I have nothing but the utmost respect for the University of Texas and consider ESPN the best source of sports talk, news and discussion. My intention in this article is to serve as an ombudsman between these two entities.

Unfortunately, the Longhorn Network—ESPN’s partnership with UT—poses a serious conflict of interest. Considering ESPN is supposed to be an unbiased source of sports news, this exclusive partnership between a news agency and a specific institution is peculiar. ESPN’s involvement with UT hinders journalistic integrity because ESPN benefits from UT’s successes. Therefore, ESPN will be in favor of actions and decisions that support UT.

Additionally, this partnership constricts what ESPN writers, commentators and producers can do and handicaps what they can say. Fans should always question ESPN’s motives and their underlying preference to UT. It is unfortunate that money runs the decision-making process; the financial benefits for ESPN and the publicity for UT are unquestionably appealing. Regardless, this is no excuse to have an exclusive partnership and risk journalistic integrity.

At this point, there has been little national discussion on this issue and it will be interesting to see if things pick up once the UT football and basketball teams return to prominence and become national contenders again.

Since these programs perennially rank at the top of their respective leagues, look for these discussions to take place among the national media soon.

What is your take? Would you want your alma mater to partner up with ESPN?