Business, Economics, and Taxes: Capitalism. Yay? >=(

[Jimjamesak]

If Apple wants to do anything but MLS they will need to either invest a ton of money or buy out companies that do it already. Unless they plan to stick with low level sports and leagues then yeah you have them pay for it. The quality is going to be hit or miss though and it almost certainly will not stand up to the major sports that pump billions into their productions.

The PAC-12 was brought up only in the sense that the final nail in the coffin was the only deal they could put together is streaming...which promised ok payments (low end Power 5 stuff) but was going to be a financial disaster for most of the schools. That is playing minor league ball in major league sports it just wont fly. That is why I said it is good for MLS they don't need to compete with any of the other leagues and their fans will find AppleTV+. (hell T-mobile gives it to you for free!) My issue is I don't think it will help grow the sport long term but right now just keep strengthening your product and let it grow naturally. Don't do what NASCAR did like 15 years ago and get too big for your britches...

If you want to convince me a streamer might make a play for exclusive major league sports rights I might buy it...but I would bet heavily against AppleTV+ being that company.

As for the NBA I dont think they will ever pick an exclusive partner or go heavy streaming. Even if say Di$ney threw a ton of money to make it Hulu/ESPNABC/Di$ney exclusive sooner or later the cuts will come. The money just isn't there even if they find a way to force advertising into everything. I dont see Silver playing that game especially since ESPN was just gutted and likely will be again to prepare for the next deal.

All the major leagues are sort of stuck in limbo because they didn't innovate years ago. The RSN model was dumb, although it did have perks like when you could buy them all back in the day. The leagues could have created their own networks...I mean christ the Big Ten did it and literally blew up college football. (not in a good way) When researching as we (for the second time) cut the cord I was trying to find a way to watch say The Wild without getting Sling or Hulu LiveTV or any of the other "we have less channels than Comcast at almost the same price!!" options. Best option was either ESPN+ or NHL.TV both of which would require a VPN to make work. (which I have mind you) That is ridiculous in this day and age. Same with the Twins. Blackouts are bush league and 30 years out of date. In 2023 these leagues should have the infrastructure and forward thinking to allow people who want to watch their local team be able to purchase a plan to do that. I should not have to pretend I live out of market to watch a team that plays 20 minutes from me. Only the NFL can get away with that stuff and honestly it is pathetic they do it too. These leagues could have been 2 steps ahead...

We will see...the only thing dumber than Tech Bros and Studio Heads are sports owners. Whatever the wrong decision is, they will make it!

I only mention the NBA because of all the major sports leagues they’re the arguably the best run and definitely the best at marketing themselves, so if there’s another league that’s going to make a jump it’s the NBA. They’ve got the younger demographics and the worldwide appeal to make it work. And really they’re the one league really taking it in the shorts with the RSN collapse. Plus, both their TV partners in Disney and WBD are hemorrhaging money. For the NBA there are three questions for their future media deal:

1. Can Apple or Google (or Amazon) pony up enough cash to satisfy the NBA (and really it’d be the big teams like the Lakers and Knicks)?

2. Are the networks (likely ESPN and Turner) willing to lose exclusivity or is either one willing to pay for the full rights?

3. Is there enough money to satisfy teams like the Lakers and Knicks and them giving up their local rights?

I think the leagues really underestimate the appeal of a single package. MLS Season Pass was reportedly already at 1 million subscribers before Messi and now is reportedly at 2 million subscribers with him playing. The PAC-12 could’ve easily hit the 2.5 million subscribers mark and lowball the NBA could hit 8-10 million easily. Even if Apple or Google overpay a little, a few billion on sports rights is a better use of money than hundreds of millions they’re spending on shows with like 10 episodes.

 

[dxmnkd316]

Similar to what we were saying about EVs a decade ago, I think they'll get there...in about 10 years. The push to develop viable and marketable EAP has already begun. Forget the hype about hydrogen, all you need to do is remind everyone of the Hindenburg.

Maybe. The difference is weight is the most important consideration in flight and only a secondary concern for driving. I'd like to hear lynah weigh in on this.

 

[walrus]

Similar to what we were saying about EVs a decade ago, I think they'll get there...in about 10 years. The push to develop viable and marketable EAP has already begun. Forget the hype about hydrogen, all you need to do is remind everyone of the Hindenburg.

Maybe EVs get there in 10 years if Toyota really does bring a solid state battery to the market.

 

[FadeToBlack&Gold]

Has anyone figured out if there's an equivalent of Moore's Law for battery tech?

 

[Kepler]

Has anyone figured out if there's an equivalent of Moore's Law for battery tech?

It seems like the inverse. A log function.

 

[FadeToBlack&Gold]

Genuinely shocked that a Fox channel allowed this article to be published.

Tldr: Some manufacturers are making a return to onshore ops where it makes sense to do so. Experts expect the trend to continue, because 1) COVID exposed a lot of the supply chain disadvantages and inefficiencies of the last 30 years of globalization, and 2) China isn't a super cheap place to manufacture high tech goods anymore. They expect this realignment to play out over the next 20 years or so.

