Updated throughout the day with quick takes from staff.
Really hope this quote was just out of context or something, because it looks pretty terrible. The quote comes from Boston College athletic director Gene DeFilippo, who presided over the ACC expansion committee and gives us an insight into the expansion process.
"We always keep our television partners close to us,’’ he said. "You don’t get extra money for basketball. It’s 85 percent football money. TV - ESPN - is the one who told us what to do. This was football; it had nothing to do with basketball.’’
And yet, this wouldn't be surprising at all. Television money makes the college world go round, and a network inserting itself into the realignment game was only logical. Still, seems like a bit of an ethics problem to have the largest sports network around engineering the death of the Big East.
Also, just tossing this one in for fun.
"We wanted new playmates and we wanted Eastern playmates,'' said DeFilippo. "When the Big 12 inquired about Pittsburgh, we asked, ‘Why let them come into our area?' ''
Expansion is a playground game and ESPN is the big bully. Because of course this is how it goes.
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Comments
Just giving the benefit of the doubt.
It’s possible that what he meant was that ESPN had given the conference information on what type of moves would pay off the most in new contracts. Some have reported that network executives, not necessarily those from ESPN, have inferred such information in talks with SEC officials as well.
In other words, their actions gave us the information we needed and that “told” us what to do. It’s not necessarily that someone at ESPN was literally calling the shots with threats of retribution if the ACC didn’t do what they wanted.
by AllTideUp on Oct 10, 2011 2:21 AM EDT reply actions
If I'm off though....
Then these conferences need to start suing the pants off of ESPN. I’d say that is tortious interference if anything is.
by AllTideUp on Oct 10, 2011 2:22 AM EDT up reply actions
Even if your reading is accurate...
ESPN’s actions are questionable at best. The main network that broadcasts ACC games “suggests” to the ACC which teams to add to get a bigger media contract (incidentally, from ESPN)!?!? While that isn’t the same as pulling the trigger, it is putting the gun in the ACC’s hand and whispering in its ear, “All will be well if you just squeeze your finger.” Between their plays in the ACC and Big 12, ESPN should stop pussyfooting around and just tell everyone who they want in each conference.
by CLTBuckeye on Oct 10, 2011 9:09 AM EDT up reply actions
Boston
Boston
http://www.aabout.biz/2011/10/boston.html
by Mariano Karesty on Oct 10, 2011 8:59 AM EDT reply actions
Occupy Wall Street
Getting Close To Occupy Wall Street
http://www.aabout.biz/2011/10/getting-close-to-occupy-wall-street.html
by Mariano Karesty on Oct 10, 2011 9:08 AM EDT reply actions
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