College football is off to a roaring start. Alas, that does not include the debut of Arizona State’s surging program.
The most anticipated curtain lifting in recent Valley history turned into an unwatchable streaming mess. On a Saturday night when gridlock spoke to a real uprising in Tempe and Mountain America Stadium exceeded seating capacity, the 11th ranked Sun Devils went dark.
They were effectively blacked out in their own television market.
The outrage was palpable. Cam Skattebo was angry that ASU was relegated to ESPN+, a standalone streaming service. Those who purchased access were highly agitated at the production: a broken feed that alternated between black screen and pixelated blur. And yet the commercials aired without a glitch.
RELATED STORIES
'Hell of a catch': ASU football's Sam Leavitt, Kenny Dillingham in awe of Jordyn Tyson's 4th quarter TD
Kenny Dillingham says he was out-coached in Arizona State's win over NAU to open season
Kenny Dillingham says he was out-coached in Arizona State's win over NAU to open season
Maybe it’s better this way.
Those in attendance watched ASU underwhelm after jumping out to a 14-0 lead.
The Sun Devils were never really threatened, but they were sloppy (12 penalties) and stagnant and the final score (38-19) was far closer than anticipated. Afterward, Kenny Dillingham took the blame for being outcoached, adding that the experience will provide many valuable teaching moments that usually come with disappointing victories.
But ESPN’s transmission failure on Saturday night is an ominous sign of the times.
Televised sports once belonged to the whole community. There was an implicit agreement in place. Those that distributed sports content understood the value of easy access, and that inviting a community delivered immense long-term value. Teams and sports franchises understood they were a public trust, beholden to the goodwill of their fan base.
They could charge us into the realm of obscenity for tickets, hot dogs and parking. But the games would remain available for everyone.
Back then, being a sports fan was as easy as turning on the television.
Now, sports are no longer dedicated to being a great unifier.
We are divided and segmented by our willingness and ability to pay and it’s tearing at the very sense of community that makes the whole thing so great.
A recent essay in The New York Times framed the fading middle class and our declining shared experiences through the prism of a Disney vacation. How an entertainment park that once famously delivered the same glorious experience to all of its customers has now become centered around the wealthy, those who have no qualms with paying extra.
It reports that from 2021-2024, Disney raked in $724 million in “skip-the-line products,” and how those who stay at posh Disney resorts earn preferred status.
The same thing is happening in sports, where the immense monetary value of individual games is being mined for every last dollar, sold off to the highest bidders. It isn’t just ESPN+, which is owned by Disney.
The streaming wars are changing the landscape, and not for the better.
At least not for viewers, and the emotional cost goes well beyond the heavy financial implications of being a sports fan in 2025. When access disappears, so does the sense of community. And when the community disappears, so does the magic.
As for the 2025 Sun Devils: Let’s hope that Week 1 will be remembered as the only real glitch.
Reach Bickley at [email protected]. Listen to Bickley & Marotta weekdays from 6 a.m. – 10 a.m. on 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station.
Follow @danbickley
Hence then, the article about arizona state underwhelms in unwatchable streaming mess of an opener was published today ( ) and is available on Arizona sports ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Arizona State underwhelms in unwatchable streaming mess of an opener )
Also on site :
- The hypocritical NFL really doesn’t care about its viewers — even on the holidays
- Ashes 4th Test, Boxing Day Test: Toss-match timing, live streaming, injury updates, head-to-head & AYNTK
- Fringe USMNT player Haji Wright’s club Coventry City demands record $270 million from desperate West Ham