Lawmaker suggests deporting those keeping Clemson-S.C. game off air

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) For the first time in almost two decades, the showdown between South Carolina and Clemson won&#39;t be broadcast on national or regional television. And one state lawmaker has a suggestion for those responsible: deport &#39;em.<br> <br> ``I&#39;m in total disbelief. I think this might be illegal,&#39;&#39; said state Rep. John Graham Altman, R-Charleston.<br> <br> ``We need to deport the people who made this decision to Guantanamo Bay. I may very well introduce a bill to do just that,&#39;&#39; he said, a reflection of how seriously people in the state take the Carolina-Clemson game.<br> <br> ``I&#39;ll say this, Jefferson-Pilot has done something I didn&#39;t think was possible, and that is to unite Clemson and South Carolina fans this close to the game,&#39;&#39; Altman added.<br> <br> The only way fans will be able to see the Nov. 19 game on pay-per-view.<br> <br> ``It basically came down to showing the game on pay-per-view or not showing it at all,&#39;&#39; said Liz McMillan, general manager of Gamecock Sports Properties, which along with Learfield Sports Communications own the broadcast rights. ``I think this is the best option for the fans.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> CBS, ESPN and Jefferson-Pilot, along with the Southeastern Conference, control which games are televised each week. CBS selected the Auburn vs. Alabama game while ESPN went with LSU and Mississippi.<br> <br> Jefferson-Pilot chose to go with a split regional broadcast of the Tennessee-Vanderbilt and Georgia-Kentucky games.<br> <br> ``Jefferson-Pilot is contractually obligated to show games that involve two SEC teams,&#39;&#39; said SEC associate commissioner Charles Bloom. ``All of these policies come from the networks.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> South Carolina then had three choices. Either not show the game, show it only in Columbia and Greenville, the team&#39;s home markets, or show it on pay-per-view.<br> <br> ``The pay-per-view was really South Carolina&#39;s best option,&#39;&#39; Bloom said.<br> <br> The 7 p.m. kickoff was also dictated by pay-per-view telecast, South Carolina athletics spokesman Steve Fink said.<br> <br> He said the school couldn&#39;t broadcast the game during the day, because it would conflict with other scheduled SEC broadcasts.<br> <br> Information from: The Post and Courier, http://www.charleston.net<br> <br> (Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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