AAC GOR Coming?

[huskymedic]

>>SportsBusiness Journal headliner Michael Smith is on his game early this morning, reports the AAC "is asking schools to sign a grant-of-rights agreement that theoretically would lock them into the conference for the duration of the next media rights deal." More: "By committing to stay in the AAC, those schools sacrifice the opportunity to jump to a more lucrative arrangement if a power five league like the Big 12 decides to expand. In return, those schools will get a bigger share of the conference’s revenue from its next media deal. The schools also get the stability that comes with a long-term commitment." More in D1.ticker tomorrow morning, but Smith's piece a must read. (link $$)<<

Will be interesting to see the details on this...

 

[huskymedic]

@Storrs South w/ some details:

 

[billybud]

Ahhhh....the same devil's handshake the ACC teams made.

Traded stability for an annual payout guaranteed to be lower than the other P5 conferences.

It had to be done...and not every program was thrilled to take that cold, scaly hand.

 

[Adios]

We need to go to the new Big East!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Dooley]

Interesting concept. A few years ago, I might have flipped out at the thought of UConn signing a GOR in the AAC. Our Tier 3s are worth so much more than anyone in the conference. But if we're being honest, a GOR might be good for UConn. Gives us some years to get football back on track to improve our ACC profile in 5+ years. UCF, USF, Houston, Cincinnati, Memphis...all are well ahead of us in football and should the Big 12 decide to add, 2 or more of those schools are gone. If the ACC decided to expand today, you could make a very legitimate argument for Cincinnati over UConn at this point.

If it means more money for UConn and those afore-mentioned schools stay for the entire duration of the next media deal, sign it. This is a good conference and with improving basketball, the competition level is not much different than most P5s. The only difference between the AAC and most of the P5 is money. Really, the only thing(s) the AAC needs is more money and stability and this would accomplish both.

Pure speculation on my part but, if the deal is lucrative and stable enough, I'd love the AAC to take another shot at bringing in BYU and Boise State. Wouldn't do much for hoops (BYU is pretty decent though), but the football would be ridiculous and help our conference champion crack the CFB Playoff (finally).

 

[zls44]

Pure speculation on my part but, if the deal is lucrative and stable enough, I'd love the AAC to take another shot at bringing in BYU and Boise State. Wouldn't do much for hoops (BYU is pretty decent though), but the football would be ridiculous and help our conference champion crack the CFB Playoff (finally).

What's it going to take for some of you to realize the AAC is NEVER getting in a four-team playoff? For God's sake, don't add any more 3000 mile road trips.

 

[Husky25]

What's it going to take for some of you to realize the AAC is NEVER getting in a four-team playoff? For God's sake, don't add any more 3000 mile road trips.

There is no way the playoff does not expand. There is pressure to do it and there is too much money being left on the table.

 

[huskymedic]

 

[hank970]

Whether to sign a GOR depends on two things: how much more money is ESPN willing to pay, and when would the GOR expire? ESPN knows that several AAC members would likely bolt for any P5 offer, so it'll demand a GOR that runs at least beyond the term of the B12's contract. If ESPN isn't willing to compensate AAC member schools handsomely to forego a possible P5 invitation, and I mean very handsomely, then to hell with it. Put the AAC on a par financially with the ACC to legitimize our P6 claims. With sufficient wherewithal, we can build our on-field/on-court prowess and our institutional and conference brands. Otherwise, forget it.

There should be no such thing as a free lunch or even a cheap lunch for ESPN.

 

[SubbaBub]

Does this new deal pay at least $15/school? If not, then no GOR. Heck, if they can get $10M without one, I'd prefer that for UConn.

 

[zls44]

There is no way the playoff does not expand. There is pressure to do it and there is too much money being left on the table.

If the playoff expands, the AAC does not need Boise or BYU to get access to it. Stop feeding more mouths from a small bowl.

 

[Husky25]

If the playoff expands, the AAC does not need Boise or BYU to get access to it. Stop feeding more mouths from a small bowl.

I didn't suggest this. Dooley did.

 

[don356]

The networks have a little bit of a quandry as they need content. If the AAC went away or withered football wise because the programs cannot support themselves they stand to lose. It's an interesting situation that they have had a big hand in creating.

 

[huskymedic]

 

[ThabeetDown]

The likely scenario is the Big 12 poaching Arizona and ASU. Essentially, being a west coast conference kills the Pac12 because their ratings are in the toilet with 10 pm ET primetime games for their national tv broadcasts. Since Arizona is in the mountain time zone (2 hours behind the east coast) they can afford to play in the Central Time Zone with Big 12 schools. Yeah, they'll play a lot of 8pm ET/7pm CT/6pm MT games, but that's better than bad ratings playing at 8pm MT games.

Pac12 would then probably poach 2-4 from the Mountain West and completely devalue their conference (not that the Arizona schools add much, but still more than any current MW team). Probably combo of Fresno, Boise, Nevada, UNLV. Mountain West poaches WAC and so it goes out in the Wild Wild West.

Big 12 stabilizes itself (although WVU would take this opportunity to negotiate a move to the ACC, especially if ND committed full time) leaving an open Big 12 spot for potentially a Houston or even Cincy over UConn (or more if they want to go to 16). Pitt gets their old friend back, and they add a premier football program (along with ND of course) which the conference needs badly, but bball not good enough to upset he folks in Tobacco Road.

