Att: Visiting southern and midwestern hayseeds

[AZHuskiePop]

Taking Pitt and Louisville did hamper the Big 12's expansion plans. You have to ask yourself, who was more stupid, the ACC or the Big 12?

The Big 12 really blew it irrevocably. When you think they could have had WV,Pitt,
Cinn , and Louisville. Two great existing rivalry games all within a reasonable distance. I think they made the bigger mistake. The ACC could rectify their error in a heart beat as long as we are in the AAC, UConn to the B1g would put the ACC neck and neck with the Big 12 for should haves.

 

[upstater]

I tend to agree with okielite. Eastern PA is very much a northeast state and Philly is practically a city in NJ. Eastern PA does much of its business relations with other eastern cities and states and it shows in the lifestyles and cultures of eastern PA. By contrast, Western PA does much of its business with states from the midwest and south, and it shows in the lifestyles and cultures of western PA, just as it does with eastern PA. This is likely because the river and rail system has always provided better trade routes to the west and south for western PA, and Eastern PA used river and rail systems connected to the eastern seaboard. Like okielite said, PA is very diverse politically and socially.

While I agree with all of this, okielite didn't say any of that.

 

[itgoeslike]

You can't rely on other schools to fill your stadium for you, but I can see 5-10k extra fans per game if you were a B1G school. And even if you were right your stadium only holds 40k so that is still well below most power conference teams.

To put all this in perspective your last game barely had 17k people in attendance. That is almost identical to the university of Tulsa's lowest attended game last year. The university of Tulsa only has 4k students and is completely overshadowed by OU and OSU in the state. That fact that a tiny(smallest in FBS) private school has similar attendance to UConn which is a huge state flagship school in a more populated area shows that there is a problem in the NE with interest in CFB. Increasing fan interest in UConn FB is extremely important right now. Even getting more students at games would help solidify UConn as a power conference team.

You are cherry picking data. That game was an anomaly. It was frigid day at the end of a tough season. In 2012, UConn averaged 34,672 per game, whereas Tulsa averaged 20,020 each game. It's not even close. Our attendance is closer to Baylor and Kansas than it is to Tulsa. Even with the 17K anomaly, we averaged 33,000 this year. That's not good, but it's far from your characterization. I'm confident our new HC will begin reversing the damage done over the past 3 years and get us closer to capacity.

http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/football_records/Attendance/2012.pdf

 

[okielite]

Beyond TV contracts (ESPN and CBS), the AAC conference will pay out revenue generated from the BCS (this year), contract bowls, a share of the NCAA playoffs (27% allocated for five G5 teams valued at about $100M annually), a potential appearance in a premier bowl, and a future AAC championship game. Then you have NCAA tournament credits (paid out on a rolling 6 year basis) and the AAC basketball championship. Finally you have the NCAA grants-in-aid fund and other disbursements. UConn will also receive $20M in additional revenue to be paid out over the next five years which relate to exit fees and other revenue. This represents another $4M to $6.7M annually. TV contract revenue, as in past years, will not represent the majority of overall conference disbursements.

That is all fine and dandy but comparing the TV payout to the exit fees I believe we are still talking 2-3 years worth of payouts. That was my only point, at 10million the AAC payout seems pretty high compared to the payouts the schools receive from the TV contract(not including all the other stuff you mentioned). I was comparing that to Maryland being asked to pay 50 million which is appx 2.5 times the yearly TV payout for the ACC.

 

[itgoeslike]

That is all fine and dandy but comparing the TV payout to the exit fees I believe we are still talking 2-3 years worth of payouts. That was my only point, at 10million the AAC payout seems pretty high compared to the payouts the schools receive from the TV contract(not including all the other stuff you mentioned). I was comparing that to Maryland being asked to pay 50 million which is appx 2.5 times the yearly TV payout for the ACC.

It's all relative. I would rather pay a $10M to join a conference that pays out $25M than pay $50M to join a conference that pays out $25M. But that's just me. Trust me, there are a few teams in the AAC that would love have the opportunity to pony up the $10M.

 

[okielite]

It's a silly point to make. You have to look at what you are getting in return for the exit fee payment (investment). The $10M represents 50% (or less) of a single year of a P5 payout, whereas $50M represents as much as 2.5 years of a P5 payout. Most people recognize that the first option would generate a much better return on investment. . .

