ESPN concern for the Big East

[abezontar]

I remember hearing a story while I was in undergrad that the SWC was approached by ESPN when ESPN was first getting off the ground to televise nationally SWC games. Allegedly, the SWC turned them down and the Big East took them up on it. This was why the Big East had a seat at the big boys table. Any chance that ESPN would be motivated to keep the Big East alive and, consequently, motivated to help the Big East maintain their AQ status?

[ponyte]

Like it or not, the Big East is in the big East. Plenty of TV audience in a huge media area. A TV network can't ignore those potential ratings. My guess is the Big East gets help from the media.

[abezontar]

Wouldn't that encourage ESPN to encourage AQ rule changes that kept the Big East as an AQ conference?

[ponyte]

Eastern football isn't exactly the best. By quality football standards, the Big East should never have been considered a AQ conference. But due to the huge population in the Northeast and the potential audience (think money), the Big East is very attractive to TV. And ABC and ESPN are in the same boat when it comes to needing BSC ratings.

[SMU Pony Mom]

Plus ESPN HQ is in Bristol,CT.