Like I indicated, they are not claiming it's a factor. I understand these are the same folks that almost killed a viable BCS conference five years ago. They aren't noted for rational thought.
All I know is they voted in a team back then where all their teams have to fly into Pittsburgh and then ride a bus for over an hour to Morgantown, WV. And then you're in Morgantown. I guess an extra hour long flight after they probably will have already made the trek to Morgantown is just too much to bear? Maybe you're right, but also, maybe your average B12 president is just a clueless moron.
Staggering, shocking, appalling... All those things.I know Whaler had been on the Memphis pick for quite some time, but to actually see it materialize is still going to be shocking.
Absolutely insane to think that of the old 16 team Big East, plus new AAC members (Memphis, Houston), plus Big East members that never played a game in the league in Boise State, TCU and San Diego State, plus New 10 team Big East members (Creighton, Xavier, Butler) every single program is ending up in a better place aside from us and South Florida.
That's 22 programs that will have had their athletic profile raised or league payout increased, while the vast majority don't even sniff our athletic programs accomplishments.
Staggering.
Not sure on the blame because the geography thing is a very relevant explanation.
The ACC loss to Louisville is still bad. Manuel was lost and unprepared. And the University not organized with their vision and pitch. Is Louisville a football school, they draw 7-10k more than UConn and have no chance to ever be relevant in the playoffs, just like UConn.
A short term outlook? I would think the best candidate is best no matter the outlook. And Memphis is not a better option in the case of a short-term cash grab anyway. The TV numbers and the WSJ athletic value numbers do not bear that out.
If I'm a company hiring an employee, why would I hire the employee with the lesser résumé? Because in eight years the more qualified employee might leave? Or our company might go bankrupt and cease to exist? That's pretty dumb. If I hired the better candidate I would have eight more years of higher quality production and give myself a much better chance of survival even if that person leaves or my company fails after eight years.
I can not fathom how this "company" could make such an egregious mistake.
I suppose Memphis would be less of a flight risk, too. UConn could be tempted by the ACC or B1G down the road.
You are missing the point. The Big 12 TV contract means more total money for adding schools, ANY school. Paying less to new members initially means more money for existing B12 schools. Only if you were focused on LT value would you focus on the best brands, new markets,... If you only care about ST, Memphis is a viable option.
I hope that I am wrong, but the more I think about it, the more I think Memphis as the 4th for the Big 12 makes some sense. Big 12 expansion is not about some grand vision for the future, but a reactionary short term revenue grab. If the Big 12 expands with Memphis, Cincinnati, BYU, and Houston, you will know that the Big 12 is on borrowed time and no conference network is coming. Geographically, Memphis is closer, so they fit with a conference with a short term outlook.
And partially culture, I would expect. The Northeast is a different planet from the bulk of Big 12 country. I'm not saying one is better than the other just different.It's not because they are closer. It's because the B12 schools see the mythical FedEx dollar signs.
The Flight risks are Texas and Oklahoma.I suppose Memphis would be less of a flight risk, too. UConn could be tempted by the ACC or B1G down the road.
Who brings more value in a potential renegotiation of TV rights fees? UConn or Memphis? Memphis is not a better option in any sense.
The TV contract is already set. If Texas and Oklahoma are going to leave after the GORs expire, they don't care about any future contracts or renegotiations.
FWIW, through the UT grapevine, one of their donors is telling us it's UCONN and Cincy for all sports, BYU for football only, and either Boise State or UCF for football only. According to this source, the Sooners had to threaten to leave the conference to insure that UH didn't get in, but indicates it's possible it was a bluff intended to get BYU in. If true, then Cincy and UCONN were solidly in no
matter what, and the scramble is for Nos. 13 and 14. The UT folks don't think UH has the votes from the non-TX schools to make it.
Again, nothing but unsubstantiated rumors with no warranty.
F all these poser schools trying to claw ahead of us. Get to the back of the line, losers. Most of all F Hathaway for putting us in this situation. God I hate everything.
Yeah this kick is going to break my spirit.