BYU will also have their own network. That is a given. You don't have to be Jim Rockford, Colombo, or Miss Marple to see. it coming.
If you want a couple of clues to follow on your own, here are two we suggest you take a look at.
The first is that BYUtv has brought on Dave McCann to upgrade sports programming. It is just a short step for McCann and another broadcaster to move to actual game broadcasts, once BYU regains it television rights. When that does happen, we expect McCann's partner to be Blaine Fowler.
Here is a little of what BYUtv will be producing this first year.
Watch here.
If you don't think BYU is serious about having its own network, then check out this story in the Deseret News. It details what BYU had on the table for the WAC and its member schools. It included several broadcasts that were not BYU related.
Read it here.
Here is the salient part that gives insight to what BYU's new network will be doing.
"BYU commits to televising via its cable network the following WAC events: all matches of the WAC volleyball tournament not televised by ESPN, all games of the WAC men's and women's basketball tournaments not televised by ESPN, all games of the WAC baseball tournament and softball tournament," the agreement stated. "BYU will have the rights to televise any other WAC championship events that is wishes, along with any other regular-season events when permissible per the ESPN contract."
Under the heading labeled Revenue Sharing, BYU and the WAC laid out what each entity would receive in regards to football, differentiating between television and possible bowl game revenues.
"WAC will retain 100 (percent) of all the rights fees it receives from its ESPN agreement. BYU will retain 100 (percent) of all rights fees it receives from its ESPN contract. There will be no sharing of television revenues by either party," the agreement said. "WAC will retain 100 (percent) of all BCS revenue that it receives. BYU will retain 100 (percent) of all BCS revenue that it receives. There will be no sharing of BCS revenues by either party."
BYU is too far down the road with its objective of regaining its athletic television rights and with its network to go back now. It is not a question of why, but when.
If you think going independent is not the way to go, here is another article to chew on. In our last newsletter we said that we expect to see more high profile teams go independent. Here is someone who agrees with us and says Texas will go independent.
Read it here.
