(1): Just as Navy, San Diego State, and Boise State had football only options, UConn would too. A C7 for all sports and other conference (nBE?) for football would be an improvement on the current deal. If we go football only in the NBE, we're obviously better off. If it's OK to let Navy be football only, why wouldn't it be OK to let UConn? So we don't lose anything.
(2) I admit the MWC part is doubtful, but not so much as you think -- MWC teams have god-awful travel as it is, UConn is not terribly more expensive or longer to fly to than many MWC destinations, and the MWC might like northeast TV exposure -- but I was using the MWC as a stand-in for any of the second-tier conferences. For example, the MAC might give us a preferential deal like Boise got in the MWC. $3 mn for bball + $2 mn for fball would be more than double what the proposed contract gives for all sports.
(3) Why form a new conference? Because Aresco designed the old conference to go to 12 to have a conference championship game assuming that would increase revenue. It's now been proven that it doesn't, in fact the dilution from worthless programs is more negative than a championship game is positive. If we take the best 7 teams, have a 6-game conference schedule, and schedule more marquee OOC games with ACC/B1G/SEC/Pac/B12 teams, we'll generate far more TV revenue, far more gate revenue, and be far more visible on the national scene.
