As reported by Jack Baer of Yahoo Sports, the Big-12 Conference issued a cease and desist letter to ESPN, accusing the network of efforts to break up the conference.
As reported by multiple sources, the letter from Big-12 Commissional Bob Bowlsby accuses ESPN of multiple efforts:
The letter’s direct accusation:
It has come to my direct attention that ESPN, the current business partner of the Big 12 Conference, has taken certain actions that are intended to not only harm the Big 12 Conference but to result in financial benefits for ESPN. Setting aside ESPN’s potential involvement in the recent announcement by the University of Texas and the University of Oklahoma that they intended to leave the Big 12 Conference in 2025 (as to which we reserve all legal rights), I am aware that ESPN has also been actively engaged in discussions with at least one other conference regarding that conference inducing additional Members of the Big 12 Conference to leave the Big 12 Conference.
Bowlsby goes on in the letter to accuse ESPN of prodding other conferences to join in breaking up the Big-12.
“What pushed me over the top was a couple of days ago when it became known to me that ESPN had been working with one or more other conferences and even providing incentives for them to destabilize the Big 12 and approach our members about moving away and providing inducements for the conference to do that. That’s tortious interference with our business. It’s not right.
“I wouldn’t state this if I didn’t know it was absolutely true.”
Read the full story from Baer, including the Big-12 letter to ESPN HERE
We welcome your stories! Contact us at [email protected]!
Author: David Keech
David Keech is a retired teacher and works as a sportswriter, sports official and as an educational consultant. He has reported on amateur sports since 2011, known as 'KeechDaVoice.' David can be reached at [email protected]
