I'm More Convinced Than Ever: UConn & UVA to the B1G

[upstater]

Nah man, naaah.

First, the ACC can never 'lock up' the east coast. The B1G now has MD and RUTG, and PSU, the largest FBall 'brand' in the east that has already been a member for 20+ yrs. The B1G flag has been planted on the EC and it will never be broached. All it takes to seal the deal is UCONN, but the deal is somewhat already sealed.

By that time, 15 yrs into the future, it will be almost 40 years since PSU became a member, and B1G payouts will probably be about $500B per school per year.

PSU will never leave, for any reason, ever.

This discussion is about the B1G PRIOR to UMd and RU.

 

[Cleanface]

Hmmm, not sure how I didn't pick up on that.

My bad!

 

[Plains&Lakes]

If the Big Ten would get Texas and Oklahoma, how important would an additional East Coast presence be? Particularly if there would likely not be more than 16 seats in the bus? If Texas are too far away and/or intractable, then the East Coast is back in play with UConn and Kansas or potentially, Missouri.

 

[Kolumbo]

If the Big Ten would get Texas and Oklahoma, how important would an additional East Coast presence be? Particularly if there would likely not be more than 16 seats in the bus? If Texas are too far away and/or intractable, then the East Coast is back in play with UConn and Kansas or potentially, Missouri.

If the B1G were to get Texas and Oklahoma, what becomes of the remaining Big XII? Poach, or be poached.

 

[kyleslamb]

But they got paid for those rights. Probably peanuts, but paid nonetheless. Fairness aside, they produced a product and sold it.

The teams in a GOR have neither produced a product (yet) nor been paid for it. On top of that the GOR threatens that the teams won't get paid even after playing the games.

You nailed it. Those song titles that McCartney didn't have a claim to were SOLD at the time. He didn't get paid royalties because legally, they were no longer his. He had to buy back the ownership this past year to begin collecting royalties.

When they first formed their publishing company, they were young and naive and the investors gave them a bad deal where they were required to produce a certain number of tracks each year, and owned a minority share of the publishing rights. They did receive publishing royalties through 1970, just not the lion's share. After ATV purchased the majority share of the publishing company from the other owners, the Beatles were broken up and did not want to perform their contractual obligations so they sold their share of the publishing rights. McCartney and Lennon no longer owned any Beatles tracks. They continued to receive mechanical royalties as song writers all along (even after they sold the publishing rights), but no longer owned the rights to the songs.

So it wasn't like a Grant of Rights, because they sold their publishing rights. They weren't ever granting them.

 

[billybud]

The actual GOR language is much like the standard property deed transfer language..."for ten dollars and other considerations"....

The signees of the GOR all agree by signature that they irrevocably and exclusively grant all rights, as outlined in the ESPN agreement, to the conference "for other good and valuable considerations, the receipt and value of which are acknowledged."

 

[billybud]

The rights of each program have been sold....the conference has sold them to ESPN in a conference agreement with ESPN...the GOR outlines, in conjunction with the ESPN agreement, that the schools media rights continue to be owned by the conference for the length of the agreement.

 

[kyleslamb]

The rights of each program have been sold....the conference has sold them to ESPN in a conference agreement with ESPN...the GOR outlines, in conjunction with the ESPN agreement, that the schools media rights continue to be owned by the conference for the length of the agreement.

They're not "selling" anything. A sale implies a transfer of ownership in perpetuity. A Grant of Rights is an exclusive lease of the rights for a defined period of time to the other party in order to produce their products, in this case, airing of broadcasts. This isn't a sale, rather it's an authorization or leasing of rights for that set duration to use the rights in order to produce. Ownership is not transferred. The schools still inherently own their rights. They're giving exclusive license to the conference to use those rights to satisfy the deal with the media partners, whereby the media partners are given authorization to broadcast and the conference the rights to the produced, copyrighted work.

This can be deducted simply by looking at the Big 12 GoR. If you look at Section 1, the term "own" is never used. It's very specifically stated the rights are "granted."

Subject to paragraph 4 hereof, each of the Member Institutions hereby (a) irrevocably grants to the Conference during the Term (as defined below) all rights (the "Rights") necessary for the Conference to perform the contractual obligations of the Conference expressly set forth in the Telecast Rights Agreements, regardless of whether such Member Institution remains a member of the Conference during the entirety of the term...

Contrast that to Section 2 which deals with copyright works derived...

