ESPN

[whaler11]

I'll explain why AAU and rankings are important.

I don't fully subscribe to HFD's POV, but I do think the B1G is more realistic than the ACC right now.

Right now there is only two ways UConn gets into the ACC:


In my opinion there is nothing that can be done on the ACC front. They aren't expanding and don't seem to plan to do so soon. We also know they have elements that don't care for UConn (BC/Miami/Cuse?). Herbst can't do anything to hasten the ACC's implosion, nor can she magically get them into the ACC. That is dead in the water right now.
The B1G may be a pipe-dream but at least UConn/Herbst knows that they want to expand again and might do it in the next year. They have said as much. UConn may only be 4th at best on their list, but we know they care about three things: eyeballs (land grant universities), research (AAU) and football. Herbst needs to position UConn as best she can as an option (if only a fallback option). That's what she is doing. It's the only play on the table right now for UConn (aside from staying in the BE/whatever).
If UConn gets an indication they are under consideration from the B1G, they would next need to come up with Rent expansion plans even if it's on a freaking cocktail napkin, to make UConn even more viable. Publicly Herbst can't/shouldn't make those plans known right now, but she should make it known behind closed doors to Presidents of the B1G (and ACC). Manuel as well should be on the phone with the ADs from the B1G schools.
Down the road something may open up in the ACC, but for now this is what Herbst can do to help UConn athletics.
I do think signing Ollie would help a bit, but honestly, not a huge deal either way when it comes to conference realignment.

Yes I know all those arguments. The school can make football a clear priority while at the same time ramping up research. The Big 10 invited Nebraska knowing they were out of the AAU - so clearly there is a tipping point where sports trumps research.

If it's Virginia who leaves the ACC next watch as Cincinnati takes their opening. Why? Because they have made it clear that they prioritize football.

UConn can't even schedule an OOC game for 2014 - it's not like Edsall left some standard that was impossible to keep. The whole lot of them have managed to run the ship into a dozen icebergs though.

 

[ctchamps]

I've already explained this to you, and you've conveniently ignored it.

I get it though - you are by nature a negative person. You just can't bring yourself to accept the fact that this may in fact work out just fine for UConn.

He's arguing about semantics. He may be negative. I'm not sure. But he loves to debate at best or be argumentative at worse. Personally I would let him chase his own tail when he gets like this. But that's just me.

 

[whaler11]

Exactly. They are going to send memos or emails. I wish they would. Sue the Batards for multimillions and buy our way into the B!G. But the message gets delivered you can be sure.

If they were sending emails or memos they would be on Deadspin like every other email or memo of interest that they send.

 

[ctchamps]

I'll explain why AAU and rankings are important.

I don't fully subscribe to HFD's POV, but I do think the B1G is more realistic than the ACC right now.

Right now there is only two ways UConn gets into the ACC:


In my opinion there is nothing that can be done on the ACC front. They aren't expanding and don't seem to plan to do so soon. We also know they have elements that don't care for UConn (BC/Miami/Cuse?). Herbst can't do anything to hasten the ACC's implosion, nor can she magically get them into the ACC. That is dead in the water right now.
The B1G may be a pipe-dream but at least UConn/Herbst knows that they want to expand again and might do it in the next year. They have said as much. UConn may only be 4th at best on their list, but we know they care about three things: eyeballs (land grant universities), research (AAU) and football. Herbst needs to position UConn as best she can as an option (if only a fallback option). That's what she is doing. It's the only play on the table right now for UConn (aside from staying in the BE/whatever).
If UConn gets an indication they are under consideration from the B1G, they would next need to come up with Rent expansion plans even if it's on a freaking cocktail napkin, to make UConn even more viable. Publicly Herbst can't/shouldn't make those plans known right now, but she should make it known behind closed doors to Presidents of the B1G (and ACC). Manuel as well should be on the phone with the ADs from the B1G schools.
Down the road something may open up in the ACC, but for now this is what Herbst can do to help UConn athletics.
I do think signing Ollie would help a bit, but honestly, not a huge deal either way when it comes to conference realignment.

I thought there are already plans for expansion that are on public record.

 

[ctchamps]

If they were sending emails or memos they would be on Deadspin like every other email or memo of interest that they send.

meant to say aren't. Thanks for correcting me.

 

[caw]

I thought there are already plans for expansion that are on public record.

Sorry, yes, but I meant timetable included.

 

[RMoore1999]

What conferences get an incremental 10 million for their schools with expansion? I must have missed the ACC increase for Louisville, Syracuse and Pitt. Colorado and Utah got USC and Arizona 10 million more?

I've read that SEC and B1G anticipate distributing $35M+ in revenue with expansion into new TV markets with BTN and the new SEC network. Who knows what the actual numbers will be, but MD determining they'll better off in B1G even if they have to pay majority of $50M penalty suggests the increases for at least those 2 conferences is real money that most schools wouldnt turn down.

 

[RMoore1999]

First of all, don't pretend like you didn't understand that RMoore was using the 10 mil figure to describe the benefits to the school and not the conference.

