Airing of the Grievances - Spring Game

With a little over a month until the Spring Game, I suppose there is still time for a TV broadcast announcement to pop up; however, I feel as though that is far from likely. With the hiring of Justin Fuente back in 2015, it is become clear that Whit Babcock afforded the coach meaningful autonomy with the program (a good thing), including discretion as to whether the Spring Game would be televised (a bad thing).

So in 2016, the decision was made not to televise, and again in 2017 and 2018. 2019 looks to be the same. I'd happily eat my shoe if this decision came from Whit, but I can't fathom someone so focused on fundraising would make that choice.

The good news is the ACC Network is coming, and soon will end this stupidity. The network will force the hand of Fuente. Hell, I think the network agreement might even stipulate it. If it didn't, it should have. The network needs every ounce of content it can put out.

Assuming this will be coming to an end next year, I am still left with questions. Was the Spring Game broadcast cancelled because Fuente deemed it unnecessary, perhaps wanted to "reward" fans that actually attend in person? Alternatively, was it cancelled because he thought it was a competitive advantage to not giving a look at the players and talent? I have never been able to come up with a third alternative.

I'm left wondering if anyone here thinks cancelling was or is an actual advantage for the football program? Materiality threshold applies, this is one game, not touching on open practices.

If it was the "reward attending fans" rationale, that is just too asinine to fathom from our HC. Get your product out to as many fans and alumni as possible so long as it doesn't hurt the team, period.

Interested in your thoughts.

EDIT - Adding a link to our favorite Paul Johnson talking about why they weren't going to stream their Spring Game. In particular, I think his comment about the difference between streaming and ESPN is interesting.

GT Spring Game Link