No more TV for Mater Dei, LB Poly home games

Santa Ana Mater Dei and Long Beach Poly, two of the most distinguished football programs in the Southern Section, aren't likely to have any of their home games televised by Fox from Santa Ana Stadium or Long Beach Veterans Stadium because of filming fees charged by the stadiums, according to Southern Section spokesman Thom Simmons.

"It's financially impossible for them," Simmons said of Fox, which is paying the Southern Section $40,000 this year to televise sporting events.

Veterans Stadium, run by Long Beach City College, is seeking $7,500 for use of its facility for seven hours or more, plus custodial fees, Simmons said. Santa Ana Stadium, run by the city of Santa Ana, wants a $2,100 flat fee, Simmons said.

The Southern Section sends television rights fees back to the home schools, and by not having games televised at home, Mater Dei, Poly and other schools that use those facilities will lose out on payments.

-- Eric Sondheimer