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Current economic conditions suggest otherwise, but officials of the Maine Principals’ Association and Maine Public Broadcasting System (Maine PBS) are hopeful funding can still be found to broadcast the final three rounds of the Class A tournament.
Three days after announcing the funding needed to provide live coverage of Eastern and Western Maine Class A tournament regional semifinal games was not available, Maine PBS is going full speed ahead with plans to broadcast the Class A regional and state finals.
What about the eight regional boys and girls semifinal games? Officials are keeping their fingers crossed and still allowing for the chance of airing those as well.
“Absolutely. Again, as we said in a release, should someone come forward and be able to underwrite the cost of all eight semifinal games, then we could fulfill the original agreement, which was contingent on the ability to raise the necessary funding,” said Rhonda Morin, Maine PBS communications manager.
With Maine Public Broadcasting Corporation facing a $250,000 budget shortfall, Maine PBS’ ability to fund the production of eight live games was severely hampered.
If Maine PBS is unable to air the eight games, it would not be in violation of the one-year deal agreed to with the MPA last November as the contract’s language allows Maine PBS to air the games, provided it can find the funding to pay for their production cost. The contract calls for Maine PBS to air Class A regional semis, finals and state finals.
“We recognized they were in the middle of budget problems, and I think this was a wise and appropriate course of action,” MPA executive director Dick Durost said of Maine PBS’ announcement that the semifinal games were in jeopardy. “People of Maine have given great support to televising B-C-D games in the past and hopefully will do so for A. I’m hopeful now that the word is out there, people will step forward and offer their support. I’m optimistic that we can still get these games on.”
Durost said this has no effect on the MPA’s relationship with Maine PBS, which stretches back more than 20 years.
“This doesn’t affect our relationship at all. As a matter of fact, we were both up front about the contingencies regarding this deal,” he said.
“It’s our highest-rated programming for the whole year and we will continue working with the MPA,” Morin said. “We appreciate them being understanding.”
Maine PBS took over Class A tournament TV coverage after the MPA rejected two bids by Bangor TV station WABI (Channel 5), which has provided live tournament game broadcasts for the last 50 years.
Morin said enough money would have to be pledged or donated by businesses or individuals to pay for the cost of all eight Class A semis and not just selected ones.
“It’s an all-or-nothing proposition. I believe that’s an MPA stipulation,” Morin added.
As far as how much needs to be raised to cover that cost and how long Maine PBS officials have to raise it before it’s too late to line up the materials and manpower to air the semis, Morin was unable to provide a figure or date at press time.
Both Morin and Durost said public reaction in terms of phone calls, letters or e-mail has been light, but what they’ve received has been largely understanding and positive.
“Interestingly, we’ve gotten more reaction from Western Maine fans, who previously haven’t had these games on television,” said Durost. “They’re excited.”
Durost hopes that excitement will translate into more statewide financial support, especially for the endangered semifinal games.
54321 … Extreme Fox Sports Net
Model Leeann Tweeden, competitive BMX bicyclist Kip Williamson, and surfer/actor Chad Towersey will host a new, daily extreme sports show by Fox Sports Net titled 54321. The 30-minute program debuts Monday, Jan. 27, at 5 p.m. and targets the sports, lifestyles and culture that many Americans are embracing. The sports focused on include skateboarding, surfing, snowboarding, BMX and motocross.
Andrew Neff can be reached at 990-8205, 1-800-310-8600, or aneff@bangordailynews.net
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