since MJ is the owner

[Dlwhite83]

Will they ever change the Tv , where the whole state can watch them on Tv

[BlockParty]

This is reliant on your local cable provider to a large degree. MJ and the Bobcats cannot go negotiate a deal with XYZ cable company in Eastern NC for example, that is up to the XYZ cable company having access (via Fox Sports-which they all have) and making a business decision that they will either gain customers by having the Bobcats or lose customers because they don't have the Bobcats. Did the Bobcats wait too long to sign a deal with Fox? Absolutely, but it's been almost 2 years, now the action lays on the shoulders of the local cable companies.

So MJ and the Bobcats' part is to put a winning product on the court so that the fans will be so distraught that their local cable company is too cheap to include it in their basic package. A lot of retired folks have called to complain about shows they wish to watch (Game channel, Golf Channel, etc). In my opinion, the Bobcats deserve that respect from the local cable companies, but I'm a Bobcats fan. Your part is to call and/or write you cable company and threaten to leave (to some form of Satellite TV) if they don't add the games to their standard package.

[spectre]

Except that Fox Sports wants what some see as a pretty big price for that cable provider who's outside the 100 mile radius to show those games. Also, those providers can't just pay the extra for those wanting the games...they have to pay a fee based on ALL their subscribers watching the games.

From the beginning the Bobcats have tried to say the onus was on us; not true. The games aren't going to be on TV until they work out some type of system where only those who want it will be charged.

[spectre]

Since MJ is the owner...

...he's been at every home game sitting on the bench. I also ran across this tidbit from the Gaston Gazette:

The Bobcats got a pregame visit from new majority owner Michael Jordan to implore them to play well again following Friday’s impressive 98-83 home win over the Los Angeles Lakers. "Michael came in our dressing room and talked to me," Bobcats coach Larry Brown said. "I told him to talk to the team. He said, ‘Yeah, we had a great win but it won’t mean anything if we don’t win tonight.’" Jordan then sat in his courtside seats for the third straight home game since he became majority owner last Saturday….

[teej]

MJ might make the cable companies more likely to pay the fee, though.

And for those inside the 75 mile radius, DirecTv has WAYYYYYY better picture than anyone, so just choose them. Even if you get TWC, DirecTv is the best.

[Dlwhite83]

well i have directv , so you think it will happen or more than likley not

[teej]

well i have directv , so you think it will happen or more than likley not

If you have DirecTv INSIDE the 75 mile radius around the arena, you already get the games on Fox Sports Carolinas (645 for me) and Sport South (650 for me)

If you're OUTSIDE the 75 mile radius, you won't ever get the games on satellite due to how the NBA regulates satellite fees, you can only get them via cable. Here's something I got from Bobcats Director of Corporate Communications Michael Thompson at the beginning of the season. This may have changed, but it's the most up to date list I have.

MT: To date, the following cable providers have opted to carry the broadcasts of our games on Fox Sports Carolinas and SportSouth; Time Warner Cable in Charlotte, Greensboro, Fayetteville, Raleigh and Winston-Salem; Mi-Connection in Mooresville; SkyLine Communications in West Jefferson, NC; Southern Coastal Cable in Georgetown, SC; AT&T in Charlotte, Raleigh and Columbia; and Comcast in Charleston. Satellite providers DirecTV and Dish Network have also opted to carry our games in the NBA-designated inner market, a roughly 75-mile radius around the city of Charlotte.

[bozzy]

This is reliant on your local cable provider to a large degree. MJ and the Bobcats cannot go negotiate a deal with XYZ cable company in Eastern NC for example, that is up to the XYZ cable company having access (via Fox Sports-which they all have) and making a business decision that they will either gain customers by having the Bobcats or lose customers because they don't have the Bobcats. Did the Bobcats wait too long to sign a deal with Fox? Absolutely, but it's been almost 2 years, now the action lays on the shoulders of the local cable companies.

The Bobcats have done nothing but blame cable companies for this mess. If they really wanted the cable companies to pay their outrageous fees to FSN, then it is too late after the attitude the Bobcats have taken. My guess is they are still upset at the cable companies over their failed regional network. Instead of facilitating the process, they have made it adversarial. In the end the fans are the losers but the way the Bobcats management is run, I doubt they see it this way.

[teej]

The Bobcats have done nothing but blame cable companies for this mess. If they really wanted the cable companies to pay their outrageous fees to FSN, then it is too late after the attitude the Bobcats have taken. My guess is they are still upset at the cable companies over their failed regional network. Instead of facilitating the process, they have made it adversarial. In the end the fans are the losers but the way the Bobcats management is run, I doubt they see it this way.

Now that there is "new management" we can hope that changes.

Though if you've been following the Versus channel issues and Cablevision's mess with ABC up in New York, it's got more to do with the tv companies across the country than the Bobcats IMHO.

[spectre]

It's not the Bobcats...it's the NBA.

I definitely think the Bobcats could do more to grease the wheels tho.