ESPN becoming very big is as much a consequence of the networks being very behind when it came to cable sports as anything else. Only Fox had been able to start up regional cable sports networks, followed by the likes of Comcast, DirecTV and MSG. They "tried" to build a "national" sports network but that didn't obviously go anywhere.
It's only been months since CBS has its own cable sports network and now NBC has one, too. However, I wonder if they're too late to the game (pun slightly intended). Sports rights fees are in the stratosphere and the best that they can do right now is airing minor sports like hockey, soccer, lacrosse, individual competitions plus Olympics qualifying. Perhaps they can try to make those sports grow in time with the right marketing, patience and actual $$$ invested in production and video quality.
Of course, people complaining about ESPN usually come down to cost and being forced to pay for stuff they don't want. However, another case could be made that people who prefer sports other than the "Big 3" (five, if you separate college BB and college FB) feel disrespected and think are relegated to their own sports ghettos.
