I've written in years past about how insane it is that NBC covers a 2 minute horse race - albeit an important one, the Kentucky Derby - with an almost five hour pre-game. But it could be argued fans of the Sport of Kings might be interested enough to tune in. Although how they fill five hours leading up to a 120 sec. race is beyond me. 

But after devoting all that time to the annual Run For The Roses, the network was forced to skip the Roses. 

Fans who tuned in for part or all of the unending coverage, got to see the finish. But because NBC now has NBA basketball rights, the network was forced to cut to a playoff game instead of seeing the winning steed crowned with the traditional wreath of roses, one of the highlights of the event. 

This is what can happen when you have too many rights to too many sports, which all tend to occur around the same time. For NBC, the gripes were no bed of roses. And apparently, for the winning horse, too. 

NBC Faces Backlash For How Kentucky Derby Broadcast Ended