"The Conference and each of the Member Institutions acknowledge that the Conference owns or will own the copyrights to the Works. Each Member Institution hereby grants to the Conference the right to create a copyright Work and, for the entire duration of the applicable event, the copyright in Such Works.

Either way, these rights aren't being given away. Usually, schools simply grant the rights to the conferences indefinitely for as long as they're league members and in return, are compensated through the league's revenue paid by the media partners. The grant of rights is no different than how rights are already granted, except it defines a set duration rather than an indefinite period of time.

When Lennon & McCartney gave up their rights, it's because they sold them. Outright. One sale and poof, the rights are no longer theirs. They got a set sale price and in exchange, were giving up ownership of the rights.

A Grant of Rights, ownership is not given up, merely the license thereof. These TV rights remain inherently property of the institutions.

 

[Sea Goat]

Nah man, naaah.

First, the ACC can never 'lock up' the east coast. The B1G now has MD and RUTG, and PSU, the largest FBall 'brand' in the east that has already been a member for 20+ yrs. The B1G flag has been planted on the EC and it will never be broached. All it takes to seal the deal is UCONN, but the deal is somewhat already sealed.

By that time, 15 yrs into the future, it will be almost 40 years since PSU became a member, and B1G payouts will probably be about $500B per school per year.

PSU will never leave, for any reason, ever.

Agree - Where does PSU go - to the ACC? NFW! The ACC has lost its identity and will eventually fall apart like a $3 watch. Selling your soul has long term consequences and the ACC will see them.

 

[Ldandy]

Agree - Where does PSU go - to the ACC? NFW! The ACC has lost its identity and will eventually fall apart like a $3 watch. Selling your soul has long term consequences and the ACC will see them.

LOL. The entire idea of PSU to the ACC is a myth perpetuated by a handful of disgruntled fans pining for a past that no longer exists. The days of independence are over for everyone including ND. The idea that PSU would suddenly follow ND, a team they have little history with, to The ACC is ridiculous on every level . PSU is exactly where it wants to be. They're making fantastic money, partnering with like minded institutions on academic concerns, and winning arm fulls of conference and national championships on a yearly basis.

B1G
Potentially double the conference money.
B1G Wrestling, Hockey, and Women's Volleyball(Major sports for the conference and to The PSU Faithful.)
Inclusion of NJ and MD for recruiting purposes.
Membership in The CIC.
Playing football games in historic stadiums like The Shoe, Big House, Camp Randall, and Memorial.

ACC
Considerably lower conference payout.
Lesser wrestling, volleyball, and no hockey.
Need to reexamine recruiting territories.
Membership in The ACCIC?(spelling)
Playing games at Doak, Death Valley and maybe VPI. The rest...yikes.
***Bonus*** Sucking up to ND and their special treatment. PASS.

If Swoffy ever calls I can assure you it will be a VERY short conversation.

 

[XOVERX]

The rights of each program have been sold....the conference has sold them to ESPN in a conference agreement with ESPN...the GOR outlines, in conjunction with the ESPN agreement, that the schools media rights continue to be owned by the conference for the length of the agreement.

Let's look at a theoretical breakdown of how the B12 GOR (just the GOR) would affect the B1G, if one of the B12 schools migrated to the B1G before the expiration of the B12 GOR.

We'll use a typical 12-game regular season, with the usual 6 home, 6 away games. Let's pick Kansas' 2014 football schedule, but plug in random B1G schools in place of B12 schools (because we're assuming Kansas joined the B1G and left the B12).

1. vs. SW Missouri State: TV $ -> B1G (Not a GOR home game -- this low-level game is probably Kansas' one home Tier 3 football game per year that Kansas retains -- the so-called B12 retained "Tier 3 game". The B12 GOR does not apply to any B12 school's one home Tier 3 football game -- or 8 home basketball games. Either this game or the Central Michigan game is Kansas' Tier 3 game. I pick this one for our discussion.)

2. @ Duke: TV $ -> ACC (Not a GOR game -- home school's league always gets the TV $.)

3. vs. Central Michigan: TV $ -> B12 -> B1G (GOR home game: Under the GOR, Kansas gets its share of B12 $ when B12 disbursements are made; this B12 share is presumably transferred by Kansas to the B1G after Kansas is paid by B12.)

4. vs. Ohio State (instead of vs. Texas): TV $ -> B12 -> B1G (GOR home game: Under the GOR, Kansas gets its share of B12 $ when B12 disbursements are made; this B12 share is presumably transferred by Kansas to the B1G after Kansas is paid by B12.)

