Texas Tech considering 11 game schedule to avoid LHN

**alarson** · 06-21-2012, 09:21 PM

Originally Posted by ISUAgronomist

This isn't a Big 12 Administration matter (i.e. Bowlsby or Nienas should have nothing to do with this). It's a TTU/Texas State/Whatever Conference they're in matter.

Eh, it can be a conference matter. The conference can set rules for how third tier networks will be run, and a rule could be made for transfers of games onto that network that involve a big 12 member. I would assume any contract UT has with ESPN would require the LHN to be in compliance with big 12 and NCAA rules.

TTU has every right not to be happy with this. We'd be unhappy if one of our opponents sold its tv rights to the hawkeye network (if it existed), or big 10 network.

**rebecacy** · 06-21-2012, 09:27 PM

Originally Posted by KnappShack

Fight the power, Tech!

Yes. The LHN doesn't cause any friction in the conference and was in no way a part of the issues of the past few years.

I'll take this as a clue.

Again, it's a symptom not the root cause.

**alarson** · 06-21-2012, 09:27 PM

Originally Posted by ISUAgronomist

Yep. Not everything is Texas' fault. ESPN does what they want and what they want is football on the LHN to make it viable for cable/sat pickup.

I'd say that ESPN is one of the biggest problems in college sports today. They throw a lot of money around (on the backs of the cable subscribers whose bills reflect those payouts) but theyve caused a lot of this realignment that has destroyed the more regional nature of college sports and ended a lot of great tradition.

**isuno1fan** · 06-21-2012, 09:27 PM

Originally Posted by cyman05

Alright Bowlsby or Nienas, whoever is in charge...this is something that should be able to be worked out in private between conference members. Since Texas State has no say in the matter, this is something that needs to be taken care of with no hurt feelings.

This has nothing to do with the Big 12. It is a Tech, ESPN, and Texas St. issue.

**isuclone89** · 06-21-2012, 09:28 PM

Originally Posted by ISUAgronomist

Yep. Not everything is Texas' fault. ESPN does what they want and what they want is football on the LHN to make it viable for cable/sat pickup.

This is it in a nutshell. ESPN trying to force cable networks to put their content on. ESPN paying top dollar for a one team network that no one else in the conference wiil want to watch.

I see very few of the other conference teams willing to play on LHN without a big payday.

**isuno1fan** · 06-21-2012, 09:28 PM

Originally Posted by alarson

Eh, it can be a conference matter. The conference can set rules for how third tier networks will be run, and a rule could be made for transfers of games onto that network that involve a big 12 member. I would assume any contract UT has with ESPN would require the LHN to be in compliance with big 12 and NCAA rules.

TTU has every right not to be happy with this. We'd be unhappy if one of our opponents sold its tv rights to the hawkeye network (if it existed), or big 10 network.

Wrong...No...Texas State controls the rights to this game...not TTech. Not a Big 12 issue at all.

**alarson** · 06-21-2012, 09:30 PM

Originally Posted by isuno1fan

This has nothing to do with the Big 12. It is a Tech, ESPN, and Texas St. issue.

The big 12 could make rules for transfer of games to team-run networks involving other big 12 teams.

**isuno1fan** · 06-21-2012, 09:30 PM

I honestly don't see the problem. How does this help Texas? They aren't even in the game. They get paid either way. Sour grapes by Tech. Play the darn game.

A&M has a game coming up against UTSA and it is AT UTSA. ALL of UTSA's home games are on the LHN.

**isuno1fan** · 06-21-2012, 09:31 PM

Originally Posted by alarson

The big 12 could make rules for transfer of games to team-run networks involving other big 12 teams.

Texas doesn't run the LHN....ESPN does. Texas has nothing to do with this.

**alarson** · 06-21-2012, 09:33 PM

Originally Posted by isuno1fan

Wrong...No...Texas State controls the rights to this game...not TTech. Not a Big 12 issue at all.

Doesn't matter who owns it. Texas owns the LHN 3rd tier platform and the big 12 can set rules regarding the implementation of such platforms (as i believe it already did with HS games last summer). If the big 12 had a rule saying 'games involving other big 12 teams cannot be transferred from other partners to a big 12 team's 3rd tier network without the participating team's consent' then it would stop it. ESPN could continue to air it on its primary networks, just not on the Texas (or any other 3rd tier platform) network.

**rebecacy** · 06-21-2012, 09:33 PM

Originally Posted by isuno1fan

Texas doesn't run the LHN....ESPN does. Texas has nothing to do with this.

this is a bit myopic

**CyFan61** · 06-21-2012, 09:35 PM

Hey, Tech... you have to deal with the home team deciding on the media rights. You don't get to have it both ways. Since you're too cheap to pay Texas flipping State to come to your backwater town for a game without a return trip, you have to deal with the consequences of that now. This is just sad and childish.

**cyman05** · 06-21-2012, 09:35 PM

Originally Posted by isuno1fan

Wrong...No...Texas State controls the rights to this game...not TTech. Not a Big 12 issue at all.

Sure, contractually the B12 is not involved in this at all, it is pure ESPN moving all the chess pieces.

But let's say that potentially Tech drops the game. You don't think that is a Big 12 issue at all? All the negative press? All the bitter feelings that will come about? A potentially lost bowl experience because they chose not to play the game and only went 5-6 instead of 6-6?

I could say that's a Big 12 issue. I would say that's cause for B12 admins at least getting involved and asking ESPN what they can do to help fix the issue.

**isuno1fan** · 06-21-2012, 09:36 PM

Originally Posted by alarson

Doesn't matter who owns it. Texas owns the LHN 3rd tier platform and the big 12 can set rules regarding the implementation of such platforms (as i believe it already did with HS games last summer). If the big 12 had a rule saying 'games involving other big 12 teams cannot be transferred from other partners to a big 12 team's 3rd tier network without the participating team's consent' then it would stop it. ESPN could continue to air it on its primary networks, just not on the Texas (or any other 3rd tier platform) network.

No they don't. ESPN owns and operates it 100% and makes all the programming decisions. Again...Texas has nothing to do with this. It's not a Big 12 issue.

**alarson** · 06-21-2012, 09:37 PM

Originally Posted by isuno1fan

No they don't. ESPN owns and operates it 100% and makes all the programming decisions. Again...Texas has nothing to do with this. It's not a Big 12 issue.

It is their brand, they control it. Any rules put on third tier networks that affect big 12 networks would have to be upheld by the members and their media partners running the networks. Or are you telling me ESPN could air the aggy hour for 24 hours straight and there's nothing UT could do about it?