Why compare the AAC exit fee to a Power conference TV payout? They are not related. Compare the AAC exit fee compared to the AAC TV payout and you have a real comparison much like comparing what Maryland pays versus the yearly AAC payout or what Nebraska, aTm, Colorado, and Mizzou paid when they left the Big 12. IF I remember correctly they did not pay much more than 10 million.

You are correct that paying the AAC exit fee is a good investment, nobody is debating that.

What is the TV contract worth for each AAC team?

 

[okielite]

It's all relative. I would rather pay a $10M to join a conference that pays out $25M than pay $50M to join a conference that pays out $25M. But that's just me. Trust me, there are a few teams in the AAC that would love have the opportunity to pony up the $10M.

I have no doubt that there are schools willing to pay the exit fee to go to a power conference. There are a few who should be in a power conference like UConn.

One thing to keep in mind is that the fees are not to join a conference, they are to leave a conference. the 10 million exit fee(if that is indeed true) seems ridiculous to me when you compare it to what they pay out. I can see 1 or possibly 2 years payout being reasonable but really anything beyond 1 year is just unreasonable IMO.

 

[itgoeslike]

Why compare the AAC exit fee to a Power conference TV payout? They are not related. Compare the AAC exit fee compared to the AAC TV payout and you have a real comparison much like comparing what Maryland pays versus the yearly AAC payout or what Nebraska, aTm, Colorado, and Mizzou paid when they left the Big 12. IF I remember correctly they did not pay much more than 10 million.

You are correct that paying the AAC exit fee is a good investment, nobody is debating that.

What is the TV contract worth for each AAC team?

Paying an exit fee and the conference payout of a new conference is directly related. Ask Maryland and West Virginia. Comparing the current exit fee with your current payout would only be relevant if it was your only revenue stream. UConn generates more revenue than many P5 teams, including members of the B12. The current contract represents about 3% of our revenue, which is unfortunate.

 

[itgoeslike]

I have no doubt that there are schools willing to pay the exit fee to go to a power conference. There are a few who should be in a power conference like UConn.

One thing to keep in mind is that the fees are not to join a conference, they are to leave a conference. the 10 million exit fee(if that is indeed true) seems ridiculous to me when you compare it to what they pay out. I can see 1 or possibly 2 years payout being reasonable but really anything beyond 1 year is just unreasonable IMO.

I was being sarcastic when I said "some" teams, they all would gladly pay the $10M exit fee (except maybe Temple). Most UConn fans are from the East, so sarcasm comes into play. Keep that in mind when conversing with a UConn fan. Thanks for the tutorial on what an exit fee is (that was sarcasm too). Conversely, and in fairness, I'll try to keep in mind that you are a midwesterner and were actually trying to help me out. . .

 

[okielite]

You are cherry picking data. That game was an anomaly. It was frigid day at the end of a tough season. In 2012, UConn averaged 34,672 per game, whereas Tulsa averaged 20,020 each game. It's not even close. Our attendance is closer to Baylor and Kansas than it is to Tulsa. Even with the 17K anomaly, we averaged 33,000 this year. That's not good, but it's far from your characterization. I'm confident our new HC will begin reversing the damage done over the past 3 years and get us closer to capacity.

http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/football_records/Attendance/2012.pdf

I used last years data. Not sure how that is cherry picking. Here is your last years numbers
30,38,42,37,27,22,17
Total average is about 30k

Baylor=43,44,42,39,38,39. Total average is just under 41k. Baylor has appx 36% higher attendance or nearly 11k more people at games. That is a pretty big difference IMO. Especially for a small bible school compared to a huge state flagship. They are also building a new stadium. I believe is is in the 400 million range.
http://baylor-stadium.com/

Houston=26,34,20,33, 22, 20, 23= 23.5k average. So you beat Houston by 6,500 fans per game. Keep in mind that they played games at Reliant this year because they are adding on to their stadium which obviously hurts attendance. I believe the remodel is around 160 million
http://www.chron.com/sports/cougars/article/UH-ups-the-sports-ante-by-160-million-1708595.php

In the end UConn can't afford to have games with 17k fans if they are trying to make the jump to a power conference. Anything less than 20k just screams mid major. Hopefully the new coach can bring that average up closer to 40k. Winning will be tough but I think UConn is poised to be the dominant school in the AAC if they can improve the FB product on the field. Do you have any upgrades planned for your FB facilities?

