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Mtn. comes back to bite MWC
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Idiots | 5:54 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009
I have been saying this all year, it only hurts ALL MTN west team to not have
their games seen by people all over the nation. Espn is not a sports network it
is a business, when the leading story the day before the national championship
game is a baseball trade there is something wrong.
The Mountain west should be going out of their way to get The MTN in every house of these voters, what would that cost? a couple of dishes across the nation
? then at least the first game they saw of Utah or TCU or BYU would not be in a bowl game.
The Mountain west should be going out of their way to get The MTN in every house of these voters, what would that cost? a couple of dishes across the nation
? then at least the first game they saw of Utah or TCU or BYU would not be in a bowl game.
Anonymous | 7:49 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009
The Mtn. TV deal is the worst idea they could've come up with. It's
horrible.
Way to go Thompson and school presidents. Your fans hate the tv deal, but I'm glad you guys are happy.
That was a great idea to take the games I could catch on KSL or KJZZ and move them to a channel that many years later is not available from my satellite provider, Dish Network. I'm so glad you guys thought this through.
Thanks for looking our for me, the fan.
Way to go Thompson and school presidents. Your fans hate the tv deal, but I'm glad you guys are happy.
That was a great idea to take the games I could catch on KSL or KJZZ and move them to a channel that many years later is not available from my satellite provider, Dish Network. I'm so glad you guys thought this through.
Thanks for looking our for me, the fan.
Comments continue below
Anonymous | 8:01 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009
ESPN was giving love to BYU till they got killed by TCU. Here is the truth. You
win a lot of games, and they will talk about you!
The truth | 8:12 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009
The Mountain: The worst thing to happen to the top-tier MWC teams (Utah, TCU,
BYU) since the creation of the BCS.
Kirk Herbstreit | 8:23 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009
It still cracks me up to think how awesome Kirk thought Fresno St. was.
Remember that? What a bunch of homers.
The conferencfe | 8:25 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009
presidents agreed to go with the Mtn because of the money and they did not want
to play on Thursday. The conference presidents broke with ESPN not the other
way around. Put the blame where it belongs. Pierce you are beating a dead
horse. Slow news day??????? It is not going to change.
get used to it.
get used to it.
Cory | 8:31 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009
It's amazing how much talk continues about how the MWC TV deal has hurt the
league since 2006. Yet, in 2007 and 2008, the MWC had its highest rankings and
best recruiting classes..Hmmm....
How about Ball State. It's on ESPN tons and never moved ahead of Utah or TCU, yes a two-loss TCU team. Did anyone watch those games. No, if you look at the ratings. It's Tuesday for pete's sake. MWC fans have problems filling the stadium on Saturdays, let alone if they had to play on Tuesday or Wednesday night. ESPN's refusal to promote the MWC hurts, but it didn't promote the MWC when it was on the network.
Go Utes....#2!
How about Ball State. It's on ESPN tons and never moved ahead of Utah or TCU, yes a two-loss TCU team. Did anyone watch those games. No, if you look at the ratings. It's Tuesday for pete's sake. MWC fans have problems filling the stadium on Saturdays, let alone if they had to play on Tuesday or Wednesday night. ESPN's refusal to promote the MWC hurts, but it didn't promote the MWC when it was on the network.
Go Utes....#2!
mtn helps teams | 8:42 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009
Although I am no fan of the mtn network, it seems that the increase in revenue
for the mtn deal over the previous ESPN deal is what has allowed teams to retain
their coaches with higher salaries. Patterson just got $1.7mm/year, Whit is
getting $1.2mm/year. This range of salaries was not fathomable when Utah was
looking for a way to keep Meyer.
Switzer is the ultimate homer | 9:10 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009
Did you hear Switzer after the OK-FL game? He was bitter that his former team
(Oklahoma) didn't win. This guy is such a biased observer that I don't
understand how anyone can give any credence to anything he says. What a loser
when it comes to real analysis!
BCS Reality | 9:08 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009
One of the facts that is always overlooked in the debate about the BCS format is
that all the colleges have collectively agreed to the system. Having once
agreed to it, there is no legitimate claim that will stand up -- either in
public opinion or in the courts if challenged. Doesn't Shurtleff have a
sense that it's dead on arrival at the courts? Once you agree to the rules
up front there is little authenticity to whatever complaint you have after the
outcomes occur. If everyone hates the format, then the only solution is to
collectively come up with a new agreement. I hate it, every red-blooded fan
hates it, and Utah proved it on the field with the only perfect record, but now
that it's all over and everyone agreed up front that they would crown the
eventual winner of the championship game, all the rhetoric in the world
won't change the outcome.
Anonymous | 9:10 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009
RE:MTN Should Broadcast Firesides
First of all, this column had nothing to do with BYU and the firesides. Next: It seems a shame to me that there are always those who will disparage anything uplifting and good. Have you no shame at all?
