Could UConn leave the Big East if conference realignment revs up again?

[CL82]

There are two WBB programs (SC and Oregon) which average more in attendance than Husky FB. Apparently there can be more than one……

http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/w_basketball_RB/2021/Attend.pdf

My message is a riff off of @CONN78SEJ's correction of your grammar error.

There can be only one UConn woman's basketball program.

 

[Littlemin]

Nice fairy tale, and I wouldn’t take your stupid bridge if it was free. ESPN never killed the Big East. The Big East killed themselves when the Catholic Basketball schools voted no to inviting Penn State in 1982. I’d brush up on your history if I were you.

Yeah because the BE was just another conference after that; you’re the one espousing the importance of sports other than football and you prove my point because the greatest basketball conference in the history of CBB couldn’t hold itself together against the back door politicking of ESPN. You haven’t a clue.

 

[CONN78SEJ]

Yeah because the BE was just another conference after that; you’re the one espousing the importance of sports other than football and you prove my point because the greatest basketball conference in the history of CBB couldn’t hold itself together against the back door politicking of ESPN. You haven’t a clue.

OK

 

[Tank]

The decision to leave the AAC was made for basketball, but in doing so it completely chopped the legs off of the FB program, forcing it to independent status without a conference tv/media stream of revenue.

Now, saddled by a FB program bleeding close to $20million per year and an athletic department losing close to $45million per year, the school is forced to drop other sports. Independent status for FB only works if you are a ND with your own TV contract and a huge National following.

There will be no power four/five invitations sent to UCONN, not even if or when realignment goes to perhaps 4 conferences of 16 or more teams. Those invites will be exclusively for schools with healthy FB programs and those that can help a league generate more revenue. With the power conferences now paying their members between $30m and $60m per year (and climbing fast), those on the outside are looking at a bleak future.

UCONN generates around $34m per year in actual revenue when you subtract the money which the school must subsidize from their own pockets and student fees. They spend close to $80m annually on sports. The annual $44-45m deficit cannot sustain for long. Hard decisions are coming. There will not be a power conference lifeline to rescue UCONN.

The Athletic Dept. over the past ten years has failed in almost every conceivable way to maneuver the school in the new era. It is a sad tale of events highlighted in the SI article attached. The day comes when the best players and coaches will be found where the money is found.

UConn Has Only Itself to Blame for Sports Cuts

A series of mistakes around its football program over the last decade cost the Huskies four sports.

www.si.com

 

[CONN78SEJ]

The decision to leave the AAC was made for basketball, but in doing so it completely chopped the legs off of the FB program, forcing it to independent status without a conference tv/media stream of revenue.

Now, saddled by a FB program bleeding close to $20million per year and an athletic department losing close to $45million per year, the school is forced to drop other sports. Independent status for FB only works if you are a ND with your own TV contract and a huge National following.

There will be no power four/five invitations sent to UCONN, not even if or when realignment goes to perhaps 4 conferences of 16 or more teams. Those invites will be exclusively for schools with healthy FB programs and those that can help a league generate more revenue. With the power conferences now paying their members between $30m and $60m per year (and climbing fast), those on the outside are looking at a bleak future.

UCONN generates around $34m per year in actual revenue when you subtract the money which the school must subsidize from their own pockets and student fees. They spend close to $80m annually on sports. The annual $44-45m deficit cannot sustain for long. Hard decisions are coming. There will not be a power conference lifeline to rescue UCONN.

The Athletic Dept. over the past ten years has failed in almost every conceivable way to maneuver the school in the new era. It is a sad tale of events highlighted in the SI article attached. The day comes when the best players and coaches will be found where the money is found.

UConn Has Only Itself to Blame for Sports Cuts

A series of mistakes around its football program over the last decade cost the Huskies four sports.

www.si.com

I take it you are not a season ticket holder or the father of a recruit Coach Edsall is recruiting?

 

[CL82]

The decision to leave the AAC was made for basketball, but in doing so it completely chopped the legs off of the FB program, forcing it to independent status without a conference tv/media stream of revenue.

Now, saddled by a FB program bleeding close to $20million per year and an athletic department losing close to $45million per year, the school is forced to drop other sports. Independent status for FB only works if you are a ND with your own TV contract and a huge National following.

There will be no power four/five invitations sent to UCONN, not even if or when realignment goes to perhaps 4 conferences of 16 or more teams. Those invites will be exclusively for schools with healthy FB programs and those that can help a league generate more revenue. With the power conferences now paying their members between $30m and $60m per year (and climbing fast), those on the outside are looking at a bleak future.

