Whispers have circulated over the last year about SNY’s intention of making a run at securing the right for UConn women’s basketball games.

A source confirmed to the Register that SNY is expected to make a presentation to UConn officials on Friday, information first reported by The Day of New London.

CPTV has been broadcasting UConn women’s games, not contractually obligated to other stations, for the past 18 seasons but their contract with UConn expires at season’s end.

SNY, which has a working agreement to televise selective UConn football and men’s basketball games, has enough financial clout to make the people at CPTV concerned. The Day reported that CPTV made its presentation to UConn last week and that Fox 61 is also involved.

Multiple sources told the Register that there is no firm timetable for all of this to be resolved but what I am hearing is that the winning bidder could be announced by the end of the month.

I could be wrong but I don't see Channel 61 being a major player in all of this. If the money figures are close and I have been receiving conflicting reports regarding that, I would think that CPTV would be the leader in the clubhouse thanks to its years of service and the fact that there are no concerns about scheduling conflicts for CPTV where UConn women's basketball is of the highest priority. I just don't see that being the case. If CPTV does lose the rights, it will because it became a victim of its own success. When CPTV first started televising UConn women's games a generation ago, there were a few raised eyebrows from naysayers wondering if enough people would tune into a women's basketball game. Well CPTV's broadcasts set records and became must see TV in Connecticut. Another thing perhaps working in CPTV's favor is that the station can be viewed without cable television or a satellite dish. UConn games can be seen not only in Connecticut but in pockets in New York, Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

One person I spoke to today about the matter said "it would be a huge disservice for the state" if CPTV were to lose the rights.

On the other side, if SNY were to pony up the big bucks to secure the rights I don't buy the argument that it would give UConn women's basketball second-rate coverage. Sure, the other responsibilities the station has (Jets, Mets come to mind) may muddy things a bit, I would think SNY is smarter than securing the rights to the games and then do a substandard job with its coverage.