Long story short, we are stuck in the AAC unless the Big 10 takes us and probably Cincy (c'mon Warde, flex that muscle) since the other P5s are moving to 16 teams. SEC probably would stay at 14 since they wouldn't want more mouths to feed, unless it was Texas/OU (the two of which would never leave the Big 12 since they're the top dogs in the conference and have all political leverage).

 

[Dooley]

What's it going to take for some of you to realize the AAC is NEVER getting in a four-team playoff? For God's sake, don't add any more 3000 mile road trips.

Of course not. I'm talking an expanded 6 or 8 team playoff that would, hopefully, include a G5 rep. You add BYU & Boise to the mix and that essentially takes every other G5 conference out of the discussion.

Adding 1 3000 mile road trip once every 4 years is not going to break the bank.

 

[Dooley]

If the playoff expands, the AAC does not need Boise or BYU to get access to it. Stop feeding more mouths from a small bowl.

Adding BYU and Boise does two things:
1. essentially eliminates every other G5 conference from CFB Playoff consideration. Yes, the AAC is already the best G5 football conference. This type of move strengthens it;
2. adds 2 biggest brands outside of AAC to add value to the next media deal. BYU fanbase alone pays for both to be added.

Completely disagree that BYU & Boise are "small mouths". If we were talking UMass or a MAC school, that's small mouth. There is nothing small mouth about either BYU or Boise.

 

[huskymedic]

>>SportsBusiness Journal headliner Michael Smith is on his game early this morning, reports the AAC "is asking schools to sign a grant-of-rights agreement that theoretically would lock them into the conference for the duration of the next media rights deal." More: "By committing to stay in the AAC, those schools sacrifice the opportunity to jump to a more lucrative arrangement if a power five league like the Big 12 decides to expand. In return, those schools will get a bigger share of the conference’s revenue from its next media deal. The schools also get the stability that comes with a long-term commitment." More in D1.ticker tomorrow morning, but Smith's piece a must read. (link $$)<<

Will be interesting to see the details on this...

Full story: American Athletic considers grant-of-rights for schools to sweeten next media rights deal

 

[Rufus]

No way should UCONN ever sign a grant of rights to the AAC! Talk about giving up hope of ever leaving the Isle of Misfit Toys!

 

[zls44]

Adding BYU and Boise does two things:
1. essentially eliminates every other G5 conference from CFB Playoff consideration. Yes, the AAC is already the best G5 football conference. This type of move strengthens it;
2. adds 2 biggest brands outside of AAC to add value to the next media deal. BYU fanbase alone pays for both to be added.

Completely disagree that BYU & Boise are "small mouths". If we were talking UMass or a MAC school, that's small mouth. There is nothing small mouth about either BYU or Boise.

BYU argument is overrated. It the same as the "UCF has 80000000 students" argument.


Boise is absolutely small mouth. The stadium and fanbase is very small. Rabid. But small. It's still: Idaho

 

[Dooley]

BYU argument is overrated. It the same as the "UCF has 80000000 students" argument.


Boise is absolutely small mouth. The stadium and fanbase is very small. Rabid. But small. It's still: Idaho

I could not possibly disagree more.

How is BYU's international LDS following overrated? How many Boise games are on TV every year? People all across the country watch both of these schools play football. Coincidentally, both have made the 3,000 mile trip to East Hartford in the past few years and both brought very impressive visiting crowds to the Rent. Amongst the biggest turnouts for a visiting team we've had in the past 5 or so years here.

If we're going to tie ourselves into a GOR, I think it makes complete sense to take this opportunity and form that long-rumored "best of the rest" G5 conference now. If it pushes the value on the deal to $10M/yr per school (or more), then do it.

 

[Bobol]

Does anyone know when the current media contracts for the following conferences expire:
ACC
AAC
Big East
Big 10
Big 12
?

Thanks.

 

[hank970]

I could not possibly disagree more.

How is BYU's international LDS following overrated? How many Boise games are on TV every year? People all across the country watch both of these schools play football. Coincidentally, both have made the 3,000 mile trip to East Hartford in the past few years and both brought very impressive visiting crowds to the Rent. Amongst the biggest turnouts for a visiting team we've had in the past 5 or so years here.

If we're going to tie ourselves into a GOR, I think it makes complete sense to take this opportunity and form that long-rumored "best of the rest" G5 conference now. If it pushes the value on the deal to $10M/yr per school (or more), then do it.

BYU may have a domestic following among the faithful, but its international following is overrated because Mormons overseas couldn't care less about American football. Roman Catholics in Europe, Asia, and south of the border don't give a damn about Notre Dame football, either.

 

[zls44]

If it pushes the value on the deal to $10M/yr per school (or more), then do it.

It doesn't. Plus you have to unwind incredibly complicated other deals ESPN has with those schools anyway. They won't want to do that and it isn't worth it for them to do it anyway.

UCF is the new Boise. In 5 years it'll be someone else. Maybe UAB.

 

[Dooley]

It doesn't. Plus you have to unwind incredibly complicated other deals ESPN has with those schools anyway. They won't want to do that and it isn't worth it for them to do it anyway.

UCF is the new Boise. In 5 years it'll be someone else. Maybe UAB.

Yeah, the BYU integration (BYU TV) might be difficult. I have no idea. From a market tapping perspective, BYU draws well and would draw better playing against a very good AAC schedule.