In Houston, David Barron notes "a few eyebrows were raised with the release of the licensing agreement between the University of Texas and ESPN that gives the school the right to request that talent be replaced" on the Longhorn Network. However, the clause is "not dissimilar to those that many universities have with their radio networks." Longhorn Network Dir of Programming Dave Brown said that it is "designed to cope with off-the-field or on-air indiscretions, not performance-related criticism of Texas players or coaches." Brown: "We are going to be editorially sound in every production" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 5/6).
CRUCIAL TALKS: ESPN.com's Brian Bennett wrote what should keep Big East Commissioner John Marinatto "up at night is the critical nature of the next TV contract." ESPN's deal with the Pac-10 means that the net is "committed now to each of the other five" BCS conferences. The Big East "has the last remaining inventory of BCS football games to offer," and Bennett wondered, "How much space will be left for the Big East, whose games often have less national appeal than those of other conferences?" However, Big East basketball "remains a top-notch property," and there is "leverage in that, and Marinatto and league officials must get the most out of it." Bennett: "How they fare will have much more of an impact on the league future than adding another team" (ESPN.com, 5/5).
CHANGED, BUT STILL UNITED: In DC, Steven Goff reported the agreement between MLS DC United and Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic "has changed," as the club is "no longer collecting a rights fee from Comcast and the sides are sharing production costs." The team and the net in '07 had "entered in to a four-year contract that included an undisclosed rights fee." When that deal "expired and no other serious bidders emerged, United and Comcast agreed to continue working together but under a new financial arrangement." Goff noted CSN "will show 17 of the 34 regular season matches this season" (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 5/4).
BROADCASTING ORIGINAL: In Miami, Barry Jackson writes ESPN/ABC NBA analyst Jeff Van Gundy is "witty, clever and uniquely original as a TV personality -- one of the few who can skillfully mix incisive analysis with quirky musings." Van Gundy "voices opinions bluntly, without hesitation." Jackson: "Whether you agree with him or not, Van Gundy at least makes you think" (MIAMI HERALD, 5/6).
