© If Gonzaga Prep makes it to the state finals in Tacoma, parents and fans will not be able to see them on TV this year (Photo: SWX)SPOKANE, Wash. -
For the first time in at least 20 years, the 4A and 3A Washington high school basketball championships will not be televised.
The Tacoma News Tribune first reported the news over the weekend, saying ROOT Sports was not able to come to an agreement with the holder of the broadcast rights, PlayOn! Sports. PlayOn! Had purchased the rights from the WIAA with intentions of making a deal with ROOT, but that deal never materialized.
"ROOT was willing to put the games on TV without a charge," Mike Colbrese, the executive director of the WIAA, told the News Tribune, "but said the production cost was too expensive to pay a fee."
So parents and fans who want to see the 3A and 4A title games will have to travel to Tacoma if they want to see the games. Or they can watch online via the WIAA's online video portal, wiaanetwork.com.
The title games for the 1B and 2B classifications will be televised on SWX in Spokane, North Idaho, Tri-Cities and Yakima. SWX will also broadcast two games on the first day of the tournament and two more games on the second day.
SWX State B Broadcast Schedule:
Thurs., March 1
- 7:15 p.m. - Columbia vs. NW Yeshiva (1B Girls - first round)
- 9:00 p.m. - Cusick vs. Sunnyside Christian (1B Girls - first round)
Fri., March 2
- 7:15 p.m. - Boys 2B Semifinal
- 9:00 p.m. - Boys 2B Semifinal
Sat., March 3
- 3:00 p.m. - 2B Boys Championship
- 5:00 p.m. - 2B Girls Championship
- 7:00 p.m. - 1B Boys Championship
- 9:00 p.m. - 1B Girls Championship
