Does ESPN have a northeast baseball bias?
Michigan
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From USA Today:
ESPN says this tops its list of viewer complaints: It has a Northeast bias.
Especially when it comes to three baseball teams. As San Diego Padres pitcher (and ex-New York Met) Heath Bell recently told The San Diego Union-Tribune: "I truly believe ESPN only cares about promoting the (Boston) Red Sox and (New York) Yankees and Mets — and nobody else."
That can't be totally true. Even if Connecticut-based ESPN — headquartered between Boston and New York — were smitten with those teams, it can't show them all the time. MLB teams have limits on their national TV games. On Sunday nights last season, the Yankees, Mets and Red Sox got the maximum five games — as did the Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox and Philadelphia Phillies. On Monday and Wednesdays, the big three — who, with the Cubs, have MLB's biggest payrolls — maxed out.
Last season, Red Sox-Yankees drew ESPN's three highest game ratings — a Mets-Yankees game was fourth. Vince Doria, ESPN senior vice president, notes the Yankees and Red Sox outrate West Coast teams even in West Coast TV markets: "It's not a question of bias. It's trying to discern what most of our viewers are interested in."
Bell, who was on ESPN after his criticism, said he likes the new MLB Network "because they promote everybody." MLBN and ESPN don't have complete 2009 schedules, but MLBN so far includes smaller-market teams such as the Kansas City Royals, Pittsburgh Pirates and Toronto Blue Jays.
And if ESPN has a Northeast bias, it doesn't extend to its NBA games: This season, the Boston Celtics maxed out on ESPN (10 games) and ABC (five). But so did the Los Angeles Lakers, Cleveland Cavaliers, Phoenix Suns, Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets and San Antonio Spurs on at least one of the networks, suggesting, perhaps, a Texas bias.
ESPN says this tops its list of viewer complaints: It has a Northeast bias.
Especially when it comes to three baseball teams. As San Diego Padres pitcher (and ex-New York Met) Heath Bell recently told The San Diego Union-Tribune: "I truly believe ESPN only cares about promoting the (Boston) Red Sox and (New York) Yankees and Mets — and nobody else."
That can't be totally true. Even if Connecticut-based ESPN — headquartered between Boston and New York — were smitten with those teams, it can't show them all the time. MLB teams have limits on their national TV games. On Sunday nights last season, the Yankees, Mets and Red Sox got the maximum five games — as did the Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox and Philadelphia Phillies. On Monday and Wednesdays, the big three — who, with the Cubs, have MLB's biggest payrolls — maxed out.
Last season, Red Sox-Yankees drew ESPN's three highest game ratings — a Mets-Yankees game was fourth. Vince Doria, ESPN senior vice president, notes the Yankees and Red Sox outrate West Coast teams even in West Coast TV markets: "It's not a question of bias. It's trying to discern what most of our viewers are interested in."
Bell, who was on ESPN after his criticism, said he likes the new MLB Network "because they promote everybody." MLBN and ESPN don't have complete 2009 schedules, but MLBN so far includes smaller-market teams such as the Kansas City Royals, Pittsburgh Pirates and Toronto Blue Jays.
And if ESPN has a Northeast bias, it doesn't extend to its NBA games: This season, the Boston Celtics maxed out on ESPN (10 games) and ABC (five). But so did the Los Angeles Lakers, Cleveland Cavaliers, Phoenix Suns, Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets and San Antonio Spurs on at least one of the networks, suggesting, perhaps, a Texas bias.
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will get more money from advertisers. If they show Tampa Bay at Minnesota, or Florida at Pitt, then they lose money big time.
The more Red Sox, Yankees, and Mets, the more mula. Case closed.
<< <i>
The more Red Sox, Yankees, and Mets, the more mula. Case closed. >>
Yep.
<< <i>. Vince Doria, ESPN senior vice president, notes the Yankees and Red Sox outrate West Coast teams even in West Coast TV markets: ". >>
This is the truth. Everyone who has never seen a Red Sox game against the Angels in Anaheim really needs to get there and
see the sea of chowda heads that invade that ballpark.
If you think it's bad their, then head to Baltimore in the summer. Camden yards becomes a suburb on Boston in August and September.
It's probably a 5-1 ratio, meaning if there are 5,000 Oriole fans, then there are 25,000 red sox fans. You'd have to see it to believe it.
I'm not sure what the USA Today writer was trying to say when they said the bias can't be totally true because the teams have a limited number of times they can appear on national TV. It seems to me that if the Yankees, Red Sox, and Mets could be on national TV more, then ESPN would certainly broadcast more of their games.
One final thought: the bias isn't as obvious in the NBA because, until recently, the Eastern Conference was the junior varsity of the NBA. But if you look at College hoops, I think you could definitely find that east coast bias.
Sincerely, The North East
<< <i>This is the truth. Everyone who has never seen a Red Sox game against the Angels in Anaheim really needs to get there and
see the sea of chowda heads that invade that ballpark.
If you think it's bad their, then head to Baltimore in the summer. Camden yards becomes a suburb on Boston in August and September.
It's probably a 5-1 ratio, meaning if there are 5,000 Oriole fans, then there are 25,000 red sox fans. You'd have to see it to believe it. >>
I completely agree! I'm stationed down at Virginia Beach and try to get up to Baltimore every summer to catch a Sox game or 2. All I can say is that when the entire stadium is singing Sweet Caroline it reminds me of being back home in the hub.
Same happened when I saw them down at Tropicana. I'd say there were at least 10 Ortiz jersey's for every Rays jersey (of any player). Honestly the only thing that out numbered the Sox fans down there was probably the damn cowbells...
EDIT: Smaller market teams should be grateful when the Sox and Yanks roll in anyway. Those are the only games you sell out all year, and all that extra revenue will help to sign better players. One of the Rays owners even admited that because the ALCS went the distance last year he was able to sign some better pitchers for his bullpen this year, due to the money being brought in from the games they hosted.
<< <i>
EDIT: Smaller market teams should be grateful when the Sox and Yanks roll in anyway. >>
While I understand what you're saying, get over yourself.
Let me guess, you saw them play in St. Pete when they were still green and losing 100 games a year? The bandwagon has changed things a bit, attendance wise.
Same concept applies in football. Out of the Cowboys, Redskins and Giants, which team do you think gets more publicity? Without a doubt the Cowboys over the 2 northeastern teams.
Good point on the Cowboy's. You are right about that for sure.
My feeling is ESPN overhypes the Red Sox, the Yankee's and Big East basketball. Their love affair with a Red Sox v. Yankee's series is just over the top. Same with their coverage of the Big East hoops tourney.
<< <i>
My feeling is ESPN overhypes the Red Sox, the Yankee's and Big East basketball. Their love affair with a Red Sox v. Yankee's series is just over the top. Same with their coverage of the Big East hoops tourney. >>
The Big East is going to be WAY down from this past year. Everyone either graduated or jumped ship to the NBA. It gives us USFer's hope that we may climb the standings a bit next year, especially since we just landed some big recruits (Mizzou and Arizona fans know EXACTLY what I'm talking about).
However, the Cowboys and Yankees have been WAY down and they still don't shut up about them
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