415 MEDIA EXCLU--KNBR ON HOOK FOR $13 MILLION!
In 2018, then Cumulus bigwig, Dave Milner negotiated a contract extension with the SF Giants and KNBR.
It extended an already solid, wildly successful relationship between the franchise and its flagship station, including streaming its broadcasts.
But, as 415 Media has learned, the contract failed to include an "Act-of-God" clause, typically something in the contract, any business contract, for that matter, that would affect the broadcasts, in this situation.
The Coronavirus crisis has curtailed all the four North American sports, including baseball.
With baseball not being played and MLB in hiatus, Giants' games on KNBR are non-existent and now, KNBR is on the hook for $13 Million to the team. So unless the Giants want to play nice, KNBR/Cumulus will have to pay the team the money.
That's a lot of money to sniff at; it comes at a time when there's a lot of nasty economics at the 50K-watt AM all-sports outlet. This development won't help matters.
I'm making calls around the city and following up; I will update any new information obtained. Suffice to say, this is one for the ages.
Stay tuned.
And you can be damn sure Los Gigantes will want that moolah. Here's a possible scenario: the Giants get ownership of KNBR. All Giants. All day. The Panda Hour. The Real Pence (not that stooge in Washington, DC). The Bonds Worship Hour. I think I'm going to puke.
ReplyDeleteThe season usually doesn't even start until April,a month delay still leaves lots of games to play. They might even play with no fans being the teams are all getting tested because they are worth something and you, All of you, are not. As dear leader has stated.
ReplyDeleteMaybe no "act of God" clause but there is a "if the season is abbreviated" clause.
ReplyDeleteWait a minute, guys. The Giants sell a product .. KNBR buys that product .. no product = no sale. Any good Philadelphia lawyer will tell you that. See how simple life is.
ReplyDeleteIt doesn't do anyone any good to screw over their usual business partners in this dark time. Everyone: play nice together so we'll all be there for each other after this mess.
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