SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) – Fans around Central New York are excited to see the first home Syracuse football game of the season, but they may run into some issues finding the game. Due to scheduling conflicts with YES Network, who owns the rights to the broadcast the game, the game will not be available on cable and satellite TV in New York.
This is Syracuse’s first time taking the field inside the newly renovated Dome. The matchup between the Orange and the visiting Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets will still be broadcast on ACC Network Extra and the Fox Sports Go app. Viewers will have to use technology that connects to the internet in order to watch the game.
Tyler Cady, assistant director of athletic communications for Syracuse Athletics, said the broadcast has loosened viewing restrictions based on viewer location in order to allow the most viewership of the game.
“This is a unique situation with the Yankees having a game in the same television window creating the issue in New York,” said Cady. “Everyone in New York can watch [Syracuse vs. Georgia Tech] on ACC Network Extra or Fox Sports Go with no blackout restrictions.”
Dennis Deninger, who teaches sports media courses in Falk College and the Newhouse School at Syracuse University, expressed concerns about restricting access to some fans.
“The viewing is restricted to a smaller audience which doesn’t satisfy the demand there is in Central New York to see the first game in the newly renovated dome,” said Deninger. “Fewer viewers means less impact than the event deserves.”
The 40-year old building was hoping to house fans on Saturday as part of a reopening, showing off the $100 million-plus dollars worth of renovations that took place throughout the spring and summer. Fans are not allowed into the stadium because of COVID-19 precautions.
“It is disappointing that fans won’t be able to be in the dome for its re-opening,” said Deninger, who is also a season ticket holder. “I was hoping to be in the building to see all the changes and celebrate this rebirth with thousands of other cheering fans. To not be able to even see the event on television increases the disappointment.”
Les Rose, a broadcast and digital journalism professor at Syracuse University, said that the technology needed to view a game like this is not always accessible for some.
“So many people, particularly older folks and economically disadvantaged count on linear TV,” said Rose. “In an age with some of the worst unemployment, [money is] tough to come by.”
