So the Pac-10 recently extended its contract with FSN through 2012 season, which will allow it retain exclusive national rights on broadcasting the league's game. JD over at BruinHoopScoop already expressed his reservations about this deal. However, Greg Hansen of Arizona Daily Star argues that the Pac-10 Commissioner's hands are a tied because DSPN is already too wedded to ACC programs not being able to give Pac-10 any prime time slots in its national coverage. Hansen also reasons that Tom Hansen (the Pac-10 Commish) is guaranteeing the league tons of cash through this TV contract.
Well that could be the case. But I'd like to see a little more creative thinking from the Pac-10 and its team's PR offices to promote the basketball conference. JD makes the point over at BHS:
Perhaps the conference can set up high profile inter-conference matchups with the Big-12 teams rivaling the ACC/Big-10 challenge? What about exploring the options of broadcasting games online like CBS did during the tourney? Another idea to pursue (after 2011-12 season) is to perhaps set up a side deal with TBS or TNT like the football season. I love TBS's coverage of the football season (much better graphics and presentation than Fair and Balanced). And for God's sake perhaps FSN can put a little more pressure on FSN to hire more capable broadcasters and to provide better graphics during their broadcasts. On the other hand ... if we continue to advance on the trajectory Coach Howland has set up for our basketball program, we are going to serve notice with or without DSPN. We did it this past season (we were noticed enough that we earned the No. 2 seed out West, despite all the pro Gonzaga shenanigans out of DSPN) and we will continue to do so in these coming years. Let's just keep our fingers either AA or JF or both will be coming back this season.
GO BRUINS.