It’s almost 2 a.m. on Tuesday. I’ve been working all night, but I’m still committed to blog for you even at this ungodly hour. I’m also watching ESPN’s 23 hour college basketball tip-off marathon. It’s nice to have live sports to watch when working. Of course, when college basketball really gets underway, I’ll have the Pac 10 to keep me company during late night working sessions so it’ll be fun to watch. But as we await the official word about the Bowl Championship Series going to ESPN, let’s give you some linkage on Fox Sports dropping out of the bidding for the event, leaving the BCS to go all-cable starting on New Year’s Day, 2011.
USA Today’s Michael Hiestand says ESPN is finalizing the deal to air the BCS.
Staci D. Kramer of paidcontent.org says the ESPN deal which has yet to be confirmed would include digital and international rights.
Teddy Greenstein of the Chicago Tribune says the contract to take the BCS away from Fox is a huge victory for ESPN and cable.
Paul J. Gough of the Hollywood Reporter writes that the BCS is part of a huge migration of sporting events going from broadcast to cable.
Rick Freeman of the Associated Press says the new ESPN contract would preclude any talk of a college football playoff for at least six years.
John Kieseswetter of the Cincinnati Enquirer doesn’t think the move to cable is a good thing.
Christopher Byrne in the Eye on Sports Media blog wonders why Wall Street Journal reporter Matthew Futterman chose to attribute the Fox Sports statement on the BCS to one of its spokesmen.
Roger van der Horst of the Raleigh News & Observer did actually speak to the Fox Sports spokesman in question to get an explanation as to why Fox dropped out of the BCS bidding.
Alex Weprin and John Eggerton of Broadcasting & Cable write that Congress is unlikely to complain or hold hearings about the BCS moving to cable.
Cynthia Littleton of Variety says BCS officials are defending the move to go to cable.
Steve Lepore from the Puck The Media blog ties the BCS move to the NHL and says don’t think hockey is next to go all-cable.
That’s going to do it for now. I expect ESPN will make an official announcement sometime in the morning.
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