5. @ Northwestern (instead of @ West Virginia): TV $ -> B1G (Not a GOR game -- home school's league always gets the TV $.)

6. vs. Nebraska (instead of vs. Oklahoma State): TV $ -> B12 -> B1G (GOR home game: Under the GOR, Kansas gets its share of B12 $ when B12 disbursements are made; this B12 share is presumably transferred by Kansas to the B1G after Kansas is paid by B12.)

7. @ Minnesota (instead of @ Texas Tech): TV $ -> B1G (Not a GOR game -- home school's league always gets the TV $.)

8. @ Wisconsin (instead of @ Baylor): TV $ -> B1G (Not a GOR game -- home school's league always gets the TV $.)

9. vs. Iowa (instead of vs. Iowa State): TV $ -> B12 -> B1G (GOR home game: Under the GOR, Kansas gets its share of B12 $ when B12 disbursements are made; this B12 share is presumably transferred by Kansas to the B1G after Kansas is paid by B12.)

10. vs. Purdue (instead of vs. TCU): TV $ -> B12 -> B1G (GOR home game: Under the GOR, Kansas gets its share of B12 $ when B12 disbursements are made; this B12 share is presumably transferred by Kansas to the B1G after Kansas is paid by B12.)

11. @ Michigan State (instead of @ Oklahoma): TV $ -> B1G (Not a GOR game -- home school's league always gets the TV $.)

12. @ Indiana (instead of @ Kansas State): TV $ -> B1G (Not a GOR game -- home school's league always gets the TV $.)

***

In the end, even though there is a B12 GOR in place, the B1G would get all of Kansas' TV revenues if Kansas left the B12 and joined the B1G, because there is no forfeiture clause in the B12 GOR. Kyle S. Lamb explains the erroneous "ownership" issue upthread.

So what's so oppressive with a GOR? What's the big deal?

Well ... very little, really. The problem in the above scenario for the B1G, for example, is that once the B1G renegotiates it TV contract, the B1G will have a better TV payout than the B12 has. Thus, by siphoning the Lincoln home games through the B12 TV contract, Kansas' share of B12 TV revenues will be less than if those games siphoned through the B1G TV contract. Hence, less money to the B1G. There's your only problem with the GOR from the pov of the B1G.

Still, if a target school is considered to be "worth it" to the B1G (or to any other conference) over the long-term, the B12 GOR is not some monstrous, monolithic obstacle to league migration. The B12 GOR can be worked around without violating that GOR's terms and conditions. I can't speak as to the ACC GOR-Bylaws because those have not been published.

To repeat: the questions revolve not around the B12 GOR, but rather, the questions are whether Kansas, Oklahoma, and/or Texas feel like migrating to another conference, GOR notwithstanding. Well, that and whether the new league (the B1G in this example) is willing to take less money until June 2025, when the B12 GOR finally expires, in order to add schools of the caliber of Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas.

So ... the problem is not the B12 GOR. The problem is the forfeiture language in the B12 Bylaws. It's the B12 Bylaws that are the obstacle to league migration, not so much the GOR. The B12 Bylaws do not appear to have been changed for any consideration (although this is not clear).

What's the relevance of all this to UConn?

Well, UConn is available to the B1G and to the ACC right now, but hasn't been tapped. Why not? My guess is UConn has not been tapped because the B1G is considering UConn only as a school to pair with some other school.

The ACC is stuck at #14 because ND won't go to #15 "all in". ND is essentially blocking further expansion of the ACC, IMO. If ND goes "all in" (possibly to stave off a B1G raid on UVA), then UConn may get the call from the ACC to pair with ND.

What other schools are likely to pair with UConn? Since the SEC does not have a GOR, would an SEC school be available to pair with UConn? Personally, I think the SEC is exceedingly doubtful. The SEC is a destination league, not a target league. Is Vanderbilt really going to leave the SEC for the B1G? Is Missouri? If so, UConn may be golden. I just wouldn't hold my breath waiting for an SEC school.

If not the SEC, that leaves the B12 and the ACC from which to pair a school with UConn. I argue throughout this thread that it is the B12 -- and specifically Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas -- and not the ACC, that is most likely to be raided next.

Which is perfect for UConn because there is only 3 desirable schools in the B12 for the B1G, meaning UConn could become part of a pair either at #16 or at #18. UConn's best hope may be for Kansas to remain restless, especially if the B1G does hit $44.5M per school by 2017. The B12 cannot keep up with that kind of money and Kansas is predisposed to leave the B12 anyway.

