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

[bendm]

Endeavor is the name of the outside consultants the Big 12 hired specifically for branding and sports media.

Oh. Consultants shouldn’t be plural that threw me off.

 

[bendm]

Big 12 Conference Appoints WME Sports and IMG Media to Lead Global Content and Commercial Strategy

The Big 12 Conference today announced it has appointed WME Sports and IMG Media, both Endeavor companies, to facilitate its global content and commercial strategy. Leaning into the expertise of the broader Endeavor network, WME Sports and IMG Media will lead the Big 12’s:

big12sports.com

IMG is our licensing agent as well. That’s a nice coincidence.

 

[drayenob]

What is the “Big12 Consultant’s Endeavor”?

Endeavor | Sports and Entertainment

We are a global sports and entertainment company, home to many of the world’s most dynamic and engaging storytellers, brands, live events, and experiences.

endeavorco.com

 

[NJHusky]

Oh. Consultants shouldn’t be plural that threw me off.

You want media in Big 12 country to use proper English???

 

[superjohn]

You want media in Big 12 country to use proper English???

Not funny.

 

[huskymedic]

IMG is our licensing agent as well. That’s a nice coincidence.

University of Connecticut Extends Relationship with IMG - University of Connecticut Athletics

STORRS, Conn. – IMG announced today that it has agreed to a 15-year extension with the University of Connecticut to remain the exclusive multimedia rights holder

uconnhuskies.com

 

[jostar1]

 

[GG]

Putting two-and-two together, maybe that is the purpose for the leak that was made on Friday by the B12.

Initial B12 conversations with Fox about UConn expansion probably came back "there is no chance we are giving additional $ for UConn since we already have them locked in on the cheap with the Big East with the new BE contract". But the whole "all-sport in '26 and football in '31 for the B12" may be a planned leak to push them to give some additional $ for the UConn B12 expansion (certainly won't be pro-rata, but can we get half of the Fox pro-rata rate?).

Safe to say, the media partners probably get really excited about the prospect of UConn playing some of these top teams in the Big 12.

 

[Drew]

What makes no sense to me is that if we were going to be the team that goes with Colorado pre-collapse, didn't they already do this stuff? It doesn't add up. It's not like anything has materially changed

It’s a process every time, even if you lean towards an outcome you still have to go through the steps/check the boxes. Sports media landscape has changed even in the last 12 months, plus there’s 4 new Big 12 members who weren’t here to consider UConn’s candidacy last go round that need to understand the numbers, learn about the school and potential fit, etc

 

[Drew]

Big 12 presidents pitched on potential UConn addition, but lack of consensus likely to prolong decision

CBS Sports verified that six Big 12 schools are in favor of adding the Huskies if a vote were taken today

www.cbssports.com

Big 12 presidents were briefed Monday about the possible addition of UConn to the league without taking action, CBS Sports has learned. The league's lack of unanimity on the issue will require ongoing discussions as the possible next round of realignment looms, sources told CBS Sports.

CBS Sports was able to verify six Big 12 schools in favor of UConn's addition with two against if a vote were taken today. Those schools did not want to be identified because of the sensitivity of the issue. It takes a super majority (at least 12 of the 16 Big 12 schools) to approve such a move.

 

[uconnbaseball]

Big 12 presidents pitched on potential UConn addition, but lack of consensus likely to prolong decision

CBS Sports verified that six Big 12 schools are in favor of adding the Huskies if a vote were taken today

www.cbssports.com

Big 12 presidents were briefed Monday about the possible addition of UConn to the league without taking action, CBS Sports has learned. The league's lack of unanimity on the issue will require ongoing discussions as the possible next round of realignment looms, sources told CBS Sports.

CBS Sports was able to verify six Big 12 schools in favor of UConn's addition with two against if a vote were taken today. Those schools did not want to be identified because of the sensitivity of the issue. It takes a super majority (at least 12 of the 16 Big 12 schools) to approve such a move.

Don’t think this is good for us. Even though that puts us at a 75% pace, I doubt they add us with that much dissent. Fox opposing is also bad.

I think the most likely scenario is this being “postponed” but UConn taking a spot from BC or Wake if & when the ACC falls apart.

 

[zls44]

John come on.

Do you really think this is going in front of the Presidents knowing this won’t pass?

This is not the ACC.

