The Pac-12 is reducing the number of nighttime kickoffs for games airing on the conferenceβs networks β a change that could impact Arizonaβs schedule.
The league announced new kickoff windows of 2:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. local time for Pac-12 Networks. Those games can overlap with what are considered βexclusiveβ TV windows for ESPN and Fox. The change is expected to reduce the number of Pac-12 Networks night games βby as many as four contestsβ per season, the conference announced Tuesday.
βThe Pac-12 has some of the most loyal fans in college athletics, and we appreciate our television partners working with us on this important issue for fans,β Oregon athletic director Rob Mullens said in a news release. βThe increased exposure and revenue from our contract with ESPN and Fox has been instrumental to our success, but we continue to work hard to minimize as much as possible the negative impact late start times have on our fans who travel great distances to see our teams in person."
They also affect the participants. UA coach Rich Rodriguez complained last season about the preponderance of late starts for the Wildcats β in particular the 8 p.m. game at Washington on Oct. 31.
βI just donβt understand how this happens,β Rodriguez said at the time. βWe play 12 straight (games), and we play night and road games, and weβre gonna play an 8 o'clock road game at Washington, get back at 5 in the morning, then have to go back on the road again.
"If the conference is really concerned about student-athlete welfare, something should be (done) because, when do guys get a chance to be healthy? Weβre not getting treatments on the plane.β
These were Arizonaβs local kickoff times for regular-season games last year:
- Sept. 3: 7 p.m. vs. Texas-San Antonio
- Sept. 12: 4 p.m. at Nevada (Mountain West-owned game)
- Sept. 19: 8 p.m. vs. Northern Arizona
- Sept. 26: 5 p.m. vs. UCLA (special allowance for national TV)
- Oct. 3: 7:30 at Stanford
- Oct. 10: 1 p.m. vs. Oregon State
- Oct. 17: 7 p.m. at Colorado
- Oct. 24: 1 p.m. vs. Washington State
- Oct. 31: 8 p.m. at Washington
- Nov. 7: 7:30 p.m. at USC
- Nov. 14: 8 p.m. vs. Utah
- Nov. 21: 1:30 p.m. at Arizona State
In all, seven of the 12 games started at 7 p.m. or later.
Itβs important to note that late kickoffs havenβt been eliminated. Games still can and will start at 7 or later on ESPN, Fox Sports 1 and even Pac-12 Networks. Expect Arizonaβs second, third and fourth games this season β against Grambling State, Hawaii and Washington at home β to have late start times because of heat-related safety concerns.
The Pac-12 addressed some additional issues, including:
- Court and field storming. The league announced an institutional fine schedule starting next academic year. The first offense will cost a school $25,000, the second $50,000 and the third $100,000. UA basketball coach Sean Miller expressed serious concerns about the safety of his players after Colorado fans flooded the court following a Buffaloes victory over the Wildcats last season.
- Time demands on student-athletes. The Pac-12 released an extensive study on the issue, including a survey of student-athletes and coaches, and recommended best practices and legislative initiatives.