First of all, this column had nothing to do with BYU and the firesides. Next: It seems a shame to me that there are always those who will disparage anything uplifting and good. Have you no shame at all?
Re: MTN Should | 9:20 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009
I am Utah Man and as such I "yell for old crimson" i do not need to
disparage any other team, stop flatulating from your mouth and have respect.
Your a ... Your mind will fill that in with some negative thought easily.
Darren | 9:21 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009
The league has the number 2 AP team, the #7 AP team with 2 losses, ahead of all
but two two loss teams and a third team in the top 25 for the first time. Hard
to really see how we were hurt in the polls.
If we play on ESPN this year, does anyone really think Utah is in the national title game? C'mon.
If we play on ESPN this year, does anyone really think Utah is in the national title game? C'mon.
Wake up people | 9:26 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009
Look, the Utes were HELPED, not hurt, by no one seeing them this year. No one
saw them barely beat a bad UNM team by 3. No one saw them get dominated by TCU
and pull out a win when TCU's kicker kept choking (same TCU team the
Sonners beat by 4 touchdowns). No one saw them barely beat a horrible Michigan
team by 2. If people had seen those games they would consider the 'Bama
performance a fluke. Since they didn't they think Utah always plays that
well.
I'm as impressed by their performance against 'bama as anyone - that was an unbelievable game - but the reality is if they played against 'Bama they way they did against Michigan or New Mexico or TCU, they would have lost by 30.
Congrats to the Utes on an amazing undefeated season, but don't buy into the nonsense that lack of exposure hurt. Lack of exposure is the only reason they are ranked as high as they are.
I'm as impressed by their performance against 'bama as anyone - that was an unbelievable game - but the reality is if they played against 'Bama they way they did against Michigan or New Mexico or TCU, they would have lost by 30.
Congrats to the Utes on an amazing undefeated season, but don't buy into the nonsense that lack of exposure hurt. Lack of exposure is the only reason they are ranked as high as they are.
the mtn stinks! | 9:30 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009
The conference should take some of the money they get from the Sugar bowl and
pay to get out of the MTN deal. That network is awful! Pay Utah back for the
money they pulled in and get us all a TV deal that makes sense. Cleary the MTN
doesn't!!!
re:MTN Should Broadcast Fireside | 9:43 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009
As cute, smarmy, and pithy you think you are, you really do not understand
college athletics.
Most teams pimp out their players, have them work hard, give their all, risk injury for the good of the team. Often when they get in trouble or seriously hurt, they are kicked to the curb, and someone replaces them and the team goes on for the greater good of the program, using them to earn money for the school.
Bronco could use the time the night before the game having a nice meal, working, sitting in a hottub, etc Instead the firesides are an opportunity for the team to connect with their fanbase, work on character that will make them better fathers, husbands, and citizens during school and after they graduate.
Aside from all of that, it is their own time, volunteered because that is how they choose to use their time.
That being said, how does how they use their time affect you. Since they have began giving firesides, they have had three straight 10 win seasons, and it can't be measured how this has positively affected the team.
You don't have to understand it. Just try to be more tolerant.
Most teams pimp out their players, have them work hard, give their all, risk injury for the good of the team. Often when they get in trouble or seriously hurt, they are kicked to the curb, and someone replaces them and the team goes on for the greater good of the program, using them to earn money for the school.
Bronco could use the time the night before the game having a nice meal, working, sitting in a hottub, etc Instead the firesides are an opportunity for the team to connect with their fanbase, work on character that will make them better fathers, husbands, and citizens during school and after they graduate.
Aside from all of that, it is their own time, volunteered because that is how they choose to use their time.
That being said, how does how they use their time affect you. Since they have began giving firesides, they have had three straight 10 win seasons, and it can't be measured how this has positively affected the team.
You don't have to understand it. Just try to be more tolerant.
esg | 9:54 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009
BCS Reality: laws, ordinances, codes, agreements (binding or otherwise) are
changed constantly and frequently. Court decisions, labor contracts, local,
regional, federal, and international laws undergo revisions all the time.
This is nothing new. How do you think we got to the current BCS mess? Somebody changed the rules that everybody had agreed to previously.
This is nothing new. How do you think we got to the current BCS mess? Somebody changed the rules that everybody had agreed to previously.
Well said Mr Pierce | 10:36 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009
The mtn has marginalized the MWC. For alums living outside the intermountain
west, it's next to impossible to see a game. National attention comes from
winning and winning generates national exposure. The mtn provides none of that.
ESPN is king of all college sports. Lets' all get over accept that and
make the mtn an offer they cant refuse.
For the conference presidents and craig thompson who saw the mtn as "sticking it to the man" - well, turn around and look who got stuck now.
