The link at the bottom is an excellent read.
It cuts right to the heart of the matter, ratings and money.
When money is to be made no one cares about the truth, or attempting to present unbiased information.
If you already have your mind made up, one way or the other I'd advise you to read it.
Sorry, there is no conspiracy theory.
I won't indulge my own ego, like others, and appropriate this guy's analysis of the information.
It's too long to post.
(So I didn't attempt to)
http://espn.go.com/page2/s/wiley/031003.html