UCONN generates around $34m per year in actual revenue when you subtract the money which the school must subsidize from their own pockets and student fees. They spend close to $80m annually on sports. The annual $44-45m deficit cannot sustain for long. Hard decisions are coming. There will not be a power conference lifeline to rescue UCONN.

The Athletic Dept. over the past ten years has failed in almost every conceivable way to maneuver the school in the new era. It is a sad tale of events highlighted in the SI article attached. The day comes when the best players and coaches will be found where the money is found.

UConn Has Only Itself to Blame for Sports Cuts

A series of mistakes around its football program over the last decade cost the Huskies four sports.

www.si.com

The decision to leave the AAC contributes to UConn deficit for football how exactly? On a net basis UConn in the Big East, a basketball only conference, makes the same (or more) money than they would in the American. We didn't have to invest in production facilities, which was a requirement under the ESPN contract. On a go forward basis we don't have to pay for production costs and the move from the AAC says us @$2M annually in travel costs.

There are arguments to be made that leaving the American hurts the football program (loss of bowl access, scheduling challenges etc.) but the net impact to the bottom line isn't one of them.

Also, if you want to talk about the football program, perhaps the women's basketball forum isn't the most logical place to do it?

#trollbetter

 

[Ozimoto]

UConn is not the only school that is in this situation, though they may be deeper in the mud than many. As the landscape of college football changes with realignment and the continuing erosion of revenue from sports television continues, I foresee a limited number of "blue blood" programs continuing to operate successfully. The next round of TV contracts are not going to be as lucrative. They simply can't be. The majority of schools will not have the economic firepower to maintain a meaningful football program on a national scale in the coming years. The game will become regional again with regional rivalries that hold some interest so there will still be games worth attending, but I see only a dozen or so programs that will garner national attention and the revenue that goes with it. I don't see the idea of super conferences of 20 teams as being realistic or sustainable.

 

[CL82]

UConn is not the only school that is in this situation, though they may be deeper in the mud than many. As the landscape of college football changes with realignment and the continuing erosion of revenue from sports television continues, I foresee a limited number of "blue blood" programs continuing to operate successfully. The next round of TV contracts are not going to be as lucrative. They simply can't be. The majority of schools will not have the economic firepower to maintain a meaningful football program on a national scale in the coming years. The game will become regional again with regional rivalries that hold some interest so there will still be games worth attending, but I see only a dozen or so programs that will garner national attention and the revenue that goes with it. I don't see the idea of super conferences of 20 teams as being realistic or sustainable.

That sounds ideal in some ways. The problem is that a football program is expensive to maintain regardless of whether it operates on "a national scale" or not. The apparent solution then seems for most schools to cut football. The issue with that is that football is the source of the money for major conferences.

The Big 10 distributes @ $55M annually to each school for media rights; the SEC @ $42M (which will soon increase) and the ACC pays each school @ $32M. (Those are from memory but the are likely no more than a few million off.) The Big East distributes @$4M per each school. That differential means that the big football schools have more spending power for coaches and facilities than non P5 schools. Eventually that will price out all sports, including woman's basketball, from being able to compete for recruits (due to facility and staff differences) and coaches. UConn is well positioned to survive this longer than most, if not all, non "national football" schools, but they will not be able to do so forever. I don't see a solution to that.

 

[Tank]

. Earlier this year, the AAC proudly announced its billion-dollar deal with ESPN, set to take effect in 2020-21. On paper, that deal yields about $7 million per school annually. The Big East, by contrast, gives its schools about $4.16 million per year.The decision to leave the AAC contributes to UConn deficit for football how exactly? On a net basis UConn in the Big East, a basketball only conference, makes the same (or more) money than they would in the American. We didn't have to invest in production facilities, which was a requirement under the ESPN contract. On a go forward basis we don't have to pay for production costs and the move from the AAC says us @$2M annually in travel costs.

There are arguments to be made that leaving the American hurts the football program (loss of bowl access, scheduling challenges etc.) but the net impact to the bottom line isn't one of them.

Also, if you want to talk about the football program, perhaps the women's basketball forum isn't the most logical place to do it?

#trollbetter

UCONN paid over $17m to leave the AAC, which pays it‘s members over $7m each per year. UCONN is paying the Big East $3.5m to enter the conference which pays it’s members a little over $4m per year.

The bigger concern of course, is that FB now Is without any conference affiliation in a time when media/tv rights for FB are accelerating. That new AAC $1billion media/tv deal looks better all the time, especially if they grow it going forward. Explain how UCONN FB gets revenue growth going forward.

 

[CL82]

UCONN paid over $17m to leave the AAC, which pays it‘s members over $7m each per year. UCONN is paying the Big East $3.5m to enter the conference which pays it’s members a little over $4m per year.

