Interesting timing with the news of the NFL Network finally working out an agreement with Time Warner Cable.

During an interview with me yesterday, Rich Eisen complained about Time Warner’s failure to make a deal with NFL Network. He mentioned it several times as we talked about his nine-year tenure at the network.

On a personal level, Eisen grew up in Staten Island. It bugged him to no end that the NFL Network wasn’t fully distributed in New York.

“I’d love to be seen in my hometown of New York City,” Eisen said. “I definitely didn’t think nine years later we still wouldn’t be distributed by Time Warner Cable.”

On a professional level, Eisen felt not being fully seen in the nation’s top media market hurt the NFL Network during the Emmys.

“I don’t think we’re nominated for as many Emmys as we should be,” Eisen said. “Everyone says, ‘Why are you worried about that? It’s a popularity contest.’ Well, there are things we do I wish were more recognized in our industry.

“Pop-culture reference. There’s a line in the Silence of the Lambs: ‘We covet things we see every day.’ I think if we were seen every Sunday in New York by a lot of people in our industry, recognition would come our way a bit more.

“I don’t know why Time Warner has such a problem distributing us. Every other distributor is re-upping with us, left-right, up-and-down.

“It’s the quintessential thing of you only can control what you can control, I suppose.”

Now we’ll be able to test Eisen’s theory since NFL Network will be seen in New York. Will it lead to more Emmys?

Eisen is flying back from last night’s horrible game in Charlotte. However, I’m sure he’s happy the deal finally got done.