I think there will be a huge consumer interest, driving providers to make the channel available. The ESPN connection won't hurt either.
Their will be a huge interest but ESPN has to make their money back. Advertising will get most but I expect this network to be a premium package on cable costing the average fans like CRS members higher cable fees.
The Longhorn and Big 10 Networks are available on my cable now but I do not pay the extra fee to get them.