As I wade through the latest round of "BCS SUCKS!!! columns, a question

Is this going to be allowed to quietly happen? ESPN's bid for the BCS games is the highest as of now, and the plan would be to move all five games to cable TV.

http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/article/125438

Yes, I know. "Everyone has cable." Not everyone; some would watch an ESPN, but can't justify the expense based on the fact other channels would never be watched.

Is this a big deal or not? USA Today noted that many big events have already moved to cable.

Anyway, it seems like every year the same columnists wail that we "NEED!!!!" a playoff in college football, how the BCS sucks, etc. I hope some of them decide to touch on this issue that, you know, actually affects consumers.

 

Technically all the college football broadcasts on ABC are ESPN productions. ABC does not do college football anymore.

Is it possible people are assuming these games will be on cable and not on ABC?

 

There's no assumption, AQB. ESPN is running on its crawl that the BCS games will be broadcast on ESPN if it wins the bid.

 

Except the Rose Bowl, which will be on ABC.

 

I'm surprised the Rose Bowl isn't trying to draw a bid from the Dumont Network.

 

They should put all big sporting events on obscure channels. That way people would have a reason to read the newspaper.

 

But will all those copy editors in India be able to work through the gamers?

 

From the link:

"If ABC/ESPN ultimately wins the bid and moves even one BCS game to ESPN, it would trigger a clause in its Rose Bowl contract that would allow it to immediately take the annual game in Pasadena from its home of 21 years on ABC to the cable channel."

 

They could just start the game on ABC, then switch to ESPN2 when it's time for America's Funniest Home Videos.

 

If moving it to cable means the kickoff times are earlier, I'd be OK with it.

 

I'm doing the Orange Bowl and BCS title game for Fox this year, so maybe my opinion is null and void.
However, that they would move all of this to cable - I'd find it to be blasphemy.

 

If I'm an ABC affiliate, I'm pissed...they destroyed ABC Sports.