ESPN already tried this when the writing was on the wall almost a decade ago. ESPN360&#x2F;ESPN3&#x2F;WatchESPN&#x2F;whatever they call it now can only be watched if your ISP pays ESPN royalties for every subscriber on a take it or leave it basis. Time Warner called their bluff and only bundles it with your connection if you also buy basic cable.<p>You still &quot;pay for ESPN&quot; in the sense that TWC prices low-end internet-only packages to be uncompetitive with cable+internet bundles, but if you opt for the internet-only package TWC keeps the money. This works out great for TWC but not so much for ESPN or sports fans used to subsidy.