Fri Oct 11 22:20:00 UTC 2024: ## Deion Sanders Slams “Stupid” Late Kickoff Times in Big 12
Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders has once again voiced his frustration with late-night kickoff times, this time targeting the upcoming game against No. 18 Kansas State on Saturday. The game, slated to start at 8:15 p.m. MT (10:15 p.m. ET), will be the Buffs’ second late-night contest this season.
“Who does that? Who has the power to say, ‘Yeah, I’m gonna make them play at 8:15?'” Sanders rhetorically asked on his coaches show, expressing his bewilderment at the decision. He pointed out that TV networks prioritize their own interests over the fans, “thinking about eyeballs, selling merchandise, all that.” Sanders argued that these late games are detrimental to viewership, as “half of America is asleep.”
This is not the first time Sanders has criticized late-night games. Last season, he similarly expressed his discontent, even stating that late kickoffs are “the stupidest thing ever invented in life.” While he initially welcomed the Buffs’ departure from the Pac-12, known for its late-night contests, the Big 12 has become a haven for late-night football.
The conference’s recent expansion, adding teams from the Pac-12 and BYU, has created additional time slots for games, leading to a surge in late-night contests. This trend, although not universally appreciated, has been welcomed by networks like ESPN and Fox, who see the added value in weekend programming, even if viewership is lower.
Sanders’ latest outburst highlights the conflict between TV networks and coaches, as the latter are more concerned with player and fan well-being while the former focus on maximizing viewership and advertising revenue. While the Big 12’s westward expansion has opened new opportunities for the conference, it appears it has come at the cost of fan-friendly kickoff times.
First Piper 