LOL you were saying

 

[Ucxc24]

Lucy better start getting that football ready

 

[jostar1]

Don’t think this is good for us. Even though that puts us at a 75% pace, I doubt they add us with that much dissent. Fox opposing is also bad.

Aren't we at 50%? We need 12 Yes votes and we have 6 so far that we know of.

2 are No's and 8 are unknown or undecided.

Hope Yormark can convince them.

 

[Drew]

Don’t think this is good for us. Even though that puts us at a 75% pace, I doubt they add us with that much dissent. Fox opposing is also bad.

I think the most likely scenario is this being “postponed” but UConn taking a spot from BC or Wake if & when the ACC falls apart.

I am not as concerned about FOX not being supportive now given ESPN’s support. FOX is only against the move until there is some outcome beneficial to them that gets driven out of it. As an example, when Texas and OU wanted to leave early to go to the SEC this year, FOX was against until they were able to negotiate Texas and Michigan flipping the home/away games on their home and home series this year so that FOX still got to broadcast a Texas game.

The discussions will continue and there are (legitimate) concerns that need to be smoothed over before we are added. The fact that the conversations will continue in an effort to ease those concerns and that both the hired third-party media company, commissioner, and (half) of the TV partners are supportive is a good thing.

Remember, Cal, Stanford and SMU additions took time too. Oregon and Washington originally didn‘t have support from FOX and the B1G. These things take time.

 

[Drew]

Aren't we at 50%? We need 12 Yes votes and we have 6.

Yes but we’re pacing to be at 12 of 16 yes votes which is 75% of members

 

[uconnbaseball]

Aren't we at 50%? We need 12 Yes votes and we have 6.

6/8 is a 75% clip. If the other teams are 8/8 (not impossible, as I feel teams opposed to us would be most likely to leak) we probably sneak in, but 12/16 sound acrimonious.

 

[Drew]

6/8 is a 75% clip. If the other teams are 8/8 (not impossible, as I feel teams opposed to us would be most likely to leak) we probably sneak in, but 12/16 sound acrimonious.

Just remember, Calford and SMU were added to the ACC with the minimum number of “yes” votes needed- NC State had to flip to make it happen.

 

[LoyalFanCT]

Be ready too if the ACC invites UConn soon!

 

[Gburyhusky]

Wondering if the following scenario has been pursued (or will be pursued): to maintain the Big East with UConn staying, Fox offers UConn a sizeable football tv deal that is conditioned on UConn remaining in the Big East for basketball?

 

[JMick]

Big 12 presidents pitched on potential UConn addition, but lack of consensus likely to prolong decision

CBS Sports verified that six Big 12 schools are in favor of adding the Huskies if a vote were taken today

www.cbssports.com

Big 12 presidents were briefed Monday about the possible addition of UConn to the league without taking action, CBS Sports has learned. The league's lack of unanimity on the issue will require ongoing discussions as the possible next round of realignment looms, sources told CBS Sports.

CBS Sports was able to verify six Big 12 schools in favor of UConn's addition with two against if a vote were taken today. Those schools did not want to be identified because of the sensitivity of the issue. It takes a super majority (at least 12 of the 16 Big 12 schools) to approve such a move.

There are also concerns that UConn is "one of the most heavily subsidized public FBS athletic departments in the country,"

The fact that any "serious" person doesn't understand WHY that's the case is still so incredibly dumbfounding. It's actually pure stupidity. Do they think 1+1=3? In one breathe they complain we don't spend enough money, in another breathe we spend too much money.

 

[UConn Dan]

Understandable that these things time but also I’m impatient and this needs to happen before we play a single down of football.

 

[Drew]

Wondering if the following scenario has been pursued (or will be pursued): to maintain the Big East with UConn staying, Fox offers UConn a sizeable football tv deal that is conditioned on UConn remaining in the Big East for basketball?

Doubtful as the CBSSN deal goes through this year with two separate 2 year extension options where CBSSN also gets the first right of refusal if another offer comes in

 

[Drew]

Understandable that these things time but also I’m impatient and this needs to happen before we play a single down of football.

Agreed- I am thinking Friday we know either way. Neither party wants this to go past then.

 

[GG]

Don’t think this is good for us. Even though that puts us at a 75% pace, I doubt they add us with that much dissent. Fox opposing is also bad.

I think the most likely scenario is this being “postponed” but UConn taking a spot from BC or Wake if & when the ACC falls apart.

How do you know Fox opposed this? Are you speculating?