OkaForPrez
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bad joke I think.Huh?
bad joke I think.Huh?
No, he said something all right. He confirmed that we are not sitting back and "monitoring the situation," instead aggressively pursuing membership through back channels. In a respect, I'm glad we're not going about it by posting ridiculous Twitter selfies with B12 presidents, etc.He said nothing. Not a thing. His apology for being ‘vague’ was the most explicit thing he said. I think he owes the word ‘vague’ and apology for to be vague SOME information must be conveyed, yes?
It was a joke. Jeez.Huh?
We damn well better be aggressively pursuing P5 admittance. I take that as a given. My concern is that there is no reciprocal interest and no one here knows whether there is or not.
There's also a potential partnership issue. It's a tough sell for a conference to expand to an odd number given the scheduling nightmares that come associated with that. Other schools that may be of interest to a P5 conference are either tied up by a GoR or huge exit fee (most likely both). The schools left on the sidelines aren't that appetizing once you get past UConn, BYU and maybe a few others depending on what conference would want them.
Herbst has described athletics as the "front porch" of a University. She absolutely recognizes it's value in marketing, branding, and fundraising.
That's basically what she said at the NYC Alumni event over the winter. Basically agreed that P5 is very important for UConn's image and future aspirations; but, is focused on research dollars, state budget wrangling, increasing number and quality of faculty, etc. because that is what UConn can control, cannot control when/if the P5 decides to expand (or contract to a P4 alignment). The fact that she spoke on the academic side of the house versus athletic (Warde was there) makes me thinks if there is a push for P5, it is the B1G for obvious reasons.
The B1G would not wish to dilute their current cash pile by adding another member without the expectation the new member would eventually contribute to said cash pile… make a deposit, not a withdrawal, ya know. Is UConn that school?
The teams you mention that have rumors popping up about them would only be B12 possibilities and that's because that conference is fluid. I don't think you're going to see rumors re ACC or BIG10 expansion since those conferences know to keep their mouths shut.I do appreciate knowing that the school is making a concerted effort and that they realize how important this is for the university as a whole.
But the real question is whether there's any legitimate P5 interest in UConn. Rumors keep popping up about UCF, Cincinnati, BYU, even Memphis. Haven't heard anything solid about there being interest in UConn since we were passed up for the ACC spot that they gave to Louisville.
The BTN is offered by Comcast out of Middletown, but it is on a specialty sports tier. If UConn were to be invited, the BTN would in all likelihood go to a basic expanded tier (a la ESPNU) and demand a higher carriage rate. That along with advertising revenue in the Hartford/New Haven market would approach the aforementioned cash pile. Add in Fairfield County, and it far exceeds it.Framed by the BTN, why not? Without the BTN our value pales, IMO. What the BTN needs and we can help supply, nicely, is quality content, year round
Rumors keep popping up about UCF, Cincinnati, BYU, even Memphis. Haven't heard anything solid about there being interest in UConn since we were passed up for the ACC spot that they gave to Louisville.
The teams you mention that have rumors popping up about them would only be B12 possibilities and that's because that conference is fluid. I don't think you're going to see rumors re ACC or BIG10 expansion since those conferences know to keep their mouths shut.
Do you really see UConn as a fit in the B12? As much as UConn wants P5, it's a bit hard for me to see that arrangement. ACC yes. B1G maybe. B12...not so much.The B12 wouldn't leak about UConn either if they have us highly rated, because they'd worry the ACC or B1G might preemptively take us away if they knew a B12 invite was imminent. Why invite competition for the most attractive candidate remaining?
I'd expect something to leak in the late stages of a possible B12 deal, but not 6 months early, which is where we now are.
Do you really see UConn as a fit in the B12? As much as UConn wants P5, it's a bit hard for me to see that arrangement. ACC yes. B1G yes. B12...not so much.
Might as well add the PAC12 to the list as well...Why not?
Might as well add the PAC12 to the list as well...
Yes, first to offer.Might as well add the PAC12 to the list as well...