TCU Thursday became the latest Big 12 school to sign a multiyear deal with Fox Sports for the school's third-tier TV rights. FS Southwest and other Fox RSNs will air TCU-related content, including one football game, all available men's basketball games and agreed upon Olympic sports. The partnership officially began last week with TCU's football game against Grambling State. Fox Sports has signed similar deals with Oklahoma and Texas Tech (THE DAILY). In Ft. Worth, Stefan Stevenson cites reports as stating that Oklahoma State and West Virginia are "also working on deals" with FS Southwest, which would make it "potentially the de facto Big 12 network of sorts." FS Southwest Senior VP & GM Jon Heidtke said, "You could say we've definitely been bullish on the Big 12. Our mission statement is to be the preeminent regional sports network in our five-state territory. Adding these schools of this calilber ... certainly heads us in that direction." TCU AD Chris Del Conte said that the six-year deal between the school and FS Southwest includes "no immediate plans to create a weekly show for the network" (FT. WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM, 9/14). Texas Tech AD Kirby Hocutt said that the school's three-year deal with FS Southwest will include "game coverage and news magazine shows 'Red Raider Weekly' and 'Raider Power.'" He added that Texas Tech's staff is "currently equipped to be able to put together broadcasts for all its games and shows." However, Hocutt said, "You'd have to think there will be some growth in personnel in the years to come" (LUBBOCK AVALANCHE-JOURNAL, 9/14).