 

[chitown76]

If the B1G were to get Texas and Oklahoma, what becomes of the remaining Big XII? Poach, or be poached.

The big would probably have to get Kansas before they go after Oklahoma or

Let's look at a theoretical breakdown of how the B12 GOR (just the GOR) would affect the B1G, if one of the B12 schools migrated to the B1G before the expiration of the B12 GOR.

We'll use a typical 12-game regular season, with the usual 6 home, 6 away games. Let's pick Kansas' 2014 football schedule, but plug in random B1G schools in place of B12 schools (because we're assuming Kansas joined the B1G and left the B12).

1. vs. SW Missouri State: TV $ -> B1G (Not a GOR home game -- this low-level game is probably Kansas' one home Tier 3 football game per year that Kansas retains -- the so-called B12 retained "Tier 3 game". The B12 GOR does not apply to any B12 school's Tier 3 game. Either this game or the Central Michigan game is Kansas' Tier 3 game. I pick this one for our discussion.)

2. @ Duke: TV $ -> ACC (Not a GOR game -- home school's league always gets the TV $.)

3. vs. Central Michigan: TV $ -> B12 -> B1G (GOR home game: Under the GOR, Kansas gets its share of B12 $ when disbursements are made; this B12 share is presumably transferred by Kansas to the B1G after Kansas is paid by B12.)

4. vs. Ohio State (instead of vs. Texas): TV $ -> B12 -> B1G (GOR home game: Under the GOR, Kansas gets its share of B12 $ when B12 disbursements are made; this B12 share is presumably transferred by Kansas to the B1G after Kansas is paid by B12.)

5. @ Northwestern (instead of @ West Virginia): TV $ -> B1G (Not a GOR game -- home school's league always gets the TV $.)

6. vs. Nebraska (instead of vs. Oklahoma State): TV $ -> B12 -> B1G (GOR home game: Under the GOR, Kansas gets its share of B12 $ when B12 disbursements are made; this B12 share is presumably transferred by Kansas to the B1G after Kansas is paid by B12.)

7. @ Minnesota (instead of @ Texas Tech): TV $ -> B1G (Not a GOR game -- home school's league always gets the TV $.)

8. @ Wisconsin (instead of @ Baylor): TV $ -> B1G (Not a GOR game -- home school's league always gets the TV $.)

9. vs. Iowa (instead of vs. Iowa State): TV $ -> B12 -> B1G (GOR home game: Under the GOR, Kansas gets its share of B12 $ when B12 disbursements are made; this B12 share is presumably transferred by Kansas to the B1G after Kansas is paid by B12.)

10. vs. Purdue (instead of vs. TCU): TV $ -> B12 -> B1G (GOR home game: Under the GOR, Kansas gets its share of B12 $ when B12 disbursements are made; this B12 share is presumably transferred by Kansas to the B1G after Kansas is paid by B12.)

11. @ Michigan State (instead of @ Oklahoma): TV $ -> B1G (Not a GOR game -- home school's league always gets the TV $.)

12. @ Indiana (instead of @ Kansas State): TV $ -> B1G (Not a GOR game -- home school's league always gets the TV $.)

***

In the end, even though there is a B12 GOR in place, the B1G would get all of Kansas' TV revenues if Kansas left the B12 and joined the B1G, because there is no forfeiture clause in the B12 GOR. Kyle S. Lamb explains the erroneous "ownership" issue upthread.

So what's so oppressive with a GOR? What's the big deal?

Well ... very little, really. The problem in the above scenario for the B1G, for example, is that all those B1G games played in Lincoln Kansas will almost certainly earn the B1G much less TV money than if the B1G could televise those games under its TV contract.

Once the B1G renegotiates it TV contract, the B1G will have a better TV payout than the B12 has. Thus, by siphoning the Lincoln home games through the B12 TV contract, Kansas' share of B12 TV revenues will be less than if those games siphoned through the B1G TV contract. Hence, less money to the B1G. There's your only problem with the GOR from the pov of the B1G.

Still, if a school were considered to be "worth it" to the B1G (or any other conference), the GOR is not some monstrous, monolithic obstacle to league migration. The B12 GOR, at least, can be worked around without violating that GOR's terms and conditions.

The questions revolve not around the B12 GOR, but whether, the questions are whether Kansas, Oklahoma, and/or Texas feel like migrating to another conference -- GOR notwithstanding. Well, that and whether the new league (the B1G in this example) is willing to take a little less money until June 2025, when the B12 GOR finally expires.

