ESPN Dropping More Horse Races

[HaloWishingwell]

Originally Posted by pgardn

If ESPN drops races it is a possible indicator of
popularity of an event. Part of this
audience could certainly take up wagering and
contribute to your production of Fat Charts.


You could take more money from the ignorant.
Kinda like you are about pool size. For a guy that
analyzes races as much as you do... man you are
short term. You are sucking on a sick resource.

If there were a large number of people that really
cared about racing you would have 20 cameras at every position
possible like other popular sports. You could have all the
data you wanted if more people cared... its called demand.

You are sucking on a sick resource........I'm glad you didn't have a typo

[Hickory Hill Hoff]

ESPN could care less about horse racing, they are passé like MTV

[Scurlogue Champ]

Originally Posted by Hickory Hill Hoff

ESPN could care less about horse racing, they are passé like MTV

How is ESPN passé?

And a huge racing company did just buy TVG. Betfair is no joke, and I expect they'll be making noise here in the States before too long.

[JJP]

Considering the quality of the coverage ESPN had, this might be a good thing.

[Hickory Hill Hoff]

Originally Posted by JJP

Considering the quality of the coverage ESPN had, this might be a good thing.

Agreed, the coverage was much better when it was on NBC and ABC with the triple crown in the past.

[tbonds]

I think that eventually after all the contracts run out ESPN will end up with
the whole triple crown. Then they will jump at all the major preps leading up to the Derby and Breeders cup.
With ABC/ESPN they can promote much better than all the others.
Don't get me wrong, on a daily bases TVG does a great job. The works is one of the best inside tracks you can get. They can still play a major roll.

[PatCummings]

Originally Posted by Scurlogue Champ

How is ESPN passé?

And a huge racing company did just buy TVG. Betfair is no joke, and I expect they'll be making noise here in the States before too long.

I agree that the Betfair purchase of TVG is big. Of course, the arcane laws, both federal and state, will make Betfair's traditional approach a bit more difficult. But for them to be directly involved, I think we will see the impact soon enough.

[Scurlogue Champ]

Originally Posted by PatCummings

I agree that the Betfair purchase of TVG is big. Of course, the arcane laws, both federal and state, will make Betfair's traditional approach a bit more difficult. But for them to be directly involved, I think we will see the impact soon enough.

I think they'll begin positioning themselves with the evolution towards their way of betting as a future hope.

If they don't buy a racetrack pretty soon I would be surprised.

[Bobby Fischer]

more people would bet races if the television told them to.

we need regular prime-time coverage (night racing) for the best tracks and races.
There has to be an integrated Phone and Computer ADW system along with the mass media broadcast.

the more money in the pools, the better

[sumitas]

I enjoy ESPN . Regardless, I'm looking forward to the NYRA specials on MSG+ from Saratoga .

[fpsoxfan]

Originally Posted by sumitas

I enjoy ESPN . Regardless, I'm looking forward to the NYRA specials on MSG+ from Saratoga .

This is a good point. The show last week was very good. The only problem is that this only has a limited television audience. Not that I'm bothered by this, it's just that ESPN can reach fans across the country. It's too bad ESPN can have on the spot coverage anytime an NFL player scratches his ass, but can't give horse racing it's just due.

[MaTH716]

Originally Posted by fpsoxfan

This is a good point. The show last week was very good. The only problem is that this only has a limited television audience. Not that I'm bothered by this, it's just that ESPN can reach fans across the country. It's too bad ESPN can have on the spot coverage anytime an NFL player scratches his ass, but can't give horse racing it's just due.

Listen I love racing as much as everyone else, but any comparisons (of any kind) between racing and the NFL are just utterly insane.

[Travis Stone]

Originally Posted by MaTH716

Listen I love racing as much as everyone else, but any comparisons (of any kind) between racing and the NFL are just utterly insane.

In certain instances, yes, but my point was not to say horse racing is/was/could be as popular as football but that racing is well-suited for a 24-hour network. It will never reach football's level in our lifetime, but the point is while NFL/MLB/NBA have their own channel... horse racing has two! The "industry" should be taking advantage.

[NTamm1215]

Originally Posted by Travis Stone

In certain instances, yes, but my point was not to say horse racing is/was/could be as popular as football but that racing is well-suited for a 24-hour network. It will never reach football's level in our lifetime, but the point is while NFL/MLB/NBA have their own channel... horse racing has two! The "industry" should be taking advantage.

The bird has flown on racing being a popular spectator sport. There was a time when television contracts were becoming popular where racing had an opportunity to gain significant exposure via the airwaves but opted against it and at that point in time, sports like football capitalized.

You're speaking of "if" and the "industry" but are forgetting about the people who are in charge of the game right now. Oh wait, that's right, no one is in charge of the game. It is a system of state-by-state governing bodies that have differing opinions on safety, wagering, takeout, and many other issues. Expecting, or even dreaming that somehow someone (and we don't even know who because we have quotations around there supposed name) is going to come along, scoop up all the fragments of this game, build something sophisticated like a racing network and a not-for-profit ADW has as much chance of happening as Jorge Chavez starting at Center for the Knicks next year.

NT

[Travis Stone]

Originally Posted by NTamm1215

The bird has flown on racing being a popular spectator sport. There was a time when television contracts were becoming popular where racing had an opportunity to gain significant exposure via the airwaves but opted against it and at this point in time, sports like football capitalized.

You're speaking of "if" and the "industry" but are forgetting about the people who are in charge of the game right now. Oh wait, that's right, no one is in charge of the game. It is a system of state-by-state governing bodies that have differing opinions on safety, wagering, takeout, and many other issues. Expecting, or even dreaming that somehow someone (and we don't even know who because we have quotations around there supposed name) is going to come along, scoop up all the fragments of this game, build something sophisticated like a racing network and a not-for-profit ADW has as much chance of happening as Jorge Chavez starting at Center for the Knicks next year.

NT

Chavez starting for the Knicks would be it for me, I would die a happy man.

But you're right... and I'm speaking optimistically obviously.