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

[UCFBfan]

To be honest- in no way shape or form do I see the state ponying up any money at all to support UConn football at the future state “power” level. They can’t even get money to run the program currently- the last HC had to pay an OC out of his own pocket and the current HC can’t afford to hire a DC with the existing budget. The basketball staff of 4 makes more money than the football staff of 11. Think about how hard that is to do from a sheer numbers standpoint. Then, on top of it, the coach is complaining publicly (and has been for weeks) that we have essentially zero donor support for NIL. There is no existing football NIL group to support UConn (although I am hearing rumblings this is finally in the works). Do you know how insane it is we still don’t have a dedicated football collective? The rules came out 3 years ago. It’s preposterous.

The state (and donor base) will absolutely pay through the nose to participate in what is “big time” college basketball. The question is- how much $ is that cost? Because if 20% of media deals are being rationed to basketball and teams in the B1G are taking 20% of their $100M/annual TV money and allocating a portion of that $20M to their players, that’s going to be really difficult to compete against factoring in the additional NIL money that will continue on top of these future revenue sharing payments to athletes.

We don’t even have the money to fix or rebuild our existing decrepit facilities and previously tried to go cheap out of paying the Kevin Ollie buyout because of the cost. I don’t know how much $ it will take to compete in future state high major basketball but there is a non-zero chance that (eventually) we are priced out if we don’t see a significant change in future revenues

You are correct with your assessment on football and money. However, there is absolutely going to be a connection between football and basketball in the new College Sport world that will emerge in the next year or so. If UConn won't invest the money for football, they can kiss their bball good bye as well. This is the part that this school and fanbase can't/doesn't want to accept. Winning is amazing now, but when the rug is pulled out from under you because you let your FB team rot on the vine, reality is going to suck when you're left with the have nots and our current glory is history and memories.

 

[Banta55]

You are correct with your assessment on football and money. However, there is absolutely going to be a connection between football and basketball in the new College Sport world that will emerge in the next year or so. If UConn won't invest the money for football, they can kiss their bball good bye as well. This is the part that this school and fanbase can't/doesn't want to accept. Winning is amazing now, but when the rug is pulled out from under you because you let your FB team rot on the vine, reality is going to suck when you're left with the have nots and our current glory is history and memories.

100% People just don't understand.

 

[Rdkid]

100% People just don't understand.

I think people understand just fine. What they don’t understand is how $1, 5 or 25 million more of deficit spending for football can be found in the couch cushions - and how that even gets you better results. Especially without a conference or natural rivalries. That money is being taken from somewhere or being charged to students and families. They have cut sports and are hitting up basketball fans to make it work now that men’s bb is back to greatness. Bodies in the seats and NIL money will have to come from individuals most invested in football and the overall health of the athletic program - clearly there’s a connection. Time will tell if there are enough of us. That is what makes this season a killer. And the urgency greater.

The finances are beyond challenging. It appears they can keep operating at this current loss, not more and not forever. Current administration is in a real pickle and the wave of a pen is not coming.

 

[JohnFSilver]

We just watched Marquette smack down Kansas. Any basketball system without the Big East is fraudulent. It’s that simple.

Its funny in this sense…the P4 doesn’t care.

 

[UConnJim]

I think people understand just fine. What they don’t understand is how $1, 5 or 25 million more of deficit spending for football can be found in the couch cushions - and how that even gets you better results. Especially without a conference or natural rivalries. That money is being taken from somewhere or being charged to students and families. They have cut sports and are hitting up basketball fans to make it work now that men’s bb is back to greatness. Bodies in the seats and NIL money will have to come from individuals most invested in football and the overall health of the athletic program - clearly there’s a connection. Time will tell if there are enough of us. That is what makes this season a killer. And the urgency greater.

The finances are beyond challenging. It appears they can keep operating at this current loss, not more and not forever. Current administration is in a real pickle and the wave of a pen is not coming.

Football is the largest potential incremental revenue generator for the AD and, you need to invest to improve the program and increase the revenues. Look at men's basketball. When they hired Hurley, they paid him about $2.8 million per year as they went after a proven successful coach. That is called investment in the program. They didn't say, Hurley, we will pay you $1.5 million and then we will pay you more when you win. The investment in the basketball program has paid off with a championship, higher attendance, and more donations. And, now Hurley makes $6 million.

