ESPN Dominates Holiday College Basketball Tourney Coverage

LEFT OUT IN THE COLD: Pucin noted the Great Alaska Shootout was not televised by ESPN for the first time since '85 after the net chose not to renew its deal with the tournament. Without support from ESPN, the tournament's field included unranked teams including Hampton, Louisiana Tech, Portland State, and Seattle. Alaska Anchorage AD Steve Cobb, whose school hosts the event, said the field is "so much less than before." Cobb: "What happened in 2006 was a law of unintended consequence. The rule change wasn't meant to empower ESPN, the 600-pound gorilla, but that's what happened. ... ESPN created events. ESPN can write a check to bring in some little guys like Presbyterian or Prairie View for the big guys to feast on early and then set up great matchups." Cobb said that the "most his tournament can guarantee a team is $30,000," while he said that he "understood Memphis got more than six figures to play in Puerto Rico" (L.A. TIMES, 11/27). In Sacramento, Bill Bradley wrote the Great Alaska Shootout is "possibly the most famous early-season basketball tournament," but it is "all but off the map because ESPN did not renew its TV deal." It is "sad when the power of ESPN can dim the light on an event fans, coaches and players enjoy." The Shootout is a "tradition that deserves to thrive" (SACRAMENTO BEE, 11/29).

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