 

[okielite]

Paying an exit fee and the conference payout of a new conference is directly related. Ask Maryland and West Virginia. Comparing the current exit fee with your current payout would only be relevant if it was your only revenue stream. UConn generates more revenue than many P5 teams, including members of the B12. The current contract represents about 3% of our revenue, which is unfortunate.

If that is how you want to look at it then so be it. I think a conference exit fee should be around 1 years disbursement from that conference. I don't think a AAC exit fee should be based on payouts from other conferences as they are not related in any way.

So you think an exit fee should be determined by the conference you are joining and not determined by the conference you are leaving. That is an interesting way to look at it.

What is UConn's payout from the AAC TV contract?

 

[itgoeslike]

I used last years data. Not sure how that is cherry picking. Here is your last years numbers
30,38,42,37,27,22,17
Total average is about 30k

Baylor=43,44,42,39,38,39. Total average is just under 41k. Baylor has appx 36% higher attendance or nearly 11k more people at games. That is a pretty big difference IMO. Especially for a small bible school compared to a huge state flagship. They are also building a new stadium. I believe is is in the 400 million range.
http://baylor-stadium.com/

Houston=26,34,20,33, 22, 20, 23= 23.5k average. So you beat Houston by 6,500 fans per game. Keep in mind that they played games at Reliant this year because they are adding on to their stadium which obviously hurts attendance. I believe the remodel is around 160 million
http://www.chron.com/sports/cougars/article/UH-ups-the-sports-ante-by-160-million-1708595.php

In the end UConn can't afford to have games with 17k fans if they are trying to make the jump to a power conference. Anything less than 20k just screams mid major. Hopefully the new coach can bring that average up closer to 40k. Winning will be tough but I think UConn is poised to be the dominant school in the AAC if they can improve the FB product on the field. Do you have any upgrades planned for your FB facilities?

Look at the 10 year average using the NCAA statistics for UConn versus Tulsa (which is the team you were comparing us to). You'll see that we are closer to Baylor than Tulsa. You'll also see that the number you are basing your argument on, was an anomaly.

 

[itgoeslike]

If that is how you want to look at it then so be it. I think a conference exit fee should be around 1 years disbursement from that conference. I don't think a AAC exit fee should be based on payouts from other conferences as they are not related in any way.

So you think an exit fee should be determined by the conference you are joining and not determined by the conference you are leaving. That is an interesting way to look at it.

What is UConn's payout from the AAC TV contract?

A year's disbursement or the valuation of a TV contract? They are not necessarily one in the same. I never said that a conference's exit fees should be based on another conference's anything. You were suggesting that the AAC exit fee was prohibitive when compared to the ACC's exit fee. I pointed out that it wasn't. To answer your question (although I have to presume you have an internet connection), the valuation of the TV contracts specifically is approximately $2.2M.

 

[okielite]

Look at the 10 year average using the NCAA statistics for UConn versus Tulsa (which is the team you were comparing us to). You'll see that we are closer to Baylor than Tulsa. You'll also see that the number you are basing your argument on, was an anomaly.

10 year averages have nothing to do with today. Baylor has come a long way in the last 10 years. Where they were in 2004 has nothing to do with where they are in 2014. But if it makes you feel better to use that 10 year average feel free. Baylor is dumping hundreds of millions of dollars into it's facilities. That is what it takes to grow a brand like they have done the last 5 years. That is what UConn needs to be doing if they want to stand out in the AAC.

17k is not an anomaly when you had another game with 22k. You can't remove your worst game from your average, doesn't' work like that.

 

[NickyNewark]

Hey...will be leaving Sunday for NY...will be at the MSG Tuesday for 7:00 PM game (first visit to NY)....Will be outa here for a week.

All I know about New York is that the Bronx is up and the Battery is down....Still looking for a hotel as I type.

If you're looking for reasonable rates at a midtown location I'd suggest the Ramada on 48/49th st and 8th ave I believe or the Hotel Pierre on the east side of Central Park East area (but it'll cost ya) if you're spending freely. I've been quite a few miles(135) from Manhatten for the last 11 yrs except going through!!

