gaelfan wrote:
I think it is crazy that St M won't offer even the radio for free.  Reminds me of the pro baseball team owners, back when radio was invented, who initially refused to let the games be broadcast bc they thought it lowered attendance at the games and reduce revenues.  They obviously don't do this anymore.  Why?  You want to build up a fan base, you want to attract more fans who support the team and buy tickets to go to games, you want mnore fans who invest in the team by purchasing the TV package, let them get their feet wet and "buy in" by following the team on free radio broadcasts.  It is crazy that gael fans have to go onto the other team's athletic website to get access to a radio call of the game.  The fact that many of the other teams also broadcast the TV for free is a different topic.
It's interesting that pro baseball was leery of radio at the beginning.  But understandable.  I guess on paper it might initially seem that it would take fans away.  But in no time they realized it built the fan base and was another revenue stream.  Radio helped turn baseball into America's favorite pastime.  But correct me if I'm wrong, I believe MLB sells their radio and TV rights for a pretty hefty sum.  I think the media revenue today brings in more cash than gate receipts.  So baseball teams are not offering radio for free. 

Not sure if the Gaels have the audience for a radio station to pay for the rights.  So maybe they give it away?  Or I think it's not unprecedented for the school to actually pay radio and TV stations to broadcast games.  So- Internet streaming seems to be an answer.  But who pays for that?  You want to build fan interest but you also need someone to run it, voice it, maintain it, etc.  Student labor might be the answer.  It's free and they get some solid experience.  But then you get guys like me whining about production quality.  I don't have the answers, I'm just bringing up some more points.