As for funding football, it will have to come from many sources including the AD and donations from fans like us. With success will bring higher attendance/revenues and more donations.

 

[ZooCougar]

I think people understand just fine. What they don’t understand is how $1, 5 or 25 million more of deficit spending for football can be found in the couch cushions - and how that even gets you better results. Especially without a conference or natural rivalries. That money is being taken from somewhere or being charged to students and families. They have cut sports and are hitting up basketball fans to make it work now that men’s bb is back to greatness. Bodies in the seats and NIL money will have to come from individuals most invested in football and the overall health of the athletic program - clearly there’s a connection. Time will tell if there are enough of us. That is what makes this season a killer. And the urgency greater.

The finances are beyond challenging. It appears they can keep operating at this current loss, not more and not forever. Current administration is in a real pickle and the wave of a pen is not coming.

How about we take it from the pointless hockey program and the dumb $70M hockey shed that they built to put it in.

 

[ZooCougar]

I think people understand just fine. What they don’t understand is how $1, 5 or 25 million more of deficit spending for football can be found in the couch cushions - and how that even gets you better results. Especially without a conference or natural rivalries. That money is being taken from somewhere or being charged to students and families. They have cut sports and are hitting up basketball fans to make it work now that men’s bb is back to greatness. Bodies in the seats and NIL money will have to come from individuals most invested in football and the overall health of the athletic program - clearly there’s a connection. Time will tell if there are enough of us. That is what makes this season a killer. And the urgency greater.

The finances are beyond challenging. It appears they can keep operating at this current loss, not more and not forever. Current administration is in a real pickle and the wave of a pen is not coming.

$1.5M in NIL wouldn’t result in more deficit spending. NIL has to come from private sources.

 

[JohnFSilver]

$1.5M in NIL wouldn’t result in more deficit spending. NIL has to come from private sources.

We are lost. People aren’t understanding NIL. Even small fbs programs have figured this out.

 

[CL82]

And, now Hurley makes $6 million.

After winning a national championship. Personally, I would be in favor of paying Jim Mora $6 million a year if he wins a national championship.

 

[How Sway?!]

We are lost. People aren’t understanding NIL. Even small fbs programs have figured this out.

The boneyard is not reality. The school has figured out NIL a long time ago

 

[Rdkid]

$1.5M in NIL wouldn’t result in more deficit spending. NIL has to come from private sources.

I understand all that completely. This is more of a response to the knee-jerkers who complain about “state support” of football and/or the AD finding more money for coaches, staff, stadiums, etc. Football is a never-ending arms race & at some point it has to win and build upon its own success. I’m still willing to be a tiny part of the road forward, but to ask the taxpayer or students/parents for more “because football drives the bus” gets old.

I would also add that other sports at UConn, including, soccer, hockey, baseball deserve their day in the sun given their current success and/or past support (including donors). A 70 mil. hockey rink? Maybe not. But competitive budgets and facilities? Absolutely. Fair is fair for these kids.

And I am well aware that a cratered football program puts the whole AD (and national championship bball) at risk. That is the main basis of my support. I hope the “football drives the bus” folks are continuing to give what they can - including to NIL

 

[ZooCougar]

I understand all that completely. This is more of a response to the knee-jerkers who complain about “state support” of football and/or the AD finding more money for coaches, staff, stadiums, etc. Football is a never-ending arms race & at some point it has to win and build upon its own success. I’m still willing to be a tiny part of the road forward, but to ask the taxpayer or students/parents for more “because football drives the bus” gets old.

I would also add that other sports at UConn, including, soccer, hockey, baseball deserve their day in the sun given their current success and/or past support (including donors). A 70 mil. hockey rink? Maybe not. But competitive budgets and facilities? Absolutely. Fair is fair for these kids.

And I am well aware that a cratered football program puts the whole AD (and national championship bball) at risk. That is the main basis of my support. I hope the “football drives the bus” folks are continuing to give what they can - including to NIL

Hockey is a disastrous waste. That Hockey Barn looks like a complete debacle.

If football were squared away we would be in a Power Conference for all sports and the precious hoop only fans could rest easy because our future would be far more relatively secure.

 

[JohnFSilver]

The boneyard is not reality. The school has figured out NIL a long time ago

Fanbase doesn’t get it.

