The biggest issue/problem with the LHN is that it really does not fit will with a conference like set up. The other teams in the conference gain little or nothing from it, and so have no interest in its success. In fact seeing one school get so much from the LHN, only arouses envy and a desire to see the LHN fail. That is why the LHN needs to chart a course that is independent of Big-12 athletic departments desires.
PropJoe, AggyEric, I didn't mean to imply that I think the LHN is a bad idea. What I meant was that the way its being managed is not right. Giving the conference control over its content when only one school in the conference stands to benefit, is the surest way to make sure it fails, or at the very least is not as successful as it could be.
there are a few eyebrow raising rumors going around. one is that ESPN has told tech that it will not air the UT/tech game unless it's on the LHN. to which tech's AD and president said "fine by us" this info came from the tech rivals mod chris level.
PropJoe, if true, its very strange on several levels. Firstly, why would Tech turn down, what would be a fairly pay day? Second why would LHN make an even stronger enemey, when it is already surrounded by them? Third, it leaves Tech in a pretty vulnerable position, if in fact the ags bolt for the SEC. Tech cant rely on Texas for anything after snubbing the LHN. Forth it just confirms that the rest of the Big-12 does not want the LHN to succeed and will do anything to see it fail. The rumour could be true, but raises many troubling ethical issues if its.
Toronto, Reason #4 is absolutely correct. However, I wonder if $bill would have taken the deal if offered. I vote yes, he would.
For any team to commit to being shown on the LHN is stupid. They would limit their exposure and have to listen to announcers that are contractually obligated to pump texas or else be dismissed. Fans that stay home would have to purchase the network or try to find a bar that purchased it. Too many negatives for a team IMO.
joe, You said tech called ESPN's bluff. I think ESPN is big enough to make good on that bluff. Also, Tech wont go to the pac-16 alone. not enough clout. maybe with ou and osu. Maybe not.
I think that depends on Texas. If we are stinkin up the joint again, and tech not that much of a draw, the LHN may be the only option. Something else....I didnt think that the LHN was gonna cost extra. I thought if your provider carried it, it would just be part of the cable package. Did I miss the boat?
Cost of subscription aside, I think the LHN is a dead duck. Unless the network executives start asserting some independence and acting in the best interests of the network, a little push back is essential, and the earlier the better.
TWC, DirecTV and Dish will pick the LHN up in all probability. The satellites as ESPN will put pressure on them to include it as part of the ESPN family plus they carry the BYU and Big Ten networks. TWC since they have a monetary investment in the LHN. If no one picks it up, ESPN made a bad investment, but unless there is a double secret clause in the contract that has not been made public, ESPN will still owe Texas the $300k.
If we cannot have highschool level football on the LHN then what happens if we go 5-7 again and play like a highschool team? And if there is no HS football could we at least have the "4.0 GPA College co ed Hookers of 6th street"? I would watch that programming....
I think hindsight may point to this being a straw/camel thing that completely shifts the college football landscape. If it migrates us to actually having a 8 or 16 team playoff, I'm all good for it. I personally think A&M is going to throw the baby out with the bathwater and follow the pigs to SEC mediocrity. Tech needs to be careful. I'm not sure what the future holds for the Sooners as I think we're handcuffed to our orange sisters from Stillwater by the State University system. I don't like uncertainty. Can't you guys just be happy with what you have???
We are thrilled at what we have. Dont worry. Its gonna be UT,OU,TT,OSU to the new PAC-16 when all the dust settles.
That little issue will be resolved. Dodds is a very shrewed but very good businessman. $bill could probably learn a thing or two from him if he would just STFU and stop letting his hatred for UT blind his judgement.
Yet the current by-laws allow for players' dads to directly solicit money on their behalf. Funny how that works.
The network is NOT UNIVERSITY OWNED. Even you ags should be able to grasp that simple concept. It is owned by ESPN with is paying The University for rights to programming.
The network is NOT UNIVERSITY OWNED. Even you ags should be able to grasp that simple concept. It is owned by ESPN which is paying The University for rights to programming.
i understand that. however i dont think the NCAA sees a significant difference between what the longhorn network is and network owned by/affiliated with a university.
UIL rules: During the regular season, a football contest that takes place on a Friday may not be telecast live. A tape-delayed telecast of a contest on Friday is permitted, but may not begin until an hour after the completion of the contest. A live telecast can take place on any other day of the week. A football contest that takes place on any day during the playoffs may only be telecast live if you have permission from both schools involved and the contest is a true sell-out 48 hours prior to the start of the contest. www.uiltexas.org/media/info/football-telecast-faqs
you're right about that. and if this were the lonestar network, or ESPN austin...i dont think there would be an issue. but this is the longhorn network...with an on campus studio...and a contract that basically makes ESPN and UT one entity as it relates to the products produced. i could totally be wrong, i'm not lawyer, but i doubt that the NCAA will see any difference between the LHN and a network owned by a university.
I'd rather have KU than TT, and I'm certain the Pac 12 would too. TTech is a 4th tier school, and the Pac 12 is pretty snooty about academic affiliations (5 schools in Pac 10 are Top 30). KU is a better school and has a nationallly prominent Hoops program. It also opens up much bigger markets (KC and St. Louis). TTech adds nothing. Hell, I suspect the Pac 12 would rather have CSU or BYU (though Cal may continue to balk at adding a religious school).
