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Myriad factors nipping at MWC
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HA | 5:45 a.m. Oct. 25, 2007
you're assuming of course that Utah wins out in their scenario. Escaping
Fort Collins with a win is no cake-walk for the Utes.. remember last year? San
Diego is just plain bad. Postponing the BYU game is just delaying the
inevitable. The league championship is a battle between BYU and the winner of
New Mexico/Air Force. Utah is out of it.
Mr Doom | 7:40 a.m. Oct. 25, 2007
The whole conference is inevitably doomed if we don't get out of the TV
contract. No exposure = no recruits. Back in the day with the games on KSL and
rebroadcasts on KBYU we were seen throughout the region at least. It was great
marketing because we created fans. Now the fans have to search, beg, and pay
through the nose to get a sniff of BYU football. Many will find something else
to do and the excitement around BYU football will wane. We're doomed...
Who cares any more? | 8:44 a.m. Oct. 25, 2007
Out of sight...out of mind. Not only long time fans, but the national media as
well.
This could well become a business school text case on how poor management decisions and greed destroys a once viable product (the MWC).
No longer viable, but consigned to the same level as division II programs.
Sad, but true.
This could well become a business school text case on how poor management decisions and greed destroys a once viable product (the MWC).
No longer viable, but consigned to the same level as division II programs.
Sad, but true.
Comments continue below
2 loss teams | 9:51 a.m. Oct. 25, 2007
If you want to be a top 25 team at this point in the season outside of a major
conference you better only have 0 or 1 loss.
The MWC tv deal is killing any national exposure needed to climb in the polls. The fact that all games played in a mwc venue will be on the mtn or cstv or vs if they are lucky just ensures the conference won't ever get any national exposure/respect.
In Utah's Fiesta Bowl run their wins over cal oregon A&m were on ESPN. And yes it was hard to watch ESPN's man crush on Urban Meyer but it definately helped them in the rankings.
Exposure like that will never be available under this TV contract.
The MWC tv deal is killing any national exposure needed to climb in the polls. The fact that all games played in a mwc venue will be on the mtn or cstv or vs if they are lucky just ensures the conference won't ever get any national exposure/respect.
In Utah's Fiesta Bowl run their wins over cal oregon A&m were on ESPN. And yes it was hard to watch ESPN's man crush on Urban Meyer but it definately helped them in the rankings.
Exposure like that will never be available under this TV contract.
josephcee | 10:12 a.m. Oct. 25, 2007
I cannot understand why the media and MWC hopefulls haven't tried to find
out who made the disasterous decision to pretty much remove MWC games from
national and most regional TV. Who made such a really foolish decision when the
stated goals by at least some of the conference members was to increase national
exposure and to increase fan loyalty. Playing footsie with Comcast only
benefits Comcast. The Conference sold out but why isn't someone asking
exactly who is behind the sellout and WHY. Were there any personal benefits
traded by those decision makers? If not it seems to me there is a really good
case for getting better management in decision making jobs.
RH | 10:40 a.m. Oct. 25, 2007
Unless the MWC dumps the TV contract with TheMtn, the whole conference will be
D-II sports, not only football, but basketball, etc. What a joke!
Too bad our teams have no exposure thanks to a BAD decision by the so called leaders.
Good luck MWC, a once proud conference.
GO UTES!
Too bad our teams have no exposure thanks to a BAD decision by the so called leaders.
Good luck MWC, a once proud conference.
GO UTES!
duhverl | 11:30 a.m. Oct. 25, 2007
Stinkin' mtn . . . Thanks for nothing.
Go MWC, but without Craig Thompson.
Go MWC, but without Craig Thompson.
Frosted | 11:35 a.m. Oct. 25, 2007
Can you believe the utter gall by the MWC to try to cover their incompetence by
putting ads on tv telling BYU and Utah fans to call their satellite providers
and DEMAND the 'mtn'?
Re: RH | 11:47 a.m. Oct. 25, 2007
Apparently you need some education in contracts 101. You can't just dump
them; that's why its called a contract. Lawsuits of breach of contract will
follow. You can buy it out but I'm guessing that would be a lot of money or
it would have been done by now. As stated above, it is bad management because
they should have put a clause in the contract that if the MTN does not do
certain things like sign with Direct TV, etc. then the MWC could opt out.
