Mark Blaudschun/Boston Globe: football/basketball split happens sooner rather than later

[Rumrunner]

http://www.boston.com/sports/colleg..._could_be_happening_sooner_rather_than_later/

" Included in that group are Marquette, Providence, Georgetown, Seton Hall, Villanova, DePaul, and St. John’s, with the possibility of Xavier, Dayton, and even Butler (although Butler has committed to the Atlantic 10) being targeted as part of a 10-team - primarily Catholic - basketball conference. (Notre Dame said it would not take part in a split.)

These moves could happen sooner rather than later. There is also a strong possibility that Big East football might take some further hits - watch out for Louisville making a move to the Big 12 under new commissioner Bob Bowlsby, who was the athletic director at Stanford."

 

[nelsonmuntz]

This would be Armageddon for the Big East and UConn, but I agree with the Globe that it is looking increasingly likely.

 

[Carl Spackler]

Stirring the pot. DOn't trust anythng you read from the media about the inner workings of the Big East conference as we get closer and closer to media negotiations, unless there are direct quotes in there that people in places of power (university presidents) are going to be accoutable for.

Nothing like that in this piece, and there's nothing in there that you can't read in the speculation all over this website in the past 24 hours.

The facts are that Marinatto has been talking with the university president's about stepping down for weeks, and he initiated the discussions, and this move is entirely calculated by the big east leadership, and they are building a bond of trust with the passing of information in this day and age.

 

[UConnJim]

Usually, Blaudschun has a great info pipeline into the BE offices in Providence. With the Providence gang having lost their influence with Marinetto getting pushed out, I'm not sure he has the best or most accurate info pipeline anymore.

 

[metsfan2323]

This guy is just speculating as we are. There is nothing here of any substance.

 

[IthacaMatt]

Usually, Blaudschun has a great info pipeline into the BE offices in Providence. With the Providence gang having lost their influence with Marinetto getting pushed out, I'm not sure he has the best or most accurate info pipeline anymore.

Well, he could be talking from the Providence point of view - they would probably love to break away, now that they aren't calling the shots anymore.

 

[freescooter]

I don't really see how things have changed that much for the basketball schools. The Catholic East is just not that much more compelling than the A-10, maybe with Butler and VCU it is less so. And the A-10 just signed a media deal worth around $1 million per team. Even in the worst scenarios, the Big Eastwill surpass that easily. And without Notre Dame, I suspect it is a non-starter. Now it wouldn't be the first time that schools have made decisions that aren't in their best interest, I mean BC hired DeFillipo, but I really do think that without the football schools, even in a weakened state, the basketball conference very quickly becomes a mid-major and earns mid-major money.

 

[ConnHuskBask]

The A-10's tv deal is only worth $1M a year? Does that include the additions of Butler, VCU and Mason?

You have to figure though, if the remaining catholics split and added the 4 best A10 schools they would have a pretty basketball deal - probably just as good as the BE basketball deal if the onlyy remaining teams are UConn, Ville, Cincy, Temple, Memphis and ND (if they stay with the FBS schools).

 

[freescooter]

The A-10's tv deal is only worth $1M a year? Does that include the additions of Butler, VCU and Mason?

You have to figure though, if the remaining catholics split and added the 4 best A10 schools they would have a pretty basketball deal - probably just as good as the BE basketball deal if the onlyy remaining teams are UConn, Ville, Cincy, Temple, Memphis and ND (if they stay with the FBS schools).

I have to disagree with you. The basketball only league is a pipedream. It depends on landing the top A-10 schools and assumes they'll go but why would they without a guarentee of more money. The A-10 simply doesn't even land in the same universe as any major conference and the Catholic league wouldn't either. Which is why Georgetown and Villanova in particualr are not thrilled about leaving.

 

[ScottVib]

Actually this could be good. If Notre Dame isn't willing to go with the Catholics and wants a "big boy" conference home for its sports, it'll have to join a conference. If that conference is the ACC there is UConn's life raft.

 

[Hoophound]

Not sure UConn can beat out Rutgers. Rutgers is the dominant brand in NYC in terms of fans.

I think the ACC should take Rutgers, Louisville and UConn right now and leave a spot for ND. The ACC can then try and renegotiate a deal knowing that they have absorbed all of ND's target market. ND would probably join the ACC at some point with this model. There is no way ND is going to tell anybody they are joining their conference until they have their hand forced. The ACC needs to expand now to protect itself but also to secure its spot as ND's #1 suitor.

Again, the ACC has to just do it. They aren't getting a wink and a nod from ND first. Once its done, the ACC will have to live with whatever the result is but they may be in trouble and this is the best way to prepare for change.

 

[ConnHuskBask]

I have to disagree with you. The basketball only league is a pipedream. It depends on landing the top A-10 schools and assumes they'll go but why would they without a guarentee of more money. The A-10 simply doesn't even land in the same universe as any major conference and the Catholic league wouldn't either. Which is why Georgetown and Villanova in particualr are not thrilled about leaving.

That's fair. I think maybe the success of some of the A10 teams has clouded what they would be worth to a tv network. I still think the BE catholics plus A10 would get a decent deal, but as you said a lot would have to happen.

 

[FriarJ]

Not sure UConn can beat out Rutgers. Rutgers is the dominant brand in NYC in terms of fans.

I think the ACC should take Rutgers, Louisville and UConn right now and leave a spot for ND. The ACC can then try and renegotiate a deal knowing that they have absorbed all of ND's target market. ND would probably join the ACC at some point with this model. There is no way ND is going to tell anybody they are joining their conference until they have their hand forced. The ACC needs to expand now to protect itself but also to secure its spot as ND's #1 suitor.

