mhver3 is reporting that ESPN/Big East negotiations are not going well. Not a surprise or much of an insight, given that if they were going well, and announcement would have been made by now. There is no reason for ESPN to budge for another month if they are trying to lowball the Big East. Terrorize the Big East with threats of additional departures, which could cause the whole league to come apart, and see if the schools buckle and sign for a lowball offer. If they don't, then a week before Halloween, ESPN will come in with its last and best offer, and tell the Big East to take it or leave it.
Lots of rumors that ESPN is trying to get the Big 12 to raid the Big East. The Big 12 got played by Notre Dame, and that cost them FSU and Clemson. Are they going to add anyone, just take Rutgers and Louisville, or do they take 4? I don't like our odds in this right now. We have to hope the Big 12 decides to sit tight, because I don't see UConn making the cut for 2 and I don't see the Big 12 adding 4.