Is UConn dying? | Page 9 | The Boneyard

Is UConn dying?

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Feels good to have @frankthetank posting on the board again. Probably warrants moving to its own thread for visibility, I doubt many people get to see it as it’s drowned out in 1,000 non value added opinions.
 
uconnphil2016 said:
It's honestly criminal--especially the hockey arena part. Robbing the state while pinching pennies in revenue sports and pushing through a severely underdeveloped hockey arena plan. We're spending tens of millions of dollars and none of it is being spent well. There need to be serious conversations about the viability of spending over $50 mil on a hockey arena in the midst of this. Heck, even conversations on fielding a hockey team. We're in a budget crisis where we're wringing our hands over spending $100k extra to keep coordinators while simultaneously pushing through insane building plans. Something isn't right.
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Making some contractors rich though. Absolutely no kickbacks happening here of course.
 
I mean at this point though -

-If football was in the *black* at $8.7 million
-If Basketball was n the *black* at $5.1 million
-If W Basketball was in the *black* at $3.1 million

That's only $16.9 million. More digestible, but it's not even half the budget. And you can even DOUBLE the TV revenue. Heck, TRIPLE it, and we're not at $25 million, even.

What the heck is going on in that Department?


And I see a lot of 'well they just need to get better sponsorship agreements and could get some better deals'....

But I mean.. can they? I've sold sports sponsorships and it's not like you just wave a wand and that happens. Sponsors value eyes, ears, affinity and well... they value... value. This is a department people aren't watching, that's been dealing with a fired coach fight, an NCAA investigation, can't pay it's own defensive coodinators and clearly can't manage its bottom line. Like... at all. What brand wants to be next to that.

Ticket sales are down, ratings are down, exposure is down.... And they're just gonna go out there, throw their yams on the table and charge top dollar for that and expect to get it? TV rights might help a little bit, but sponsorships? No way.

And where's the other revenue opportunities? Group sales? Have you been to Gampel? Or the Civic Center?

They keep saying they need to increase revenue, but I don't see where that's possible until everyone is good again - and honest to god - that's not going to make as much of a difference as people think.

I just don't see where the 'enhance revenue' option is here... right now.

I really feel like they've gotta start cutting.
 
3rdbass said:
I'm just glad my brother and I decided to go to UCONN's last final four. It was our 4th time going to it together(we only missed 1999 when I just had moved to the ATL). Logistically it can be a pain since he lives in Oakland and I'm in Atlanta. We still made it work after he had just got married and spent a lot of money for his wedding. I'm so glad I was able to convince him to do it as we both thought this could be our last chance due to conference realignment and how UCONN fit into it.
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Was it over when the German's bombed Pearl Harbor? Hell no! And it ain't over now!
 
Towney007 said:
I mean at this point though -

-If football was in the *black* at $8.7 million
-If Basketball was n the *black* at $5.1 million
-If W Basketball was in the *black* at $3.1 million

That's only $16.9 million. More digestible, but it's not even half the budget. And you can even DOUBLE the TV revenue. Heck, TRIPLE it, and we're not at $25 million, even.

What the heck is going on in that Department?


And I see a lot of 'well they just need to get better sponsorship agreements and could get some better deals'....

But I mean.. can they? I've sold sports sponsorships and it's not like you just wave a wand and that happens. Sponsors value eyes, ears, affinity and well... they value... value. This is a department people aren't watching, that's been dealing with a fired coach fight, an NCAA investigation, can't pay it's own defensive coodinators and clearly can't manage its bottom line. Like... at all. What brand wants to be next to that.

Ticket sales are down, ratings are down, exposure is down.... And they're just gonna go out there, throw their yams on the table and charge top dollar for that and expect to get it? TV rights might help a little bit, but sponsorships? No way.

And where's the other revenue opportunities? Group sales? Have you been to Gampel? Or the Civic Center?

They keep saying they need to increase revenue, but I don't see where that's possible until everyone is good again - and honest to god - that's not going to make as much of a difference as people think.

I just don't see where the 'enhance revenue' option is here... right now.

I really feel like they've gotta start cutting.
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Most of the lost football fans are never coming back - short of some level of success that isn’t going to happen.
 
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Towney007 said:
I mean at this point though -

-If football was in the *black* at $8.7 million
-If Basketball was n the *black* at $5.1 million
-If W Basketball was in the *black* at $3.1 million

That's only $16.9 million. More digestible, but it's not even half the budget. And you can even DOUBLE the TV revenue. Heck, TRIPLE it, and we're not at $25 million, even.

