ESPN did make a good investment. It was cheaper to lose millions on the LHN and keep the Big 12 together than it would be if the conference blew up and tv contracts had to all be renegotiated. BTW these next rounds of tv contract negations aren't going to go well for the schools. The way people pay for TV is changing and the networks are already starting to make cuts.
A tragedy that killed 12 students and the death of a 90 yr old man that lived a great life aren't the same. If I make it to 90, I hope they have a party at my funeral. I'm sure Jamail felt the same way.