There might be restrictions to the behemoth that is the Longhorn Network, after all.
And, naturally, it’s the NCAA who could be setting said restrictions.
Set to launch next month, the LHN is working with the NCAA on some final kinks to make sure they are fully compliant with NCAA bylaws regarding the broadcasting of high school games, David Barron of the Houston Chronicle writes today.
It’s a difficult task when prospective athletes are involved. And in Texas’ instance, that’s almost always the case.
NCAA spokesman Erik Christianson e-mailed the Chronicle that the NCAA is “engaged in a conversation with the entities to better understand their plans and what bylaws come into play.”
Chances are, Christianson is talking about bylaw 13.10 (titled Publicity). If you want to read the full rule, you can HERE, but what’s important to know is that a prospective athlete can’t be involved (in person, on film or audio) with a television or radio broadcast that might feature a coach from UT, or is organized by someone in the athletics department at UT.
ESPN can schedule the event. Texas cannot.
Additionally, the University Interscholastic League, a Texas-based inter-school organization founded by UT, prohibits live TV game broadcasts on Friday nights. Currently, the UIL has a television deal with Fox Sprots Net.
That means ESPN would have to pick up individual district games.
“ESPN will select the games based on what they feel is best,” UT athletics director DeLoss Dodds said. “We understand that this is a new world and that we’re leading the way in an area that is new to us and new to the NCAA and new to ESPN. Like everything else, we will do it in a first-class way, in the light of day, and we will do it the right way.”