I don't understand the "getting screwed" by the TV partners feeling. I seriously doubt that ESPN has meetings in which their primary concern is making it harder for GT fans to tailgate. They try to maximize engagement through the entire Saturday. (They even spread things out so that they have games on Thursday and Friday. Plus even some games on Tuesday and Wednesday during the season) They want as many people watching as many games as possible. Even if viewership of one particular game is lower in a certain time slot, it makes sense to the network if having that game in that time slot will increase overall viewership for the day.
What do you want the GTAA to do? They can possibly complain to the ACC. What do you want the ACC to do? They could give up money to negotiate guaranteed time slots in the next contract. However, the next contract isn't until 2036 and the ACC will not give up money to make a few fans at one school complacent. I guess they could complain to ESPN. But then what do you want ESPN to do? They pay a lot of money to the ACC for the purpose of maximizing revenue. ESPN is not going to give up revenue that they have paid for so that some GT fans can have an extra couple of hours to tailgate. Petitions and protests usually have an purpose and an end game. I have no idea what you think this petition is for.
To me the whining about 12:00 period game times seems like just something to complain about. It seems to me that if they were all late, the same people would complain about that. If 1/3 of the games were in each time slot, the same people would complain that they can't plan around game time since it always changes. What is the real complaint about 12:00 games?
- Can't tailgate? Bring a tent, TV, and generator and watch the 3:30 and 7:00 period games after watching GT dominate their game. Parking on campus doesn't have to be cleared out until midnight.
- Too hot? It is too hot in September at 3:30 also. Teams in Florida have games in the 12:00 time slot. It is just as hot there and even more humid.
- Have to leave your house too early? If that is the complaint then if it is a late game you won't get home until too late. If it is a 3:00 time slot game then you will have to leave your house before the 12:00 games and won't get back until the late games have finshed.(No chance to watch any other games or get any house/yard work done)
- Just have to find something to b**ch about? I think that probably matches most of it.