re: Would ESPN ever develop a soccer channel?

I think that if given the proper marketing and English language commentating the bundesliga could catch on in America. The quality of play is comparable enough to England and Spain that it wouldn't be a 'second rate' pickup like the dutch league or SPL (sorry bhoy)

There are plenty of Americans with German roots plus the emerging Spanish presence in the league broadens the market. Espn has great HD cameras and typically do the event justice when they host soccer games/tournaments. I think common sense + their failed epl bid shows they have an interest in the soccer market. Like ESPN or not, they are a major player in American sports culture and fortunately or unfortunately the masses eat what they feed.

But I think an Espn soccer channel with a few leagues and a corresponding weekly highlights/update show would be pretty sick.

Televised soccer in America has come a long way. There are currently at least 3 soccer specific channels on most major cable providers. Pretty awesome, considering America hates soccer and it will never catch on