ESPN now owns & operates SEVEN bowl games

[Warner2BruceTD]

http://www.forbes.com/sites/aliciajessop/2013/01/05/espns-path-to-becoming-a-bowl-game-owner-and-redefining-bowl-game-operations/

Conflict of interest for what essentially is a news gathering organization? What do you think?

I could argue that as long as SportsCenter retains journalistic integrity, stuff like this doesn't matter. After all, it's just sports. But as we know, the idea that ESPN's news side has any semblance of journalistic integrity is laughable.

On Thursday, on SportsCenter, they did a "Next Bowl Up!" deal, and said it was Saturday's Pitt vs Mississippi game in something called the BBVA Compass Bowl (live on ESPN! OWNED by ESPN!), completely ignoring Friday nights Cotton Bowl (featuring a much better matchup of Texas A&M vs Oklahoma, which included the Heisman winner), which aired on FOX.

Let's try to stay away from another "ESPN sucks" thread here. What do you think of these business practices? Does ESPN have a responsibility to retain journalistic integrity, or has SC gone so far down the shill path that it doesn't matter?

[Villain]

Let's try to stay away from another "ESPN sucks" thread here. What do you think of these business practices? Does ESPN have a responsibility to retain journalistic integrity, or has SC gone so far down the shill path that it doesn't matter?

They barely like to mention games and scores on their website during the height of CFB season if there other games on ESPN networks to watch so I'll pick the latter. ESPN is pretty shameless about their coverage.

[EmpireWF]

This is no different than their behavior with NHL coverage. Sucks but they're in the business of ESPN ahead of anything else first.

...or ESPN's flirting with the UFC. When there's a shot they can get in bed with MMA, they roll out the red carpet and push hard. When that window closes, aside from quick highlights in passing, ESPN does what they do when they have no business interest involved.

[Cornelius]

With you, W2B. I also wonder why a government contractor is sponsoring a bowl game. The Bell Helicopter Bowl? tha fuck?

[Guest]

ESPN still sucks, but that point notwithstanding........

I would say they have a responsibility for journalistic integrity. It's not like they have the MLB Game of the Week, where their crew takes over production, or they are showing some other live event for you. ESPN directly takes the profits from those games, and makes decisions on it on multiple levels. They are a network, they can most certainly advertise and show what they want, but I do find an issue with their coverage being more focused on the Compass Bowl than the Cotton Bowl. Owned by the network or not, you've got to focus on the better game.

[Senser81]

With you, W2B. I also wonder why a government contractor is sponsoring a bowl game. The Bell Helicopter Bowl? tha fuck?

Don't you remember the scene in Clear & Present Danger (IIRC) where Harrison Ford has to buy a helicopter? If he were a college football fan, he probably would have bought a Bell.

[MrBill]

Don't you remember the scene in Clear & Present Danger (IIRC) where Harrison Ford has to buy a helicopter? If he were a college football fan, he probably would have bought a Bell.

I want to rent the Huey
It is not for rent...it is for sale
How much?
$2 million dollars
Ok, we would want to take it out for a test flight to make sure it works
Of course, we will just need a deposit.
How much?
$2 million dollars

Love that scene.

[MVPete]

Don't you remember the scene in Clear & Present Danger (IIRC) where Harrison Ford has to buy a helicopter? If he were a college football fan, he probably would have bought a Bell.

Love all those Jack Ryan movies.

[MVPete]

I want to rent the Huey
It is not for rent...it is for sale
How much?
$2 million dollars
Ok, we would want to take it out for a test flight to make sure it works
Of course, we will just need a deposit.
How much?
$2 million dollars

Love that scene.

lol. Posted at the exact same time.

[x0xHumblex0x]

great movie...actually all of those are!!

[Cornelius]

Don't you remember the scene in Clear & Present Danger (IIRC) where Harrison Ford has to buy a helicopter? If he were a college football fan, he probably would have bought a Bell.

Nope.