Big 12 TV partners push back on expansion

[nelsonmuntz]

Because that half won't stop any school in the AAC from leaving to the B12, and that action might make the B12 go ahead and invite those schools to get all of what the contract calls for.

There's much more being left on the table for G5 schools than TV money. The playoff bowl revenue, the NCAA tournament credits, the tier 3 rights (particularly for UConn/BYU). Doubling, tripling, quadrupling what we'll get once the exit fee money runs out isn't enough to keep up. For someone who so often rails on the financial shortfall we're facing, it's astonishing that you don't see that.

In your example, another conference has to cut the new team in on that revenue. Which conference is going to do that? If any league wanted the AAC schools, they would have already added the AAC schools. The only reason it has come up with the Big 12 is because of some quirks in the Big 12 TV contract, that will never appear in any conference TV contract ever again. There is no catalyst for additional conference expansion on the horizon. The leagues are the leagues.

The experts are talking about half and quarter shares for the prospective Big 12 additions right now.

 

[BlueMAB]

In your example, another conference has to cut the new team in on that revenue. Which conference is going to do that? If any league wanted the AAC schools, they would have already added the AAC schools. The only reason it has come up with the Big 12 is because of some quirks in the Big 12 TV contract, that will never appear in any conference TV contract ever again. There is no catalyst for additional conference expansion on the horizon. The leagues are the leagues.

The experts are talking about half and quarter shares for the prospective Big 12 additions right now.

A half or quarter share for UConn + tier 3 rights, + NCAA tourney credits + bowl revenue shares >>>>> Whatever the AAC can get us from ESPN.

Not to mention the impact on ticket sales/fan interest.

 

[nelsonmuntz]

A half or quarter share for UConn + tier 3 rights, + NCAA tourney credits + bowl revenue shares >>>>> Whatever the AAC can get us from ESPN.

Not to mention the impact on ticket sales/fan interest.

Why hasn't it happened yet if that is such a popular solution?

 

[don356]

Because the old guard schools will have to go to Connecticut.

 

[Excalibur]

A half or quarter share for UConn + tier 3 rights, + NCAA tourney credits + bowl revenue shares >>>>> Whatever the AAC can get us from ESPN.

Not to mention the impact on ticket sales/fan interest.

Selling out the Rent would add $2 Million in revenue right away. The Men would likely sell out their home schedule as well (we're about 2,000 short of that on average over the last few years) -- that's just under another $1 Million.

 

[mavblues]

Just curious:

How do we know that ESPN isn't pushing back because UConn was going to be left out of the 2 / 4 that are being picked?

Maybe they ARE looking out for our best interests (for once). After all, we're one of the few schools that would bring the ratings needed to justify the payout that's required.

Can't say either way, but it seems like everyone is jumping to conclusions here. (Granted, we all know the past history with ESPN, but maybe they also view this as one of the last chances for us and are actually trying to get us picked.)

 

[nelsonmuntz]

Just curious:

How do we know that ESPN isn't pushing back because UConn was going to be left out of the 2 / 4 that are being picked?

Maybe they ARE looking out for our best interests (for once). After all, we're one of the few schools that would bring the ratings needed to justify the payout that's required.

Can't say either way, but it seems like everyone is jumping to conclusions here. (Granted, we all know the past history with ESPN, but maybe they also view this as one of the last chances for us and are actually trying to get us picked.)

I have thought about that too. Maybe those Memphis to the big 12 rumors were right, and ESPN hit the brakes. I wonder if we will ever know.

 

[JMick]

I have thought about that too. Maybe those Memphis to the big 12 rumors were right, and ESPN hit the brakes. I wonder if we will ever know.

We'll only know if after the dust settles someone from inside the Big XII is really pissed at the outcome.

 

[CL82]

... or maybe Cinci, UH, Memphis to the Big 12 and UConn to the ACC strips all the value out the AAC so ESPN either ignores it or pays a few hundred thousand per school for it.

... or maybe ESPN wants UConn in the AAC so the rest of their contract with the league has value.

Who the frick knows anymore?

 

[Slasher]

... or maybe Cinci, UH, Memphis to the Big 12 and UConn to the ACC strips all the value out the AAC so ESPN either ignores it or pays a few hundred thousand per school for it.

