Discuss

[HuskyHawk]

http://www.baylorfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=250367

This means somebody at Baylor reads the dude of wv. This is lifted word for word from something he posted last night.

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[whaler11]

ESPN has declared a fatwa against UConn. Between Rutgers, TCU, WVU, Syracuse, Pitt, Louisville, the C7, and now Boise, there are commitments of about $175 million a year from various networks, mostly ESPN, to broadcast their games. It was worth that much to ESPN to destroy UConn's athletic program.

You'd think this simple math would lead you to believe that ESPN isn't pulling all the strings but that's the great thing about the Boneyard - hard evidence against a conspiracy is generally used as proof of the opposite.

We're through the looking glass here people.

 

[Willy Gee]

ESPN has declared a fatwa against UConn. Between Rutgers, TCU, WVU, Syracuse, Pitt, Louisville, the C7, and now Boise, there are commitments of about $175 million a year from various networks, mostly ESPN, to broadcast their games. It was worth that much to ESPN to destroy UConn's athletic program.

WTF. Why would ESPN want to destroy UConn's athletic program? I hate our situation, but I can't go along with this explanation.

 

[ctchamps]

ACC, Big Ten, Big 12 whatever - get us out of this disaster. By Jan 2014 we have to be somewhere else

Certainly things look real badly for UConn at this moment. And maybe it is better to take the first door in a burning building. However, there is a risk the door UConn takes could put UConn at a greater disadvantage. The Big12 and the ACC might be far better off than the NNNBE currently, but they are risks. Jumping into the first available conference could tick off the other and if the other ends up being stable and the conference UConn dives into gets gobbled up, than all UConn would end up doing is being in the NNNACC or the NNNB12. I'm not saying you are being unreasonable in your opinion. I'm pointing out risks exist with every scenario.

My cousins were delayed because of a subway breakdown and very upset because they had appointments in NYC. They were late for their appointments and cursed their situation until the planes crashed into the WTC as they were just entering the doors. They would have been near the crash site if it wasn't for the delay! A young gal in our neighborhood, interning at Cantor Fitzgerald, was laid off the day before the crash, ended up being lucky. Another neighbor who sponsored her, was on vacation. He decided to go the next day to advocate for her. He was unlucky.

UConn men's bb lost recruits to other programs and "settled" for late additions. Those guys like Okafer and Kemba were second and third options. They worked out well.

I don't have a crystal ball to reassure you that the current situation will turn out well. Nor do I know which of the potential options are likely or unlikely and which would be the best for UConn. None of us do. Any one thinking x solution is better than y solution, is taking on a role that exceeds the reality of circumstances and the limitations of human vision.

 

[whaler11]

UConn is going to 'tick off' a conference by joining another.... Another rung on the crazy ladder.

 

[SubbaBub]

After Pitt/Cuse announced, there were more than a few posts that described what the CR apocalypse for UConn would look like. Though it seems a long time ago, it wasn't and we now find ourselves at that exact point. Hoping for a miracle.

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[pj]

I can believe that UConn is pulling strings to pressure ESPN. Even if UConn prefers the B1G or ACC, it needs to create an option to force those conferences to move. If they won't move, the B12 is a better landing spot than the NBE.

It also makes sense that ESPN would push the B12 to take UConn. It's been reported that ESPN has been refusing to give the B12 more revenue if they poach the ACC, thus ESPN has blocked B12 expansion to date. But the B12 wants/needs to get to 12 to have a conference championship. If you rule out ACC teams, most attractive candidates on the board may be (1) BYU, (2) UConn, (3) Cincy or USF in that order. So if ESPN is committed to protecting the ACC, and getting the B12 to 12 teams so their desire to expand lessens, then they almost have to push BYU/UConn or UConn/someone else.

I could see ESPN doing this out of their own business interests, and telling the B12 that they are doing it because of pressure from the state of Connecticut, just so it doesn't appear their interests are totally at odds with those of the B12.

Of course the B12 would prefer to poach ACC teams like FSU. They will probably prefer to wait to see if the ACC opens up from B1G/SEC poaching. But time may not be on their side, if the B1G/SEC move slowly and they need to get to 12 in time for the new playoff system.

 

[ctchamps]

UConn is going to 'tick off' a conference by joining another.... Another rung on the crazy ladder.

Not really. Defillipo's stance supports my contention. You support my contention. Your arguments are personal. Conferences are run by people with strong egos that get insulted easily. It happens. It's human nature.

