Commentary Thread for Premium Top-Shelf Tweets

[TRest]

I don't know why you say that? Football would be no worse off. We could still earn a top 8 bowl berth with a strong season. Basketball would get much more attention from the media, which still fawns over the Big East and pretends that the American doesn't exist. The seeding alone for American teams has been awful. If it loses Cinci, it becomes even worse, maybe a one bid league.

Why would the AAC do us the enormous favor of keeping our football and letting the good stuff go somewhere else?

 

[pepband99]

Why would the AAC do us the enormous favor of keeping our football and letting the good stuff go somewhere else?

...because they won't have a choice. If the contracts get blown up by the defectors, ESPN will likely come back with an offer equal to a bag of balls. Losing our football would only make it worse.

 

[HuskyHawk]

Why would the AAC do us the enormous favor of keeping our football and letting the good stuff go somewhere else?

Why do they do it for Navy? What options will they have? If they lose UH and Cinci for example, who are they inviting? Southern Miss? Every single FBS team they can add downgrades the overall competition in basketball. So why not let a pretty solid UConn football team with still the best brand available, stay? We'd balance Navy from a scheduling perspective. Or, if they want more content, add Wichita State. WSU+UConn football isn't a good outcome over adding say, Old Dominion? And isn't that a good travel situation for Tulsa, Tulane and SMU?

 

[nelsonmuntz]

I think that AAC football and Big East for everything else feels like putting up a white flag on ever getting to a P5.

Of course I agree that the Big East is a better place to put the basketball team than the AAC.

It would just feel very final to me.

I know there are departure fee reasons that UConn has stayed in the AAC, but that decision has also put us in the position of appearing interchangeable with a community college like Houston.

 

[CallMeBruce]

were georgetown and st. johns on your short list? depaul, marquette?
The conferences are comparable and one year stats don't impress me.

I don't know why I'm engaging since you're obviously going to move the goalposts to defend your absolutely idiotic argument, but in the three years that the Big East and A-10 have existed in their current forms, the Big East has been the #5, #3, and #3 conference, while the A-10 has been #7, #7, and #8. Big East is still a power conference in basketball. A-10 is decidedly not.

 

[TRest]

Why do they do it for Navy? What options will they have? If they lose UH and Cinci for example, who are they inviting? Southern Miss? Every single FBS team they can add downgrades the overall competition in basketball. So why not let a pretty solid UConn football team with still the best brand available, stay? We'd balance Navy from a scheduling perspective. Or, if they want more content, add Wichita State. WSU+UConn football isn't a good outcome over adding say, Old Dominion? And isn't that a good travel situation for Tulsa, Tulane and SMU?

Because Navy's olympic sports can't compete at this level but its football is a national brand. UConn is a national brand because of basketball, the football is stumbling towards solid (maybe). I don't know, but doubt that the contract binding the AAC together is contingent on the television contract with ESPN remaining in place.

 

[CallMeBruce]

Because Navy's olympic sports can't compete at this level but its football is a national brand. UConn is a national brand because of basketball, the football is stumbling towards solid (maybe). I don't know, but doubt that the contract binding the AAC together is contingent on the television contract with ESPN remaining in place.

Navy basketball was better than UCF, ECU, USF, and Tulane last year. Their baseball team was 43-16, soccer was .500, etc. They would not be particularly weak in any sport the AAC plays.

 

[UConnNick]

Navy basketball was better than UCF, ECU, USF, and Tulane last year. Their baseball team was 43-16, soccer was .500, etc. They would not be particularly weak in any sport the AAC plays.

Navy's Olympic sports are in the Patriot League because Army is a Patriot League member. They're not going to put those sports anywhere else because it would leave their arch rivalry behind.

 

[HuskyHawk]

Navy's Olympic sports are in the Patriot League because Army is a Patriot League member. They're not going to put those sports anywhere else because it would leave their arch rivalry behind.

And they have only been competitive because they are in the Patriot league. Navy didn't want to join the American for all sports and specifically mentioned that they didn't think they could be competitive.

 

[upstater]

...because they won't have a choice. If the contracts get blown up by the defectors, ESPN will likely come back with an offer equal to a bag of balls. Losing our football would only make it worse.

But they also have a huge incentive to discourage other teams from trying sports ala carte.

In other words, neither side has any leverage.

And in such a situation, anything can happen. It's a "We're screwed anyway" kinda scenario.

 

[Kolumbo]

The Big East is a better basketball conference today but big picture, my personal preference is to stay away. It is now a purely catholic conference and it has chosen that route. Add UConn and Temple to the A-10 and the A-10 just made a huge jump. Purely my opinion and hypothetical anyway since UConn has chosen its path, for better or worse.

 

[D/$$$]

But they also have a huge incentive to discourage other teams from trying sports ala carte.

In other words, neither side has any leverage.

And in such a situation, anything can happen. It's a "We're screwed anyway" kinda scenario.

