Some Kentucky fans are not happy that UK basketball and football are playing at the same time on Dec. 31 but UK Radio Network affiliates also have issues with the scheduling conflict. (Vicky Graff Photo)
University of Kentucky fans are not the only ones with a big dilemma because UK basketball and football both have games that start at the same time Dec. 31.
Kentucky basketball hosting Louisville in Rupp Arena at noon on New Year’s Eve and UK football playing Iowa in the Music City Bowl in Nashville at noon the same day presents major logistical issues for local radio affiliates who carry UK football and basketball games.
So how will the local stations decide whether to air UK-Iowa football or UK-Louisville basketball?
“That decision is out of my hands because of what the (UK Radio) Network decided,” said Robert Wagner, general manager of Hometown Radio in Danville. “They are doing the football game. I do not have anything to choose. There is not a good alternative for basketball statewide.
“I am sure from a business standpoint to get one more football game in football-wise and the ad spots might make sense and then you can make up the basketball spots in future games. But there just is not a good option for us.”
The Kentucky football game will be distributed to affiliates statewide while the UK basketball game will be on 98.1 (FM) The Bull in Lexington and 840 (AM) WHAS in Louisville. Those two stations apparently will join the football broadcast after the basketball postgame but the football game will likely almost be over by then.
Affiliates will apparently be given a streaming link to use on a second station or to stream online. However, apparently that streaming link will be the feed from 98.1 The Bull and would mean few if any local options for ads affiliates had sold in their UK basketball packages.
Beth Mann, president/CEO Of Edge Media Group in western Kentucky, says the basketball/football conflict “creates quite a nightmare” for programming at her station — WKDZ-106.5 FM.
“It sort of puts us in a position to decide which game is the most important to our listeners and really puts us in a bind. Do you carry the UK-UL game that all fans are passionate about or carry a football bowl game that does not have (quarterback Will) Levis? But whatever decision we make and game we carry, not everybody is going to be happy.”
Wagner wishes there could be a way to have the basketball game available to affiliates and then join the football game immediately when the basketball game ends. He understands having two network feeds to use on two different stations would have a “lot of hurdles” to overcome.
“It’s just not fair to fans. It’s dumb that they can’t enjoy both games. The school did not do the fans any favors,” Wagner said.
Or the local radio affiliates.
6 Responses
Why aren’t these contracts written to anticipate these situations. I see no reason why the UK-UL basketball game could not be pushed back a few hours, and I don’t know why the contracts don’t provide for these type of contingencies.
Sounds like UK needs a good transactional lawyer on its staff.
Professor, if I’m not wrong the television network has the say so what time the games starts. Then again they could have scheduled this on another date before or after bowl games starts.
I see this as a 3 way contract, and I see no reason that a bowl conflict clause cannot be added to these contracts for these rare events. I understand how TV networks rule the roost, but everything is negotiable. That is what contracts are for, to arrive at mutually agreeable terms and conditions. I cannot image that the opponent (UL) would object this type of clause because it could work to their benefit as well, and if both of the competitors want the clause and will look to talk to other networks to televise the deal, then they can have the negotiating power they need.
CBS isn’t allowing the game to be moved. The only time that’ll ever be possible is if our games being broadcasted on ESPN+ or SEC+. CBS is a business’s and those other time slots are already sold to someone else. I’m sure we could try to move the game anyways, but I’m sure CBS would sue for breach of contract and it’d be stuck on some streaming platform. Just watch one game on the computer and the other on your TV. Or go to a local sports bar considering there a 0% chance ever bar in the state isn’t playing both games
No way to move the basketball game with CBS schedule that day
Cal does say we are a basketball school.
Another stupid remark considering he can’t seem to win the SEC against football schools.