ESPN Story On Big East Additions

[TallTitan34]

http://m.espn.go.com/ncb/story?storyId=9074722&src=desktop

With that table they show, you'd think we added some crappy teams.

[The Process]

Here's the non-mobile version:

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/9074722/new-big-east-adds-butler-bulldogs-creighton-bluejays-xavier-musketeers

[jficke13]

ESPN has set up the hatchet job on our league with orders straight from the jilted-lover top. Just wait. We'll have to win the next 10 straight NCAA tournements before they admit we might be an alright conference.

[Groin_pull]

I expect ESPN to treat the Big East the same as the NHL.

All the more reason I hope Fox Sports steps up and starts slapping them around. ESPN has been the only game in town for far too long.

[WellsstreetWanderer]

Nice pic of Davante and Jamail in the WSJ

[Ellenson Guerrero]

The quote about the morphing landscape of college sports makes me think they are still holding out hope for ND. May have been a bargaining chip they used with Fox to let them stay at 10 for the time being.

[sarcastro]

I expect ESPN to treat the Big East the same as the NHL.

All the more reason I hope Fox Sports steps up and starts slapping them around. ESPN has been the only game in town for far too long.

Heeeeeeeyyyyyyyy

http://www.muscoop.com/index.php?topic=37091.msg469072#msg469072

[ChicosBailBonds]

I expect ESPN to treat the Big East the same as the NHL.

All the more reason I hope Fox Sports steps up and starts slapping them around. ESPN has been the only game in town for far too long.

I think you will be disappointed.  That really isn't their goal.  Not in the early stages at least.  I spoke to a few FOX folks today, G'Town grads and one is a Davidson grad (ironically enough) and it just isn't in the cards for them to compete toe to toe with ESPN right now.  They know they don't have the content or the reach and with many contracts tied up for years to come, it's going to take a while.

The good news is that we become one of the crown jewels for them.  There is going to be a lot of love for the Big East from them which is fantastic.

[MarquetteDano]

I think we have to be realistic about this new league as, though it has a lot going for it, has a lot going against it:

• ESPN will have little interest
• No big state schools and alumni bases
• No blue bloods
• A TV contract with a new, unproven channel
• Bigger, larger budget schools and conferences trying to use $$$ to minimize competition
• Etc.

I don't mean to be debbie downer.  I am still excited about the conference.  I think the conference's goal has to be to get someone in the Final Four as soon as possible.  Court success will beat all of the other factors going against this league.