The University of Montana and Montana State football teams are headed to the postseason, but many fans in the state might not be able to watch the games on television.
ESPN has the rights to the games and plans to only show the first- and second-round games, as well as some quarterfinal contests, on ESPN3, an internet-based channel many Montanans can’t access. MSU Athletics Director Peter Fields says he has no say in ESPN’s decision, but the schools can lobby to have their games picked for broadcast.
Meanwhile, Gordie Fix, owner of Missoula’s Press Box sports bar, says “we’re finding out pretty much that we’re out of luck.”
MSU will host New Hampshire at 1 p.m. on Dec. 3. The Griz will play at home the same day against the winner of Saturday’s Central Arkansas-Tennessee Tech game. Kickoff in Washington-Grizzly Stadium will be at 12:05 p.m. If the Griz win their game on Dec. 3 they would host a quarterfinal game in Missoula on Friday or Saturday, Dec. 9 or 10. The Grizzlies are on the same side of the playoff bracket as Montana State, and the two teams would meet in the semifinals if they both won their first two games.