"We are well aware of the wrestling community's displeasure with the current schedule," said Mike Vest, Communications Manager at the Chicago-based BTN. "But the schedule released by some of the schools wasn't really final and I don't think it tells the whole story."
Indeed a follow-up post on USA Wrestling, which boasts 170k Facebook followers, mentioned that the Minnesota Gophers had added another live dual meet to the schedule. "The BTN is going to televise Penn State vs. Minnesota live ... that's now four duals live, but it's not enough live. Let them know you want to see more live wrestling on Big Ten Network."
Wrestlers are a relentless bunch, huh?
Vest described the decision-making process around what to schedule and when as a complicated matrix of travel schedules, event conflicts and managing expectations for all the interested sports fans. While he recognized that the number of live events are fewer than last season, he said that the total number of broadcasts across the online and broadcast platforms have actually increased since last season from 39 to 45 events -- growth which is consistent with each year of the BTN's coverage the past five years. Vest also said that the number doesn't include the student production initiative BTNU which could add to the selection of taped broadcasts provided by the network.
"The BTN likes wrestling and it loves lives events. One of the misunderstandings is that wrestling fans think we somehow like tape delays. We don't. We love live events, they make more money because they draw more viewers."
The problem is scheduling. Winter sports are played primarily on the weekends. Men and women's basketball are huge revenue generators for the network and take top priority. Add-in the coverage of ice hockey, volleyball and wrestling and you have five intercollegiate sports being competed at almost the exact same time (Friday night and Saturday afternoon) and consequently you're left with have-nots. Wrestling, at least this year, did not fare as well on the broadcast channel.
"There are lots of things we need to consider, including protecting the attendance of the home team and the travel schedule of the visiting team. We could go live at 3 a.m. on Sunday morning, but that's obviously not in anyone's best interest."
Vest said that Big Ten schools could work with the conference and the network (they're technically separate entities) to come up with a time that will benefit both teams and lead to a live broadcast. For example, if Brands and Cael can have a nice chat about schedules and make it work with the BTN, the Iowa vs. Penn State dual might air live on Sunday, Jan. 22.
The wrestling community's premature response to the scheduling wasn't completely negative, argued Vest.
"We are made aware of their frustrations almost immediately and can all work together to find solutions. We love the wrestling fans because it doesn't matter which teams we air, the fans like the sport of wrestling, not just a team, in sports like football it's all about who's playing and who we're airing."
Four live events does seem light, and while that's frustrating for the fans, there is nothing keeping Flowrestling.com, TheMat.TV or other broadcast entities from negotiating with the conference to air television rights. To date that really hasn't happened.
"We don't own all the content rights," said Vest. "We are given an allotment, but what we can't air, or choose not to air, becomes available for other networks and online providers. It's a pretty open marketplace."
The wrestling community enjoys being frustrated and complaining has become our favorite knee-jerk reaction to what we feel is an abuse of our loyalty, or unwritten agreement. However necessary it's become for us to create villains and keep ourselves motivated, the BTN doesn't seem to be the richest target. The network took an original gamble in providing content, and has since increased their coverage of the sport -- they aren't a non-profit or governmental organization. They're a business. No, they weren't able to carry as many live programs this year as they did last year, but if the product is good enough and the fans want to see it live, there is a market for other networks or online content providers. Why not heckle the other providers for not providing any content?
"One thing that I will say is that when the wrestling community gets onto a topic we are sure to find out about it immediately. Wrestling has a loyal fan base and as network we respect that and try to make sure that we can give them as many viewing options as possible."
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