Agreed. For all we know, the Astros asked Comcast to just come up with a business plan that breaks even instead of losing $200MM over 10 years. We really don't know. What we can assume is that the Astros would have been willing to consider any deal that resulted in their media rights + ownership profits/losses being greater than whatever FSSW is offering just for media rights. At least, if you believe Crane only cares about money, that should be the case.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>It appears the attorneys are studying an order or agreement of some kind now. Judge isn't in courtroom yet,</p>— David Barron (@dfbarron) <a href="https://twitter.com/dfbarron/statuses/395327826531868672">October 29, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Court back in session, but judge has cleared courtroom again for talks on a proposed order.</p>— David Barron (@dfbarron) <a href="https://twitter.com/dfbarron/statuses/395334702942277632">October 29, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Yeah I don't even understand what that means. Are they huddling to see if they can agree on something rather than depending on the judge?
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Court back in session, but judge has cleared courtroom again for talks on a proposed order.</p>— David Barron (@dfbarron) <a href="https://twitter.com/dfbarron/statuses/395334702942277632">October 29, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Judge Isgur has entered an order in the CSN Houston bankruptcy case that allows the Astros to seek new options toward a new business plan.</p>— David Barron (@dfbarron) <a href="https://twitter.com/dfbarron/statuses/395353943603032064">October 30, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Judge Isgur has entered an order in the CSN Houston bankruptcy case that allows the Astros to seek new options toward a new business plan.</p>— David Barron (@dfbarron) <a href="https://twitter.com/dfbarron/statuses/395353943603032064">October 30, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>The order makes the Astros the lead negotiator for the Houston Regional Sports Network partnership that includes Rockets and Comcast.</p>— David Barron (@dfbarron) <a href="https://twitter.com/dfbarron/statuses/395354069826424832">October 30, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>The Astros on behalf of HRSN are allowed to "investigate and negotiate the terms" of carriage, broadcast and management agreements ...</p>— David Barron (@dfbarron) <a href="https://twitter.com/dfbarron/statuses/395354367924002816">October 30, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Also of purchase and sale agreements, debt and equity investments and "other matters pertaining to the formulation of a business plan."</p>— David Barron (@dfbarron) <a href="https://twitter.com/dfbarron/statuses/395354563957366784">October 30, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>The parties will hold weekly telephone conferences, A status conference before Judge Isgur has been set for Nov. 13.</p>— David Barron (@dfbarron) <a href="https://twitter.com/dfbarron/statuses/395354741393203200">October 30, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Even if the plan broke even, the team would get paid media rights which were supposed to average 80 mil a year. Breaking even means the station made no money.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>No third party that undertakes negotiations at the Astros' request (including DirecTV and Fox) "will have any liability to any persons" ...</p>— David Barron (@dfbarron) <a href="https://twitter.com/dfbarron/statuses/395355043945136128">October 30, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>"For the good faith implementation of this order." Other actions, including Astros motion for dismissal and Comcast for trustee, are on hold</p>— David Barron (@dfbarron) <a href="https://twitter.com/dfbarron/statuses/395355390168166401">October 30, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>This doesn't appear to do anything for immediate carriage, but who knows? No immediate comments from Comcast, Astros or Rockets.</p>— David Barron (@dfbarron) <a href="https://twitter.com/dfbarron/statuses/395355590878171136">October 30, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Right - that's why I was thinking that could reasonably be a business plan the Astros would request (though it's only $55MM this year ass far as media rights). But really, we have no idea - except that whatever FSSW was offering was probably more than the net total of the $55MM + any profit/loss from CSN-H that was allocated to the Astros.