... or maybe ESPN wants UConn in the ACC so the rest of their contract with the league has value.

Who the frick knows anymore?

That could be correct on two fronts, maybe they know ND is never joining and the ACC wants to grab UConn and Cincy to go to 16 for their network.

 

[amory]

That could be correct on two fronts, maybe they know ND is never joining and the ACC wants to grab UConn and Cincy to go to 16 for their network.

I doubt they're willing to just give up on Notre Dame ever joining. They can literally wait for decades

 

[HoopsFan21]

The P5 are comprised already of similar teams.

Iowa, Purdue, Indiana, Rutgers, BC, Syracuse, Pitt, Wake Forest, Duke, Louisville, Vanderbilt, Mississippi St, TCU, Baylor, Oklahoma St, Iowa St, Kansas, Kansas St, West Virginia, Washington St, Oregon State, etc.

The profile of these schools is not different than UConn's. Cincy and BYU could probably make the same argument.

It's annoying hearing fans of other schools come here to tell us that we're not worthy of a P5 conference, and then to proceed to tell us that it's because of football. Well as far as I can tell neither are half the schools in the P5. Of course UConn also offers a better TV market than half of the P5 schools, and a better academic profile than a lot of them, and of course UConn has the best basketball program in the country. The athletic department is generally well run and free of child rape rumors, murder coverups, prostitutes, fake classes, and all the other scandalous baggage that seems to be the hallmark of big time athletics programs in the P5 these days. The reality is if we were starting over today without grandfathered in programs, in other words a level playing field where schools have to actually compete for those precious P5 slots rather than simply collect a check just for being in the conference for 50 years, UConn would not be close to being last picked. Perhaps one day the Ohio States and Alabamas of the P5 will get sick of carrying the dead weight with which they've been saddled and spin off into a separate football powerhouse conference of maybe 20-30 teams.

 

[mavblues]

I just want to go on record as stating that I haven't given up on UConn to B1G. It's the best fit for us...

 

[sportsart]

Just curious:

How do we know that ESPN isn't pushing back because UConn was going to be left out of the 2 / 4 that are being picked?

Maybe they ARE looking out for our best interests (for once). After all, we're one of the few schools that would bring the ratings needed to justify the payout that's required.

Can't say either way, but it seems like everyone is jumping to conclusions here. (Granted, we all know the past history with ESPN, but maybe they also view this as one of the last chances for us and are actually trying to get us picked.)

 

[Exit 4]

It's annoying hearing fans of other schools come here to tell us that we're not worthy of a P5 conference, and then to proceed to tell us that it's because of football. Well as far as I can tell neither are half the schools in the P5. Of course UConn also offers a better TV market than half of the P5 schools, and a better academic profile than a lot of them, and of course UConn has the best basketball program in the country. The athletic department is generally well run and free of child rape rumors, murder coverups, prostitutes, fake classes, and all the other scandalous baggage that seems to be the hallmark of big time athletics programs in the P5 these days. The reality is if we were starting over today without grandfathered in programs, in other words a level playing field where schools have to actually compete for those precious P5 slots rather than simply collect a check just for being in the conference for 50 years, UConn would not be close to being last picked. Perhaps one day the Ohio States and Alabamas of the P5 will get sick of carrying the dead weight with which they've been saddled and spin off into a separate football powerhouse conference of maybe 20-30 teams.

The short list of not worthy:
Tier 1 offenders:
-Northwestern
-Wake

Tier 2:
-Rutty
-Vandy
-Purdue
-many of our small friends in the B12

 

[CL82]

I just want to go on record as stating that I haven't given up on UConn to B1G. It's the best fit for us...

I think that I have.

 

[dwalks93]

Just curious:

How do we know that ESPN isn't pushing back because UConn was going to be left out of the 2 / 4 that are being picked?

Maybe they ARE looking out for our best interests (for once). After all, we're one of the few schools that would bring the ratings needed to justify the payout that's required.

Can't say either way, but it seems like everyone is jumping to conclusions here. (Granted, we all know the past history with ESPN, but maybe they also view this as one of the last chances for us and are actually trying to get us picked.)

THIS ^^^^^^

Everyone in the sports world knew the Big12 was looking at expansion and vetting candidates. Yet ESPN and FOX remained mostly silent until the alleged announce date is upon them. Why? The most plausible reason is ESPN/FOX did not anticipated the Big12 would select the candidates they did and ESPN/FOX are horrified by the outcome.

