Today I come to the defence of Rogers Sportsnet.
On Sunday, while the UNB Varsity Reds were facing the U of S Huskies in the men’s nationally televised hockey final, the U Sports women’s hockey final between Alberta and McGill went to double overtime.
The women’s final was not carried nationally on television, rather it was streamed online. Sportsnet has been criticized for this, but they shouldn’t be.
Before I go on, let me say over the air televised events will always be seen by more people and generate more advertising revenue than streaming events online. It’s not the same thing and may never be.
But in 2013, the CIS cut a six-year deal with Sportsnet that includes three football games, three University Cup games and basketball’s championship weekend each year.
That’s it.
Here’s hoping when the 2018-19 sports season ends, and it’s time for a new contract, U Sports has the proper people in front of the networks to cut a much better deal.