Anxious Wright State fans might look at Dayton's television schedule with envy. The Flyers announced their TV schedule today and will frequently appear on local and national television. Despite the news, WSU fans might be in store for good news when it comes to local television rights.
At last week's Horizon League Media Day, Commissioner Jon LeCrone discussed the Horizon League's new TV contract with ESPN and Sinclair Broadcasting. While the deal with ESPN is in the finalization process, one important facet of note for Raider fans is every home and conference game will appear on ESPN3. As the Horizon League Network has made it possible to watch games on computers for a long time, this means that games will be accessible on any appliance that has the Watch ESPN application. A good reason to use your Apple TV, eh?
Details on the contract with Sinclair are still hazy. Wright State spokesperson Bob Noss said Wednesday he would defer comment to the Horizon League on what the contract means for WSU. Horizon League spokesperson Bill Potter said the league is not prepared to announce details but said an announcement is coming soon.
While no details have been announced, LeCrone has said this contract affects local broadcasting rights. According to Sinclair's webpage, the company only has networks in two of the league's eight media markets (Oakland and Detroit share a media market). Wright State and Milwaukee are the only programs in Sinclair's broadcasting footprint.
While WSU is not scheduled to play on the ESPN family of broadcast networks, the potential coupling of playing on ESPN 3 and possibly on local TV means WSU fans should have plenty of viewing options for games. In broadcasting terms, stay tuned.
How to interpret off the court issues
Last week, we learned that WSU forward Zach Lett was arrested in July for a first-degree misdemeanor alcohol offense. Lett is one of four Raiders who have been arrested during the offseason.
While those on Twittersphere have given a variety of opinions on the matter, one thing to remember is that all four arrests were from misdemeanor charges and so far, only Mark Howell has been found guilty. Howell plea bargained to a fourth-degree misdemeanor charge of reckless operation of a motor vehicle. WSU does not plan on using Lett this year as he is taking a redshirt. With Tavares Sledge already off the team and Howell's charge settled, it appears the only real question on how these cases impact the Raiders is on JT Yoho.
WSU head coach Billy Donlon has not announced any sort of punishment on Yoho who is practicing with the team but we all know that DUI is a serious charge. Yoho pled not guilty before Fairborn Municipal Court Judge Beth Root. In Ohio, the minimum DUI punishment is three days. According to police records, Yoho blew a .198 on a Breathalyzer test. Anything above a .17 is considered a high-end offense meaning an additional three-day sentence or driver's invention program if he is found guilty.
Again, this is if he is found guilty. But this brings up a big question: If Yoho has a pending jail sentence, will Donlon subsequently suspend him?
For reference, when Tavares Sledge had his hearing last November following his domestic dispute, WSU was ready to reinstate Sledge from suspension according to Athletics Director Bob Grant as the expectation was Sledge would avoid jail time. When Root said Sledge would serve 19 days in jail, Sledge's suspension nearly tripled.
Preseason events
The WSU men's and women's basketball teams will be signing autographs and participating in the Raiders' annual Halloween Hoopla being held in the Nutter Center Oct. 28 from 6-8:30 p.m. The event is free.
On Oct. 30 in the Berry Room, WSU will hold its annual basketball luncheon emceed by Chris Collins. Donlon and women's basketball coach Mike Bradbury will share remarks about their respective teams. The cost is $15 and reservations must be made through the Athletics Department by Monday.
Also on Oct. 30, The Guardian along with WWSU will host a preseason basketball party at the Wright Wing from 7-8:30 p.m.
