Everyone needs to take a step back and relax. One of the big reasons why these Team Networks are popping everywhere is because in the end they make more money than what the RSN (fox, msg and others) were offering them. Considering that YES has DirecTv and Cablevision and other cables company, have made Steinbreiner more $$$ than what Cablevision was paying them. On top of this there is the $$$ is advertising revenue that comes from the Network as well. In my opinion, I only watch the YES Network when the Yankees are playing. The other programs are just weak and I am not interested to watch them. The Nets I watch a few games now and then but that's it. So Steinbreiner is no fool to see another avenue to make money and let it go. It is a great idea. This is why the Mets want to come on board and do the same. YES has the Yankees/Nets, Cablevision has the Knicks/Rangers/Devils/Islanders, The Mets network will have the Mets and who knows what other franchises. Cablevision used to have one of the best RSN in the New York Area -- all these teams under one umbrella. Now the one umbrella has been split into three umbrellas. This only spells bad news for consumers and we have seen it through the years what happened with YES/Cablevision and what is happening with YES/Dish Network. Bottom line is that consumers are left with no choice but to go with the provider that provides the sport/franchise you like.
Charlie, Steinbraner, Wilpon and any owner or business man are not stupid and they will be competing for consumers money. Wilpon is NOT going to hand their network to Charlie for less than what the Yankees are getting from DirecTv or other Cable companies. He is going to demand a similar deal/compesation. These people are here to make money. We, the consumers, are the ones that will lose because either we will have to pay for the tab or move to another provider. Let's not paint any of these people as saints. They all know what they are doing and where they are heading. They know that there is a demand for their product and they will try to gain as much profit as possible. They will give you all sort of reasons why they think it is not worth to have it in your current system but bottom line is that they willl screw you on other decisions even though you may think that they are looking out for you best interest. Believe me they are not! They ONLY look what is best for them!