[August 23, 2011] Longhorn Network's plan to show high school highlights up in air Tweet Aug 23, 2011 (Fort Worth Star-Telegram - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- An NCAA spokesman confirmed Monday that "nothing has changed" in regard to a recent ruling prohibiting high school sports content on NCAA school networks, meaning high school football highlights will not be headed to the Longhorn Network -- yet. But the final verdict about the future of youth sports programming on school or conference-branded networks will be up to the NCAA board of directors -- composed of school presidents -- and will not be decided for another six to nine months, NCAA officials said. Kevin Lennon, NCAA vice president for academic and membership services, characterized Monday's summit with 24 representatives from schools, conferences or television networks -- including five with ties to either Texas or the Longhorn Network -- as the "start of an educational process that will lead to a final policy decision... by the presidents." Of more immediate concern locally were plans by LHN officials to show high school football highlights on Texas' 24-hour network in conjunction with ESPN despite a recent NCAA ruling that its bylaws "prohibit youth programming on institutional and conference networks and broadcasts." ESPN officials contended that the bylaw applied only to live game telecasts, not news-related highlights. But the ruling remains in place, NCAA director of public and media relations Erik Christianson confirmed in an e-mail. "Regarding... highlights, it was a topic of discussion today, among many. Nothing has changed," Christianson wrote. "We will continue to review the issue." Monday's update on the NCAA website did not address highlights. The Longhorn Network, scheduled for launch Friday, has locked up multiple small distributors and entered into final negotiations with Verizon and Grande Communications to carry the network, the Sports Business Journal reported Monday. But there has been no announcement by ESPN or UT. Nick Voinis, Texas' senior associate athletics director for communications, expects to add several carriers before Sept. 3, when LHN will carry the team's football season opener against Rice. Voinis declined comment about high school highlights on LHN. Follow Jimmy Burch on Twitter @Jimmy_Burch. Jimmy Burch, 817-390-7760 ___ (c)2011 Fort Worth Star-Telegram Visit Fort Worth Star-Telegram at www.star-telegram.com Distributed by MCT Information Services [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]