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Mike Wilbon Gets Up on His High Horse

In an article just posted on ESPN Mike Wilbon is somehow able to rip Syracuse for bailing on Big East.  He makes a litany of grievances against SU.  WIlbon says that Syracuse has destroyed the BE, has killed hoops tradition, and that SU football isn't worth a damn.  

Whoa.  I find it remarkable.  No that's not enough. INCREDIBLE that he can write this drivel in good faith.  Don't get me wrong, I like Mike Wilbon. I live in DC. I listen to him on 980 all the time.  He's funny, insightful, and otherwise a good guy.  But, he has crossed some imaginary line.  Here's a guy that bailed on the Washington Post.  An industry that he admitted today on PTI is dying. Where did he go? He went to ESPN.  ESPN is a growing media provider that provides more stability and money.  And he has the gall to rip us for doing the same thing.  

Cantor would have breached her fiduciary duty to SU if she had not moved us to the ACC.  If she had passed on an ACC invite, she would have been voted out the next day.  Why?  Because moving to the ACC gives us more stability,more money, better competition, and academic peers.    And where does this money come from?  ESPN.  Wilbon's employer.  When looking over the invite was Gross supposed to think: "Well, the ACC places Syracuse in a better financial situation, gives the athletic department stronger competition, protects our brand, and cuts travel. But, I really like playing Providence and Seton Hall each year.  So, I'm going recommend that Syracuse stays in the Big East."  

Wilbon also glosses over the fact that the Big East was formed to make money. College basketball was put on TV initially by the Big East to sell their product.  The Big East wasn't formed as a charity and has never existed for any reason other than to make money for conference members.  Also, the Big East has lasted for about 30 years.  Not exactly geologic time.  College basketball has been played for over 100.  Georgetown - Syracuse was borne from Thompson - Boeheim,.  This rivalry wasn't handed down from the mountain by Moses. Syracuse's biggest rivals used to be Cornell, St Bonaventure, and Holy Cross.  Is anyone really sad that we don't play Cornell in FB each year?  I guess Wilbon probably feels bad about that.  When we go to the ACC who knows will become our next one?  

College athletics are always changing.  Cantor has recognized that athletics always change.  Mike Wilbon has not. Thank God he's not our Chancellor or our AD. 

http://espn.go.com/espn/commentary/story/_/id/7001193/football-kills-big-east-basketball-tradition