ESPN's Longhorn Network made the rounds Thursday in their run-up to air, inviting media to tour their new digs. DMN took some pictures of the sets (slideshow). As evidenced by the pictures, ESPN will employ Lowell Galindo to anchor, along with Austinite reporter Kevin Dunn. The highlight of the whole thing is that we're going to be blessed with anchor/reporter Samantha Steele, rather than the likes of Pam Ward. Barking Carnival discusses the inspired hiring, as well as the likelihood that most of us will have access to the channel when it hits the air next month.
↵Never ones to accept not getting their way, ESPN says that they still intend to air two Longhorn football games this fall and that, if they can't show Texas high school games, they expect to at least be able to show highlights. As Burnt Orange Nation notes, ESPN argues that the network should be considered media and therefore should be able to show highlights of relevant events.
↵ESPN's foray into individual school coverage apparently won't stop with a network. Sports Business Journal ($) reports that ESPN will soon launch recruiting websites for Texas and USC and that a few more will follow before the end of the year. The total could reach 12 in the upcoming months.
↵Cue Aggies' heads exploding all over the state.