Much has been written here on SIMP about overall ambivalence among New England fans toward college sports in general and my alma mater specifically, and there’s no question that when you talk about sports in Boston there is a lot to overshadow any college team. (Although the Red Sox are trying to change that with their deal to market Boston College sports, and with the release of the logo for the ACC 2009 championship at Fenway this morning.) Nonetheless, Boston College is the holder of one of ESPN’s recent all-time ratings records - the top-rated Thursday night college game ever — this past season’s win over the Hokies. Remarkably, that game earned top ratings even though it was broadcast opposite a Red Sox World Series game. (Before I am subjected to a re-run of the tiresome lecture about how BC’s glory stems from ruining the seasons of other teams, I’ll just point out that this was the second year in a row that BC beat Virginia Tech.)
Anyway, on to my real point. Say what you will about which league is best using whatever arguments you want. The expanded ACC wins when it comes to strength as a fan and viewer magnet. ACC contests currently hold ESPN’s top spots for the most-viewed college basketball game (last season’s second meeting between North Carolina and Duke), the most-viewed college football game (Miami-Florida State in 2006), the most-viewed Thursday night college game (Boston College’s 14-10 win at Virginia Tech last Oct. 25 ) and the highest-rated college football game of 2007 (Labor Day night game between Clemson and Florida State).
3 Comments until now
No one ever said it wasn’t a money-making move, Bob. In fact, I think that’s what I have called you out in the past on is that it was strictly a money grab and has nothing to do with “academics” as you have tried to claim in the past.
Also, UNC and Duke could join the MEAC and draw a top spot for a men’s basketball tilt. Just sayin’.
It was certainly convenient that the most highly-ranked conference, academically, outside the Ivy League, was also a financial machine. I think I always maintained it was an all-around good move BOTH academically and financially.
It was mere happenstance that there are good academics involved, not the other way around. Money first, second, and third. Honorable mention - the academics.
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