For the conference presidents and craig thompson who saw the mtn as "sticking it to the man" - well, turn around and look who got stuck now.
Just Put the Mtn on Dishnetwork | 10:46 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009
And I'll be happy, and far more people east of CO will be able to take
notice of the MWC.
As for ESPN, I used to be an avid watcher of Gameday. But now it's the same swan song to the same teams and players each and every week. Most weeks, being in the top 25 isn't even enough to be featured (but Notre Dame will get a 5-10 minute discussion even if they're winless).
They can't even get basic facts straight - the bowl preview special had BYU listed as second in the MWC, looking for its fourth straight Vegas Bowl win. As a Cougar, I wish that were the case! If they can't even check facts readily available on their own freaking website, why should I trust anything else they say?
It's not sports journalism anymore, it's business PR.
As for ESPN, I used to be an avid watcher of Gameday. But now it's the same swan song to the same teams and players each and every week. Most weeks, being in the top 25 isn't even enough to be featured (but Notre Dame will get a 5-10 minute discussion even if they're winless).
They can't even get basic facts straight - the bowl preview special had BYU listed as second in the MWC, looking for its fourth straight Vegas Bowl win. As a Cougar, I wish that were the case! If they can't even check facts readily available on their own freaking website, why should I trust anything else they say?
It's not sports journalism anymore, it's business PR.
Zack | 11:19 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009
I live in Philadelphia. My wife graduated from Utah. On the day of the BYU-Utah
game, I called my cable operator willing to pay any amount necessary to watch
that game and couldn't get it. If I, seeking them out, can not watch games
from the Mountain West Conference, how much less likely is the rest of the
nation to give attention to a conference that deserves it so much?
WACoug | 11:30 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009
This past year I switched from Dish to Directv to get the mtn. As much as I
agree with a lot that has been said, I will also add that this past year
I've seen more MWC football than ever before. Espn was hit and miss at
best and the viewing times were becoming a joke.
What I am saying is that as bad as the coverage is now for the fan base in Utah, it is many fold better for us outside. There is no way we would have gotten anything close to the coverage we now enjoy. Now, I do agree that the mtn. does not have anywhere near the national respect that ESPN does, but I vote for the opportunity to see most all of the games in the MWC.
What I am saying is that as bad as the coverage is now for the fan base in Utah, it is many fold better for us outside. There is no way we would have gotten anything close to the coverage we now enjoy. Now, I do agree that the mtn. does not have anywhere near the national respect that ESPN does, but I vote for the opportunity to see most all of the games in the MWC.
Jeremy | 12:58 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009
The Mtn. may be on Directv, but you have to upgrade your system to get it.
I'm already paying nearly $100 per month (without any movie channels), and
adding another $20/mo to see just a handful of games that I'm interested in
plain sucks.
Maybe it's my area (Texas), but why can't I get it with my regular package, like I get Versus?
Maybe it's my area (Texas), but why can't I get it with my regular package, like I get Versus?
WAAAH!!! | 1:20 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009
To those who cry over paying $20 a month (or whatever the upcharge may be), get
over it. Have you seen the price of admission to a BYU game lately? The fact
that your whole family gets to see a season's worth of BYU football for
only $80 (4 months @ $20 for you non-math majors) sure as heck beats $25 a seat
at LES.
So, let's see:
Four season tickets to BYU at LES: $600 (minimum)
Snacks for everyone in your group at LES: $250
Watching EVERY BYU game on Directv: $80
Avoiding the drive in gameday traffic: Priceless!
So, let's see:
Four season tickets to BYU at LES: $600 (minimum)
Snacks for everyone in your group at LES: $250
Watching EVERY BYU game on Directv: $80
Avoiding the drive in gameday traffic: Priceless!
CALBLUE | 1:34 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009
I could care less of the national exposure the MWC gets, I just want to see the
games myself. So if moving back to ESPN and playing some Thursday games means I
get to see the games lets make the move.
Exposure | 2:55 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009
This morning ESPN congratulated the Utes and their head coach Kyle WILLINGHAM
for an outstanding season.
ESPN was horrible | 3:13 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009
They wanted the MWC to move to LATE Thursdays and even Wednesdays or Tuesdays. I
didn't want to go to those games in person and I couldn't often watch
on tee-vee. The mtn. is better NOW, but was completely unacceptable for a
while.
Heads should roll at the conference level for letting that happen.
Heads should roll at the conference level for letting that happen.
TucsonUte | 3:14 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009
The article points out the biggest flaw of the whole BCS system...voters are
casting votes without being informed by watching the teams play before they cast
their ballots. Just another lame excuse for the BCS schools and their media
croonies.
E$PN = BC$ | 3:49 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009
I am certainly more tolerant of ESPN not highlighting college football than I am
of the BCS system. ESPN is a television network whose only goal is to make
money just like any other business. Of course they will highlight the teams
they have contracts with and largely ignore the others. It is unfortunate that
their influence affects the pollsters so much, but that's the reality of
college football.
