PROVO and SALT LAKE CITY — Brigham Young University and the University of Utah have retained a sports broadcasting attorney to explore all possible options in improving the distribution of athletic broadcasts to their fans.

“We have been patient with efforts to improve distribution for almost a year,” said University of Utah President Michael K. Young. “We are now exploring all possible options available so that all our fans have access to the games on television. Utah and BYU are united in our commitment to solving this distribution problem and bringing University of Utah and BYU sports to our fans.”

University officials, fans and supporters are frustrated that Mountain West Conference games are not more widely available. Despite repeated assurances over the past year that this distribution problem would be solved shortly, the football season is three months away and adequate distribution is still uncertain. The universities’ leaders find this situation unacceptable.

To explore possible alternatives, the universities have hired Kelly Crabb, a partner in the Los Angeles office of the international law firm Morrison & Foerster. Crabb has represented the Beijing Olympic Organizing Committee in connection with the negotiation of 20 Olympic broadcasting agreements worldwide, as well as other Olympic and major sports leagues and personalities.

“We’ve asked Kelly to investigate our situation with the conference’s television contract and recommend a new course of action,” said BYU President Cecil O. Samuelson. “We are looking forward to weighing Kelly’s recommendations and determining the best course of action available to us.”