Attempt by CIF to get approval for new statewide TV contract is in trouble

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The Sac-Joaquin Section has become the latest section to reject a statewide TV contract proposed by the CIF, after Sac-Joaquin’s Board of Managers voted on the matter last week. The Southern Section also is on the record as opposing the proposal.

Will DeBoard, director of communications for the Sac-Joaquin Section, said the CIF proposal involves more than just a statewide TV contract for state playoffs and also includes section events, and that’s where the CIF could be running into trouble. Also, he said schools in his section haven’t been given the chance to offer their opinions on the proposal.

Marie Ishida, the CIF executive director, has declined comment, saying the TV contract is being negotiated. Southern Section representatives have also declined comment, saying Ishida has instructed them not to discuss the contract proposal.

What’s interesting is that the Board of Managers for the Sac-Joaquin Section authorized its commissioner and staff to negotiate broadcast rights for the section if anyone is interested, so it appears the sections and the state CIF are on a collision course concerning who’s going to control TV revenue and TV access to schools.

-- Eric Sondheimer