Look, were not likely to be 'invited' to the B12 unless they get a TV deal, which is where we bring our leverage. Sad that we're a great fit for BIG and/or ACC because of same. So in the absence of a TV deal, and in light of the new TV environment and future, we should figure out how best to exit the losing creature known as the AAC. For all sports. We have smart folks and lots of lawyers.......figure it out! Lots of us have had it with status quoa....it's simply not working.

 

[IMind]

Navy basketball was better than UCF, ECU, USF, and Tulane last year. Their baseball team was 43-16, soccer was .500, etc. They would not be particularly weak in any sport the AAC plays.

Ehh... they were playing a Patriot league schedule in their other sports... I was a Patriot League athlete... and while I can claim that I played a Division I sport... in truth it's a far different world than the one UConn competes in. I'm not saying they can't do it, but the upgrade would be tough.

 

[upstater]

Look, were not likely to be 'invited' to the B12 unless they get a TV deal, which is where we bring our leverage. Sad that we're a great fit for BIG and/or ACC because of same. So in the absence of a TV deal, and in light of the new TV environment and future, we should figure out how best to exit the losing creature known as the AAC. For all sports. We have smart folks and lots of lawyers..figure it out! Lots of us have had it with status quoa....it's simply not working.

if you kill off football, you will never make a P5.

 

[D/$$$]

if you kill off football, you will never make a P5.

Agree, but why is exiting the AAC necessary for our football survival. Aren't there any other possibilities out there?

 

[auror]

Yes.

1) That was an insanely fast reply. I caught myself commenting on the thread within seconds but it was too late.
2) If our FB program were better than most of the schools, then we could say it's ugly company. Our market metrics are what they are, but at the end of the day, especially if the B12 is looking towards new media eyeballs, we need to have people watching/streaming football.
3) I have 0 issue with the B12 taking public auditions. There's no dirty laundry leaks that would be ugly, just sources reporting they're keeping an open mind and interviewing everybody. Let the best school win and we think that's us.

 

[upstater]

Agree, but why is exiting the AAC necessary for our football survival. Aren't there any other possibilities out there?

What would the possibilities be?

 

[Excalibur]

I don't know why you say that? Football would be no worse off. We could still earn a top 8 bowl berth with a strong season. Basketball would get much more attention from the media, which still fawns over the Big East and pretends that the American doesn't exist. The seeding alone for American teams has been awful. If it loses Cinci, it becomes even worse, maybe a one bid league.

I don't think he's really arguing any of those points. If we split Football and other sports, it gives the impression that we believe there are no viable routes to the P5. I agree with that.

I also think that the Big East doesn't pick up the phone unless they believe the same thing . . .

 

[CL82]

ESPNU Take:

you ESPN. Starting to get the hate going again. Someone phone up the city of Bristol and tell them to station some cops at the enterance road. Anyone speeding? Ticket. Taillight out? Ticket. Touch the yellow lines? Ticket?

I hate you Effers.

[moved this comment from the premium tweets thread...that thing is like a speed trap]

 

[UC313]

I sincerely hope that our message to ESPN is being heard. You can eat a whole bag full if you thing you're going to screw us again and keep our rights for pennies on the dollar. Ill gladly turn my viewership over to Fox or CBS. My morning routine of watching sportscenter with my boy will change too. If they want to make it all about the bottom line, then so will I.

I'm officially on the Break Bristol Bandwagon.

 

[HuskyHawk]

I don't think he's really arguing any of those points. If we split Football and other sports, it gives the impression that we believe there are no viable routes to the P5. I agree with that.

I also think that the Big East doesn't pick up the phone unless they believe the same thing . . .

It's not quite that. I'd look at more like the remaining slots are:
ACC adds ND all in. Needs #16,
B1G expands and can't get UT or similar schools, plus UConn is AAU by then.

Are our odds at landing either of those possible slots harmed by (a) playing in a roughly equivalent football league or comparable Indy schedule (b) playing in a stronger basketball league (much stronger if UConn is added), maybe winning another NC and (c) earning more money for our sports content plus more in gate receipts from a better home schedule?

That being said, I still think this was meant to be a shot across the bow of ESPN: "Get us in the B12 or lose our content".

 

[Fishy]

The Big East is a better basketball conference today but big picture, my personal preference is to stay away. It is now a purely catholic conference and it has chosen that route. Add UConn and Temple to the A-10 and the A-10 just made a huge jump. Purely my opinion and hypothetical anyway since UConn has chosen its path, for better or worse.

Until the Catholic Church issues some new set of rules that only governs basketball, I will continue to fail to see the logic in posts like these.

The Atlantic 10 is a lovely mid-major conference, but it is a mid-major conference - wanting to join up with that group because you're salty that the Big East schools left for a better deal is a little spiteful. Everyone left for a better deal - do you not want to go to the ACC because Syracuse, Pitt, Miami, Virginia Tech, Notre Dame, Louisville and Boston College left for a better deal?

