ESPN Thinking Is Anti-Racing...

[GeorgetownRoader]

As reported by the Defender, Michael Eisner stated that Mickey Mouse & ESPN are their major brands. IMHO that's not good news for the partnership.

ESPN, based in Connecticut (basically New York), is the hotbed of stick 'n ball lovers. They think anything west of Philadelphia is hicktown, USA. Many people living there don't even own an automobile.

East Coast elitists can't help themselves - it's nothing mean, but if you live west of the Philly border you just aren't aware and sophisticated. You don't read the right newspapers, you don't wear the right clothes. You're OK, but you just don't fit. You are interesting, but you look best when you are standing next to a cow.

Example: the clown that ESPN sent to the Indy 500 Victory Dinner to MC the event, had never seen a 500 race until that week. You can bet that he was the "sacrificial lamb" sent west to do the unwanted task. He was absolutely clueless - but if he ever gets in a position of high level decision making he'll get even.

I'm sorry, but as a Pittsburgher who lives in a cave and wears coonskin clothes, that's my biased opinion. I hope I'm wrong.

[Rex Karz]

How far back do you have to go when ABC/ESPN/ESPN2 broadcast IRL, CART, WC, BGN, CTS, and NHRA?

How far back do you have to go to include F1 also?

[midtown]

Example: the clown that ESPN sent to the Indy 500 Victory Dinner to MC the event, had never seen a 500 race until that week. You can bet that he was the "sacrificial lamb" sent west to do the unwanted task. He was absolutely clueless - but if he ever gets in a position of high level decision making he'll get even

The funny thing was, I think Kenny Mayne did the CART banquet the year before.

[midtown]

Originally posted by Rex Karz:
<STRONG>How far back do you have to go when ABC/ESPN/ESPN2 broadcast IRL, CART, WC, BGN, CTS, and NHRA?

How far back do you have to go to include F1 also?</STRONG>

1996, and you can include off-road truck racing and USAC.

[Griz]

Originally posted by GeorgetownRoader:
<STRONG>Example: the clown that ESPN sent to the Indy 500 Victory Dinner to MC the event, had never seen a 500 race until that week. You can bet that he was the "sacrificial lamb" sent west to do the unwanted task. He was absolutely clueless - but if he ever gets in a position of high level decision making he'll get even.</STRONG>

The banquet was an IMS production, both in terms of the event itself, and the broadcast. If youdidn't like Kenny Mayne's performance, take it up with IMS, not ESPN.

Originally posted by GeorgetownRoader:
<STRONG>I'm sorry, but as a Pittsburgher who lives in a cave and wears coonskin clothes, that's my biased opinion.</STRONG>

That's the bad news. I could make other comments, but you seem to have summed it up pretty well.

Originally posted by GeorgetownRoader:
<STRONG>I hope I'm wrong.</STRONG>

The good news is that you indeed are!

[cmjc80]

Originally posted by GeorgetownRoader:
<STRONG>As reported by the Defender, Michael Eisner stated that Mickey Mouse & ESPN are their major brands. IMHO that's not good news for the partnership.

ESPN, based in Connecticut (basically New York), is the hotbed of stick 'n ball lovers. They think anything west of Philadelphia is hicktown, USA. Many people living there don't even own an automobile.

East Coast elitists can't help themselves - it's nothing mean, but if you live west of the Philly border you just aren't aware and sophisticated. You don't read the right newspapers, you don't wear the right clothes. You're OK, but you just don't fit. You are interesting, but you look best when you are standing next to a cow.

Example: the clown that ESPN sent to the Indy 500 Victory Dinner to MC the event, had never seen a 500 race until that week. You can bet that he was the "sacrificial lamb" sent west to do the unwanted task. He was absolutely clueless - but if he ever gets in a position of high level decision making he'll get even.

I'm sorry, but as a Pittsburgher who lives in a cave and wears coonskin clothes, that's my biased opinion. I hope I'm wrong.</STRONG>

ESPN is at least 2 and a half to 3 hours from NYC depending on traffic. I know, I live in the next town over. As far as people in CT not knowing racing here are a few facts. Stafford Speedway is owned by the Arute family. Thompson speedway was once a part of the Winston Cup schedule. We also have the Waterford Speedbowl and the third biggest race on Memorial Day weekend at Lime Rock. Riverside, just over the border in MA, was one of the most popular short tracks on the East Coast until the Six Flags corporation tore it down to put up a Superman rollercoaster. CT is basically the center of the Modified world and the state is rich with race fans. Just thought I'd shed a little light on the subject.

[ October 04, 2002: Message edited by: cmjc80 ]

[ October 04, 2002: Message edited by: cmjc80 ]

[SamC]

ESPN's HQ being in CT has little to do with anything. But, yes, there is a world of difference between "Red America" and "Blue America", and racing, in all forms, is definatly the major sport, of Red America.

Disney, like all media companies, is managed and run by Blue Americans and reflects their values and preferences.