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Originally Posted by Dakota
"Won't" is the correct word. And I don't blame them, from a business perspective. ESPN is not in the business of broadcasting sporting events. They are in the business of selling advertising for broadcasts of sporting events. 99%+ of the audience for ASA softball is the parents, grandparents, etc., of players, not the general public.
I suspect what ESPN really wants to sell advertising for is the LL baseball world series, and they are contractually obligated to broadcast softball because LL insisted that it be part of the deal. I have no inside information; that is just my suspicion.
ASA has no product that would attract the advertising dollars (meaning attract the national audience) that LL baseball has in the world series. Therefore, they have little bargaining power with ESPN.
Perhaps they could work a deal with a socal local station that would foot the bill for the on-site television crew for local broadcast rights, and ASA would web-cast the feed nationally, perhaps sponsored by Hooters! 
Something like that MIGHT be workable. |
You are correct Tom. It's all about advertising dollars. I work for a company that broadcasts HS and college sporting events on the radio statewide here so I know a little about the cash machine. I am sure that a) LL does require ESPN to carry the softball stuff in order to get the baseball; and b) that LL and ESPN work together to get sponsors for the programming. If a company pays "X" dollars, they will be a corporate sponsor of LL. For that they get signage at the stadiums, spots on the broadcasts, etc. I'm sure Kellogs is the only cereal used at the breakfast table during the series. Trust me, from the district level to Williamsport it's all about the dollars.