He can say no, pitch a fit like a 2 year old, call the governor, threaten to boycott and it still won't change. Even the mighty SEC bows down to ESPN. Him saying no really isn't that different from you or I saying no.
Now some pleading and begging along with support from the conference office might and that is a big might get them to feel sorry for us. With that said ESPN has more in common with Hannibel Lector than Mother Theresa.