This is a subscriber episode of Split Zone Duo. Everyone can hear the first segment, which is about College GameDay and Ted Cruz. But to hear the entire thing, you can become a subscriber at this button:
It was the College GameDay interview heard around the world, if only because it was forced down your ears. Richard and Alex talk with Extra Points publisher Matt Brown about what we think went into ESPN’s decision to have Senator Ted Cruz on College GameDay (a reasonable choice) for a barely-interrupted stump speech in support of the bill being pushed by noted GameDay panelist Nick Saban. Is this a big corporate influence operation, something simpler, or much ado about nothing? We cover that and a handful more topics on this version of the Extra Points/SZD Sports Business Hour, a recurring feature around here:
0:52: Why did ESPN lend its time to Cruz and decline to check any of his claims as he took up 10 of the most valuable minutes in sports TV?
16:53: A lot of FCS buy games feel even uglier than normal right now, and there’s probably an economic reason for that. Is this tenable?
28:03: Rutgers needs to split with Greg Schiano, but can they afford it? Let’s discuss a bad financial situation
32:36: Florida State fires its athletic director. What do we make of that?