The problem is not the B12 GOR. The problem is the forfeiture language in the B12 Bylaws. It's the B12 Bylaws that are the obstacle to league migration, not so much the GOR.

What's the relevance of all this to UConn?

Well, UConn is available to the B1G and to the ACC right now, but hasn't been tapped. Why not? My guess is UConn has not been tapped because the B1G is considering UConn only as a school to pair with some other school.

The ACC is stuck at #14 because ND won't go to #15 "all in". ND is essentially blocking further expansion of the ACC, IMO. If ND goes "all in" (possibly to stave off a B1G raid on UVA), then UConn may get the call from the ACC to pair with ND.

What other schools are likely to pair with UConn? An SEC school (since the SEC has no GOR)? Doubtful. The SEC is a destination league, not a target league. Is Vanderbilt really going to leave the SEC for the B1G? Or Missouri? If so, UConn may be golden.

If not, that leaves the B12 and the ACC from which to pair a school with UConn. I argue throughout this thread that it is the B12 -- and specifically Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas -- and not the ACC, that is most likely to be raided next.

Which is perfect for UConn because there is only 3 desirable schools in the B12 for the B1G, meaning UConn could become part of a pair either at #16 or at #18. UConn's best hope may be for Kansas to remain restless, especially if the B1G does hit $44.5M per school by 2017. The B12 cannot keep up with that kind of money and Kansas is predisposed to leave the B12 anyway.

If the big sees value in Kansas and UConn and the gor cant be broken I don't see why the big would not go ahead and take Kansas its only ten more years after that you would get a hell of a return on your investment. Then Oklahoma and Texas would most definently be looking to leave and I think the big would have the advantage sports is chump change the cic is where the money is at

 

[chitown76]

If this can be done why would the big not do it . UConn brings the rest of the northeast plus a blueblood . Kansas is a blue blood in basketball. Then Oklahoma and Texas are bluebloods and with Kansas all states are connected . Its all theories but fun to think about anyway.

 

[chitown76]

By 2017 UConn is in the big the insiders are even saying it two years ago UConn wasn't even talked about by big fans or insiders for being invited now there at the top of the list I truly look forward to seeing UConn in Chicago

 

[XOVERX]

If the big sees value in Kansas and UConn and the GOR can be broken I don't see why the big would not go ahead and take Kansas its only ten more years after that you would get a hell of a return on your investment. Then Oklahoma and Texas would most definitely be looking to leave and I think the big would have the advantage sports is chump change the CIC is where the money is at.

Well, there is the issue of the B12 Bylaws, which do contain TV forfeiture language -- and rather ferocious forfeiture language at that! While the amendment of the B12 Bylaws may be without legal consideration, any school leaving the B12 (or league taking in a B12 school) would be taking a massive risk before the expiration of the GOR. Risk creates stress, stress creates concern, concern creates hesitation, and hesitation freezes the decision-making process.

There are other important real-world issues as well: Loyalty, concern for the well-being of other schools remaining in the league, ruptured relationships, fear of change -- all the emotional factors which play into the thinking of any decent, educated person, especially an "ivory tower" type person, such as a school President.

I agree with you on this, however: The thing those university Presidents absolutely love is academics. If you can couple upgraded academics with money (the CIC), and excellent athletics, over time you may turn the attitude of your school President to, "change will be good".

Given the Bylaws, I'm not sure any B12 school will be ready to leave the B12 until after we reach the 2020 time-frame, and beyond. I don't think the B12 or ACC will be raided in the near term.

 

[chitown76]

The big thinks different all other conferences it is about football. The big is about 1)academics, 2) markets 3) sports this is why UConn has moved up the list so fast. They have a plan to achieve aau status and with the money being spent on research by the state and university my guess would be that they have had a talk with the big about what it would take to get an invitation and they are following the big guideline to membership to a tee. I don't know if the big would touch North Carolina right now because of the allegations of academic fraud .

 

[pj]

Given the Bylaws, I'm not sure any B12 school will be ready to leave the B12 until after we reach the 2020 time-frame, and beyond. I don't think the B12 or ACC will be raided in the near term.

I agree and this is why I'm hoping the B1G decides to go to 15, secure the northeast, and wait to expand to 16 or 18. UConn would make whatever accommodations the B1G needed to make a 15-team schedule work.

 

[SubbaBub]

Like I said, UCONN brings the DC market...
https://www.facebook.com/UConn

How can anyone think they could improve on that face?