However; it could be voided if both parties agree. BYU and Utah should threaten
to leave the conference, even if they go back to the WAC if negotiations are not
made soon. New Mexico, CSU and UNLV are the same as Hawaii, Nevada, and other
mid-WAC teams right? And you get Boise State.
Looking for Change | 11:54 a.m. Oct. 25, 2007
Once again. The only way to get out of this TV contract prior to its own
expiration is to pull out of the MWC and form a new conference. This time leave
Commissioner Thompson in Denver out of the picture.
JB | 12:16 p.m. Oct. 25, 2007
"2 loss teams | 9:51 a.m. Oct. 25, 2007
If you want to be a top 25 team at this point in the season outside of a major conference you better only have 0 or 1 loss."
That is very true. Even Boise State is still fighting to get in the top 25 with 1 loss. They sit around #29 depending on which poll you look at. If Utah, BYU, Air Force, and BSU keep winning they could all be ranked by the end of the season but like you say its tough right now to be considered for the top 25. Foxsports.com is especially brutal to non-BSC teams. They have MWC teams ranked 50+ and even Hawaii is at like #42.
If you want to be a top 25 team at this point in the season outside of a major conference you better only have 0 or 1 loss."
That is very true. Even Boise State is still fighting to get in the top 25 with 1 loss. They sit around #29 depending on which poll you look at. If Utah, BYU, Air Force, and BSU keep winning they could all be ranked by the end of the season but like you say its tough right now to be considered for the top 25. Foxsports.com is especially brutal to non-BSC teams. They have MWC teams ranked 50+ and even Hawaii is at like #42.
The MWC went for $$$ | 12:19 p.m. Oct. 25, 2007
The MWC saw $ signs. They didn't really think this through. They just
assumed that the cable companies and satellite networks would pick up the
station. So, really, the MWC "sold out." They made a bad choice by
going for the TV money instead of competing for BCS money like the other non-bcs
schools. Had they stayed with the ESPN contract they woudl have much more
exposure and a 1 loss team from the MWC would consistently be in the discussion
for one of the BCS games. The way it sits now, a one loss MWC team (not that we
have one) doesn't get serious consideration for a top 25 ranking because of
the lack of exposure through media (especially TV.) An undefeated MWC team
would pretty much be a shoe-in for a BCS bowl bid.
Is the mtn contract 7 years? So, in 5 years MWC football will be obsolete and we won't even get offered a big money contract again, no recruits, and no exposure. We will be on the same status as Div II football or Ivy League. It's obvious that the "brain power" of the MWC isn't on par with the Ivy League.
Is the mtn contract 7 years? So, in 5 years MWC football will be obsolete and we won't even get offered a big money contract again, no recruits, and no exposure. We will be on the same status as Div II football or Ivy League. It's obvious that the "brain power" of the MWC isn't on par with the Ivy League.
JB | 12:26 p.m. Oct. 25, 2007
frosted,, I think its pretty dumb as well. I think we should shift it to calling
the MWC office and annoying them rather than a comcast or satellite employee in
India who knows nothing of the Mtn!
Opportunity lost.....? | 12:53 p.m. Oct. 25, 2007
I saw on KJZZ last night they broadcast an interview that they did with
Commissioner Thompson. He said that a week ago the satelite providers contacted
them and they had an opportunity to extend coverage to add satelite coverage in
the 7 western states where teams are (all except texas). He claimed that the
Presidents and Athletic Directors of the universities in the conference want
nothing less than national coverage.
Why? I don't see why they wouldn't want the mtn on satellite in 7 states. The last time I checked 7 was more than 0. More coverage is more coverage. Why not take the 7 now and continue negotiating for the other 43. That just doesn't make any sense to me to turn it down all together.
To whoever made the decision to turn this down:
Thanks a lot for passing by an opportunity to extend the coverage of mtn west games, you're really helping the conference out I'm sure.
Why? I don't see why they wouldn't want the mtn on satellite in 7 states. The last time I checked 7 was more than 0. More coverage is more coverage. Why not take the 7 now and continue negotiating for the other 43. That just doesn't make any sense to me to turn it down all together.
To whoever made the decision to turn this down:
Thanks a lot for passing by an opportunity to extend the coverage of mtn west games, you're really helping the conference out I'm sure.
