Status of Broadcast Contract Still in Doubt

by Dan Scott - Correspondent - Mon Jul 16 21:25:04 GMT-04:00 2001

CLEMSON - The deadline for Collegiate Sports Partners, Ltd. to fulfill a $750,000 payment to Clemson University came and went Monday afternoon, with no official word as to the status of the school's five year, $7.5 million broadcast contract.

Officials from each side spoke at length Monday, and though both parties are tight-lipped it appears CSP made no payment by the deadline.

"We had a frank discussion with Kirk Wood (CSP's chief operating officer)," said Tim Match, Clemson associate athletic director. "All I can say right now is that it's safe to say we'll have more information (for release) in a day or two. That's the most accurate thing I can say right now."

Repeated messages left for CSP spokesman Herb Vincent were not returned.

The payment originally was due June 30, and when that date was missed a two-week grace period automatically kicked in. Because of the weekend, that deadline was extended until 5 p.m. Monday.

The network is obligated to pay Clemson $1.5 million a year in guaranteed rights fees on a deal that began July 1, 2000 and runs through June 30, 2005. The contract stipulates that payments must be made to the university no later than Dec. 31, March 31 and June 30 each year.

The contract also provides payment to current Clemson coaches Tommy Bowden ($435,000), Larry Shyatt ($125,000), Reggie Herring ($47,000) and former football offensive coordinator Rich Rodriguez ($50,000). The obligation to the coaches has been met, Match said late last week.

Besides the missed payment to Clemson, CSP is behind several thousand dollars in wages due contracted freelancers, such as broadcast engineers, camera operators, audio technicians and commentators.

Nine such freelancers contacted by the Daily Journal/Messenger last week confirmed they were owed a combined total of more than $17,000 by the network.

Match said last week that Clemson athletic events will be broadcast as usual beginning this fall, but offered no further explanation.

Dan Scott is the host of SportsTalk (10AM-Noon) on 104.9 FM in Upstate SC and

Managing Editor of Seneca Daily Journal/Clemson Daily Messenger