The BCS, on the other hand, is some kind of subgroup of the NCAA and unfortunately the maximization of profits for the benefit of the BCS conferences is its only goal. The NCAA and BCS's goals should be to promote student athletes and oversee a system that is fair. They accomplish neither under the current system. TV contracts aside, the system is completely BS.
The BCS, on the other hand, is some kind of subgroup of the NCAA and unfortunately the maximization of profits for the benefit of the BCS conferences is its only goal. The NCAA and BCS's goals should be to promote student athletes and oversee a system that is fair. They accomplish neither under the current system. TV contracts aside, the system is completely BS.
blueaussie | 5:09 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009
For Zach, Jeremy, CalBlue and any others. You can get every byu football game
and virtually all byu basketball games (and I would guess it is the same for any
other conference team) by getting Directv Choice plus (plus gives you versus,
regular choice you can't get it) and the sports pack for a regular price of
$57.99 + $12 = $69.99. Quit whining and go get your games. By the way, it
would help to plan ahead to get it installed in time instead of the day of the
game. Right now you can even get it discounted and with movie channels for
free.
Enjoy the games!
Enjoy the games!
To the college .... | 7:37 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009
presidents. Admit your mistake. Fire thompson, sack the mtn OR step down
yourselves!
To: WAAAH!!! | 1:20 p.m. | 9:27 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009
Nice and AMEN
Cougar in Lobo land | 10:46 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009
How does Thompson still have a job? Does this guy ever admit fault? His resume
for the MWC is pitiful. I still fume about the Liberty Bowl fiasco of years
ago, let alone this TV contract where he obviously swam in waters way over his
head. What has this guy done for this league? Our premier bowl (LV) is against
the 4th-5th place Pac-10 team? Thanks Craig!!!
RE | 12:47 p.m. Jan. 10, 2009
Get over it people!! I bet most of you who are whining about the MTN never
watch it even though you could.. I find the coverage and quality has increased
10 fold over the last few years. It's awesome the league has it's own
network! It will only grow. The Big 10 has it's own network.. Everyone
who wants to get the MTN can just get a dish with DirecTv with the MTN located
right next to the Big Ten Network channel.
RE:Re | 2:18 p.m. Jan. 10, 2009
What channel did you watch this season, certainly not the mountain. The
coverage was pathetic. TCU vs. Utah, wasn't even covered and that was the
game of the year for the conference. At the end of the season they cut Saturday
night football games to show preseason college basketball. That's
ridiculous. The announcers spend more time talking about each others personal
careers than the actual game. Every time there's a play fake they lose
sight of the ball. This is understandable once a game but everytime is
embarrassing.
Sub-Standard Network | 2:23 p.m. Jan. 10, 2009
Lots of problems with the inept, self-serving commissioner, sweetheart TV deals
with media moguls, etc. Let me toss in the ancient cameras they sometimes use
that suddenly makes you wonder what happened to your tv. And have you looked in
on the MTN versions of SportsCenter? High School journalism class all over
again. Other than the content--the very athletic events which conference
schools own and control--the network is worth nothing. Somebody gave away the
store.
E-zone | 11:31 p.m. Jan. 10, 2009
Good Heck, what bunch of crying... This deal has been great for the MWC and it
will only get better. FWIW, ABC/ESPN wanted to cut the MWC contract to $40
million on 7 years with the addition of TCU. The old contract was a 7 year deal
for $48 million (per TCU being added). ESPN also wanted to put the majority of
the MWC games on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday nights. The Big 6 conferences
were getting the Thursday night games.
Also, ESPNU is on same sports pack as Direct TV which costs $12 a month or in my case $11 month (since I have the HD Package too).
Those Dish Network people it, took me all a second to decide to switch to a satellite carrier that offered the mtn. I watch every Utah game but the Weber St game and every BYU, in total I watched at least 40 MWC football games this year from my home here in Western Idaho.
Also, ESPNU is on same sports pack as Direct TV which costs $12 a month or in my case $11 month (since I have the HD Package too).
Those Dish Network people it, took me all a second to decide to switch to a satellite carrier that offered the mtn. I watch every Utah game but the Weber St game and every BYU, in total I watched at least 40 MWC football games this year from my home here in Western Idaho.
Anti-PC Infidel | 11:39 p.m. Jan. 10, 2009
I have no complaint about the BCS existing. It's like MySpace, just a
network of self-absorbed brats. If some of these self-named elite schools want
to have their little club, that's their right. I do, however, wish that
they would be honest enough to stop calling it the "National
Championship." It has not more real legitimacy than if I drew the names of
two universities out of a hat and had them play a game. It's just a game
between a couple of pretty good teams selected by other members of their snotty
little clique.
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