DES MOINES, Iowa — This began as something everyone was in favor of. It was a way to get more boys high school sports on TV across Iowa and the Iowa High School Athletic Association chalked it up as a win. It turned out to be more complicated than that.

Games were often broadcast on cable stations that not everyone had. But then came the advent of streaming and all its unforeseen complications.

The IHSAA knew this one-time blessing had turned into a burden.

“Once the Sports Network was charging for streaming,” said the IHSAA’s Chris Cuellar, “that was something that we were publicly against and were trying to take a stand against.”

Cuellar told WHO 13 today the Association has already heard from interested parties who’d like to become the new carrier of high school sports in Iowa. The IHSAA says that carrier will need to have a statewide network and will need to carry the games for free.

No surprise — fans we talked to Tuesday night like the sound of that and they already have some ideas of what they’d like to see in the future.

“Our girls side of things they get to show all the semis and quarters, championship games for free,” said Waukee AD, Eric Boyle, “our boys need that type of coverage as well, so I’m super excited.”

“Streaming can be hard to figure out for some people,” said parent, Leigh Van Dis. “You always have to make sure Grandma has the link, you might have to go over there early in the day and set it up for her.”

“Every one you click there’s a fee to get onto it,” added parent, Jessica Passick, “and then they say ‘it’s a penny to sign up’ but then they charge you $30 to watch the one game. It’s a hassle.”

“I think it should be for everyone,” said Van Dis. “And it should be free and accessible to everyone.”

“I think there’ll be plenty of people who’ll want that opportunity,” said Boyle, of the next to carry the broadcasting duties. “I mean CISN is here tonight for us, they do a great partnership with the Girls’ Union. There are people out there who will bridge that gap.”

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