The Cablization of Television Sports Properties - Part II

Athens, GA (Nov 20, 2008) - "It's our ball an if you don't like our rules, too bad!" That seemed to be the underlying message on Tuesday's ESPN media call announcing the acquisition of the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) contract for 2011 through 2014. Not matter how the question was asked, there seemed to be a general disdain for the feelings of fans who do not have access to ESPN. And make no mistake about it, the acquisition of this property by ESPN has absolutely nothing to with their love for the game of college football, or their desire to help the game grow. It is about increasing their profits, no matter who gets left at the door. In a business environment where the over-the-air broadcast networks cannot compete on even footing, Disney, through its broadcast arms, has created a true monopoly. This monopoly draws criticism and should draw the attention of the folks on Capitol Hill. Fortunately for Disney, lawmakers are up to their eyeballs in more important economic issues right now.

"Why Is the Media So Critical of Us?"

My jaw dropped earlier this year when someone from ESPN asked me, with a straight face, "Why is the media so critical of us? After all, we are part of the media." It should be obvious to this person, and others, that the answer is quite simple. ESPN is the 10,000 pound Gorilla in the room, and they can and will do what they want and who is going to stop them?

Is the company "media" as in the fourth estate, or is it purely entertainment. Last fall, when ESPN College GameDay was in town for the Alabama-Georgia game, I asked Senior Coordinating Producer Michael Fountain if he saw GameDay as news or entertainment. His answer was simple: "It is both." Of course this makes sense, because doing news alone will not bring in the ratings and the dollars. There has to be entertainment value thrown into the mix. For this reason alone, ESPN sets itself up to be the target of the sports media. When they did not give any coverage to the Brett Favre briefing the Detroit Lions about the Green Bay Packers audience, the reaction in the media and the blogosphere was fast and too the point: ESPN was protecting a favorite son wh brings them eyeballs and ratings. It is not for this writer to say whether this is an accurate portrayal or not. It does not have to be accurate, because it is the perception many people have of ESPN. And in a world of sound bites and shock journalism, perception is and will always be king.