What the heck is going on in that Department?


And I see a lot of 'well they just need to get better sponsorship agreements and could get some better deals'....

But I mean.. can they? I've sold sports sponsorships and it's not like you just wave a wand and that happens. Sponsors value eyes, ears, affinity and well... they value... value. This is a department people aren't watching, that's been dealing with a fired coach fight, an NCAA investigation, can't pay it's own defensive coodinators and clearly can't manage its bottom line. Like... at all. What brand wants to be next to that.

Ticket sales are down, ratings are down, exposure is down.... And they're just gonna go out there, throw their yams on the table and charge top dollar for that and expect to get it? TV rights might help a little bit, but sponsorships? No way.

And where's the other revenue opportunities? Group sales? Have you been to Gampel? Or the Civic Center?

They keep saying they need to increase revenue, but I don't see where that's possible until everyone is good again - and honest to god - that's not going to make as much of a difference as people think.

I just don't see where the 'enhance revenue' option is here... right now.

I really feel like they've gotta start cutting.
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And people still question why they didn't just pay KO his money to be gone? Cause they're broke.
 
intlzncster said:
Was it over when the German's bombed Pearl Harbor? Hell no! And it ain't over now!
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It might be over from us ever winning a national championship again. Especially if the P5 breakaway from us. Germans? I hope you are being sarcastic as it was the Japanese.
 
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whaler11 said:
Most of the lost football fans are never coming back - short of some level of success that isn’t going to happen.
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It's a 40k stadium. They can fill it again if they're not trotting a product that makes you want punch yourself in the face.
 
noeynox said:
It's a 40k stadium. They can fill it again if they're not trotting a product that makes you want punch yourself in the face.
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Once you lose customers its really hard to get them back.
 
uconnphil2016 said:
Randy will go 15-0 next year. Mark my words. We’ve got Joe Pesci at DC.
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DC is a sign of cultural improvement. As in we can attract employees from a solid organization. Simple HR stuff.
 
whaler11 said:
Once you lose customers its really hard to get them back.
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It would take sustained winning and maybe a conference change to fill the Rent again.

Sustained winning in another conference will be a lot of work.
 
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intlzncster said:
And an old boneyard meme.....which has kind of died....because we aren't playing in any games of consequence these days.
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They played a game of consequence in the Rent this season. UConn beat URI 4-3 in one of the best football matches you'll ever see.
 
Slasher said:
The Germans didn't bomb Pearl Harbor....
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whaler11 said:
Once you lose customers its really hard to get them back.
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I get that. But there are enough people to usher in new customers. Its gonna take some forward thinking and we know UConn athletics hasn't had that since Lew Perkins left but it can be done. I would start by trying to renegotiate the deal that gives them zilch from the concessions at games and then make the price of games as low as possible. They have to think differently.
 
noeynox said:
I get that. But there are enough people to usher in new customers. Its gonna take some forward thinking and we know UConn athletics hasn't had that since Lew Perkins left but it can be done. I would start by trying to renegotiate the deal that gives them zilch from the concessions at games and then make the price of games as low as possible. They have to think differently.
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whaler11 said:
Once you lose customers its really hard to get them back.
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I'm in between. There are some people that will never go back to the games because the novelty is gone and we are stuck in a horrible league. I don't think we're going to see 40k strong week in week out anymore.

With that said, even if there is some semblance of fun, some semblance of success, an iota of any meaning in these games, I don't think it's a stretch to see upper 20s regularly.

I mean, I much prefer the Old Big East, but at the same token, I'd love to go to a game and actually see us compete with UCF, Houston, Cincinnati, and Temple, etc. Our traditional regional rivals ain't walking through that door, but there still can be meaningful games played at The Rent that would appeal to some of the base.
 
