ABC Out in 2007
Posted January 3rd, 2006 by Erik J. Barzeski
ABC has balked at Tim Finchem's asking price and has apparently left the table in negotiations for television coverage in 2007 (and beyond).
Golf Digest and USA Today (via the AP) are reporting that television network ABC has walked out of negotiations with the PGA Tour for carrying tournament coverage beginning in 2007. This leaves only CBS and NBC at the table with Tour Commish Tim Finchem.
The current PGA Tour contract runs through the 2006 season. In 2007, the PGA Tour will feature a revamped schedule, a playoff system, the "FedEx Cup," and a "Fall Finish". Apparently, the ol' Finchy is still asking for too much money, and ABC simply decided they'd heard enough. Despite having found success with Paul Azinger and Nick Faldo in the announcing booth, both players may need to hone their game for the Champions Tour come 2007 if they'd like at least a semi-regular paycheck.
Said Paul Azinger to Golf World, "I'm highly disappointed, for a lot of people. Not for me, because I have a golf career. I'm disappointed for all the people behind the scenes that you're never going to see or hear of. I feel bad for Mark Loomis, too. He took a big chance with Faldo and me, and it worked. Unfortunately, the network was unwilling to write the check."
ABC, it appears, simply got tired of losing money. Tiger Woods hasn't helped to surge the ratings as he did in 1997 or in 2001 when the contract was last negotiated. ABC will still cover the British Open through 2009, though they may have to subcontract some announcing talent as I doubt Faldo and Azinger will be kept on a retainer for one tournament per year. ABC will cover 16 tournaments this year, in what is shaping up to be its final year covering the PGA Tour.
Somewhere, The Golf Channel executives are smiling.
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