 

[Fishy]

Our football facilities are essentially brand new.

Shall we build brand new ones next to the almost new ones just for giggles?

 

[okielite]

/*/

A year's disbursement or the valuation of a TV contract? They are not necessarily one in the same. I never said that a conference's exit fees should be based on another conference's anything. You were suggesting that the AAC exit fee was prohibitive when compared to the ACC's exit fee. I pointed out that it wasn't. To answer your question (although I have to presume you have an internet connection), the valuation of the TV contracts specifically is approximately $2.2M.

I think you are not understanding my point.
ACC exit fee =$50 million
ACC TV payout= Appx 20 milllion
ACC exit fee is 2.5 times the payout.

AAC exit fee(not confirmed)= 10 million
AAC TV payout= 2.2 million
AAC exit fee is 4,5 times the yearly payout.

Big 12 exit fee if I remember correctly was 12-15 million
At that time that was about what we were making per year
So the Big 12 exit fee was appx 1 year disbursement

That is my point. Charging more than 1 years payout is ridiculous, and paying 4.5 years of payouts is absolutely absurd. The exit fee for the AAC is excessive IMO.
To put it in perspective that would be like the Big 12 charging a 90 million (20 million x 4.5) $ exit fee. See how out of what a exit fee of 4.5 times payouts is?

BTW that really sucks that you only make 2.2 million. Clearly UConn is worth waaay more than that.

 

[okielite]

Our football facilities are essentially brand new.

Shall we build brand new ones next to the almost new ones just for giggles?

I did not realize you had a new stadium, how long ago was it built?

It's not just about the stadium. Gotta include indoor practice facilities, weight facilities, training facilities, dorms, cafeterias for athletes, equipment, etc... College football is an arms race, those who have the money and facilities get the best players and coaches.

 

[specialisthusky]

I did not realize you had a new stadium, how long ago was it built?

It's not just about the stadium. Gotta include indoor practice facilities, weight facilities, training facilities, dorms, cafeterias for athletes, equipment, etc... College football is an arms race, those who have the money and facilities get the best players and coaches.

Good to know. I'll ask Shenkman and Burton if they are willing to donate millions.

 

[Fishy]

I did not realize you had a new stadium, how long ago was it built?

It's not just about the stadium. Gotta include indoor practice facilities, weight facilities, training facilities, dorms, cafeterias for athletes, equipment, etc... College football is an arms race, those who have the money and facilities get the best players and coaches.

We built this s--- just to impress you.

We're not running a mom n' pop shop up here.

 

[specialisthusky]

http://www.uconnhuskies.com/facilities/burton-family-complex.html

http://www.uconnhuskies.com/school-bio/strength-conditioning-shenkman.html

http://www.uconnhuskies.com/facilities/rentschler-field.html

 

[itgoeslike]

/ /
I think you are not understanding my point.
ACC exit fee =$50 million
ACC TV payout= Appx 20 milllion
ACC exit fee is 2.5 times the payout.

AAC exit fee(not confirmed)= 10 million
AAC TV payout= 2.2 million
AAC exit fee is 4,5 times the yearly payout.

Big 12 exit fee if I remember correctly was 12-15 million
At that time that was about what we were making per year
So the Big 12 exit fee was appx 1 year disbursement

That is my point. Charging more than 1 years payout is ridiculous, and paying 4.5 years of payouts is absolutely absurd. The exit fee for the AAC is excessive IMO.
To put it in perspective that would be like the Big 12 charging a 90 million (20 million x 4.5) $ exit fee. See how out of what a exit fee of 4.5 times payouts is?

BTW that really sucks that you only make 2.2 million. Clearly UConn is worth waaay more than that.

I understand your point, I just don't agree that it really matters too much for the AAC. UConn's total take annually is substantially more than the TV Contract. Also, consider that West Virginia didn't have a problem paying out $20M. If CUSA's or the A10's fee was $50M to join the AAC or NBE then we would be on the same page. But, for the most part, teams in the AAC are looking to join a P5 conference, or at the very least they don't aspire to join CUSA. Also, UConn's budget is probably close to $1B. So in that context, paying a $10M exit fee vs. a $50M exit fee looks pretty good.

