escalators in sports content contracts. DIS is forced to cut every cost that it can to manage the squeeze until it can renegotiate the long term contracts with NFL, NBA, etc. etc. DIS (ESPN) is now low balling nearly every contract they can to cut costs. Its only going to get worse.

I know we all don't want to hear this but BYU's next independent contract is likely to be a down round rather than an up round, IF we get a new contract at all. BYU's marketability is the tail in this case, and falling ESPN subs and the subsequent profit squeeze is the Dog. The tail will not wag the dog.

BYU's best chance is to join a power 5 conference before the squeeze gets too tight. RIGHT NOW would be nice.

Further reading:

http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2016/04/25/Media/Big-Ten.aspx

http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2016/06/20/Media/ESPN-Big-Ten.aspx