to the spot at Avaya was Kiki Pickett.  And I suspect many others at Avaya had a similar type of familiarity as before her kick the stadium was showered in Kiki - Kiki - Kiki cheers.