June 18, 2007

SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT is a feature of TheMWC.com where the Mountain West will correct or clarify misleading or inaccurate information appearing in press accounts.

Tony Pizza's June 14 story, "Making a molehill out of a mtn.", misrepresents some facts, omits others and does not include important context related to the overall story.

Pizza incorrectly states, "Not even the SEC, Big 12, Big Ten or Pac-10 have attempted to put out a television network solely dedicated to its conference, and for good reason." In fact, the Big Ten Conference will launch its own network in August, while the SEC, Big 12 and Pac-10 have discussed the possibilities of starting their own network. The Big 12 and Pac-10 have decided to go in another direction, while the SEC is still contemplating its options.

Pizza is also off the mark when he questions the positive impact on the MWC football schedule as justification for the switch to the new television deal, including allowing MWC teams to play on Saturdays, the traditional day for college football. Pizza states, "In 2005, seven MWC college football games were played on a day other than Saturday, the traditional day for college football. In 2007, 10 MWC games will be played on days other than Saturday." While technically 10 MWC football games will be played on days other than Saturday in 2007, criticizing the Conference's television model on that basis is inaccurate. Of those 10 games, only five are controlled by the MWC. The other five games are comprised of two bowl games and three non-conference road games -- the dates for which are determined by the bowls and the host institutions/conferences. Of the MWC's five non-Saturday dates in 2007, four are marquee Thursday slots and the fifth is the Friday after Thanksgiving, which has become a traditional day for college football. A glance at the schedules of some other BCS conferences will reveal a far greater number of non-Saturday contests.

It should also be noted that the MWC's television model is not comprised solely of telecasts on The Mtn. It involves a combination of three outlets - VERSUS, CSTV and The Mtn. This new model has indeed improved the Conference football schedule. In addition to minimizing the non-Saturday dates (including avoiding Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday slots), the vast majority of games are now played on Saturday afternoons and early evenings in close proximity to the institutions' preferred kick times.

Bret Gilliland
MWC Deputy Commissioner