Again, the ACC has to just do it. They aren't getting a wink and a nod from ND first. Once its done, the ACC will have to live with whatever the result is but they may be in trouble and this is the best way to prepare for change.

I laugh everytime I read this. NYC does not care about eastern college football, and they care even less about Rutgers. Rutgers can't deliver to the ACC.

 

[Hoophound]

I laugh everytime I read this. NYC does not care about eastern college football, and they care even less about Rutgers. Rutgers can't deliver **** to the ACC.

The only factual information I have seen on that market shows Rutgers dominating that market for viewers in relation anyone else. While they dont rule NYC, they have a big head start. Greater New York is in large part NJ.

 

[FriarJ]

Here is my take on this, if Rutgers was a market leader in the worlds largest city, they would have been gone years ago. UConn is better positioned than Rutgers for the ACC in my mind.

 

[zls44]

Considering that Providence fans think UConn benefits from going independant in football (then name me the 12 teams on UConn's schedule, please), I think it is best to ignore them entirely, since they have a complete lack of understanding on how this works.

1. For one thing, they think their school matters. It doesn't. We aren't bringing back the NIT, or cages around the court. Your time has passed.
2. For another, see #1.

 

[FriarJ]

Considering that Providence fans think UConn benefits from going independant in football (then name me the 12 teams on UConn's schedule, please), I think it is best to ignore them entirely, since they have a complete lack of understanding on how this works.

1. For one thing, they think their school matters. It doesn't. We aren't bringing back the NIT, or cages around the court. Your time has passed.
2. For another, see #1.

No reason to be an ass unless you just can't help yourself.

I bet you could set up a better schedule than any crappy league remaining outside the ACC and preserve hoops at the same time.

Just so we are clear on one thing. I do think PC matters, about as much as UConn or Cuse football.

 

[Dann]

Just so we are clear on one thing. I do think PC matters, about as much as UConn or Cuse football.

thats a gem

 

[Fishy]

Here is my take on this, if Rutgers was a market leader in the worlds largest city, they would have been gone years ago. UConn is better positioned than Rutgers for the ACC in my mind.

Basically, the New York City market is a unicorn with a Leprechaun drinking out of the Holy Grail on its back.

Everyone wants it, everyone seems to have a plan to get it, but I'm not sure it even exists.

I suspect the best way to get it if it exists is to invite Notre Dame and Penn State and play the games in Times Square.

 

[FriarJ]

thats a gem

And the truth, to believe otherwise is delusional. I can tell you as I live in a football crazy area and people do not even know that UConn plays FBS football. Just a fact, not trying to cause crap, but UConn would be well served to protect their cash cow and that is not football.

And in regards to PC, we will probably end up hurt bad in any type of realignment and we deserve it for 10 years of pathetic play and administrative errors.

 

[FriarJ]

Basically, the New York City market is a unicorn with a Leprechaun drinking out of the Holy Grail on its back.

Everyone wants it, everyone seems to have a plan to get it, but I'm not sure it even exists.

I suspect the best way to get it if it exists is to invite Notre Dame and Penn State and play the games in Times Square.

Exactly, to believe that NYC ratings are dominated by Rutgers over those two schools is laughable.

 

[Hoophound]

Anyone that thinks UConn will never get anywhere in football doesn't pay any attention to what UConn does. UConn wins at everything it plays. For the 100th time, people who say UConn can't play big time football fear that UConn will play big time football.

As far as nobody knowing UConn now plays big boy football, that is a real stretch. I live in Florida and people are always talking to me about UConn football. Granted, they don't know the roster or a lot of details, but they certainly know we play, even if they pick on it. The BCS debacle and the Jasper Howard situation put UConn in the public eye. Anyone who doesn't know we play football isn't a sports fan.

 

[Dann]

And the truth, to believe otherwise is delusional. I can tell you as I live in a football crazy area and people do not even know that UConn plays FBS football. Just a fact, not trying to cause crap, but UConn would be well served to protect their cash cow and that is not football.

And in regards to PC, we will probably end up hurt bad in any type of realignment and we deserve it for 10 years of pathetic play and administrative errors.

thats just poop.

pc puts 5k in the dunk for a random bball game. another 10k watch on tv mostly local. 1 time a year pc plays a uconn or cuse or lville and the games is on espn2 and gets ok tv numbers.

pc bball isn't close to uconn bball, let alone uconn fball. its not the same planet close. this explains why everyone is sick of bball schools. you have the idea that your anywhere close to equal with a fball program. its crazy.

a bball league with the bball onlys plus a few(butler, vcu who ever) gets 2 or 3 mil a year tv contact. uconns dooms day fball wise is being stuck with the nbe. that gets us 12-15mil a year. not even close.

 

[Fishy]

Anyone that thinks UConn will never get anywhere in football doesn't pay any attention to what UConn does. UConn wins at everything it plays. For the 100th time, people who say UConn can't play big time football fear that UConn will play big time football..

I would agree with that.

In a world where Boise State is now considered a powerhouse, I would not be willing to say that UConn football has reached its ultimate level.

UConn has been playing major college football for about 40 minutes and they've already made up the stagger on programs like Pitt, Syracuse, Rutgers, etc. They're not Texas, but they're one of a bazillion schools that plays at a similar level beneath the true heavyweights like UT, OU, USC, etc.

 

[FriarJ]

I was not talking about success or accomplishments, UConn has done great honestly in a short time. I'm talking about whether fb matters outside of Connecticut; and it does not. NE football has the least amount of fan interest in the country. The Pacific NW is crazy about football, Boise State travels better than any current team in the BE by far.