Ok, I'm going to attempt to answer a handful of the questions that have come up and while the answers might not be what you want to hear if you people here claim to be as savvy as you all say, perhaps you'll understand where we are coming from.
However it is kind of odd for Comcast to be displeased with us posting links to their content, but at the same time want is to be involved with their website.
There was never an issue of LINKS being posted. The issue was Chris Haynes' content being posted in full. I understand why Sly did it, but that doesn't make it OK. If board members here are so bitter about the TV situation that they won't click on our links, that is their choice. That does not make it OK to copy/paste our content. Especially as the official board of the team, our partners.
We are partners with the Blazers, so are they. It's a good fit.
Exactly. I'm here for this reason.
Here's some more info/tidbits that will maybe clear some things up:
1. No one at CSN works for "Comcast." I know that's weird based on our name. We work as a division of NBC Sports under the NBC Universal parent company.
2. Every single person at CSN would LOVE to see a DirecTV or Dish deal done. I can't even begin to explain how much easier it would make our life. You'll think it's BS but it's not: We want a deal done as much as you guys do.
3. Our local CSN group here has nothing to do with the TV situation. It's all handled by corporate folks back east. Here in Portland, we have all the normal departments you'd expect and we handle the daily operations of the network. So, no, I cannot "walk up stairs" and explain something to someone. For better or worse, it just doesn't work that way.
4. I've personally been with CSN since launch in 2007. I've been through all of this. Those of us here at CSN truly work hard to bring you guys great online and on-air products on your NW teams. That's why this thread got started in the first place. Passionate Blazer fans reside in a lot of places. On twitter, on facebook, in the arena and among other places, here on this board. It seemed like a smart place to get some feedback.
5. With each passing year, we do more and more partner work with the Blazers for on-air/online content (you'll see some new stuff launching in the coming weeks as Jabari Young gets on-board). As the official board of the Blazers, it made too much sense not to see if there was some cross over content possibility. If there isn't, then there isn't and that's fine. No stone left un-turned though.
6. "Comcast" or "CSN" doesn't black out your league pass. That's all mandated by the NBA. We can't have a meeting and decide to not black out the games. It just doesn't work that way.
I'm happy to answer any other questions people might have.
I don't know what sort of traffic or membership you guys have here but it seems like a CSN feature on our site that promoted and pushed viewers to join this community would be a good thing. It also seems like there are some smart Blazer fans here that might enjoy seeing their thoughts in a Roundtable type feature on our site. Partners being partners.
That's all I've got for now, but I'm sure there is plenty more to come.