ESPN/FOX probably figured "the BIG12 is using BHV and advanced metrics so clearly they will reach the conclusion that UConn/BYU are the top expansion choices." When the Big12 came back with Memphis and Houston ESPN literally re-enacted that Y2K commercial where the Rutgers Knight stomps the Husky.

ESPN/FOX knows one way or another it will eventually end up paying more for UConn whether that be in the ACC, BIG or BIG12. But Memphis, UCF and Houston....they are not even close to justifying P5 money and won't get another P5 offer. ESPN is not looking out for UConn's interests but, in this case, ESPN and UConn's interest are in sync...."Now follow me to freedom..."

 

[Marty Jackson]

The short list of not worthy:
Tier 1 offenders:
-Northwestern
-Wake

Tier 2:
-Rutty
-Vandy
-Purdue
-many of our small friends in the B12

Bc? Syracuse? Wsu?

 

[Exit 4]

Bc? Syracuse? Wsu?

Ill get whacked around here for this, but BC and Syracuse are worthy. I'm thinking in terms of the past 30 years, not 10 or less. Now, if BC has another 10 years like the last, then yeah - they fall to the bottom too.

Wash State probably a Tier 2 not worthy team. I don't have a great handle on all the PAC schools.

 

[HoopsFan21]

The short list of not worthy:
Tier 1 offenders:
-Northwestern
-Wake

Tier 2:
-Rutty
-Vandy
-Purdue
-many of our small friends in the B12

I'll bet if you really sat down and thought about it, the list is much longer. For all the crap we get about our football program, in the last 5-6 seasons, we win nearly 20% of games against ranked teams and 35% against teams that are in the P5 today. While that isn't great, we've proven we can beat P5 teams already (Maryland, Rutgers, Pitt, Louisville to name a few), and I'll bet some of the perennial bottom feeders in these P5 conferences have an equally abysmal record, or even worse, yet no one says anything about them and just hands them $20, 30, 40 million every year because well they've been in the league since before TV was even a thing.

 

[WestHartHusk]

THIS ^^^^^^

Everyone in the sports world knew the Big12 was looking at expansion and vetting candidates. Yet ESPN and FOX remained mostly silent until the alleged announce date is upon them. Why? The most plausible reason is ESPN/FOX did not anticipated the Big12 would select the candidates they did and ESPN/FOX are horrified by the outcome.

ESPN/FOX probably figured "the BIG12 is using BHV and advanced metrics so clearly they will reach the conclusion that UConn/BYU are the top expansion choices." When the Big12 came back with Memphis and Houston ESPN literally re-enacted that Y2K commercial where the Rutgers Knight stomps the Husky.

ESPN/FOX knows one way or another it will eventually end up paying more for UConn whether that be in the ACC, BIG or BIG12. But Memphis, UCF and Houston....they are not even close to justifying P5 money and won't get another P5 offer. ESPN is not looking out for UConn's interests but, in this case, ESPN and UConn's interest are in sync...."Now follow me to freedom..."

Depending upon the Big12's motivations, it is not inconceivable that they used that data to select undesirable teams to improve their negotiating position. By taking that tact, they can potentially either get more money for selecting "the right" teams, or paid to not expand. This isn't good "partnering," but I really don't think that they give a F.

 

[JMick]

THIS ^^^^^^

Everyone in the sports world knew the Big12 was looking at expansion and vetting candidates. Yet ESPN and FOX remained mostly silent until the alleged announce date is upon them. Why? The most plausible reason is ESPN/FOX did not anticipated the Big12 would select the candidates they did and ESPN/FOX are horrified by the outcome.

ESPN/FOX probably figured "the BIG12 is using BHV and advanced metrics so clearly they will reach the conclusion that UConn/BYU are the top expansion choices." When the Big12 came back with Memphis and Houston ESPN literally re-enacted that Y2K commercial where the Rutgers Knight stomps the Husky.

ESPN/FOX knows one way or another it will eventually end up paying more for UConn whether that be in the ACC, BIG or BIG12. But Memphis, UCF and Houston....they are not even close to justifying P5 money and won't get another P5 offer. ESPN is not looking out for UConn's interests but, in this case, ESPN and UConn's interest are in sync...."Now follow me to freedom..."

