Xavier University worked out a three-year TV deal with Fox Sports Net Ohio on Friday that will include at least 17 games this season.
The cable channel will televise locally 10 Musketeers games each year of the agreement. Six more Xavier games will be televised this season as part of Fox Sports Net Ohio's Atlantic-10 package, and Fox Sports Net will televise nationally XU's Dec.14 game against Mississippi State at New York's Madison Square Garden.
“It's a great thing for us to be on TV,” said Musketeers coach Thad Matta. “It gives our fans a chance to see us play. It also helps from an exposure-for-recruiting standpoint and the overall exposure of Xavier University.”
The 17 games on one network are a record for Xavier, which had 12 games on one channel during the 1997-98 season.
ESPN also will televise at least six regular-season Musketeers games; four more games can be added, depending on how far Xavier advances in the Preseason NIT and the A-10 Tournament. Fox Sports Net Ohio will carry the A-10 quarterfinals and semifinals.
GOING FAST: Less than 100 season tickets starting at $212 are left for Xavier's upcoming season. Six-game packages that included matchups against Purdue, Ball State, Richmond, St.Bonaventure, Duquesne and George Washington are sold out. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Xavier ticket office at 745-3411.
EARLY INJURY: Dedrick Finn, Xavier's highly touted freshman guard, is rehabbing this week after suffering a thigh bruise, Matta said. Finn should be at full strength in time for the first day of practice Oct.12.
FSN Ohio agrees to televise at least 17 Musketeers games
