News Summary
The Arizona State football team opened their season against Northern Arizona but faced significant streaming issues as the game aired exclusively on ESPN+. Despite the technical difficulties, Arizona State secured a 38-19 victory, marking the first sellout since 1998. The Athletic Director apologized for the broadcast troubles and pledged to improve future game experiences for fans. As the season progresses, upcoming games are expected to be aired on more mainstream channels to ensure better viewing stability.
Tempe, Arizona – The No. 11 Arizona State football team faced a rocky start to their season on Saturday night when they hosted FCS Northern Arizona at Mountain America Stadium. The highly-anticipated game showcased an overflow crowd, with 56,759 tickets sold, surpassing the stadium’s official capacity of 53,599. This season opener drew excitement following Arizona State’s impressive Peach Bowl appearance in the College Football Playoff last season.
Complicating the evening for fans both at the stadium and watching online, the game was exclusively broadcast on ESPN+, a streaming service owned by ESPN, which experienced significant technical difficulties. Viewers reported multiple issues that began early in the second half, rendering the game largely unwatchable. Common complaints included glitching from the ESPN+ app, audio-only playback, and an intermittent, blurry video feed.
Arizona State’s Athletic Director took to social media to publicly apologize for the streaming issues, assuring the fans that communications were underway with the Big 12 and ESPN to resolve the problems. Frustration was palpable among fans; many were left without a functional feed for crucial moments in the game, which included a touchdown run by Arizona State’s Sam Leavitt. Even former ASU player, Cam Skattebo, who is currently with the New York Giants, expressed his disappointment on social media about the viewing difficulties.
Despite the tech troubles, Arizona State managed to secure a convincing 38-19 victory over Northern Arizona. This game marked a notable moment for the football program as it was the first sellout for Arizona State since 1998, reflecting the growing enthusiasm for the team. As the season progresses, fans can anticipate a change in broadcast strategy, with future games slated to air on more mainstream channels. The next game for Arizona State is scheduled for ESPN2, which may provide a more stable viewing experience.
In response to the issues faced during the season opener, the Athletic Director has pledged to work towards ensuring a better viewing experience for fans in the future. Following the game, ESPN acknowledged that a transmission issue had impacted multiple ESPN+ feeds during the broadcast and confirmed that an investigation into the cause of the disruptions would take place.
The technical problems serve as a reminder of the challenges that can accompany the transition to streaming services for live sports, despite their increasing popularity. As the season progresses, it will be crucial for broadcasters and athletic departments alike to address these technical difficulties to keep fans engaged and ensure a seamless viewing experience.
In conclusion, the season opener for Arizona State was not only a significant event for the football program but also a learning experience related to broadcasting and fan engagement. The team’s performance, coupled with the push for improved technology, sets the stage for an exciting and reflective season ahead.
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Additional Resources
- Awful Announcing
- Wikipedia: Arizona State Sun Devils football
- Associated Press
- Google Search: Arizona State football
- Arizona Sports
- Google Scholar: Arizona State football broadcasting
- AZCentral
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Arizona State football
- Devils in Detail
- Google News: Arizona State football streaming issues
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PHOENIX STAFF WRITER The PHOENIX STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREPhoenix.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Phoenix, Maricopa County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Waste Management Phoenix Open, Cactus League Spring Training, and Arizona State Fair. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce and Visit Phoenix, plus leading businesses in technology and healthcare that power the local economy such as Intel and Banner Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERETucson.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Arizona's dynamic landscape.