MadMax | 1:32 p.m. Oct. 25, 2007
To HA -
The TDS will lose 2 more MWC games and the Utes will be the victor in one of those losses. GO UTES!
To Opportunity lost -
Can you really believe anything that 'Hair' Thompson says? He is the primary architect of the disasterous TV contract. Utah and TDS must rid themselves of this conference and thus the ridiculous TV contract.
Chris Hill and Tom Holmoe must spend every waking moment on a new conference affiliation for the 2 premier athletic programs in the MWC. In this instance they must work together for their mutual advantage. Failure to do so will relegate them to the status of no significance on the national athletic scene. That would be a shame for these 2 storied institutions. In this instance - GO UTES and go kewgers!
The TDS will lose 2 more MWC games and the Utes will be the victor in one of those losses. GO UTES!
To Opportunity lost -
Can you really believe anything that 'Hair' Thompson says? He is the primary architect of the disasterous TV contract. Utah and TDS must rid themselves of this conference and thus the ridiculous TV contract.
Chris Hill and Tom Holmoe must spend every waking moment on a new conference affiliation for the 2 premier athletic programs in the MWC. In this instance they must work together for their mutual advantage. Failure to do so will relegate them to the status of no significance on the national athletic scene. That would be a shame for these 2 storied institutions. In this instance - GO UTES and go kewgers!
Coach C | 2:22 p.m. Oct. 25, 2007
First, BYU should be in a conference. Conferences are usually tied to Bowl games
and Bowl money. True, BYU has actually lost money by going to a bowl or two--but
generally they are money-makers for the entire sports department. Plus, being a
conference Champion provides motivation for players.
Secondly, BYU is unique because of the LDS church and its growing membership---while the Utah media hates to admit it, BYU's fan base continues to grow because the LDS membership continues to grow. BYU's fan base is slowly, but surely becoming international. The same could NOT be said for most teams across the country--certainly not most teams in the conference, except for Air Force---which is a weak argument for "international," fan base
Finally, Craig Thompson is under the direction of the confernece presidents, not his own agenda. However, his ability to read and forcast the Comcast and Satellite TV deal shows ineptitude. Unfortunately for him, he is the fall guy and will probably need to be fired. My guess is BYU and Utah are looking to either another conference and/or creating another conference which includes Boise State, Fresno State, TCU, UTEP, UNLV and maybe even San Jose State and Hawaii.
Secondly, BYU is unique because of the LDS church and its growing membership---while the Utah media hates to admit it, BYU's fan base continues to grow because the LDS membership continues to grow. BYU's fan base is slowly, but surely becoming international. The same could NOT be said for most teams across the country--certainly not most teams in the conference, except for Air Force---which is a weak argument for "international," fan base
Finally, Craig Thompson is under the direction of the confernece presidents, not his own agenda. However, his ability to read and forcast the Comcast and Satellite TV deal shows ineptitude. Unfortunately for him, he is the fall guy and will probably need to be fired. My guess is BYU and Utah are looking to either another conference and/or creating another conference which includes Boise State, Fresno State, TCU, UTEP, UNLV and maybe even San Jose State and Hawaii.
Re:New Conference | 2:46 p.m. Oct. 25, 2007
Dissolve MWC, ditch Wyoming (they have to win 8 games to go to a bowl), add two
top tier WAC (Boise St., Fresno St.) and C-USA (UTEP and Houston) teams to
weaken these conferences and create a super-mid-major conference.
New tv contract with ESPN, CSTV, whomever. New teams bring potentially 8+ million viewers.
Championship game will bring $ and exposure.
Close geography= insignificant increase in travel costs. Also,added teams in CA and TX= better recruits.
Realistically only chance of getting into BCS as 7th conference.
Basketball will be better too.
However, how do we convince the University Presidents who have rebuffed BSU on multiple occassiions and got us into the tv mess?
New tv contract with ESPN, CSTV, whomever. New teams bring potentially 8+ million viewers.
Championship game will bring $ and exposure.
Close geography= insignificant increase in travel costs. Also,added teams in CA and TX= better recruits.
Realistically only chance of getting into BCS as 7th conference.
Basketball will be better too.
However, how do we convince the University Presidents who have rebuffed BSU on multiple occassiions and got us into the tv mess?
