I've been away from the site all summer but I'm checking back in these days.

I've heard numerous rumors in the media and newspaper about the latest on the MTN contract with the satellite companies.  Just like everyone else, this has been extremely frustrating for me; especially last year when I was living out of state and saw very few games as a result of the tv deal.  Now that I'm back in the state, I have access to the MTN through Comcast but through my own pride I absolutely refuse to get Comcast.  It sucks compared to the other options.

I in no way feel that it is the fans' responsibility to get this MTN deal done with the Dish Network and DirectTV.  My opinion on the matter is that the MTN and its owners must be asking too much or else it would be available.  It is the best interest of Dish and DirectTV to carry as many stations as possible as long as the price is right.  The MTN is trying to get fans to call to give it some leverage.  However, let's face it, the MWC is nothing on a national scale!  The only people that care about the MWC are the schools within its borders and possibly the WAC.  That's it.  Enough said.  Anyone that has ever lived outside of the MWC borders knows how little attention it gets on a national scale.

Nonetheless, regardless of my feelings on the responsibility for the MTN's distribution, I called Dish Network and DirectTV last week and asked about the station and its potential availability.  The representative at Dish immediately told me that negotiations were ongoing with the station and that is all the information he had.  I was somewhat impressed that he knew what I was talking about when I asked about it.  On the other hand, I didn't have as much luck with DirectTV representatives.  The first guy had no idea what I was asking about so he transferred me to a different department.  The second guy had no idea what I was talking about either and transferred me back to the department I talked to the first time.  So I hung up and sent an e-mail and got a response similar to what I got from Dish that negotiations were ongoing.  So that's the story as of last week.  My prediction is that nothing happens in that the only way we are getting out of this deal is to leave the conference.