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I didn't go back and source the poster that was talking Rice to the B1G originally, but I thank you for posting that, I needed a good laugh
Gotcha. Now if you can point me in the direction of that which I seek, that would be great. Anything remotely representing an iota of hope for UCONN getting out of the gulag would be fine.
Mmm, either don't click on it or chill and enjoy this thread for what it is. Either one works.
I come to this board to find out about potential conference changing news. There is no news. Not only should there be a separate thread for some of these posts, there should be a separate board altogether. How about "Let's Imagine How The Power 5 Are Analyzing Things While They Are Actually Doing Jack" board.
Former UVA women's coach. Putting the sentiment out there!
Debbie Ryan @CoachRyanUVA · 4h 4 hours ago
Congrats to Geno Chris and the Huskies on incredible #10!! Now, could we please get them in a Conference that matches their talents? #ACC
Hold on...I've got to put on my Captain Obvious superhero costume.
First, congratulations to UConn.
Second, yes, it matters, it matters a lot--it is that important. It was one more huge step forward. Admittedly, women's sports don't matter as much for television, but for B1G purposes that's only one piece of the puzzle. Both men and women in power award research dollars, the spirit of equality in sports opportunities is as important as the letter of the law, and championships in any sport (men's or women's) go to, well, champions. And, well, we'll just half of all students are women.
Again: Only the synergy of B1G/B1G Network/UConn can fully capitalize and exploit the latent potential. It's hardly a surprise if suddenly the rumors start flying that ACC is 'interested' in UConn. They're not interested in UConn--they're interested in not letting UConn go to the B1G. It's almost a given that the overnights for the game were on Delany's desk this morning and there's renewed conversation in more than one conference.
Every time Delany hears the word "championship" his ears perk up. Every time "UConn" and "champions" are used in the same sentence, you look more and more like B1G material.
Again, congratulations.
It's about how accessible the Big Ten Network is to another 3 million+ pairs of eyeballs, not necessarily if those eyeballs are actively watching. The BTN is available in CT and western MA but in many cases, only on a specialty tier. The goal for the Big Ten is to get the network on a basic tier or at least more people ordering the sports package. While Michigan football is right up there with UConn for me, it is not appointment TV and watching them is not worth the extra money to add the BTN. UConn sports are appointment TV, not only for me, but the majority of Connecticut subscribers. I have little doubt the DMA metrics work.
All that said. More eyeballs are watching UConn women's basketball games than an entire conference's slate of mens' games.
In short (in the interest of baseball season), If you add them, they will watch.
What it comes down to is this: UConn pays its way (is per-school revenue neutral) for both conferences, and it is the lynchpin to the northeast -- the only public school playing high level athletics in the New England/New York region of 35 million people. Strategically, whichever league captures UConn will control major markets, not just Connecticut, but also will have a leading position in New York and Boston.
The ACC clearly hadn't thought through the network economics when they chose Louisville, or they never would have passed on UConn. Stupid of them. But now that the SEC and B1G networks have reported earnings, the value of UConn is pretty clear even to Swofford and FSU.
It really comes down to the B1G and whether they want to follow Delany's strategy of controlling the northeast or some other strategy (eg AAU/research focused). If the B1G is even seriously considering UConn then I think the ACC has to offer, they can't afford to let UConn eclipse BC in New England, UConn-Rutgers eclipse Syracuse in NYC, Penn State eclipse Pitt in Pennsylvania, and Rutgers and Maryland dominate the rest of the northeast. Their northern schools, BC, Pitt, Syracuse would wither.
TruDomGopher, your acknowledgement of UConn's success is much appreciated. However, I don't believe that championships mean anything to the B1G. I hate to be redundant, but if championships meant anything to the B1G, RU would not have been admitted. Let's face it the B1G has plenty of scrubs in it's conference and is really no different from any other P5. If the B1G really wanted a school that would compete for championships they would have already taken UConn.Hold on...I've got to put on my Captain Obvious superhero costume.
First, congratulations to UConn.
Second, yes, it matters, it matters a lot--it is that important. It was one more huge step forward. Admittedly, women's sports don't matter as much for television, but for B1G purposes that's only one piece of the puzzle. Both men and women in power award research dollars, the spirit of equality in sports opportunities is as important as the letter of the law, and championships in any sport (men's or women's) go to, well, champions. And, well, we'll just half of all students are women.
Again: Only the synergy of B1G/B1G Network/UConn can fully capitalize and exploit the latent potential. It's hardly a surprise if suddenly the rumors start flying that ACC is 'interested' in UConn. They're not interested in UConn--they're interested in not letting UConn go to the B1G. It's almost a given that the overnights for the game were on Delany's desk this morning and there's renewed conversation in more than one conference.
Every time Delany hears the word "championship" his ears perk up. Every time "UConn" and "champions" are used in the same sentence, you look more and more like B1G material.
Again, congratulations.
I stand by my words. If athletic championships matter to the B1G, then what is RU doing there? The B1G may have regarded them as champions for a long time, but factually they are not and likely will not be for a long long time, if ever. I do believe that ultimately UConn will land in the ACC and when that happens that conference will take a huge stride in really dominating the Northeast. Hopefully they will realize it sooner rather than later, once FSU and BC come to their senses. RU alone will just not do it for the B1G.buddy, at the same time I joined boneyard, I joined a Rutgers board--based on my belief that Rutgers and UConn were going to be in the B1G. So far, the only thing I've gotten right in realignment was Rutgers. The reason: when I was at Minnesota in the late 70's/early 80's a prof told me then that Rutgers would be in the Big Ten someday. Had nothing to do with sports and everything to do with research. There was already cooperative research back then, and Rutgers was highly respected at the Twin Cities (and I would guess by other B1G schools, too). Actually, the Nebraska add surprised me because I thought the first add would be Rutgers. And I'm sure some people think I harp too much about academics and research, but it really is important to the B1G.
The B1G has regarded Rutgers as a champion for a long time--too bad it doesn't filter down to the athletic department.
As for UConn--everything has to come together, and it is coming together. You should be on your knees every night thanking the Almighty that you have Herbst because she really seems to understand what needs to be done and appears to be doing everything in her power to get it done.
If it weren't for the power of those UConn championships, this conversation doesn't happen. It's all important: academics and athletics feed each other. Championships alone have no value to the B1G, (that's what the SEC is for) but as a piece of the puzzle in the endless chase for research money and students, they are important because of the increased exposure, make it easier for the athletic departments to fund themselves, and make it easier to sell B1G schools for research funding.
But, if you ever get the chance, pull Delany aside and tell him that you don't think championships are that important to the B1G--I'd really like to know what he'd say.