The bigger concern of course, is that FB now Is without any conference affiliation in a time when media/tv rights for FB are accelerating. The AAC’s new $1 billion media/TV contract begins in 2021, how’s that for timing?

Pretty good, actually. The economics of the change of deal is explained in the post above. Did you read it? It is a net positive annually to UConn. Additionally Connecticut already has a deal that pays for it’s independent football games. How’s that for timing?

 

[Tank]

Pretty good, actually. The economics of the change of deal is explained in the post above. Did you read it? It is a net positive annually to UConn. Additionally Connecticut already has a deal that pays for it’s independent football games. How’s that for timing?

You mean the cbs deal to televise UCONN FB games which should pay UCONN about $500,000 a season? Is that the financial hill you are willing to defend? D1 schools in FB conferences pay FCS schools way more than that for a single game to play in their stadiums.

The smart move in this new FB centric media/money environment would have been to stick it out in the AAC to build up the FB program and watch the landscape as it evolves if staying D1 in FB is a priority. There is a chance the AAC gets stronger in FB and continues to increase its media money like other FB conferences. The new $1billion contract is a great start. Get the FB strong and compete for/win some AAC championships and watch the growth of UCONN.

The Northeast is littered with schools that realize the region is not conducive to big time college FB and they field FCS teams. Those that go against the grain and field D1 programs have to be really smart and resourceful to be competitive today.

Otherwise, what is the point? Go to FCS and save a ton of money if having a legit D1 FB team isn’t a priority.

UConn football announces TV deal with CBS Sports through 2023

The Huskies finally have a television partner for their move to indepedence.

www.theuconnblog.com

 

[TMB4405]

Tank- although you seem to reference some things that are rooted in truth you have missed the point on a few things :

1. The AAC TV contract was awful for UConn and we are in a better position now
2. The football program does lose money but still remains the program with the most upside as it relates to increasing revenues; a drop to FCS reduces this impact with minimal impact on major costs.
3. The math on the programs losing money is faulty as a lot of it is money going from one state entity to another with UConn getting short end of the stick; ie the agreements for XL and the Rent
4. Sports will always bring an inherent value that the numbers don’t measure; where would we be without Geno and Jim as a university? Football has some of that value if the program improves. In fact it could be viewed as the most viable for upside
5. If we do not try and improve football and our position it will lead to the eventual downfall of all our sports programs. Even the crown jewel of WBB. We will be a regional player in 10-15 years unless we make a splash with football
6. The FB program was on a great trajectory at one point. It can be there again. Regular sellouts and close to capacity crowds were the norm and as you know that attendance would dwarf hoops.

 

[CL82]

You mean the cbs deal to televise UCONN FB games which should pay UCONN about $500,000 a season? Is that the financial hill you are willing to defend? D1 schools in FB conferences pay FCS schools way more than that for a single game to play in their stadiums.

The smart move in this new FB centric media/money environment would have been to stick it out in the AAC to build up the FB program and watch the landscape as it evolves if staying D1 in FB is a priority. There is a chance the AAC gets stronger in FB and continues to increase its media money like other FB conferences. The new $1billion contract is a great start. Get the FB strong and compete for/win some AAC championships and watch the growth of UCONN.

The Northeast is littered with schools that realize the region is not conducive to big time college FB and they field FCS teams. Those that go against the grain and field D1 programs have to be really smart and resourceful to be competitive today.

Otherwise, what is the point? Go to FCS and save a ton of money if having a legit D1 FB team isn’t a priority.

UConn football announces TV deal with CBS Sports through 2023

The Huskies finally have a television partner for their move to indepedence.

www.theuconnblog.com

Yeah, I absolutely do mean to CBS deal. Our games in our first year of independence while coming off predominantly losing seasons for the prior six years are going to be broadcast nationally. Do you seriously not understand that is strong indicator of brand value?

You seem confused about a fairly straightforward concept. Let me make one more pass at it. The American football deal, and a net basis, is worth less than the Big East basketball only deal. Stop to think about that for a moment given that football typically represents about 80% of a conferences media deal. Essentially, being a member of the American football is valueless. It’s a pretty tough hill to die on to suggest that is preferable to independence.

Independent of that, the bulk of the Americans games were going to be on ESPN plus and thus only accessible over the internet. UConn football, as an independent, has a better deal than that in terms of accessibility.

Explain to me how going FCS would save a football program any significant money. I get the sense that you really have no understanding of the finances behind college athletics.

Finally, if you want to talk University Connecticut football, why wouldn’t you go to the football board? Do you understand that we have different boards for different sports here, right?

