Key tweets, and it's all gone to Hell.

[huskidork]

Predictions from Athlon. It sounds like Memphis and USF are just about a sure thing next round.

https://athlonsports.com/college-fo...ege-football-conference-realignment-expansion

The MAC Becomes a 14-Team League

UMass will join the MAC next year (2025) to bring the MAC membership to 13 teams. Even if the conference prefers all-sports members, the MAC eventually grows by one with a football-only deal with UConn.

And if UConn isn't the right fit, perhaps a FCS team (maybe Illinois State?) fits as the No. 14 member.


Translation ... if UConn football isn't worthy / good enough for the MAC they would look for more viable FCS options.

no I think he means UConn is likely not interested, because other conferences with more to offer are in our potential future and the MAC would be a move down in every way,
likely the MAC takes an FCS or convinces a CUSA team like Delaware somehow.

 

[JohnFSilver]

But would we if there wasn't a full share opportunity?

Tough question. Like, is there value in being less broke?

We are short $40m, they give us $20m and we still are at a deficit and we are unhappy.

 

[huskidork]

If the Big XII said come on down for $10m/yr basketball and $5m/yr football with potential for full shares if we meet performance metrics then we'd do it in a heart beat

I actually really like this idea.

 

[GoConn]

I actually really like this idea.

me too, we should offer this ASAP

 

[Forte]

Well I am very glad to see a reptuable reporter saying Yormak/Big12 has renewed interest.....just add us already!

Unfortunately, it's not Yormak who we need interest from...

 

[NowInStorrs]

Unfortunately, it's not Yormak who we need interest from...

I would think BYU and the Arizona schools would be fairly receptive to UConn as an add. Basketball is important to them. Could tip things in our favor compared to before.

 

[UConnTrumbull]

I would think BYU and the Arizona schools would be fairly receptive to UConn as an add. Basketball is important to them. Could tip things in our favor compared to before.

Was there ever a straw poll that suggested the XII presidents didn’t want UConn or was it always they were waiting for the PAC to collapse? Could be a similar situation with the ACC soon.

 

[Forte]

Was there ever a straw poll that suggested the XII presidents didn’t want UConn or was it always they were waiting for the PAC to collapse? Could be a similar situation with the ACC soon.

I think Yormark had the UConn votes (with hesitancy/skeptism from a number of BIG12 Presidents). UConn was from what I understand by those in the know and also what was confirmed later on in articles by Presidents a shoe in, much like with the ACC until the 11th hour. It took an entire conference to collapse to end it and the rug was pulled fast.

 

[Bongo Fury]

Unfortunately, it's not Yormak who we need interest from...

Yeah, Yormark is like that crazy slick Yankee but seems like they are lucky to have him.

 

[huskidork]

if it wasn't for Arizona, Arizona State and Utah joining the Big 12 we probably would have been in, Big 12 schools seem very receptive to UConn but were hesitant because they were waiting on those 3 schools decision, they'd much rather Colorado, Zona, ASU, and Utah than UConn and Colorado.

 

[Ha Who]

I would think BYU and the Arizona schools would be fairly receptive to UConn as an add. Basketball is important to them. Could tip things in our favor compared to before.

 

[noeynox]

Tough question. Like, is there value in being less broke?

We are short $40m, they give us $20m and we still are at a deficit and we are unhappy.

I look at like this. They're funding BB at the top of the sport. Literally the top. Some or most of the additional revenue should go toward making FB more competitive, especially assistant coach pay at the coordinator spots.

 

[CJasmer]

I look at like this. They're funding BB at the top of the sport. Literally the top. Some or most of the additional revenue should go toward making FB more competitive, especially assistant coach pay at the coordinator spots.

Will UConn do that? Boosters had no problem funding men’s basketball. Has UConn budgeted more money for football recruiting? Right now women’s basketball has same budget for recruiting. Is there another FBS team that does that?

 

[ninety-nine]

I think Yormark had the UConn votes (with hesitancy/skeptism from a number of BIG12 Presidents). UConn was from what I understand by those in the know and also what was confirmed later on in articles by Presidents a shoe in, much like with the ACC until the 11th hour. It took an entire conference to collapse to end it and the rug was pulled fast.

