Reprinted with permission from the
Reno Gazette-Journal
by Maggie O'Neill
If a packed house attests to a good decision, then managers at Bully's Sports Bar and Grill made the right choice when they decided to broadcast road games of the University of Nevada men's basketball team by Internet feed.
At Bully's on Robb Drive, most people Wednesday were watching the Nevada-Louisiana Tech game.
"I think it's terrific that they're doing this," said Ted Pelletier, 77, of Reno. "I appreciate it, especially since this year we're going to have the best team we've had in 40 years."
He could have stayed home and listened to the game on the radio, but he drove the five miles to Bully's and watch the game live.
"I come here a lot more," he said. "And I found out their wings are the best in town."
Anyone can purchase Western Athletic Conference games on WAC TV, www.wac.tv, with the appropriate media players on their computers. The games are relatively inexpensive. Wednesday's game was listed at $5.95.
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WAC TV GAME ACCESS
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Go to www.wac.tv
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Create an account at WAC.tv partner pennatlantic.com to purchase games.
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Requirements: Windows Media Player or other player capable of streaming Windows video; high-speed DSL or a cable Internet connection.
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Games can be ordered while they are on or in advance.
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Most cost from $3.95 to $5.95.
Source: WAC.tv |
Bully's began broadcasting men's games through the WAC TV feed in December.
"It's very popular," said Jody Clark, district manager for Bully's. "We did incur some expense to do this, but it was worth it."
Not a table was empty Wednesday night at the Robb Drive Bully's. Husbands and wives, friends and family and even unknowns shared tables.
"I love the fact that Bully's has it," said Sean O'Brien, 34, of Reno.
But the live feed doesn't come without problems, he said. No replays, no game scores in the lower corner and no unbiased announcers.
Josh Halliburton, 24, of Reno, who watched the game with his wife Mallory Foley, 24, agreed.
"These people are at (Louisiana Tech)," he said. "It's pro-(Louisiana)."
The couple said they were wondering why no local television stations broadcast the game.
"We're really surprised that it's not on a channel that every one can watch at home," Foley said. "This is definitely not high-definition but it's better than the radio."
"It's better than nothing," her husband added with his eyes glued to the game.