#trollbetter

 

[CONN78SEJ]

Tank- although you seem to reference some things that are rooted in truth you have missed the point on a few things :

1. The AAC TV contract was awful for UConn and we are in a better position now
2. The football program does lose money but still remains the program with the most upside as it relates to increasing revenues; a drop to FCS reduces this impact with minimal impact on major costs.
3. The math on the programs losing money is faulty as a lot of it is money going from one state entity to another with UConn getting short end of the stick; ie the agreements for XL and the Rent
4. Sports will always bring an inherent value that the numbers don’t measure; where would we be without Geno and Jim as a university? Football has some of that value if the program improves. In fact it could be viewed as the most viable for upside
5. If we do not try and improve football and our position it will lead to the eventual downfall of all our sports programs. Even the crown jewel of WBB. We will be a regional player in 10-15 years unless we make a splash with football
6. The FB program was on a great trajectory at one point. It can be there again. Regular sellouts and close to capacity crowds were the norm and as you know that attendance would dwarf hoops.

Men’s basketball was being suffocated in the AAC, and women’s basketball wasn’t doing as well as they’re doing now in the BE both in recruiting and success on the court. Benedict recognized this and got out of the AAC fast. Men’s basketball recruiting has been off the charts since joining the Big East. Both programs will do ok if UConn gets a P5 invite.

 

[Fairfield_1st]

3. The math on the programs losing money is faulty as a lot of it is money going from one state entity to another with UConn getting short end of the stick; ie the agreements for XL and the Rent

Thank you. It's bothers me every time I see the deficit noted. It's a state run shell game of moving money around. UConn's "deficit" is some other department's revenue. Bottom line it's a wash.

 

[CONN78SEJ]

Tank- although you seem to reference some things that are rooted in truth you have missed the point on a few things :

1. The AAC TV contract was awful for UConn and we are in a better position now
2. The football program does lose money but still remains the program with the most upside as it relates to increasing revenues; a drop to FCS reduces this impact with minimal impact on major costs.
3. The math on the programs losing money is faulty as a lot of it is money going from one state entity to another with UConn getting short end of the stick; ie the agreements for XL and the Rent
4. Sports will always bring an inherent value that the numbers don’t measure; where would we be without Geno and Jim as a university? Football has some of that value if the program improves. In fact it could be viewed as the most viable for upside
5. If we do not try and improve football and our position it will lead to the eventual downfall of all our sports programs. Even the crown jewel of WBB. We will be a regional player in 10-15 years unless we make a splash with football
6. The FB program was on a great trajectory at one point. It can be there again. Regular sellouts and close to capacity crowds were the norm and as you know that attendance would dwarf hoops.

Great post!!! We made a splash in football once before, we can do it again.

 

[Oracle9]

Mabey they want one of the premier academic state schools in the nation, and which also fields a division one football team, a great baseball program, one the best men’s basketball programs in the history of the NCAA, and the best women’s basketball program in the history of college athletics, and several other solid men’s and women’s athletic programs. Beautiful new fields and facilities, and an AD who has reinvigorated the UConn brand. When you see people walking down streets all over the world and you see several UConn shirts and hats, that’s something. It’s a no brainer, that if the Big 12 or another P5 conf invites UConn, attendance at league games in men’s and women’s basketball goes up across the board, and recruitment gets a pop as well.

 

[Oracle9]

When considering UConn for conference alignment I take issue with one thing. This "pooh poohing" of their academics. I understand that some school's history were built around academic reps and became academic institutions that built sports reps. Just some nuggets:
1.The Dental school is ranks 8th in academic research.
2.Tied for 9th w/ Princeton for research output. ( By the way Uconn is a tier 1 research institution the highest Carnegie Mellon rating for a University) They ranked in the top 10 w/ other powerhouses such as Mellon and MIT.
3. 9th in the nation producing Fulbright scholars.
4.Their Physics department is award winning w/ top faculty so is their Engineering program
5.Their Med school graduates first time pass rate is 96%
6.Their Business programs notably their MBA and Finace are ranked among the best in the country. ( #77 Globally)
Their Communications & Media studies is also one of the tops in the country.
7. Uconn is ranked #23 among public uuniversities tied with PState and Rutgers. Ranked ahead of Va. Tech(29) and MState(32), U of Az(40).
I know the football has fallen a lot but these things count towards a school's viability also. UCONN also has good ties with professional sports. They're also in one of the top sports and media market. I don't think they are looking to leave the Big E either but I wouldn't discount them as a program that a conference wouldn't consider.
Just a note

Here's an article that bolsters mine and others as Uconns viability and profile.

Opinion: In conference realignment, academics—not athletics—are king

Some Power 5 conferences value a school’s ‘institutional profile’ over its football program

www.deseret.com