An interesting article in today's Austin American-Statesman about the power that ESPN wields as a schedule maker. The point of the piece is how ESPN has gone beyond the concept of "made games" to bring together power teams for televised games. The Worldwide Leader now has "made tournaments."
One of the money quotes, from the director of the Great Alaksa Shootout, who is no longer a part of the family:
"I think what happened in 2006 was a law of unintended consequence," Cobb said. "The rule change wasn't meant to empower ESPN, the 600-pound gorilla, but that's what happened.
"ESPN creates events. ESPN can write a check to bring in some little guys like Presbyterian or Prairie View for the big guys to feast on early and then set up great matchups. We used to be televised by ESPN. All of a sudden the vendor becomes the competitor, and I'm afraid the writing is on the wall for us."
Read the whole story here.
No comments:
Post a Comment