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Las Vegas • Conference commissioner Larry Scott pridefully touted that for the first time since the Pac-12 moved to Las Vegas, the four teams in the tournament semifinal are all nationally ranked.
But what should be a marquee weekend for the conference has one big problem: Viewers have had a difficult time tuning in, especially within the Pac-12's strongest TV markets.
More than ever, fans are frustrated with the Pac-12 Networks' distribution model, which has one national network and six regional networks. While all eight Pac-12 Tournament game broadcasts are airing on the national network, regional subscribers are getting only the games from the two schools in their area.
When 1-seed Oregon tipped off against 4-seed Arizona, for example, Salt Lake City subscribers only with Pac-12 Mountain couldn't watch. Many providers offer the regional network on the less expensive tiers, and the national for more pricey packages.
Other viewers are having problems getting the national network in high definition — a set of problems that has made trying to tune in to March Madness a pain. But the conference has tried shift the culpability on their distribution partners by asking fans to complain directly. He said fan complaints already led Cox to offer the national feed.
"I think what's happened this week has really showed the interest in this tournament, the desire for fans to see Pac-12 Networks," he said, "and that when fans and consumers are heard, the power that can have with the distributors."
Critics have asked why the networks couldn't simultaneously broadcast the games on all its networks, due to the high viewership demand. Scott said the Pac-12 is contractually obligated to differentiate the programming in its regional networks — and the conference is locked into that contract with its providers through 2024.
The distribution problems, including a very public battle with DirecTV, have made the conference look behind other lucrative and widely spread deals for the SEC and Big Ten. But the difference is that the Pac-12's universities wholly own their network, and Scott said given an uncertain TV future, that's not going to change.
"We're going to be in a very good position owning and controlling our own network and having the flexibility to offer it to others," Scott said. "But that's not apparent right now."
Pac-12 Tournament to move to new arena
In an anticipated move, the Pac-12 announced Friday it will be switching its men's basketball tournament venue to the T-Mobile Arena, an 18,500-seat facility that is being built on the other side of the Strip will offer a greater capacity, more hospitality options and a more adaptable stage for the league.
Scott said the move was unanimously approved by the Pac-12's CEOs and presidents, who toured the facility this week. The conference sees it as the next logical step for an event that has enjoyed sold-out sessions for the past two years.
The Pac-12 was eager to keep its signature basketball event in Las Vegas, and the new arena is close to the MGM Grand and run by the same management company. Scott said the new venue will have a 2-acre outdoor plaza for outside rallies and events, and will help schools with logistical problems like how to offer different tiers of donors different luxury seating options.
Twitter: @kylegoon