The University Interscholastic League will allow Friday night football games to be broadcast live for the first time due to COVID-19.
On Wednesday, June 17, the legislative council met to discuss amendments to UIL policy in regards to academics and athletics. One amendment they proposed was temporarily suspending Section 868(c) of the contest rules that prohibit live telecasts of Friday night football games. With COVID-19 cases on the rise and an increasing potential of a second wave coming in the fall, the UIL decided to temporarily waive the rule out of precaution.
“This is a time for us to stand down on our Friday night broadcasting rule,” UIL Executive Director Charles Breithaupt says during the meeting. “Not permanently, just for a one-time venture, because we know there will be many people who stay away because they’re fearful, particularly our elderly and our senior citizens.”
Charles says both schools competing in a game would need to agree to the broadcast beforehand for it to take place. The suspension would only be effective for this year and would not continue after the 2020-2021 season.
To stay up to date on the UIL’s response to COVID-19, visit UILTexas.org.