I just read on ncaasports.com that ESPN is carrying the NCAA Division I wrestling championship finals LIVE tonight!! Not delayed!!
Anyway, if this is true I think we need to flood their e-mail boxes with thank you's, and requests for even more LIVE coverage. Afterall they have the option of using a variety of ESPN-U regional satellite channels which would be better than nothing. I don't get these channels at home, but most neighborhood sports bars have the satellite package that enables them to.
Remember - flattery gets you everywhere!! Thank them PROFUSELY, tell them you plan on buying their advertisers products and would be more than happy contact them personally to tell them how much you appreciate their support of ESPN covering YOUR favorite sport. Ask how you can do this. THEN, subtly hint that even MORE coverage would be awesome and that you would even like to set up ESPN watch parties with your kids clubs, usawks message board friends, etc. Mention ESPN alot so they know they have branded their product to you and you remember WHERE you saw the live coverage.
Remember CBS has the rights to March Madness, and if we can convince them that there is a very loyal and wide, yet overlooked, fan base out there that would allow them to steal some thunder without forking out millions to steal broadcast rights... it just might work. I work in media and have seen listener/viewer fan base efforts work, however you have to give them something they can take to advertisers to make MONEY off of. If they have 10,000 emails the night of the finals all from Kansas we may just see the semis, consolation finals, and finals ALL live on ESPN-U Midwest next year.
I've done the homework, you send the e-mail. Here's the link:
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/news/story?page=contact/espntv
