Random Thought on ESPN-Masters

ESPN has the Masters now in addition to their coverage of the US Opens (Women's, regular, Senior's), the Ryder Cup, and - for now, at least - the Open Championship. ESPN/ABC decided to not be a partner of the PGA Tour for Thursday/Friday or Fall Series full coverage, though.

So, what then is the intention of acquiring the rights to broadcast the Masters? Could it be that ESPN/ABC is interested in becoming involved in the PGA Tour biz again after opting out for this current TV contract? The ratings for this year haven't been all that different from last year, so I am not sure that would be the case. But, it would be an interesting change of heart if the Worldwide Leader decided they wanted to be in the game of distribution of PGA Tour events around the globe after the current TV deal ends.

Let's not get too carried away with that theory, though. After all, the US Open and the Masters are clearly the two most watched golf events all year, period. It could simply be a case of just wanting to have rights to the events that are guaranteed to bring eyes to the screen, web, and other properties of ESPN and leaving the rest of the events to the gang at the Golf Channel.