ESPN and The Big East: The Most Disturbing Love Story of All Time

[8893]

http://newcollegesports.com/espn-and-the-big-east-the-most-disturbing-love-story-of-all-time/

 

[ctchamps]

Some accuracy. Some distortion. An article that is calling the kettle black.

 

[arnie3]

Although there is some historical truth to the article- the nature of the Big East's and ESPN's connection and the need for the network to pump up the B.E. in the early going (B.E.vs ACC Challenge, the "U" game), there is no mention of the Catholic schools' absolute hatred of football and their belief of "purity" of basketball. Although the Catholics accepted the football money, and it in turn helped their programs, there was never any realization that football was king. Once the BCS came into play, the idea that football could be put on the back burner by the league was laughable. Adding ND for everything but football further added to the alienation between the Catholics and the "Other Schools". Pitt and 'Cuse wanted out. So did UConn. It was laughable that both school presidents of Pitt and ND would be in charge of negotiations with ESPN when they knew it was in their best interest to not make a deal. ESPN for its part felt like it no longer needed the B.E. in its present form, and not only welcomed the demise, but helped it along. Of course, this is a bit naive overview on my part, but we may never know the real truth. The article, however, looks for a "bad guy" in this case ESPN. But it can be argued (and it has been over the last couple of years) that the only way the Catholics would feel satisfied, would be to form their own league and rid themselves of the Others. The ACC saw the opportunity and one again jumped in to pick off whomever they wanted. Hey, it was a great run, but let's move on.