 

[ZooCougar]

Fanbase doesn’t get it.

A large portion of our fanbase is still wondering when the Big East football recruits are going to start coming in.

 

[UConnJim]

Fanbase doesn’t get it.

I think many do. I think the biggest problem for UConn with NIL is leadership. Until Mora spoke up, there was very little leadership to help the fan base understand NIL and why it is important. If UConn had an athletics booster club, there would be a natural group that raises money for athletics and they could have provided leadership and marketing for setting up an NIL collective.

 

[Rdkid]

Hockey is a disastrous waste. That Hockey Barn looks like a complete debacle.

If football were squared away we would be in a Power Conference for all sports and the precious hoop only fans could rest easy because our future would be far more relatively secure.

Make the case against the profligate build, sure. Crapping on the sport - especially when we’ve been good with poor facilities (this goes for several non-revenue sports) - is where we’ll part ways. There is a more direct line for a good facility and winning hockey (and I’m not invested in hockey) than taking that money (however that would work) and putting it into football infrastructure, such as coaches and staff. The track record on salary to performance for football assistants is not great, as has been bandied about ad nauseum this season. I think the case has been made for going 6-6 this year with the resources we have. And putting that 70 mil into The Rent or and other bricks & mortar doesn’t get you a win moving forward. The road forward is stable AD/state support and NIL. We don’t have to beggar other winning programs any more than we historically have.

 

[CoastAtlantic]

 

[BullDawg]

This was sensationalism. He tweeted out all the “missing” bowl match ups less than 10 minutes later.

 

[CTFAN4LIFE]

This was sensationalism. He tweeted out all the “missing” bowl match ups less than 10 minutes later.

Shocking

 

[Vowelguy]

This was sensationalism.

Uh, duh, he was making a joke.

 

[ZooCougar]

I think many do. I think the biggest problem for UConn with NIL is leadership. Until Mora spoke up, there was very little leadership to help the fan base understand NIL and why it is important. If UConn had an athletics booster club, there would be a natural group that raises money for athletics and they could have provided leadership and marketing for setting up an NIL collective.

Isn’t that kind of what just happened?

 

[Duncan Idaho]

I think many do. I think the biggest problem for UConn with NIL is leadership. Until Mora spoke up, there was very little leadership to help the fan base understand NIL and why it is important. If UConn had an athletics booster club, there would be a natural group that raises money for athletics and they could have provided leadership and marketing for setting up an NIL collective.

What is the purpose of the UConn Club? Seems to have ties with the Bleed Blue nil. What are the relationships with sport specific booster clubs like Friends of Soccer? UConn Foundation funds? Should there be a Football specific booster club to coordinate the giving?

 

[UConnJim]

Isn’t that kind of what just happened?

It just did and it was what I was asking for. Now, if we can get an athletic booster club...

 

[CTBballfan243]

What is the purpose of the UConn Club? Seems to have ties with the Bleed Blue nil. What are the relationships with sport specific booster clubs like Friends of Soccer? UConn Foundation funds? Should there be a Football specific booster club to coordinate the giving?

Maybe the UConn club can have bake sales and returnable can/bottle drives to raise NIL money for the collective.

 

[HuskyHawk]

Make the case against the profligate build, sure. Crapping on the sport - especially when we’ve been good with poor facilities (this goes for several non-revenue sports) - is where we’ll part ways. There is a more direct line for a good facility and winning hockey (and I’m not invested in hockey) than taking that money (however that would work) and putting it into football infrastructure, such as coaches and staff. The track record on salary to performance for football assistants is not great, as has been bandied about ad nauseum this season. I think the case has been made for going 6-6 this year with the resources we have. And putting that 70 mil into The Rent or and other bricks & mortar doesn’t get you a win moving forward. The road forward is stable AD/state support and NIL. We don’t have to beggar other winning programs any more than we historically have.

I honestly doubt that Hockey even loses money. Hockey East does get some TV money, we draw pretty well and travel is via bus to almost every game. Hockey was a smart investment that should have been made 20 years earlier.

Baseball is tough because we are good, and built another new stadium for it, but it will be so hard to compete going forward. Soccer is saddest, because we used to be very very good and now we suck. Another new stadium built for that too.