I think we're clearly a better program overall than Memphis, and the B12 knows that, too, but the problem is, this isn't in a vacuum of Pure Value. Geography may not be the factor, but it's certainly a factor. If you're not going football-only, that's a lot of lacrosse flights to Storrs, and it all adds up and turns into a scheduling headache.
Plus, the idea that FedEx doesn't matter is silly. Could Nike technically fund Oregon? Of course not. But Phil Knight could and did. T. Boone Pickens certainly helped Okie State. Wealthy donors can be a huge boon to a program and if you're on the fence about two programs, you might think, well, gosh, this FedEx guy could maybe turn Memphis into a Okie St Lite.
Again, I think objectively, we're the better program, but the geography and recent lack of football success could really be enormous dealbreakers for us at the moment, and tearing down Memphis as such a ridiculous pick seems naive to me.
Let's get a few things straight about travel. The Big 12 doesn't even sponsor lacrosse, so there are, in fact, no lacrosse flights to Storrs from Big 12 country. In fact, let's get specific about which sports would end up in the Big 12.
Football - One game most weeks is manageable to almost anywhere.
MBB/WBB - A fair amount of travel, but these are revenue sports and the travel isn't much worse than in the American already. Any Big 12 team would be traveling to UConn for basketball
maybe once a year.
Baseball - Already a ton of baseball travel as it is, largely mitigated by the fact that they play 3 games series most of the time.
X-Country - travels a handful of times a year to a few large meets. Travel is largely unaffected.
Golf - travels to a few tournaments all around the country as it is. Travel is largely unaffected.
Rowing - travels to a few races a year. Travel is largely unaffected.
Tennis - travels around the country as it is. Our team spent a week in California last year.
Women's soccer - This one might be a little annoying, but again, you're still talking about 1 trip a year.
Volleyball - already travels to Big 12 country regularly. Again, it might be one trip a year for visitors.
We have easy access to a mid-sized international airport. There is no reason for travel to prevent the Big 12 from picking the best academic, athletic, and financial option for themselves.