ESPN Dropping More Horse Races

Originally Posted by PatCummings

Comparing the MLB and NFL to racing is so incredibly far-fetched, I don't know where to begin.

Even if some national racing entity bought TVG, how will that dramatically change anything?

I just don't believe that some stakes races without much context on ESPN does much of anything. I don't think it increases handle or a fan base that is going to wager. In previous years, they showed the Murmur Farms Maryland Starter Handicap. A $35,000 restricted overnight race. For what?

Hours and hours of live TV is dramatically expensive and while I cannot quantify it, my personal opinion is that it does relatively little to impact the national awareness of racing.
After several years of showing plenty of coverage on ESPN and its family of networks, if they've said - "the heck with it" - so be it.

If the sport was actually popular there would be
context and consistency. When TV has something
they think will be of interest, they go with it.
Horse racing fills a few gaps in time. It is a curiousity
now, like some wood chopping event on the Wide World
of Sports.