UConn was not a shoo-in, and it should be obvious by now it will never be a shoo-in to a power conference. At best, we were a bubble school that could have gotten an invite under the right set of circumstances. People always judge UConn in terms of what might go wrong, instead of what could go right (unlike most other candidates).

 

[freescooter]

I would think BYU and the Arizona schools would be fairly receptive to UConn as an add. Basketball is important to them. Could tip things in our favor compared to before.

Kansas and KState too. Baylor as well

 

[huskymedic]

Assisted access <<

-> Of course, there’s always the possibility of more conference realignment as soon as this summer. Clemson and Florida State have sued the ACC over disagreements related to its grant of rights. Yormark hasn’t been shy about the potential of basketball, saying again this week that the Big 12 is exploring selling football and basketball as separate TV deals in 2030. The possibility of adding Gonzaga hasn’t come together. UConn the last non-Notre Dame football independent standing, has won consecutive men’s basketball national titles, but feelings within the league on the Huskies remain mixed.

Yormark hasn’t touched that realignment topic publicly since his comment two years ago, saying he’s only focused on the 16. But he’s prepared for more change. So while discussing the various sponsorship and revenue possibilities for the league, he went back to the well.

“I guess you could say we’re still open for business,” he said.

Take that however you’d like. <-

 

[metsfan2323]

The ACC probably looks at UConn as part of its post raid survival kit. If the Big 12 added UConn now they actually weaken the ACC and make the ACC post raid leftovers more likely to flee to the B12.

 

[jostar1]

I think Yormark had the UConn votes (with hesitancy/skeptism from a number of BIG12 Presidents). UConn was from what I understand by those in the know and also what was confirmed later on in articles by Presidents a shoe in, much like with the ACC until the 11th hour. It took an entire conference to collapse to end it and the rug was pulled fast.

From last August:

Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark says UConn wasn’t added ‘only because dream scenario unfolded’

On Wednesday’s edition of the Marchand and Ourand Sports Media Podcast, hosted by the New York Post’s Andrew Marchand and Sports Business Journal’s John Ourand, Yormark confirmed that the conference had discussions with UConn and said that it took a dream scenario to deny the Huskies.

“I did have conversations with UConn and Gonzaga, and unfortunately, things didn’t work out, only because the dream scenario unfolded for us. So those conversations are no longer,” Yormark said. “I’m a big admirer of both of those programs, they’re fantastic for all the right reasons. But right now I’m focused on the transition of those four (schools) in right now.”

Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark says UConn wasn’t added ‘only because dream scenario unfolded’

UConn was left on the outside looking in on conference realignment once again, and Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark said on a podcast Wednesday that the reason was because “a dream scenario&…

www.courant.com

 

[JMick]

Assisted access <<

-> Of course, there’s always the possibility of more conference realignment as soon as this summer. Clemson and Florida State have sued the ACC over disagreements related to its grant of rights. Yormark hasn’t been shy about the potential of basketball, saying again this week that the Big 12 is exploring selling football and basketball as separate TV deals in 2030. The possibility of adding Gonzaga hasn’t come together. UConn the last non-Notre Dame football independent standing, has won consecutive men’s basketball national titles, but feelings within the league on the Huskies remain mixed.

Yormark hasn’t touched that realignment topic publicly since his comment two years ago, saying he’s only focused on the 16. But he’s prepared for more change. So while discussing the various sponsorship and revenue possibilities for the league, he went back to the well.

“I guess you could say we’re still open for business,” he said.

Take that however you’d like. <-

I still find it really strange how many schools don't want us to be in their conference. It makes no sense to me when you compare us to a lot of other schools

 

[JohnFSilver]

I still find it really strange how many schools don't want us to be in their conference. It makes no sense to me when you compare us to a lot of other schools

Independently the decisions not to asd UConn make sense, logically, in isolation.

But when you add up all the scenarios out there, the fact we are on the outside is quite shocking. It just has not broken our way.

 

[djct1999]

Thank god for UConn Basketball. The brand is so strong and our ability to keep Hurley at such a high salary proves our commitment to sports.

 

[CL82]

Independently the decisions not to asd UConn make sense, logically, in isolation.

