Memphis proposing lucrative offer to join Big 12, but it lacks support from conference leadership: Sources

[billybud]

Aren't they already? ESPN has the media rights for the ACC, no?

UNC is a property in ESPN's "B" club...My thought is that ESPN would see benefit in having them in their main property..the SEC. And North Carolina is the 9th most populous state...and SEC basketball is moving up...

ESPN is very open about the SEC being their major and preferred property...ESPN loads up the best ABC and ESPN TV slots with SEC teams...and it has been a successful strategy...buying the SEC game of the week from CBS and taking the best time slots for their SEC teams..

"ESPN platforms delivered record-breaking college football viewership in 2024, with ABC owning the season as the No. 1 network for college football, averaging 5.8 million viewers for 46 regular season games, an impressive 56 percent increase year-over-year and ABC’s best college football season in 15 years (since 2009). ESPN platforms scored their most-watched season since 2016 with an average of 1.9 million viewers per game across all Nielsen-rated networks "

 

[UConnJim]

All the people saying the Big 12 will survive are not thinking logically. The only 2 schools they had that ESPN wanted to keep were Texas and Oklahoma. They killed 2 birds with one move , Texas and Oklahoma to the SEC, and they were able to get rid of the money losing Longhorn network.
When the remaing Big 12 schools come up for bid ESPN doesn't have to bid anything, there isn't anyone they want or need.

The Big 12 media contract is with both ESPN and FOX as well as HBO/TNT and CBS. Based on their TV ratings and the number of media outlets already involved, there will be bidders for the next Big 12 media contract.

 

[uconnyankee]

The Big 12 media contract is with both ESPN and FOX as well as HBO/TNT and CBS. Based on their TV ratings and the number of media outlets already involved, there will be bidders for the next Big 12 media contract.

I’m thinking about how those conversations will go.

Let’s just the number is $1B….

I’m thinking, $1.1B and you get UConn/Kansas maybe twice a year, UConn/Arizona maybe twice a year, UConn/Houston maybe twice a year and UConn/Baylor potentially twice a year. Then you also get UConn another 10-15 times. AND you also get women which is like getting another major BB program for free and it instantly makes B12 WBB best league in a sport gaining momentum.

Seems like a no brainer.

First conference to sign UConn (B12 or ACC), wins!

 

[CTFAN4LIFE]

I’m thinking about how those conversations will go.

Let’s just the number is $1B….

I’m thinking, $1.1B and you get UConn/Kansas maybe twice a year, UConn/Arizona maybe twice a year, UConn/Houston maybe twice a year and UConn/Baylor potentially twice a year. Then you also get UConn another 10-15 times. AND you also get women which is like getting another major BB program for free and it instantly makes B12 WBB best league in a sport gaining momentum.

Seems like a no brainer.

First conference to sign UConn (B12 or ACC), wins!

That's the arguement.

 

[RuffRuff]

I’m thinking about how those conversations will go.

Let’s just the number is $1B….

I’m thinking, $1.1B and you get UConn/Kansas maybe twice a year, UConn/Arizona maybe twice a year, UConn/Houston maybe twice a year and UConn/Baylor potentially twice a year. Then you also get UConn another 10-15 times. AND you also get women which is like getting another major BB program for free and it instantly makes B12 WBB best league in a sport gaining momentum.

Seems like a no brainer.

First conference to sign UConn (B12 or ACC), wins!

I wonder what the value of the women’s program is with Geno’s retirement looming. Who’s in waiting? Is there another charismatic Sicilian from Philly out there? Probably a discussion best suited for the women’s board.

 

[Stinger92860]

I wonder what the value of the women’s program is with Geno’s retirement looming. Who’s in waiting? Is there another charismatic Sicilian from Philly out there? Probably a discussion best suited for the women’s board.

I am not aware of any Sicilian ancestry for Geno, he came from the Campania region of Italy. Sicilians are not Italian, trust me on this.

 

[RuffRuff]

I am not aware of any Sicilian ancestry for Geno, he came from the Campania region of Italy. Sicilians are not Italian, trust me on this.

Good fact check. For some reason I thought he was and believe me I know, married to a hot blooded Sicilian.

 

[freescooter]

Can't fool me...you are hoping to catch glimpses of his hottie girlfriend...

UNC is making a Deion kind of splash with the coaching hire...but..the school is attempting to plump up football.

“Multiple sources told Inside Carolina the SEC is where the Tar Heels are aiming under the leadership of Roberts and Newmark..."