 

[SubbaBub]

If the networks are resigned to the B12 adding 4, they may individually or collectively reshuffle the entire FBS deck.

The thinking would be we have this amount of money for all CFB, here is how we want to dish it out SEC, B1G, P12, ACC, B12. We want these 80 (or other number), we want these conferences. Otherwise we are going to start cutting deals with individual schools.

They wouldn't need to announce it, they could just do it and in 2024, Texas, OU, and every other blue chip brand starts pushing to control their own media rights and my conferences only about schedules.

 

[CTMike]

1) That was an insanely fast reply. I caught myself commenting on the thread within seconds but it was too late.
2) If our FB program were better than most of the schools, then we could say it's ugly company. Our market metrics are what they are, but at the end of the day, especially if the B12 is looking towards new media eyeballs, we need to have people watching/streaming football.
3) I have 0 issue with the B12 taking public auditions. There's no dirty laundry leaks that would be ugly, just sources reporting they're keeping an open mind and interviewing everybody. Let the best school win and we think that's us.

Thanks for moving this discussion to the proper thread.

1) right place, right time... Winning winners win.
2) I understand you are limiting to football only, but on the whole, athletics wise - it's disgusting to be thrown in to such a gulag with our level of success. Is that elitist? Sure. But we've earned our stripes, much more so than the rest of this lot.
2a) Ratings/metrics are not just UConn in a vacuum, which are fine if not remarkable. The real value is increasing the B12 in its entirety and generating interest via the most eyeballs, which our region has. Someone in Vernon watching a Texas game in that scenario is just as valuable.
3) B12 is giving the perception of being open when the reality is different. They have their consultant studies and already know the most valuable schools. It's giving schools false hope, and creating a gladiator like spectacle. I'm not impressed with how they have handled things. (That said, love you B12, pick us!)

 

[Kolumbo]

Until the Catholic Church issues some new set of rules that only governs basketball, I will continue to fail to see the logic in posts like these.

The Atlantic 10 is a lovely mid-major conference, but it is a mid-major conference - wanting to join up with that group because you're salty that the Big East schools left for a better deal is a little spiteful. Everyone left for a better deal - do you not want to go to the ACC because Syracuse, Pitt, Miami, Virginia Tech, Notre Dame, Louisville and Boston College left for a better deal?

Bottom line, no, I don't want to be in the A-10 but the Big East is not an option. I think that conference has a much more defined mission than most. It's not about being Catholic but it is about basketball and not being lured away by football. But then again, maybe they want to be sure they will always be able to pray before their games no matter where they play.

 

[Dream Jobbed 2.0]

Thanks for moving this discussion to the proper thread.

1) right place, right time... Winning winners win.
2) I understand you are limiting to football only, but on the whole, athletics wise - it's disgusting to be thrown in to such a gulag with our level of success. Is that elitist? Sure. But we've earned our stripes, much more so than the rest of this lot.
2a) Ratings/metrics are not just UConn in a vacuum, which are fine if not remarkable. The real value is increasing the B12 in its entirety and generating interest via the most eyeballs, which our region has. Someone in Vernon watching a Texas game in that scenario is just as valuable.
3) B12 is giving the perception of being open when the reality is different. They have their consultant studies and already know the most valuable schools. It's giving schools false hope, and creating a gladiator like spectacle. I'm not impressed with how they have handled things. (That said, love you B12, pick us!)

Say more towns I know!

 

[FriarJ]

Bottom line, no, I don't want to be in the A-10 but the Big East is not an option. I think that conference has a much more defined mission than most. It's not about being Catholic but it is about basketball and not being lured away by football. But then again, maybe they want to be sure they will always be able to pray before their games no matter where they play.

I know this means little to you because of pitiful spite but Butler is not Catholic. You are right about a defined mission statement in regards to being about basketball however.

 

[Kolumbo]

I know this means little to you because of pitiful spite but Butler is not Catholic. You are right about a defined mission statement in regards to being about basketball however.

Eh, close enough.

 

[FDNY99]

I know this means little to you because of pitiful spite but Butler is not Catholic. You are right about a defined mission statement in regards to being about basketball however.

Thanks for educating us UConn fans on the obvious there genius! That was pretty evident when they bailed after leeching off of schools like UConn, Cincy, Cuse, Pitt and even WVU for years. Yes even your precious PC was a leech school!

 

[HuskyHawk]

Until the Catholic Church issues some new set of rules that only governs basketball, I will continue to fail to see the logic in posts like these.

The Atlantic 10 is a lovely mid-major conference, but it is a mid-major conference - wanting to join up with that group because you're salty that the Big East schools left for a better deal is a little spiteful. Everyone left for a better deal - do you not want to go to the ACC because Syracuse, Pitt, Miami, Virginia Tech, Notre Dame, Louisville and Boston College left for a better deal?

You know darned well that some of the knobs actually do feel that way about the ACC too. I'm not sure what they lack more, maturity or common sense.