Is ESPN Working Its Way Out Of Golf?

Matt Yoder of Awful Announcing assessed the news reported here last Friday of ESPN's forthcoming trade with NBC involving Friday Ryder Cup and European Premier League highlights. I'm also hearing rumblings that a personality might be involved in the trade, and not one with a great VORP but perhaps salon quality hair.

Anyway, Awful Announcing thinks this is a win-win for both sides and I would agree. However, is this the beginning of ESPN getting out of golf? The network's last US Open telecast is in 2014, is year-to-year on the Masters and is signed with the R&A through the 2017 Open Championships. It's not hard to see ESPN only holding on to the Masters, and while no major loss in terms of broadcast quality, the ESPN presence is vital if you want recognition on their widely-viewed highlights shows and website. The PGA Tour hasn't been entirely neglected by Bristol, but the highlights placement seems to be an afterthought barring a Tiger Woods win.

Those who love the NHL and until this trade is finalized, Premier League fans, can attest to what it means when ESPN holds no rights to your sport.