APWhen the Longhorn Network launched last year, the $300 million third-tier partnership between ESPN and the University of Texas was supposed to be a landmark deal to further increase the exposure of Longhorns athletics. However, it’s mostly caused complications and hasn’t been picked up by as many carriers as was originally thought. Now, Texas coach Mack Brown is expressing his frustration with the network and its “all access” approach.
“Like I said, I didn’t ask for it,” Brown said about the six hours a week he apparently spends taping shows for the network. “We were given a deal we had no input in, and we’ve been trying to make it the best we can for both (UT and ESPN).”
The network gets access to the first 30 minutes of practice each day… which Brown says may be tipping off coaches to schemes, injuries, etc… which is an excuse eight letters long rhyming with “pull spit.”
“It’s a true advantage (for opponents),” Brown said. “They can watch our attitude, they can watch our coaches.”
Can they watch the missed tackles? How about the quitting attitude your team showed against Oklahoma in the Red River Shootout this year? Not sure the 100 people who actually get the LHN needed 30 minutes of practice time to see that. But criticizing Brown for whining about something every other program in the country would take in a heartbeat is too easy. The fact is Brown just publicly took shots at a rather high-profile and very influential business partner. We’ll let that speak for itself.
In response, ESPN issued the following response to the Houston Chronicle: “UT, along with ESPN, launched Longhorn Network to serve the school’s tremendously passionate fan base with quality content. A network of this kind has never been done at this level and it continues to evolve.” Texas athletic director DeLoss Dodds added “Anything that’s troubling to Mack we will address.”
What both parties have told or will tell Brown in private is likely to be more interesting, but it also won’t be anything Brown doesn’t know already. Besides, it was Brown who essentially answered his own concerns about the LHN and the “overexposure” it gives the program.
“I’m a soldier,” Brown said. “They tell me to go work with the Longhorn Network, I’ll go do it.”
Yes, you will, and so will the next coach who takes that job.
Awwwww, poor ol Yella Teeth.
I would think you would want all of your games to be televised on the Longhorn Network, since most of modern civilization doesn’t get that channel.
Karma’s a bi#@h – you have no right to complain when your school is making $300 million.
it would be hilarious to see Texas pull Saban from Alabama and then try to push this stuff on him. I can just see the look on his face…
Hey, Mack, I didn’t ask for the LHN, but I get it. Right next to the “Barbie Channel”, for goodness’ sakes, and that’s no lie.
I suppose getting LHN is like an autopsy. You might get it, but you never ask for it.
The Aggies are laughing at you, Mack. Shoulda went to the PAC-12 when you had the chance.
The LHN is a joke. But, DeLost got his $$ so who cares. The two games earlier this season on LHN took forever. Setting in the stands waiting for the stupid commercials to end is more than fustrating. But, ESPN is apparently getting their money’s worth too.
Feisty, do you really think ESPN is getting their money’s worth?
It’s like any other network: Nobody wants to watch it if the content stinks.
I work in the petrochemical industry with many good UT graduates who do not watch the LHN. I watched it one day myself and like others I thought I had tuned into an all commercial channel.
Maybe Mack Brown will please many UT alums and retire? Maybe after this season? Let his successor complain about $300 M and other schools watching his coaches.
Dear Mack
You literally have more resources at your disposal than any other program in the country. Not just financially, but also a vast local talent pool from which to recruit. Despite these advantages your team underachieves year in and year out. Shut the fuck up.
Shows get canceled all the time but football programs don’t….or do they….lmao
Texas athletic director DeLoss Dodds added “Anything that’s troubling to Mack we will address.”
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How about addressing what’s the troubling the fan base…remember U$?
LHN is Mack Brown’s scapegoat-of-the-moment.
Longhorn coordinators can relax for a little while.
It’s time, Mack.
HANG. IT. UP.
Poor baby Mack Brown. You and DeLois Dodds have your money. Your team looks pathetic. I would not want anyone to see my team play either if they were as bad as Texas.
Because it’d be impossible to schedule practice so the first 30 minutes didn’t include things that could help your opponents? That’s got to be the lamest excuse I’ve ever heard. (And I actually like Mack Brown.)
I can just picture some graduate assistant being blown off as he tried to explain that maybe stretching at the beginning of practice was a better idea than going over the detailed game plan for the week.
Texas already tried to pull Saban from Alabama. They offered him $7 million a year and he turned it down. Coach Saban gets offers all the time but turns them down because it is no longer about the money with him. It is about his legacy and he is doing it at Alabama.
How much money do you need? I wish we had Saban or someone like him at Tennessee.