ESPN and the Longhorn Network: The Next 10 Programs Most Likely To Follow Suit
ESPN and the Texas Longhorns' announcement that the network will distribute the Longhorn Network this fall shocked insiders. ESPN threw a staggering amount of money Texas' way (reportedly $12 million) and opened a lot of eyes around the world of college athletics.
With the knowledge that college athletics is all about money, we took a look at who could be the most likely to get their own network next. We have 10 choices with one honorable mention and if you agree or disagree, make sure to leave it in the comments.
Who do you think is next to get their own network?
Honorable Mention: Duke
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Everyone knows about Duke basketball and a lot of people know about Duke lacrosse for all the wrong reasons.
Despite that, Duke athletics are very popular, and could be an outside possibility to start their own network. Duke has big rivals in both sports and there would be the chance to see some great competition in the ACC.
There's not a strong enough case to put them in the list, but I couldn't leave the Blue Devils off either.
No. 10: North Carolina
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North Carolina basketball is wildly popular.
Think of all of the history there and how good that program can be. There's so much material, and when you throw in a decent football program and the other sports the Tar Heels offer, a good network is a possibility.
Basketball would dominate, but it wouldn't be a one-note network.
No. 9: USC
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USC is a football giant, and even though sanctions have hurt the program, it's a school that has a lot of pride and is very good at a number of other sports.
The Trojans are always competitive in men's volleyball and the matches against West Coast powers could bring in ratings after the football season. Throw in a basketball program that's not bad from time to time and there's possible entertainment value.
The sanctions hurt though, there's no denying that.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
No. 8: Miami
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I mean, come on, it's The U.
Miami has a very popular football team, even if it isn't successful as it used to be, and the baseball team has been one of the more accomplished programs in college baseball as well. Throw in the Hurricanes' basketball team and you have a decent slate of programming.
You know it would be football for most of the year though.
No. 7: Tennessee
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Let's see: we have a popular football program, a relatively successful men's basketball team and a dominant women's basketball program.
That sounds like enough programming to start a network around. Tennessee has a big fanbase and you know all of the Rocky Top faithful would love a network that could cater to their desire to live, breathe and eat all things Tennessee-related.
It would be something that would make a lot of sense.
No. 6: Penn State
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Penn State certainly has all you would want from a school when launching a network.
There's an icon in Joe Paterno, a successful football team, two volleyball powers, successful gymnastics teams and a soon to be Division I hockey team. There's a lot to choose from at Penn State, to say the least.
Who cares if the basketball team always disappoints?
No. 5: Michigan
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There are plenty of Michigan men and women out there who would love to have a network based around the Wolverines.
We all know about the Michigan program and the history behind it. There's still a rabid following despite the lack of success in recent years. Throw in a basketball team that has had past success and the hockey team, and you've got plenty to work with.
Michigan is a school that thinks highly of itself and it would make sense to have a network with that mentality.
No. 4: Florida
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When you have a national championship football program and a national championship basketball program, a network would make a lot of sense.
The Gators are a huge force in college athletics and to give the Gators a network would bring a lot of cash in for Florida and give the school a platform to showcase its depth of talent on the airwaves without having to compete with the rest of the SEC.
You know Florida would love a piece of the pie.
No. 3: Ohio State
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Ohio State is highly competitive in both football and basketball.
Sure, they never win any national championships, but man, are they competitive during the regular season. That's something the Buckeye faithful would love to watch. There's so much on the football program alone that would be interesting on a network.
I could see the Buckeyes getting their own spinoff of the Big Ten Network.
No. 2: Notre Dame
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Sure, Notre Dame has a cushy deal with NBC right now, but why pass up the chance to make even more money.
A Notre Dame network would be a huge draw for a lot of fans of the Fighting Irish out there and with a basketball team that has seen some success in the Big East, it would make a lot of sense for Notre Dame to explore that route.
I mean, why not at this point? It would be a license to print money.
No. 1: Oklahoma
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If Texas has one, then why not Oklahoma as well?
The Sooners would love to grab a piece of that pie and branch out into the network world. Oklahoma has a giant football program and a huge athletics department that could be showcased on their own platform. The Sooners aren't going to let Texas one-up them, are they?
I think Oklahoma has the best chance to branch out.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
