I saw this on pg 54 of the 6/25/07 Sporting News http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaf/news?slug=in...v=tsn&type=lgns <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>The Mountain West Conference has hired attorneys to find a way out of its 10-year television contract, which began in 2006, with fledgling networks CSTV and The Mtn. Many conference games aren't carried by local cable companies in the league's viewing area, which underscores this horrible marketing mistake: The MWC walked away from a potential audience of 90 million viewers for midweek ESPN games in exchange for $1.1 million per team--$600,000 more than each school got from ESPN--a move that was counterproductive to league growth. Once the MWC breaks the contract with CSTV and The Mtn.--that's the next step--don't expect ESPN to offer $500,000 per school this time.</div> FWIW; Some of my friends who have a dish can't get these networks but I have just expanded basic cable and get them. Allegedly, the U of Utah and BYU are supposed to have pretty good Business & law schools. Guess Not. Maybe, they weren't involved in negotiations. They can always get Orrin Hatch to threaten more legistation regarding anti-trust. lol.
<font face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif" size="3">I dont know if 2nd rate is a good term. People say that about the ACC until the Bowls start in December.</font></p> <font face="Arial" size="3">The timing of the games makes it difficult (not impossible) to see Mtn West games. For me, I'd have to plan on being up until about 2:30 am if I want to see the whole game. And, with the Mtn. West, you DO want to stick around for the end. You could miss a 58-57 game!</font></p> <font face="Arial" size="3">Which brings me to the next flaw in the Mtn West. It's called defense fellas ! Some of your schools do not have a defense, hence the 58-57 scores when two of them play each other.</font></p> <font face="Arial" size="3">also, on myDirectTV, BYU has their own channel.</font></p>
Defense has improved in the MWC. Back in the 80's and 90's were alot of shootouts. Now, The big 3 (TCU, Utah, & BYU) can play D. New Mexico is too mercurial.</p> Here, in Utah, BYU has at least 3 channels; The BYU network, a public TV station operated by BYU, & the local NBC affiliate owned by Bonneville International (the broadcasting arm of LDS church). Not to mention how all local media adores BYU athletics. Rant over.</p>