Secondly, if you don't believe that a school's addition to a conference adds millions of dollars to the new conference, then it means that you don't understand what's going on around you. Why else do you think that the tv companies add one to two million dollars per every team in a conference when one or two new schools join? Expansion = Bigger money for the conferences. Don't pretend that you don't get it, because I know you're smart enough to understand...

I guess there's some similarity in the numbers each way. Its easy math to see how UVA might get $10M more for joining B1G (~$17M - ~$27M), and though math is harder and more nebulous, I wont be surprised if the rights schools to B1G or SEC increase their payouts substantially...

But my bad; I should have been more precise with my $ figure, especially when replying to whaler11.

Bottom line is the same: there obviously is HUGE financial incentive for schools AND conferences to expand.

And you're right -- of course whaler11 gets it...if he got off on busting my stones, all the more power to him...

 

[RMoore1999]

Oh, for !

I don't HAVE to try my best at work. But doing so insures my relative security at my job.
I don't HAVE to try my best at school. But doing so insures my relative chances to secure employment.
Conferences don't HAVE to actively participate in expansion. Because the Big East model was so successful, so there's no real reason to fortify themselves, is there?

Could you just stop trying to be the contrarian for 5 minutes, especially when it's painfully clear that you understand what is being typed in the thread, and what's worse, I'm pretty sure that in large part you agree with it.....please!....

Thanks for trying to educate this poor boy. And my apologies to you for your investment in trying to "clearly" (to use his word) explain my point, which in no way did I ever imagine was that complex or controversial...

 

[whaler11]

Thanks for trying to educate this poor boy. And my apologies to you for your investment in trying to "clearly" (to use his word) explain my point, which in no way did I ever imagine was that complex or controversial...

LOL. Yes, thanks for the help. You are still talking about the incremental income for the invited schools - of course they welcome the invitation.

The Big 10 didn't have to add Maryland or Rutgers. Clearly they think it increases the value of their network, but didn't have to do anything. What was going to happen to them? Penn State was going to take 10 million less to join the ACC?

 

[whaler11]

$10m plus additional to an athletic budget = "has" in my book, but maybe its just semantics...

Here is your original post. You are talking about the money that the individual school gets - ignoring the fact that it's the conference that decides to expand. You two keep snapping towels at each other, it's a great learning opportunity!

 

[UConnDan97]

Here is your original post. You are talking about the money that the individual school gets - ignoring the fact that it's the conference that decides to expand. You two keep snapping towels at each other, it's a great learning opportunity!

You're a clown. You post this idiotic post FOUR MINUTES after you had already posted "Clearly, they think it increases the value of their network..."

THAT'S the reason that the conferences expand!!! More money!!!

You know what, Torrie Robertson? Forget it. I know now that it's one of two things; you're either that dumb or you're looking for a fight. I'm interested in neither. Enjoy your towel-snapping....

 

[RMoore1999]

Here is your original post. You are talking about the money that the individual school gets - ignoring the fact that it's the conference that decides to expand. You two keep snapping towels at each other, it's a great learning opportunity!

What does Michigan earn from B1G revenues today? I dont know, but say its ~$25M. If the B1G adds UNC and whoever else and revenues per school jump to ~$35M, then that is a $10M increase. No? I have no idea what the actual per school increase, but it would be significant? No? I would also expect that the SEC and B12 will "have" to expand to keep up. No?

My point was simply that conferences must expand to grow revenues.

That's all. Pretty simple.

That fact that the school invited to relocate obviously makes more money as well (actually well in excess of $10M if its an ACC or Connecticut) doesnt mean each school in the new conference doesnt make more $$, especially for B1G or SEC.

 

[junglehusky]

Not to interrupt another pissing match but... I though I'd put this in this thread:

@McMurphyESPN
Nope. Sorry RT @pfac51: @McMurphyESPN is Delaney interested in UConn at all?

@McMurphyESPN
If B1G goes to 16 most likely targets would be from ACC RT @pfac51: @McMurphyESPN thanks. You think UVA & UNC then instead?

 

[whaler11]

What does Michigan earn from B1G revenues today? I dont know, but say its ~$25M. If the B1G adds UNC and whoever else and revenues per school jump to ~$35M, then that is a $10M increase. No? I have no idea what the actual per school increase, but it would be significant? No? I would also expect that the SEC and B12 will "have" to expand to keep up. No?

My point was simply that conferences must expand to grow revenues.

That's all. Pretty simple.

That fact that the school invited to relocate obviously makes more money as well (actually well in excess of $10M if its an ACC or Connecticut) doesnt mean each school in the new conference doesnt make more $$, especially for B1G or SEC.

Sure if that was the math I'd agree with you. UNC gets $20 now. They would need to be worth 175 million annually to the Big 10 to move the schools from 25 to 35. For the Big 10 schools to each get 10 more you need an additional 140 million plus the dollars for the added school.

Nobody is anywhere near half that valuable. If that was how it worked sure they would have to expand.

To even get 2 million a school you'd need to be worth 28+27 to make the transaction work. There are a few schools worth that. Most of whom aren't in play.