My Two Cents: “As The Teal Turns” – Remenda Out; Sharks TV Deal; Stalock Resigned; Thoughts on Gwynn

Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Comcast TV Deal- As reported by San Jose Mercury Columnist Mark Purdy Tuesday, the Sharks TV deal has been revealed to be one of the worst if not the worst in the NHL. If the details are correct, this explains why the Sharks are swimming in red ink. In summary, the TV Deal was singed with Comcast Sports Network in 2009 and extended through 2028 covering 20 seasons. The Sharks make around $7 million per year on the deal. The deal was signed by former Sharks COO Greg Jamison who left the franchise four years ago. In comparison (and according to Forbes magazine), the Toronto Maple Leafs have a TV deal worth almost six times as much as the Sharks. All three New York-New Jersey area teams, Chicago, Dallas, and even Los Angeles and Anaheim have deals worth several times more than the Sharks. The Kings and Ducks are making money hand over fist and have been for years, which explains in part why between the two teams they have won now three of the last seven Stanley Cups. Meanwhile the Sharks truthfully have never really come close at all to even a finals appearance ever. It gets even worse when you consider that apparently owner Hasso Plattner (who has more money than many owners) is now reportedly wanting a new arena for the Sharks to replace the SAP Center and wants it more sooner than later. And just to think, all of this news comes out exactly one day after the season ticket renewals were due.

First off, the economic times in 2009 versus today in 2014 were probably a lot different when you consider how fast things can change in the world and business of professional sports and even technology. This said,  you can also see both sides of the arguments. The Sharks on one hand can say they got low balled on the deal, and looking at it in retrospect they are probably right. On the other hand, Comcast can come out and say “You knew the entirety of the deal when you signed off on it.”, and in the same retrospect they are probably right too. Can the Sharks ask to renegotiate the deal? They can and should if they feel it was a bad one. If Comcast want to truly be a broadcasting partner with the Sharks, they should also be agreeable to do so as well. However also consider that reportedly NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman was called into to intervene which is all you really need to know as far as how serious this matter is.