MWC’s TV pact may
help WAC
The Western Athletic Conference could benefit by the Mountain West Conference's departure from ESPN, as early as next fall.
WAC commissioner Karl Benson said he has met with ESPN about games from his league replacing those of the MWC when the MWC starts its new contract with College Sports TV.
The Mountain West and ESPN are contracted through the 2005-06 school year, Benson said. But other sources said the MWC will try to get out of its last year with ESPN.
"Probably one thing that can be said is we'd expect this will allow for greater exposure, more exposures," Benson said in a telephone interview. "We've had preliminary discussions the past 48 hours, and I'm led to believe this will mean additional men's basketball and football exposure for the WAC. We have an opportunity to become more important to the ESPN strategy."
Benson signed a six-year deal for the WAC with ESPN worth more than $1 million per year last month.
That agreement includes playing football games on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, which was reportedly one of the reasons the Mountain West decided to leave ESPN. Another was university presidents' opposition to 10 p.m. basketball starts.
The WAC's deal with ESPN calls for a minimum of eight televised regular-season football games beginning in 2006 and a total of 46 through the 2009 season. The deal also calls for basketball coverage.
With the void left by the Mountain West, the WAC has more leverage with ESPN now, Benson said. But he does not know if that means an increase in rights fees.
"That's an unknown. We've always said at this point in time, 'What's more important? Exposure or revenue? Which comes first?' Exposure allows teams advantages in recruiting that can translate into more revenue down the line." Benson said.
"The whole turn of events allows the WAC to be looked at with new value by ESPN. If value is per appearance ... I'm sure it will be discussed, but there are no expectations at this time," he added.
At least two Hawaii games -- at Boise State (Oct. 29) and at Fresno State (Nov. 13) -- will be shown by ESPN this fall. Home games against Northwestern (Nov. 27) and Michigan State (Dec. 4) might also be picked up.
It is unlikely Hawaii will be asked to host midweek games. But Benson said ESPN will probably want UH to host a Friday game at some point, something UH athletic director Herman Frazier is strongly against.
