UIL TO ALLOW VIDEO BROADCASTS OF FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
The University Interscholastic League has suspended the so-called “Friday Night broadcast rule” for one year.
This is the UIL regulation which forbids live video broadcasts or streams of high school football games. Radio broadcasts of football games are allowed.
UIL Executive Director Dr. Charles Breithaupt says, the UIL has agreed to a suspension of the rule for one year in order to allow fans the opportunity to potentially see games live this year despite the current pandemic.
Back on May first, the full UIL council granted authority to Breithaupt to adjust UIL rules in response to the impact of COVID-19.
“I do believe this is a time for us to stand down on our Friday broadcast rule, not permanent, just for a one-time venture, because, we know this, there will be many people who stay away because they are fearful, particularly our elderly and our senior citizens. We want to give them a chance to see the game based on what the local district allows,” Breithaupt said.
“The agreement between two schools to broadcast a game either digitally or on a linear product would exist for just this year. It gives people a chance to see the game that wouldn’t ordinarily come because of COVID-19.”
Breithaupt says he has, “no notion to carry this forward after this year. This will end following this football season.”
The UIL also noted that this year marks the 100th anniversary of UIL-sanctioned high school football in Texas.