 

[whaler11]

Not really. Defillipo's stance supports my contention. You support my contention. Your arguments are personal. Conferences are run by people with strong egos that get insulted easily. It happens. It's human nature.

But none of the conferences want them now - so the only contention you are making is that the Big 10 would be upset and exclude UConn if they accepted an ACC offer. UConn joining the ACC wouldn't impact the Big 10 in the least - so how could that insult the Big 10.

 

[TuxedoYoda]

If ESPN wanted UConn in the B12, it could happen in 5 minutes. If ESPN tells Bowlsby that, if they add UConn, they will get a new TV deal that will increase the per team TV revenue by $2million, then it will happen. Does this make business sense for ESPN.....no, I don't see how it could.....BUT that is how it could easily happen.

 

[FfldCntyFan]

Certainly things look real badly for UConn at this moment. And maybe it is better to take the first door in a burning building. However, there is a risk the door UConn takes could put UConn at a greater disadvantage. The Big12 and the ACC might be far better off than the NNNBE currently, but they are risks. Jumping into the first available conference could tick off the other and if the other ends up being stable and the conference UConn dives into gets gobbled up, than all UConn would end up doing is being in the NNNACC or the NNNB12. I'm not saying you are being unreasonable in your opinion. I'm pointing out risks exist with every scenario.

My cousins were delayed because of a subway breakdown and very upset because they had appointments in NYC. They were late for their appointments and cursed their situation until the planes crashed into the WTC as they were just entering the doors. They would have been near the crash site if it wasn't for the delay! A young gal in our neighborhood, interning at Cantor Fitzgerald, was laid off the day before the crash, ended up being lucky. Another neighbor who sponsored her, was on vacation. He decided to go the next day to advocate for her. He was unlucky.

UConn men's bb lost recruits to other programs and "settled" for late additions. Those guys like Okafer and Kemba were second and third options. They worked out well.

I don't have a crystal ball to reassure you that the current situation will turn out well. Nor do I know which of the potential options are likely or unlikely and which would be the best for UConn. None of us do. Any one thinking x solution is better than y solution, is taking on a role that exceeds the reality of circumstances and the limitations of human vision.

About a century ago Notre Dame was denied admission to the Western Conference (now the B1G) when Michigan returned and Ohio St was added. ND could have cried (the way most of us are today) about the situation but instead began scheduling games with name schools from both coasts, travelling to most of these games in the process.

Two years before the BE began, a good amount of eastern/northeastern basketball was shaken up when the Eastern Eight was formed (and UMass left the Yankee Conference). The few years leading up to the start of the Eastern Eight was one unique, very small blip where UMass could claim to be haead of us in terms of men's hoops and I imagine that some of our die hard fans then felt we were kicked aside and deserved a spot in that new conference. Does anyone today believe that we missed out on something by not being invited to the Eastern Eight?

Regardless of whether there is a guarantee of some great landing spot or not, we have to, as a university improve our profile on all levels. If we do this we will be far better off over the long haul than if we do not. Our best hope is that enough is accomplished before the next round of expansion occurs (and yes, it will occur).

 

[ctchamps]

About a century ago Notre Dame was denied admission to the Western Conference (now the B1G) when Michigan returned and Ohio St was added. ND could have cried (the way most of us are today) about the situation but instead began scheduling games with name schools from both coasts, travelling to most of these games in the process.

Two years before the BE began, a good amount of eastern/northeastern basketball was shaken up when the Eastern Eight was formed (and UMass left the Yankee Conference). The few years leading up to the start of the Eastern Eight was one unique, very small blip where UMass could claim to be haead of us in terms of men's hoops and I imagine that some of our die hard fans then felt we were kicked aside and deserved a spot in that new conference. Does anyone today believe that we missed out on something by not being invited to the Eastern Eight?

Regardless of whether there is a guarantee of some great landing spot or not, we have to, as a university improve our profile on all levels. If we do this we will be far better off over the long haul than if we do not. Our best hope is that enough is accomplished before the next round of expansion occurs (and yes, it will occur).

There really are limitations for every party involved in CR. Some have more specific limitations than others. UConn is certainly more limited than Texas or ND or even Rutgers, at the moment, but this is only a snapshot of the past, present, and future. The things you propose are, realistically, some of the few options available to UConn in its current position, assuming there is a consensus to maintain the athletic profile it has built up. I'm in the camp that believes President Herbst has entered the university with that mindset. I base this on her approach to Jim Calhoun. She immediately attempted to mend relationships with him that were almost totally destroyed by Hathaway. She was too late for RE and the PP debacle.

