Alright I'll bite. The simple opinion of things moving forward right now, is that our perceived media rights market value moving forward is incredibly DE-valued by the American Athletic Conference media contracts. The concept of independence, is a nice thing, but hinges on two things - scheduling, and a broadcasting media cash cow contract. Access to a the post season bowl system, in football, is a big deal and matters a bunch, but not essential - see existence of Army, Navy, BYU. Access to the NCAA tournament in basketball is a an absolute must have. To my knowledge, there has not been an athletic program in the division 1 ranks that has been independent in all three money making sports - EVER. UCONN - if the fantasy were true - would be the first. If I understand the premise correctly.
let's look at a few verifiable things - I'm not posting references - you can go find them.
#1. SNY as a television network felt that UCONN was a valueable investment, such that the invested a ton of money in infrastructure in creating something called "an additional feed" into the HFD/NH region not too long ago.
#2 As of 2009, the HFD/NH demographic was the thirtieth television market in the country by size, with over a million households, not sure where it stands in 2013. (in 2009 - 100,000 separated #30 from #24) .
#3. As of Dec 2012, SNY was averaging a 5.14 HH rating for women's hoops, a 4.88 HH rating for men's hoops and 3.10 HH rating for football in the HFD/NH demographic - I don't know what those numbers and symbols really mean - but that's what they are.
#4. About a year ago, SNY agreed to an approx. $4.5 million dollar contract to broadcast - women's hoops - for 4 years. (approx. 1.1million a year) I am not sure of the breakdown of the contract as to what content - I don't think they own everything b/c I think espn does own some UConn women's stuff. so - 4.5mill/4 yrs for whatever content is involved)
#5. The American athletic conference - the ENTIRE conference signed a deal that is worth approx. $20 million per year. Roughly 2 million - per year, per school, for ALL sports. It was expressly noted that UCONN women's hoops would remain outside the contract.
OK - there end the things you can go out and try to verify.
Now - the two questions that seems to be addressed by the entire independence fantasy
#1. IF - SNY is willing to pay over 1.1mill annually for women's hoops content, how much are they willing to spend for UCONN men's hoops and UCONN football?
#2. How in the world would UCONN be able to maintain scheduling of women's, men's basketball, and football, as well as the other 19 varsity sports as an independent?