I think this is backwards. It's Sportscenter that has become politicalized, not the other way around. CNN, MSNBC and Fox News invented the scripted, studio debate format back in the 90's when they realized that political divisiveness was good for business. The sensationalism, faux-outrage, manufactured debates, bombastic headlines and endless hyperbole is their brainchild, not ESPN's. ESPN crossed the Rubicon around 2001 or 2002 when they first introduced their own original programming. PTI and Around the Horn debuted by following the Fox News approach of Bill OReilly and Sean Hannity, that was when the "info-tainment" era of ESPN began. Shortly after that, the format of Sportscenter quickly changed from giving scores and highlights to setting the agenda with all of their pseudo-experts whose sole job is to hype up the games they're about to broadcast. The Trent Dilfer's, Mark Schlereth's, Jalen Rose's, etc are just like a boxer's hype man who walks out of the tunnel before the boxer screaming about how he's the greatest fighter who ever lived.