 

[king conn]

This means somebody at Baylor reads the dude of wv. This is lifted word for word from something he posted last night.

link?

 

[coachcap]

ESPN has declared a fatwa against UConn. Between Rutgers, TCU, WVU, Syracuse, Pitt, Louisville, the C7, and now Boise, there are commitments of about $175 million a year from various networks, mostly ESPN, to broadcast their games. It was worth that much to ESPN to destroy UConn's athletic program.

Nelson, I agree with this premise. And it's ironic. The company that Bill & Scott Rasmussen brought to life was originally envisioned as a method to nationally broadcast UConn Sports & the late Hartford Whalers contests. In it's early encarnation ESPN cameras were on campus frequently broadcasting UConn soccer contests. As ESPN broadened its horizons & ABC bought in from Getty, the Rasmussens were shown the door. If UConn sports could be deep sixed, the last vestiges if the Mothership's "illegitimate" birth would be erased.
Fact: ESPN's general manager is a BC grad. Many ESPN personnel are Syracuse communications grads. The conspiriacy theorist in me says that you are dead on in this assessment. (In a perverse sense of irony, ESPN's public relations director Mike Soltys is the son of UConn's former longtime media relations director.)

 

[Mr. Hand]

Nelson, I agree with this premise. And it's ironic. The company that Bill & Scott Rasmussen brought to life was originally envisioned as a method to nationally broadcast UConn Sports & the late Hartford Whalers contests. In it's early encarnation ESPN cameras were on campus frequently broadcasting UConn soccer contests. As ESPN broadened its horizons & ABC bought in from Getty, the Rasmussens were shown the door. If UConn sports could be deep sixed, the last vestiges if the Mothership's "illegitimate" birth would be erased.
Fact: ESPN's general manager is a BC grad. Many ESPN personnel are Syracuse communications grads. The conspiriacy theorist in me says that you are dead on in this assessment. (In a perverse sense of irony, ESPN's public relations director Mike Soltys is the son of UConn's former longtime media relations director.)

ESPN still employs more UConn graduates than any other school. One of ESPN's HR minions, a UConn grad, is a good friend of mine.

 

[pj]

If ESPN wanted UConn in the B12, it could happen in 5 minutes. If ESPN tells Bowlsby that, if they add UConn, they will get a new TV deal that will increase the per team TV revenue by $2million, then it will happen. Does this make business sense for ESPN.....no, I don't see how it could.....BUT that is how it could easily happen.

Sure, but everybody negotiates to optimize their share of the pie. ESPN isn't just going to throw $40 mn+ ($20+ mn for UConn and $2 mn each for every B12 school, when the 2-school addition also gets B12 teams the money for the conference championship game) if it might be able to get UConn in for half that (pay for UConn so teams don't lose, the B12 schools get the same for regular season but they get the championship game revenue so they are better off) ... also Fox is involved ... also a partner school would have to be found ... also B12 could negotiate over games in NYC etc ... also B12 has to explore options, a possibility that I never see mentioned is can they get NCAA to relax the 12-team rule for a championship. That rule change would have ACC support if it prevents the ACC from getting raided by ending B12 expansion.

 

[The Funster]

As much as I'd like to see UConn land in any conference worth a damn I just can't see them going to the Big 12. I mean, WVU looks like an outlier to me as as it is...what would that make us? Sure, they can bring in Cinci as a partner but that isn't all that close either. Maybe the B1G will come calling in 3-4 years but I'm afraid our best hope is that the ACC will lose two and we get invited in, finally.

Suffice to say I've soured on the whole situation with college athletics. I still want the best for UConn but the process is severely flawed and no one is to be trusted. There are slew of people AND institutions that I hope get the comeuppance that is due them.

 

[UC990411]

As much as I'd like to see UConn land in any conference worth a damn I just can't see them going to the Big 12. I mean, WVU looks like an outlier to me as as it is...what would that make us? Sure, they can bring in Cinci as a partner but that isn't all that close either. Maybe the B1G will come calling in 3-4 years but I'm afraid our best hope is that the ACC will lose two and we get invited in, finally.

Suffice to say I've soured on the whole situation with college athletics. I still want the best for UConn but the process is severely flawed and no one is to be trusted. There are slew of people AND institutions that I hope get the comeuppance that is due them.

