UIL temporarily lifts ban on live broadcasts of Friday night high school football games

EL PASO, Texas — The University Interscholastic League legislative council has lifted the ban for Friday night live broadcasts of Texas high school football games during the 2020 season Wednesday morning.

The unprecedented decision, made due to fears of CoVid-19, reverses the "Friday night rule" which banned Friday night footballs games from being broadcasted on tv or online.

"The UIL believes that Friday night football is a community event and they want people to come out to the stadium and go to the game," said Matthew Stepp, a Texas high school insider with Dave Cambell's Texas Football. He added, "Football games are a major source of athletic revenue that supports some of the other programs that don't make enough money."

For example, revenue made at the entrance gate goes to volleyball teams or baseball teams. Also, the money made at concession stands is used as a fundraiser for ROTC, the drill team or the band.

Broadcasting Friday night games creates a challenge for local school and districts because of the loss of revenue made from people attending the game. However, broadcasting the games allows people, who are too afraid or vulnerable to go, to watch.

School districts will be in charge of finding a company to film and broadcast their games.