Just to clarify, the UT network isn't directly associated with ESPN. They are a production partner, but nothing will be branded as ESPN. It's no different than the B10 network being partnered with Fox - something that virtually no one knows is even the case. UT & the Big10 simply don't have the media background necessary, so they partner with big media companies that have cloud with the cable companies, etc. But this shouldn't affect ESPN coverage of UT in any way. These kinds of partnerships exist all over the place behind the scenes with all sorts of companies.
Good news for Non-Horn fans on this. Looks like the Big XII is not going to allow them to air high school games (for obvious reasons) and they are only going to get their one non-conf football game so as not to dilute the rest of the league's TV package. There are still a lot of issues with this network for the rest of the Big XII and A&M is not going to stop pushing back here. It's sad it took A&M pushing the issue so hard to stop these 2 things from happening. Question now, is how can it still be worth it for ESPN to give that much money when so much of their planned programming is going away weeks before they hit the air. If the horns keep pushing the envelope with this network, they will soon be an Independent and A&M and OU will be in the SEC.
Good read here. Worth the time. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/20...work-big-12/index.html?xid=cnnbin&hpt=hp_bn10 If this network shows high school games of players "verbally" committed to UT and other players they want from within Texas, that is over the top. A "new world" indeed.
Not going to happen. There is conformation from a level one source that the aggies don't have nearly as much pull as they want (or say they do). The high school game will most likely be broadcast, and the big 12 is staying the way it is.
Their top-rated law school? Their fully accredited medical school? Their top-20, not overpriced business school? A god damn on campus radio station?
I believe the NCAA will close the current loophole. Currently nothing prohibits LHN from airing high school games. LHN is no different than FSN, ESPN, CSS, CBSSN, etc. except for the branding. UT doesn't own or operate the network (pay salaries). ESPN created the network and purchased institutional media rights from UT. ESPN is free to fill programming with high school games, high school coaches shows, recruiting highlights, etc. geared towards recruits and UT fans. LHN can interview UT recruits just like any other media entity. Of course, it's a huge advantage! UT was one of the first schools to start the coach in waiting BS. Guess what? The NCAA passed legislation to treat the coach in waiting like a head coach...virtually ending any advantage in the spring recruiting period. UT whined. Now there is a ban on coach in waiting. I believe the NCAA will treat institutional branded networks like institutional owned networks meaning no promotion of high school sports. This isn't the first time UT has been on the cutting edge of recruiting. Remember there are more schools that will be hurt than helped if things go in this direction.
LMAO! Is your "level one source" Fat Geoffe Ketch? Trust me, the Ags are the ones who (stupidly) kept the conference together last summer, and we're the ones keeping it together right now. Several REAL "level one sources" in the SEC have made it clear that there is mutual interest between A&M and the SEC and a jump can happen any minute pending what Texas decides to do with the LHN.. I personally cannot wait until this is all over and we get away from this absurd conference.
Yeah ... According to Ketch the Ags never had an offer last year when when every other source including OU have publicly confirmed it. Fat Ketch makes **** up and sees what he can get his sheep to believe.
What did A&M think LHN was going to be? LHN is going to pay out the ass to buy UIL championships. It will be an interesting battle between FSN, CSN (the new home of Rockets and Astros), and LHN. ESPN didn't pay $300 million for one non conference football game, women's tennis, and academic coverage. They're going balls out...purchasing the rights for one conference game from FSN.
... Hence the reason A&M didn't leave the Big XII last year when they had the chance. A LHN that actually followed NCAA rules (and yes, when your brand is all over the channel of a HS football game broadcast, it is an NCAA rules violation already) and also didn't take away any conference games as was agreed to (each team only had the rights to 1 non-conf FB and 4 non-conf B-Ball) meant that Texas getting their own network was not a huge deal-breaker for A&M. Now that Texas is doing the High School thing and stealing away a conference game, they are not doing what is fair and equitable for the conference as they promised last June, and that is resulting in A&M and OU looking elsewhere. It's very simple. That one "conference game" from FSN was not agreed to by any other conference team. So now, Kansas or whoever, has to have the LHN to watch their team play? Sorry that is not good for the conference and the teams that can do something about that are going to use whatever leverage they have to level the playing field. Texas has a right to do this network and I believe in capitalism, but the other schools like A&M also have the right to do what is best for them, and going to the SEC to get away from the Texas+9 conference is just that.
Big 12 commish smoking rocks in his ivory tower if he thinks most Aggies want to stay in the Big UT Conference.
