[JRutledge]

Juulie,

It does not matter who had a head start or really why one is more popular over the other. I do know this, I know more officials disappointed in my state when they do not get boy's playoff assignments then they ever do over girl's assignments. I have attended the Men's Big Ten Tournament for the last 6 years between Chicago and Indy, and 20,000 in either arena are not at all unusual. You cannot get tickets in the lower bowl of either the United Center or Conseco Field house when the tournament gets rolling. I watch the Big Ten Women's tournament some times and I see entire sections empty.

You are right. The world does not revolve around Men's basketball. I do know that no one has a thread about who worked the Final Four on the Women's side or goes into detail conversations about calls and situations that happen. Of course there are a few mentions, but no big speculation threads on who "might" work the Final Four and the quality of those officials on the Women's side. There is more talk about baseball on the basketball site than I ever read about Women's college basketball or the WNBA. Many people hate the NBA here, but for some reason when the playoffs arrive, there is a lot talk. Tubbyfan keeps coming back here talking about the Regional Finals and a call that should have been made. JR references a controversial call in a Baylor game last year and no one even remembered or knew what he was talking about.

I am sure there are fans that think the MLS is the bomb and the NHL is the best sport alive. But most people do not care about those sports just like they could give a damn about Women's basketball. Of course ESPN wants to support Women's basketball because they have the entire tournament. I know that if they could trade places with CBS and have the Men's tournament they would. You know that and I know that. CBS had the Women's tournament and did not even put up much of a fight to keep it. I know there were more people that watched the Yankees and the Sox play on Sunday then that watched the Final Four of the Women's tournament. The Final Four is crowning a champion, opening day is just one of 19 games those two teams will actually play each other. If you think that is the same interest level, then I guess the NHL is on their way to sports dominance.

Peace