My past experience with the tv network crews & ND

Back in the mid-90s, I was the head of marketing at Nokia & we did a great deal of college football activities, including the Nokia Sugar Bowl deal & regular season advertising. I had a chance to spend many days and nights with all the network people, especially ABC & ESPN, at games, bowls, ESPY awards & Super Bowl games. My take isn't as much as they hate ND, but rather we have or at least really had in those days such a brand awareness that was universal & independent of almost anyone else out there. They all gave me crap when they learned I was an ND grad, BUT it always seemed to be fun give - and - take. At the press conference in New Orleans for the Nokia Sugar Bowl sponsorship, Bob Griese couldn't stop needling me about the ND - Purdue rivalry. When I talked to them 1-on-1, they always felt that ND was a special place. It's TV - they need a lightening rod- that is our fate in life & we have to make the best of it.