The problem is it isn't about sports, its about making "reality TV". I think this is due in part to attempt to make the network more desirable for women viewers, and also because that's just the trend in network programming. The sports is real enough. Most of the programming isn't about showing sports action/breaking down sports action, its about creating drama. If I watch sports, I want to watch sports. Maybe an occasional human interest story, but stay focused on the goal. Provide sports and sports analysis.
Politics needs to be kept out of it.
ESPN has enough programming for 1 24-hour channel. They have so many channels they have to fill them all up with shit. It's like 24-hour news. There's only so much interesting content. The rest is shit. If games overlap, provide a streaming option.
People are too busy to spend time watching shit and they don't want to pay for shit.
Give me a 1-hour SportsCenter. A one-hour Gameday. Actual sports content that I care about watching. One-hour show of reasoned analysis. I'd take that channel. The rest is fluff and people are tired of paying for the remaining 99% of shit.