Agree. They were separate and distinct reasons for separate and distinct points of time. The problem is that, cumulatively, they have left a bit of a stank around us. we have been on the outside looking in for so long that there is almost a presumption that that result is due to us being somehow unworthy.

It is fascinating though to look at the reasons for each rejection and how the eventual decision worked out for the conference.

BCU "wanted to be the New England team" and didn't want to have to compete with us. Ironically, that left them floating on an island of irrelevancy.

FSU decided to flex its muscles against tobacco road and push for the addition of "a football school". The ACC caved in order to placate FSU. But in the end FSU was not plated and still continues to be a source of instability for the league.

Big 12 version 1 fizzled because BYU's "don't say gay" policy made them temporarily unpalatable as a conference realignment partner. If that expansion had taken place, Connecticut was considered one of the top prospects.

In big 12 version 2 we were within 24 hours of being an addition, but the opportunity to add existing "P5" programs pushed us out at the 11th hour. The school that took her place has quietly indicated that it is unhappy with the big 12 and would go elsewhere if the opportunity presented itself.

In each of these times a different reason came up to block Connecticut. In each of these times Connecticut would have been a better choice as things turned out. I don't know if we will ever get off the island of misfit toys, but in the near term I plan on continuing to enjoy winning national championships. It's not a bad "consolation prize".

 

[KryHavok]

“I did have conversations with UConn and Gonzaga, and unfortunately, things didn’t work out, only because the dream scenario unfolded for us. So those conversations are no longer,” Yormark said. “I’m a big admirer of both of those programs, they’re fantastic for all the right reasons. But right now I’m focused on the transition of those four (schools) in right now.”

In other words, adding what is undoubtedly the PREMIER (or at minimum most successful) college basketball program over the last quarter century is NOT a dream scenario for the B12 and its lofty aspirations to be a football AND basketball power. Let this sink in. UConn was sacrificial bait last summer; it really didn't take the PAC to blow up to block UConn's presumed invitation...if they really wanted UConn, UConn there to be taken. A year later, rumblings of the ACC splintering. Well slap my arse with a wet kipper, another conference may blow up, and there goes another spot for UConn. Yuckmack is a shyster. He can "admire" all he wants, his words are as empty as the shelves for NCAA mens' basketball championship trophies at Arizona State, BYU, Colorado, Houston, Iowa State, Kansas State, TCU, Texas Tech, UCF, and West Virginia.

 

[NCHuskie919]

UConn basketball has to carry the flag in realignment. But don't sell Football and Baseball short. Football needs to make a bowl game this season. point blank period. Pender just needs to do what Pender does, which is being one of the most successful and unheralded coaches in the country. Honestly it's gonna fall on Mora. And I believe in him

 

[ZooCougar]

Agree. They were separate and distinct reasons for separate and distinct points of time. The problem is that, cumulatively, they have left a bit of a stank around us. we have been on the outside looking in for so long that there is almost a presumption that that result is due to us being somehow unworthy.

It is fascinating though to look at the reasons for each rejection and how the eventual decision worked out for the conference.

BCU "wanted to be the New England team" and didn't want to have to compete with us. Ironically, that left them floating on an island of irrelevancy.

FSU decided to flex its muscles against tobacco road and push for the addition of "a football school". The ACC caved in order to placate FSU. But in the end FSU was not plated and still continues to be a source of instability for the league.

Big 12 version 1 fizzled because BYU's "don't say gay" policy made them temporarily unpalatable as a conference realignment partner. If that expansion had taken place, Connecticut was considered one of the top prospects.

In big 12 version 2 we were within 24 hours of being an addition, but the opportunity to add existing "P5" programs pushed us out at the 11th hour. The school that took her place has quietly indicated that it is unhappy with the big 12 and would go elsewhere if the opportunity presented itself.

In each of these times a different reason came up to block Connecticut. In each of these times Connecticut would have been a better choice as things turned out. I don't know if we will ever get off the island of misfit toys, but in the near term I plan on continuing to enjoy winning national championships. It's not a bad "consolation prize".

It’s really amazing in this day and age that BYU is more palatable than a UConn.

I think the Big 12 would take a mulligan.