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If UConn is dying, so is the entire AAC, as illustrated by these articles from the past year:

Cincy with $102 million deficit between 2014 and 2017:
Soaring subsidies: UC’s four-year athletic deficit up to nearly $102 million

45% of Houston's AD budget from student fees (but luckily they have that billionaire benefactor):
University of Houston faces a widening money gap to keep pace in big-time sports

40% of UCF's AD budget from student fees (which will probably increase once they stop making New Years' 6 bowls):
UCF athletics apply student fees in attempt to bridge financial handicap

Basically, the upper half of the conference is deficit spending or relying heavily on subsidies from other university funds like student fees in an attempt to remain attractive to the P5 if there is more expansion at the next window. To most of these schools, taking on water seems like the best plan while hoping and waiting for a lifeline from the P5. I hope for UConn's sake that lifeline comes (to us), but I'm preparing for another painful kick to the groin. As some have noted, as the revenue gap grows, the P5 may lose incentive to throw any more lifelines.
 
SL Husky said:
If UConn is dying, so is the entire AAC, as illustrated by these articles from the past year:

Cincy with $102 million deficit between 2014 and 2017:
Soaring subsidies: UC’s four-year athletic deficit up to nearly $102 million

45% of Houston's AD budget from student fees (but luckily they have that billionaire benefactor):
University of Houston faces a widening money gap to keep pace in big-time sports

40% of UCF's AD budget from student fees (which will probably increase once they stop making New Years' 6 bowls):
UCF athletics apply student fees in attempt to bridge financial handicap

Basically, the upper half of the conference is deficit spending or relying heavily on subsidies from other university funds like student fees in an attempt to remain attractive to the P5 if there is more expansion at the next window. To most of these schools, taking on water seems like the best plan while hoping and waiting for a lifeline from the P5. I hope for UConn's sake that lifeline comes (to us), but I'm preparing for another painful kick to the groin. As some have noted, as the revenue gap grows, the P5 may lose incentive to throw any more lifelines.
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Exactly this isn't unique to UConn. What compounds our situation is historic levels of suckage leading to empty venues. I'm sorry you just can't be this bad and bemoan attendance figures. Susan and DB chastising fans about supporting the programs in good times and in bad. , WITH THAT MESS.
 
Zissou said:
In the Big East the tv cash for basketball will be similar to the AAC cash for football. The Big East can be a more fiscally responsible permanent spot, or it can be a more fiscally responsible holding spot while dreaming of a P5 invite.

The AAC puts about 90% value on football. Join the Big East and try to negotiate keeping football in the American. The American wants the football more than anything else anyway. Double dip both conferences.

In the Big East regional rivals return and travel decreases for all non rev sports plus hoops.

If the American “football only” deal can’t be negotiated successfully, like the Navy model, then the back-up is going Indy in football and cutting some costs. Cut back to MAC level costs and play Indy. It really should not diminish the chances of a P5 invite. You may end up with a better schedule.

As a side note, make the Big East deal contingent on a FS1 renewal for more $$$. Use the change in conferences as a rightful requirement to have a TV deal in place. IMHO, UConn hoops brings added value for the NE and NYC. (Much more than football can).

I’d welcome UConn home with open arms.
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For a basketball conference that is doing so well, I feel a tinge of something in this post, and others like it from BE guys. I don’t think the grass is necessarily so green. That said it still might be the closest you get to the old school BE (even if not that close).

I wish I could say it will be alright. I’ve been a fan of UConn’s work since they killed Brand & Co way back when. But this has the feel of a choose your own adventure where every ending is you dead and the only question is if your story lasts 20 pages or 2. I’m unsure the way forward, short of getting the FSU, ND, and Clemson presidents drunk and caught in a compromising position with a dead hooker. Now there’s a thought.
 
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JeepCSC said:
I wish I could say it will be alright. I’ve been a UConn fan since they killed Brand & Co way back when. But this has the feel of a choose your own adventure where every ending is you dead and the only question is if your story lasts 20 pages or 2. I’m unsure the way forward, short of getting the FSU, ND, and Clemson presidents drunk and caught in a compromising position with a dead hooker. Now there’s a thought.
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11 pages in and we're finally getting somewhere. Bravo
 
noeynox said:
It's funny. Usually some people who advocate to drop football will tell us we can't drop other sports.
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Not sure about your perception of humor, but dropping other men’s sports could be a consideration. Football? Clearly, need some wins, increasing evidence of ship turning positive, player development, enhanced recruiting, etc the next few years. No apparent humor exists with either topic.
 
Walker11 said:
The reason the Big East has low ratings on FS1 is largely because of FS1. This is never mentioned in the viewership discussion. There is a reason no one watches Skip on FS1 but he had great numbers when on ESPN.
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Correct, and it's all relative. FS1 is doing better with their current programming than they did with their last iteration.
 
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