Topic for discussion: Is ESPN behind conference re-alignment?

[maroonmadman]

Think about this. ESPN made this deal with Texas for the Longhorn network that basically 17d all the other teams in that conference. They had to know this would lead to some hard feelings amongst other teams in the conference. aTm has fired the opening shot which is probably going to be the demise of the Big XII. Rumors are swirling that some teams will go to the PAC and some to the SEC. ESPN already has big $$ deals with both of these and increased viewers will mean more advertising $$ for ESPN. Sure ESPN will have to pony up some more $$ to the SEC and PAC but they'll make more $$ due to a larger number of viewers watching these conferences and increased advertising rates as a result.

This is just something the conspiracy theorist in me came up with. Discuss/cuss

 

[karlchilders.sixpack]

I personally feel that they (ESPN)are taking too much control of college sports. ie. Long Horn Network....look behind the curtains...no you don't have to..it is blatant.

Eventually the School Presidents will retake control of theeducation system. Amateur sports can not continue down the path that it is on, much longer. Something has got to give.

Never thought I'd post something like this.

 

[jethreauxdawg]

The big 12 has a large contract with fox. I don't know if they had a master plan of bringing down the entire big 12, but I'm sure they were trying to do anything they could to get more market share and $$ in the big 12 market. It looks to me like the Longhorn network was ESPN's way of flippin the bird to Fox. Yeah, you got the big contract, but I'm still sleeping with your cash cow.

 

[The Usual Suspect]

they would love to have 4 sixteen team conferences. Each conference could have a championship game, those 4 then could have a playoff. Sure cuts out a lot of the middle men and gets the majors closer to a playoff.

 

[AndyMSU]

The big 12 has a large contract with fox.

I had forgotten all about this.... got my conspiracy radar on alert now!