Yes. UConn is worth more than that. However, the TV deal traded guaranteed exposure for revenue. It's very likely we'll be on national television much more frequently than Oklahoma this fall.

 

[itgoeslike]

I did not realize you had a new stadium, how long ago was it built?

It's not just about the stadium. Gotta include indoor practice facilities, weight facilities, training facilities, dorms, cafeterias for athletes, equipment, etc... College football is an arms race, those who have the money and facilities get the best players and coaches.

Our facilities are among the best in the nation.

 

[Fishy]

The last time the Sultan of Brunei came to the United States, he and his entire entourage slept on weight benches in our football facility.

It is that nice.

 

[Fairfield_1st]

We're not running a mom n' pop shop up here.

Given our results, it's probably fair and maybe even expected for an outsider to assume we're running a mom 'n' pop shop. Pre-Diaco it was probably better termed a pops 'n' pops shop.

 

[itgoeslike]

We may need Boneyard "On-Boarding" process for new members. Perhaps start with a series of preliminary questions to gauge its intensity, i.e., a refresher course versus a full on boot camp.

 

[okielite]

I understand your point, I just don't agree that it really matters too much for the AAC. UConn's total take annually is substantially more than the TV Contract. Also, consider that West Virginia didn't have a problem paying out $20M. If CUSA's or the A10's fee was $50M to join the AAC or NBE then we would be on the same page. But, for the most part, teams in the AAC are looking to join a P5 conference, or at the very least they don't aspire to join CUSA. Also, UConn's budget is probably close to $1B. So in that context, paying a $10M exit fee vs. a $50M exit fee looks pretty good.

Yes. UConn is worth more than that. However, the TV deal traded guaranteed exposure for revenue. It's very likely we'll be on national television much more frequently than Oklahoma this fall.

How do you figure this?
You think UConn will be on national TV 1 more time than OU? 2? 3?

With all due respect please be realistic about things, no team in the AAC will get better exposure than power conference teams. That is why the AAC teams get 2 million per year and the power conference teams get 20 million. It does not take a genius to figure out which teams will be on national TV more.

Do you really think OU and OSU are not on national TV for just about every game?

 

[okielite]

Guys,

I am impressed with what you have shown me about your facilities but in no way are those the best in the country. Schools like Oregon simply have more money and better stuff then just about anybody. It seems like every team in the Big 12 is throwing hundreds of millions of dollars in facilities every few years just to try and keep up with the SEC teams who spend even more. That is what it takes to impress 18 year old kids apparently.

Please understand that I like most people in the country don't know much about UConn FB. We all know UConn BB is a strong program and the WBB is the best in the country. As far as FB I don't even know who your coach is, but I bet you know who OU and OSU's coach is. OU because they played UConn in the BCS bowl and OSU's because of the rant. "I'm 40, I'm a man", that was embarrassing. UConn FB is just an under the radar type program that has a great opportunity to grow to the level that the BB and WBB programs have. Pretty amazing what has been done in such a short time already.

 

[Carl Spackler]

Guys,

I am impressed with what you have shown me about your facilities but in no way are those the best in the country. Schools like Oregon simply have more money and better stuff then just about anybody. It seems like every team in the Big 12 is throwing hundreds of millions of dollars in facilities every few years just to try and keep up with the SEC teams who spend even more. That is what it takes to impress 18 year old kids apparently.

Please understand that I like most people in the country don't know much about UConn FB. We all know UConn BB is a strong program and the WBB is the best in the country. As far as FB I don't even know who your coach is, but I bet you know who OU and OSU's coach is. OU because they played UConn in the BCS bowl and OSU's because of the rant. "I'm 40, I'm a man", that was embarrassing. UConn FB is just an under the radar type program that has a great opportunity to grow to the level that the BB and WBB programs have. Pretty amazing what has been done in such a short time already.

I can't wait until we get back to the quality of game where people like this are walking out of their stadium slack jawed wondering WTF just steam rolled them.

One of the happiest moments of my UCONN fandom was listening to Steve Spurrier's apology and pure embarrassment to all the South Carolina fans that made the trip to Birmingham in January 2010.

 

[Fairfield_1st]

Guys,I am impressed with what you have shown me about your facilities but in no way are those the best in the country.

Just to be clear, he didn't say they were the best. He said among the best.

Our facilities are among the best in the nation.