Lyke still seems pleased with the first full football season under the belt of the fledgling networkpitt
Pitt AD Heather Lyke does not "sound optimistic" about Comcast striking a carriage agreement with the ACC Network before the '20 football season, according to Alan Saunders of PITTSBURGH SPORTS NOW. Comcast's omnibus deal with ESPN and other Disney properties does not expire until '22, meaning the cable giant has "little incentive to make a deal with the sports network now." Lyke said, "The timing is tricky. It's really sort of outside of our control." But Saunders noted Lyke still "seems pleased with the first full football season under the belt of the fledgling" network, even as Comcast "continues to be a major issue for fans in Pittsburgh." She said, "The coverage that our teams are getting, the behind-the-scenes, the stories that are being told, I think our fans appreciate it." She added of Comcast holding out, "That's a key turning point for us and eventually, we'll get there with Comcast. I have a lot of confidence in ESPN and our conference office to get that deal done." Lyke also said that as it "drags on, more Pitt and ACC fans may make the switch to ditch Comcast for another provider" (PITTSBURGHSPORTSNOW.com, 12/28).