Re: Coach C | 2:58 p.m. Oct. 25, 2007
Speaking of weak arguments...where are you from? I admit I am a LDS U grad and
worked out of state after graduation. The LDS football fans do not care about
BYU football unless they went to BYU. Most cheer for their alma matter or home
team. So, your 'fan base' should really be called 'church
base'; in fact, your whole second paragraph has nothing to do with
football. Internationally, where I have also lived, they care about soccer;
football is unique to America.
Wayne | 11:04 p.m. Oct. 25, 2007
Who ever made this lame TV package for the MWC ought to be drop kicked out of
any kind of management positiion. The MWC is dying a slow death right infront of
our eyes and no one is doing anything to stop it. ESPN is laughing their heads
off at us while the WAC, who had the wisdom to stay with ESPN, is growing
stronger. Its sad to watch, and must be even more painful for the players in the
MWC who play their hearts out in total obscurity. Nice move oh wise ones, nice
move.
Greg | 11:08 a.m. Oct. 26, 2007
Coach C: Why should anyone who joins the LDS church automatically be a BYU
fan?? Not all Catholics are Notre Dame fans. I have many RM friends that hate
BYU, does that make them bad-mormons?? Your arguement is insulting to any LDS
member that isn't a "sheep".
John Schow | 11:10 a.m. Oct. 26, 2007
It's good to see that I'm not the only fan that is astounded at the
horrible TV package that the MWC has entered in to. Why on earth would a
conference that was already suffering from poor coverage decide to leave ESPN?
ABC owned ESPN always gave us a shot at possibly being on at a decent time of
day not to mention the millions of homes coast to coast that currently have both
ESPN and ESPN2. The MWC needs someone with a brain in the commissioners office
(as long as they have decision making authority) and quit playing NIGHT GAMES.
Monday and Tuesday newspaper reports on MWC games don't garner much
attention here in Chicago or the East Coast. I'm a TCU alum and never
wanted them to join the MWC to begin with. All of my doubts have become even
clearer.
Utah Sports Fan | 1:48 p.m. Oct. 26, 2007
Last year I was reading that the MWC would be the next BCS league. Now the
WAC's top four teams are ranked higher in most poles than the top four MWC
teams.
Yesterday I read that the WAC was the 10th best basketball conference and the MWC 11th.
Maybe the U and the Y should ask to join the WAC conference so they can be seen on TV like the winless Aggies are. I was surprised the Aggies are on TV 11 out of the there 12 games nationwide.
The WAC looks like a better deal to me.
Yesterday I read that the WAC was the 10th best basketball conference and the MWC 11th.
Maybe the U and the Y should ask to join the WAC conference so they can be seen on TV like the winless Aggies are. I was surprised the Aggies are on TV 11 out of the there 12 games nationwide.
The WAC looks like a better deal to me.
Alternate | 1:53 p.m. Oct. 26, 2007
I would say to Re: Coach C and Greg that your comments about LDS in other areas
and BYU are just as extreme as saying every LDS member is a BYU fan. For every
RM that "hates" BYU (Greg comment) there are many that do. For every
LDS football fan who does not care about BYU (Re: Coach C comment) there are
many that do. All you need to do is go to one of BYU's away games and see
the number of BYU fans in the crowd. Another interesting thing to see is the
packed building when the team holds the evening fireside before games in those
cities. There are in fact large numbers of LDS who support BYU all over the
world. Not everyone but more than Greg and Re: Coach C wants to admit. Greg
your sheep comment destroyed the creditability of your other comments. My guess
is you are one of the sheep from the anti-herd who live next to the herd that
you bad mouthed.
The TV DEAL | 11:30 p.m. Oct. 26, 2007
Did you see the movie the Titanic? The part where the bow goes under and the
stern rises up out of ther water? Well that's where we are, there is no
time to effect a rescue...IT is condition RED NOW!!!
Air lift in the cameras and crews. Shoot home moives and put them on the inter net...Get the national news media involved, embarasss someone with the power to "flip the switch." Stage peaceful demonstartions whatever DO Something and everyone will join in!!!!
Air lift in the cameras and crews. Shoot home moives and put them on the inter net...Get the national news media involved, embarasss someone with the power to "flip the switch." Stage peaceful demonstartions whatever DO Something and everyone will join in!!!!
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