 

[chitown76]

UConn has a lot of momentum going into the next round of expansion I'm not a UConn fan but I respect the program ( how could anybody not) and I feel bad for the fans of UConn they should be able to compete or have the chance to compete for national titles every year they have earned that right. I'm a Illinois fan and our program has not accomplished jack while UConn has won multi national championships in basketball. If UConn is going to be left out that would be a true crime and it would disgust me. Like I have said repeatedly UConn will be in the big by 2017 they bring a lot more value than just demographics they are one of the few schools that people will pay to watch play if you came to Illinois assembly hall would be sold out in a couple days if not hours keep believing it will happen and I cant wait to see UConn live by the way this board is the best board on the internet and thanks for having me on here

 

[SouthronCross]

The big thinks different all other conferences it is about football. The big is about 1)academics, 2) markets 3) sports this is why UConn has moved up the list so fast. They have a plan to achieve aau status and with the money being spent on research by the state and university my guess would be that they have had a talk with the big about what it would take to get an invitation and they are following the big guideline to membership to a tee. I don't know if the big would touch North Carolina right now because of the allegations of academic fraud .

You are correct when you say 'right now.'

The academic fraud scandal will blow over, eventually.

And, Carolina will still be an elite public university, with a solid athletic department, in a fast-growing state that is a large, untapped market for both the B1G and SEC.

 

[DarthGrumpy]

You are correct when you say 'right now.'

The academic fraud scandal will blow over, eventually.

And, Carolina will still be an elite public university, with a solid athletic department, in a fast-growing state that is a large, untapped market for both the B1G and SEC.

That statement is only true if the NCAA does not grow a pair and do the right thing by severely penalizing UNC should any of McCants' allegations prove to be true. McCants' may be a crackpot; but, his story appears to collaborate with what others have said. Of course, I have no confidence that the NCAA will follow it's own rule and fully investigate has or has not taken place.

 

[Rondogg]

UConn has a lot of momentum going into the next round of expansion I'm not a UConn fan but I respect the program ( how could anybody not) and I feel bad for the fans of UConn they should be able to compete or have the chance to compete for national titles every year they have earned that right. I'm a Illinois fan and our program has not accomplished jack while UConn has won multi national championships in basketball. If UConn is going to be left out that would be a true crime and it would disgust me. Like I have said repeatedly UConn will be in the big by 2017 they bring a lot more value than just demographics they are one of the few schools that people will pay to watch play if you came to Illinois assembly hall would be sold out in a couple days if not hours keep believing it will happen and I cant wait to see UConn live by the way this board is the best board on the internet and thanks for having me on here

You. I like you.

 

[SouthronCross]

That statement is only true if the NCAA does not grow a pair and do the right thing by severely penalizing UNC should any of McCants' allegations prove to be true. McCants' may be a crackpot; but, his story appears to collaborate with what others have said. Of course, I have no confidence that the NCAA will follow it's own rule and fully investigate has or has not taken place.

Thats fair enough, but, his version of what happened, and, those of his former teammates, do not jive. If what he said is true, the NC SBI and Wainstein investigations going on right now will bring this out.

 

[Nostical]

UConn is one of few teams people will pay to watch play. If you came to Illinois assembly hall would be sold out in a couple days if not hours. keep believing it will happen and I cant wait to see UConn live. by the way this board is the best board on the internet and thanks for having me on here

Thanks for the encouraging words. The other team that would fill Assembly Hall and the other B1G arenas is UConn's women's basketball team. Many like to dismiss women's BBall but when Title IX is a concern for these institutions, having the Huskies come to town would create a lot of buzz and help the B1G Network with programming.

 

[jdb50]

UConn has a lot of momentum going into the next round of expansion I'm not a UConn fan but I respect the program ( how could anybody not) and I feel bad for the fans of UConn they should be able to compete or have the chance to compete for national titles every year they have earned that right. I'm a Illinois fan and our program has not accomplished jack while UConn has won multi national championships in basketball. If UConn is going to be left out that would be a true crime and it would disgust me. Like I have said repeatedly UConn will be in the big by 2017 they bring a lot more value than just demographics they are one of the few schools that people will pay to watch play if you came to Illinois assembly hall would be sold out in a couple days if not hours keep believing it will happen and I cant wait to see UConn live by the way this board is the best board on the internet and thanks for having me on here

Well, I've been watching the hockey game and drinking so I can say I love you man.