Yesterday, it was officially announced that the University of Texas had inked a $300 million deal with ESPN to officially kick start the Longhorn Network, or as it’s known around here, “Lewis Black‘s theory on greed in America coming to fruition”.
Not to be out-done by their Red River Rivals, The Tulsa World is reporting that the University of Oklahoma is in the works of creating their own television channel as well. OU senior associate athletic director Kenny Mossman said that the channel is projected to be up and broadcasting sometime this year.
In fact, you could say Mossman wants to finalize the deal Sooner, rather than later. *winkwink* *nudgenudge*
“I wish I could tell you exactly when,” Mossman said. “But we’ve worked on it long enough and have enough of an idea of what our model will resemble that we feel confident we’ll be launching something in the not-too-distant future.”
Mossman also mentioned that OU’s channel will likely differ from Texas’. Whereas the Longhorn Network is independently run and provides all the content, Oklahoma is looking to partner with an existing network to distribute its programming.
Learfield Sports, OU’s multimedia rights holder, has reportedly reached out to FOX Sports Net, Cox Cable and ESPN for coverage. But with many Big 12 games already being shown on Fox Sports Southwest, as well as Bob Stoops’ coach’s show, FSN and Cox Cable could be seen as serious front runners for the content and distribution.
OU’s channel will also feature original programming such as Olympic sporting events, coaches’ shows and potentially men’s and women’s basketball games.
Amazingly -- like its burnt orange counterpart -- the channel would only broadcast a football game or two each year so as to not conflict with the Big 12’s TV contracts with ESPN and FOX.
But no matter how many football games are initially shown, the network trend is gaining momentum. Universities and major college programs are creating -- or at the very lease exploring -- their own network or channel. It’s a business move that not every program has the means to make. The gap between the “big boys” of college football and everyone else is widening.
It is truly an arms race that goes as deep as the pockets of those who participate.