Left unsaid, IMO, is that the CCP and their fascist policies under Xi Jinping have made doing Western business in China increasingly difficult, hostile, and a potential big liability in terms of data breach and/or loss of assets.

 

[Kepler]

Genuinely shocked that a Fox channel allowed this article to be published.

Tldr: Some manufacturers are making a return to onshore ops where it makes sense to do so. Experts expect the trend to continue, because 1) COVID exposed a lot of the supply chain disadvantages and inefficiencies of the last 30 years of globalization, and 2) China isn't a super cheap place to manufacture high tech goods anymore. They expect this realignment to play out over the next 20 years or so.

Left unsaid, IMO, is that the CCP and their fascist policies under Xi Jinping have made doing Western business in China increasingly difficult, hostile, and a potential big liability in terms of data breach and/or loss of assets.

Africa.

Use Africa.

 

[Swansong]

Manufacturing in China, you need to assume any and all trade secrets related to your manufacturing will be shared with people outside the company doing said manufacturing. I don't know much (actually, nothing) about contracting, China's general rules, etc. But you just have to assume that your IP will be stolen and used outside your intent.

Example, I used to work at Bose. One of the manufacturers that built certain headphones would make our order, and then after would simply make more using super cheap components, and sell them internally and abroad as actual Bose products. So we got a lot of customer complaints about shoddy - but expensive - Bose products that weren't actually ours. As such, a plant was purpose built in Manilla and a ton of manufacturing was moved there and to existing plants in San Luis, Mexico. I've no idea what the company has done since I left in 2016 (Bose is a sad shell of its former self). I don't think they do any manufacturing in the US anymore, at all.

 

[Kepler]

Manufacturing in China, you need to assume any and all trade secrets related to your manufacturing will be shared with people outside the company doing said manufacturing. I don't know much (actually, nothing) about contracting, China's general rules, etc. But you just have to assume that your IP will be stolen and used outside your intent.

This. Also, all PRC nationals are spies. Either they want to be, or it's their agreed-upon price of them being permitted to go abroad, or they find out once they're over here and their family is hostage back home.

All IP you share with any PRC POC goes right to Beijing.

You know which other economic superpower did this to build their economy up from primitive conditions to become globally dominant? I'll give you a hint.

 

[dxmnkd316]

Africa.

Use Africa.

Too unstable.

 

[Kepler]

Too unstable.

Well, yes, that's why it's an opportunity.

Once Africa gets its act together, it's going to dominate Europe economically -- the refugees are going to be running the other direction. Might as well get in on that early. China is trying the Harkonnen Way. Let's be the Atreides.

 

[Swansong]

Well, yes, that's why it's an opportunity.

Once Africa gets its act together it's going to dominate economically. Might as well be part of that. China is trying the Harkonnen Way. Let's be the Atreides.

I think it's also why China is working so much in Africa. Google "China Africa" for some primers.

 

[Deutsche Gopher Fan]

One of the most fun activities I did in grad school was designing how to get refrigerated
meds around remote parts of Africa without reliable roads, refrigeration and …political instability

 

[Handyman]

Well, yes, that's why it's an opportunity.

Once Africa gets its act together, it's going to dominate Europe economically -- the refugees are going to be running the other direction. Might as well get in on that early. China is trying the Harkonnen Way. Let's be the Atreides.

People have been saying that for decades. That is such a White Western fever dream.

(that is not a knock on Africa that is a knock on us)

 

[Kepler]

People have been saying that for decades. That is such a White Western fever dream.

(that is not a knock on Africa that is a knock on us)

This is the opposite. I'm not saying whitey should develop The Dark Continent. I'm saying African undeveloped resources dwarf those of the rest of the planet, and that Africa obviously "wins" the final race of mankind. Therefore, maybe we few scrawny white layabouts should try to get on board for our benefit.

Get with it, or get left behind.

Although my god it would be richly deserved if Africans sent some colonizers out 75k years ago to scrounge up some crap and bring it back, just in time for them to come into their own. And in 2100 they'll dismiss us and FTL off. And all that time we were just bees serving the Queen.

I am in for an all-black cast of Star Trek. Just make the Comms officer a white chick.

 

[SJHovey]

People have been saying that for decades.

This was precisely my thought when I read that post. I remember sitting in class in the mid-70's and listening to the instructor tell us that whatever advantages in natural resources the US was blessed with, it pales in comparison with Africa's, and it was only a matter of time before that continent took over.

Come and talk to me after one of the tribal lords takes control of the entire continent. Until that happens, no chance.

 

[dxmnkd316]

The west (and east) are going to do what they've always done to Africa. Rape it for resources and leave it in an incredibly worse state. We as humans have fucked Africa for basically all of recorded history.

 

[St. Clown]

The west (and east) are going to do what they've always done to Africa. Rape it for resources and leave it in an incredibly worse state. We as humans have ****ed Africa for basically all of recorded history.

You beat me to it. Already too many Africans speak English, French and Dutch as first languages.

 

[dxmnkd316]

Elon Musk had a completely normal one today. Jesus Christ.

 

[Kepler]

Elon Musk had a completely normal one today. Jesus Christ.

What did Pony Boy do?