ESPN: Don't blame us for college football realignment

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By Michael McCarthy, USA TODAY
Updated 2d 14h ago

ESPN's creation of the Longhorn Network with the University of Texas
has been blamed by some critics for the conference realignments
changing college football. On Wednesday, ESPN fired back with a
statement basically saying: Don't blame us, according to John Ourand
of SportsBusiness Daily.

The statement from ESPN spokesman Josh Krulewitz reads:

The driving force on realignment lies with the conferences and
universities. The Big 12 determined in 2010 to grant each of its
schools the ability to create their own networks. As a result, the Big
12 stayed together and the University of Texas made the decision to
launch its network. ESPN subsequently won a competitive bid to become
its media partner. We have since seen Kansas State and Missouri create
opportunities while Oklahoma is exploring its media options. The
concept of LHN remains the same as it was 15 months ago.‬

http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/09/23/2420546/espn-likely-saved-college-football.html

In the Miami Herald, Joseph Goodman notes the irony of ESPN possibly
saving college football from massive chaos.