Pac-12 Conference Commissioner Larry Scott made it clear Friday that the Pac-12 Network and DirecTV are not close to an agreement and one is not expected before football season.
In Southern California alone, DirecTV has an estimated 1.4 million customers who are unable to access the Pac-12 Network.
"With a month to go," Scott said at Pac-12 football media day in Culver City, "I want to be up front with our fans still unable to watch the [Pac-12] network.
"As recently as last week we discussed a deal with DirecTV that is fundamentally the same as the 50-plus other networks that carry the network and we are still at an impasse, no closer to a deal."
DirecTV spokesman Robert Mercer said, "The decision is entirely up to the Pac-12. We would love to give the network to those customers who want it as there are a number of things the Pac-12 can do to make it work.
"Either lower the price so that it's affordable to all of our customers or let us sell the network only to those who want to pay for it. There are many options to make it work. The ball is in their court."
On its website, DirecTV also had this statement:
"DirecTV wants to make Pac-12 Network available to the fans who want it. To do that, Pac-12 either needs to agree to a price to make it affordable for all our customers as we've offered and done with dozens of other sports networks, or allow Pac-12 fans to buy the network separately or purchase individual games on demand.
"Unfortunately, Pac-12 has refused all of these options. Regardless, we stand ready to agree to add the network if they propose a deal that's fair."
Scott suggested that fans who want the network switch cable providers if they have DirecTV, "as all our schools have.
"We just want to be candid with our fans . . . and give them ample time before football season to switch to the many providers that have the network," Scott said.
In Southern California, major cable providers including Time Warner and Cox do offer the Pac-12 Network.
diane.pucin@latimes.com
Twitter: @mepucin
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