Football fans still seething over The mtn.

As time ticks away and the Mountain West Conference continues to be a spectator in negotiations between CSTV/Comcast and satellite dish companies, fans across the country remain on the warpath.

Here's a dose of reader feedback on the issue:

• "I JUST READ about the articles about The mtn. Obviously people are upset and should be. But why is it that the fans need to make the call to the suppliers? The ADs should be more upset than the fans. This is not about money like everyone is squawking about. People will pay the money to watch their team. If not, then that is their problem, but when it is not even available, that is the problem of the MWC and (MWC commissioner) Craig Thompson.

"I understand that Comcast has the rights to view The mtn., but that is only in select cities. This is going to kill recruiting for all teams. How do you tell a young kid we are going to play these great teams, but only if you live in Salt Lake, Denver or Albuquerque are you going to be able to have your family and friends watch? Tell the people in those cities to shut their yapper and switch to cable if they want the games so bad. It is the out-of-MWC cities that have the most right to complain. At least they have an option; we don't even get the freedom of choice.

"Craig Thompson should rescind the deal unless all areas of the nation are covered. Put it on the most expensive package, force the fans to purchase it, if they don't like the cost, oh well, but at least they'll have options.

"So my question to you is, why does it seem like the ADs are not making more of a stink to Craig Thompson about this whole ordeal? This hurts the school worse than the fans. Craig Thompson should be in contact with the satellite companies just like he was with the cable company. Does he feel like he has done his part, because over 50 percent of the MWC cities are taken care of?

"If anyone in the business industry had this success rate, they would be fired, and a new deal would be made to benefit the schools. Not only are the games not viewed, ESPN did not even have highlights of any CSTV or The mtn. game. This will hurt in the balloting of the BCS as well. If it is about money for the conference, then the MWC needs to get in those games and not being seen on TV or highlights, and then chances are slim to none. Craig Thompson really should have this as his top priority to get all areas covered at the highest price then work down from there." — Kirk Bradford of Meridian, Idaho

• "I KNOW YOU'RE a Utah-based publication, and I enjoy keeping abreast of BYU sports through your Web site, but there seems to be an assumption that Comcast is showing The mtn. to some significant extent. Here in Washington, I have the full, digital Comcast package with the added sports package — including CSTV and 3 Fox College Sports channels. No The mtn. It is so disingenuous — at best — of the school administrators, MWC and CSTV officials to pretend like it's the cable and satellite operators' fault when they were so small-time not to even demand that Comcast air it beyond the Utah area. No wonder it's mtn. — lower case. ESPN's gotta be busting up laughing!" — Scott Wiley of Sammamish, Wash.

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