Bad Dream: MSU Coach Izzo Calls Big Ten Network "PR Nightmare"

Izzo Voices Frustrations Over Big Ten Network's Carriage Issue

Michigan State Univ. (MSU) men's basketball coach Tom Izzo yesterday called the Big Ten Network (BTN), which has televised eight of MSU's 14 conference games, a "PR nightmare," according to Teddy Greenstein of the CHICAGO TRIBUNE. Izzo: "I make more calls than I ever have this year to people who write me, really upset about it." He added: "I think it has hurt all of us." BTN President Mark Silverman said Izzo has been a "huge supporter of the network. He wants his team to be seen by fans, and so do we. I think what he said is reflective of all of our frustrations." Greenstein writes: "Is this an isolated complaint, or is the BTN's wall of loyalty beginning to crumble? And if it is, will the Big Ten put pressure on BTN officials to cave to the demands of giant cable operators Comcast, Time Warner and Charter?" Silverman said that Izzo's comments "would not affect negotiations" with the cable operators. Izzo acknowledged that BTN "could become a long-term winner for the league and for its fans. But not now." Izzo: "We have so many things right now that we're trying to fight -- the price of tickets, the economy of our state. And then we throw this at them" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 2/27). BTN VP/Communications Elizabeth Conlisk: "We clearly know it's been a difficult situation for fans and we are working very hard to reach agreements with other cable companies so that they can have access to the network. Coach Izzo has been enormously supportive of the network. For him to express his frustration, it only makes us say we're not happy with the situation, either." Comcast Midwest Dir of Communication Patrick Paterno said that the company "has continued to negotiate with the [BTN] and Fox" (AP, 2/26).