Would Cuse, Pitt, UConn and BC be worth more than FSU, Miami, Clemson and someone like VA Tech to the Big 12. Football wise it would be a loser for them to add the 4 NE schools but they would lock up NYC and Boston.

 

[pj]

Would Cuse, Pitt, UConn and BC be worth more than FSU, Miami, Clemson and someone like VA Tech to the Big 12. Football wise it would be a loser for them to add the 4 NE schools but they would lock up NYC and Boston.

How does it lock up NYC with the B1G having Rutgers plus Penn State, Ohio State, and Michigan, thus four of the top 6 NYC programs (UConn and ND the other two)?

It doesn't even lock up the city of Pittsburgh (Penn State).

 

[UC990411]

How does it lock up NYC with the B1G having Rutgers plus Penn State, Ohio State, and Michigan, thus four of the top 6 NYC programs (UConn and ND the other two)?

It doesn't even lock up the city of Pittsburgh (Penn State).

I'll take that as a no

 

[Adios]

Suffice to say I've soured on the whole situation with college athletics. I still want the best for UConn but the process is severely flawed and no one is to be trusted. There are slew of people AND institutions that I hope get the comeuppance that is due them.

As someone stated in an article about B1G realignment, it's all about egos. Nothing but egos. Administrators want their egos to be pampered through college athletics. And here we are, giving them food for their egos.

 

[Fishy]

If someone thinks this is about egos, they're dimwitted. Or a sportswriter...which is kind of the same thing these days.

This is about money.

It's about getting as much as you can and sharing it with as few others as possible.

 

[Marty Jackson]

Sure, but everybody negotiates to optimize their share of the pie. ESPN isn't just going to throw $40 mn+ ($20+ mn for UConn and $2 mn each for every B12 school, when the 2-school addition also gets B12 teams the money for the conference championship game) if it might be able to get UConn in for half that (pay for UConn so teams don't lose, the B12 schools get the same for regular season but they get the championship game revenue so they are better off) ... also Fox is involved ... also a partner school would have to be found ... also B12 could negotiate over games in NYC etc ... also B12 has to explore options, a possibility that I never see mentioned is can they get NCAA to relax the 12-team rule for a championship. That rule change would have ACC support if it prevents the ACC from getting raided by ending B12 expansion.

also, nice use of transitions.

 

[Adios]

If someone thinks this is about egos, they're dimwitted. Or a sportswriter...which is kind of the same thing these days.

This is about money.

It's about getting as much as you can and sharing it with as few others as possible.

Do you think we are college athletics fans out of a need to survive? And it wasn't a sportswriter who stated that. It was an administrator. The sportswriter just quoted the administrator.

 

[Fishy]

Do you think we are college athletics fans out of a need to survive?

I don't have the foggiest idea of what you're asking me.

 

[Adios]

I don't have the foggiest idea of what you're asking me.

I am insinuating that being a sports fan is about pleasing the ego. Not out of the need to survive (aka life and death).

 

[Skiblets]

I'm sure now she's ready to send our athletes on horse carriage if that's the only way to get there.

We should call Lebanon Levi

 

[junglehusky]

I am insinuating that being a sports fan is about pleasing the ego. Not out of the need to survive (aka life and death).

what is this i don't even

 

[upstater]

As someone stated in an article about B1G realignment, it's all about egos. Nothing but egos. Administrators want their egos to be pampered through college athletics. And here we are, giving them food for their egos.

Lots of poor journalism out there.

No one ever bothers looking at the athletic budgets of these schools (freely available) to see what motivates the Presidents to make the decisions they do.

At Columbia U., masters students in journalism take accounting classes to learn how to read quarterly reports. That's where a lot of real reporting happens these days. It's apparent that such students do not go on to report on college sports.

 

[RuffRuff]

Not sure if there is any truth to this one - quite an odd one to come out of thin air. I like reading this - what does it tell me? It tells me that Uconn may have an iota of leverage and allies in this mess. Because up till now, they've seemingly been on an island without either. Helpless. This suggests there are some pro-active measures being taken. Politicking into a conference likely leads to some of the stigma that is attached to a state like Connecticut from a national perception basis, but F it, if it's what gets us into a decent conference, who cares. How can ESPN not be pro-Uconn? They've been pro-Uconn from a media perspective over the years given locale, no question. Katz has always been very active with Uconn. They are on the plus end of very favorable tax breaks. The Big 12 would be a bizarre fit from a cultural and geographic perspective, so this seems unbelievably unlikely, but if they can plant the seed out there, that matters. That is leverage and that can speed up an invite somewhere.