The ESPN+ video stream of No. 11 Arizona State football’s season opener against Northern Arizona on Saturday switched from a black screen to blurred flashes of the game on the field after halftime, frustrating fans at home.
Making matters more irritating for fans, the commercials between drives have aired just fine.
“Very sorry for this and rest assured we are in touch with the Big 12 and ESPN on this issue,” ASU athletic director Graham Rossini posted on X. “We have to be better for our fans and our program. I do apologize.”
ASU’s biggest star of the previous two seasons, New York Giants running back Cam Skattebo, joined the fans online to complain about the failure to properly broadcast the game.
Maybe #11 nationally ranked gets a main stream @espn ???? I need to watch my boys
— cameron skattebo (@camskattebo5) August 31, 2025
Saturday’s game was highly anticipated after ASU’s run to the College Football Playoff last year, as ASU’s home opener was sold-out for the first time since 1998. The student section at Mountain America Stadium set an attendance record at 14,280.
Many fans took to social media to air their frustrations:
ESPN’s feed of Arizona State / Northern Arizona pic.twitter.com/Ii1AyCRV3D
— Ralph Amsden (@ralphamsden) August 31, 2025
ESPN+ managing to make sure we don’t see Sam Leavitt’s TD for the Sun Devils, but they sure make certain we have see their crystal clear commercials.
— Anthony DeFalco (@addefalco) August 31, 2025
How are the ads on ESPN plus working but not the broadcast for ASU game? Fail @espn
— Ignatius L. Jackson, CPA (@ignatiuscpa) August 31, 2025
watching Arizona State on ESPN+ looks like a art piece made from paint brush pic.twitter.com/kWCcEsoxUQ
— MOCskoden🏜️ (@MOCskoden) August 31, 2025
The game continued to air over the radio on ESPN 620 AM and the Arizona Sports app.
ASU took a 31-13 lead into the fourth quarter and won 38-19. The video feed appeared to improve midway through the final period.
ASU’s next two games will air on ESPN2 and TNT, respectively.
Rossini said he is working on getting a clean feed of Saturday’s game uploaded on ESPN+ after hearing feedback from fans.
