For all the commotion Texas’ Longhorn Network has caused the Big 12, you’d at least think it would have all details taken care of as far as actually getting the product out there.
That’s not necessarily the case.
With the network set to launch in just a couple of weeks, a carrier -- be it cable, satellite or telecom -- has yet to sign on to a deal, according to Barry Horn of the Dallas Morning News by way of the Kansas City Star.
The main carriers in this situation are Time Warner Cable, DirecTV, Dish Network, AT&T and Verizon Fios. And while there is still plenty of a time to solidify a deal -- an ESPN spokesperson said “We are still in active discussions” -- it’s just a little bit more than head-scratching/awkward/hilarious that no carrier has stepped forward yet.
More than likely, negotiations are ongoing. ESPN and UT have poured far too much time and money into this deal, and ticked off way too many others in the process, for nothing to air on Aug. 26, the day of the launch.
But it’s coming down to the wire. It’ll be interesting to see if the LHN gets the deal it wants, or has to compromise; the latter situation would be nothing short of a disappointment.