One can only hope. I really doubt it though, ESPN has done nothing for us.

 

[amory]

THIS ^^^^^^

Everyone in the sports world knew the Big12 was looking at expansion and vetting candidates. Yet ESPN and FOX remained mostly silent until the alleged announce date is upon them. Why? The most plausible reason is ESPN/FOX did not anticipated the Big12 would select the candidates they did and ESPN/FOX are horrified by the outcome.

ESPN/FOX probably figured "the BIG12 is using BHV and advanced metrics so clearly they will reach the conclusion that UConn/BYU are the top expansion choices." When the Big12 came back with Memphis and Houston ESPN literally re-enacted that Y2K commercial where the Rutgers Knight stomps the Husky.

ESPN/FOX knows one way or another it will eventually end up paying more for UConn whether that be in the ACC, BIG or BIG12. But Memphis, UCF and Houston....they are not even close to justifying P5 money and won't get another P5 offer. ESPN is not looking out for UConn's interests but, in this case, ESPN and UConn's interest are in sync...."Now follow me to freedom..."

It's a fun thought. I don't buy it though. I guess time will tell...

 

[Chief00]

Hearing Big 12 will cut back on prorata with networks - new teams will have to partially eat that.

 

[nelsonmuntz]

BYU athletics: Big 12 TV partners pumping the brakes on expansion

BYU confirming extended timetable.

 

[Nostical]

Just landed in Denver and texted my UT insider. Here's his latest take. No one has all the info so take it for what it's worth.

From what I hear the latest is to only add 2 teams...Cincy and BYU/UH.
UConn has some support it appears.
This is the compromise position. It gets the conference "some" additional money without COMPLETELY ticking off ESPN and Fox for future negotiations. The thinking now is "just because we can do it....doesn't mean we should bite the hand that feeds us."

 

['dweller]

Those comments by them dont diminish UConn, if anything, they strengthen UConn's position.

The tv execs are not happy with the likes of houston and Memphis (most likely) as they add nothing to the electronic/tv footprint. BYU is probably also an obstacle because they have their own network.

BYUtv is not an obstacle. There may be other obstacles with BYU, but unlike other school networks, BYUtv is owned by the University, not by somebody else like ESPN. BYU can choose to make it an obstacle, I suppose, but if they want in the Big 12 then they will rather choose to make it an asset. They are used to deferring to a third party (ESPN) in their sports broadcasts, so deferring to the Big 12 wouldn't be a change.

My personal take on the ESPN/Fox pushback is that it may or may not benefit UCONN, but I agree that it is likely not a pushback against UCONN, but more likely against selling out to Houston (Texas politics) or Memphis (FedEx) instead of adding the best schools (BYU, UCONN, and/or Cincinnati) for the networks. It seems to me that ESPN, especially, would welcome having a university in their own back yard.

 

[HoopsFan21]

BYUtv is not an obstacle. There may be other obstacles with BYU, but unlike other school networks, BYUtv is owned by the University, not by somebody else like ESPN. BYU can choose to make it an obstacle, I suppose, but if they want in the Big 12 then they will rather choose to make it an asset. They are used to deferring to a third party (ESPN) in their sports broadcasts, so deferring to the Big 12 wouldn't be a change.

My personal take on the ESPN/Fox pushback is that it may or may not benefit UCONN, but I agree that it is likely not a pushback against UCONN, but more likely against selling out to Houston (Texas politics) or Memphis (FedEx) instead of adding the best schools (BYU, UCONN, and/or Cincinnati) for the networks. It seems to me that ESPN, especially, would welcome having a university in their own back yard.

Why would they want to pay $20M for UConn games they already carry at a cost of $5M? I just don't see why ESPN would pay more for something they already own on the cheap.

 

[djct1999]

Why would they want to pay $20M for UConn games they already carry at a cost of $5M? I just don't see why ESPN would pay more for something they already own on the cheap.

Ditto for BYU. So should they pay 40 million for Houston and Cincy?

 

[WestHartHusk]

Why would they want to pay $20M for UConn games they already carry at a cost of $5M? I just don't see why ESPN would pay more for something they already own on the cheap.

They don't want to, that's what's going on. Did you just wake up?