They have been trying to pump up football for 20 years.. stadium expansion, MAC Brown 1, MAC Brown 2, Bill Belichick is just the latest version . The earlier ones were let’s say only modestly successful.

 

[huskymedic]

They have been trying to pump up football for 20 years.. stadium expansion, MAC Brown 1, MAC Brown 2, Bill Belichick is just the latest version . The earlier ones were let’s say only modestly successful.

It seems to be working for now…



-> The Tar Heels announced Wednesday that they have sold out each home football game this season. The school previously announced it had sold out of its allotment of 20,000 season tickets. Now each individual ticket has been sold.

UNC said it is the earliest that all tickets for the season have been sold out. UNC opens its season on Sept. 1, Labor Day night, against TCU. <-

 

[baggerbob]

They have been trying to pump up football for 20 years.. stadium expansion, MAC Brown 1, MAC Brown 2, Bill Belichick is just the latest version . The earlier ones were let’s say only modestly successful.

And Belichick is just as likely to be what he was in Cleveland before he got to New England and got lucky with Brady. This could be a quick disaster for North Carolina.

 

[CTFAN4LIFE]

And Belichick is just as likely to be what he was in Cleveland before he got to New England and got lucky with Brady. This could be a quick disaster for North Carolina.

.449 NFL winning percentage as a head coach for BB without Brady.

 

[CL82]

I wonder what the value of the women’s program is with Geno’s retirement looming. Who’s in waiting? Is there another charismatic Sicilian from Philly out there? Probably a discussion best suited for the women’s board.

Geno isn't Sicilian. He's from Montella which is a little bit southwest of Naples.

 

[Jetskies]

I am not aware of any Sicilian ancestry for Geno, he came from the Campania region of Italy. Sicilians are not Italian, trust me on this.

is sicily the texas of italy?
kind of like Bavaria is the Texas of Germany.

 

[FfldCntyFan]

Geno isn't Sicilian. He's from Montella which is a little bit southwest of Naples.

Southwest of Naples would put it in the Tyrrhenian sea. I think it's southeast (possibly just east) of Naples.

 

[CL82]

Southwest of Naples would put it in the Tyrrhenian sea. I think it's southeast (possibly just east) of Naples.

You are correct, southeast of Naples.

 

[freescooter]

It seems to be working for now…



-> The Tar Heels announced Wednesday that they have sold out each home football game this season. The school previously announced it had sold out of its allotment of 20,000 season tickets. Now each individual ticket has been sold.

UNC said it is the earliest that all tickets for the season have been sold out. UNC opens its season on Sept. 1, Labor Day night, against TCU. <-

Sellouts because of a coach or player signing a contract is one thing and not that unusual. Of course it is different from selling out because the team is winning . Just ask the JETS.

 

[Jetskies]

Just ask the JETS.

 

[Kolumbo]

Since this is the most recent Big 12 thread.

"AMES — Iowa State University Athletics — facing a $147 million budget deficit through 2031, or just under $25 million annually over the next six years — is rolling out painful concessions, including indefinitely postponing construction of a new wrestling practice facility and a $25 million Hilton Coliseum renovation.

Facing $147M deficit, ISU Athletics halts Hilton Coliseum renovation, upping ticket prices

Iowa State University Athletics — facing a $147 million budget deficit through 2031, or just under $25 million annually over the next six years — is rolling out painful concessions, including indefinitely postponing construction of a new wrestling practice facility and $25 million renovation of...

www.thegazette.com

"Changes threatening ISU Athletics include realignment of the Big 12 Conference from 10 to 16 teams; the House vs. NCAA settlement allowing revenue sharing with student athletes; and adjustment of the distribution model for College Football Playoff revenue, which Iowa State describes as “negatively impacting the Big 12 Conference.” Given the challenges, Iowa State told the board it has made several tough budget decisions, including:

• Indefinitely postponing construction of a planned $20 million wrestling practice facility and a $25 million Hilton Coliseum renovation;
• No longer absorbing the cost of sales tax on tickets and instead passing on that expense — about $1.5 million annually — to consumers;
• Upping annual required donation levels for membership in the Cyclone Club by 20 percent — generating an estimated $3 million annually.
• And mandating all sports and support units cut costs and find savings “to slow the growth of overall expenses.”"

 

[Jetskies]

Since this is the most recent Big 12 thread.

"AMES — Iowa State University Athletics — facing a $147 million budget deficit through 2031, or just under $25 million annually over the next six years — is rolling out painful concessions, including indefinitely postponing construction of a new wrestling practice facility and a $25 million Hilton Coliseum renovation.

Facing $147M deficit, ISU Athletics halts Hilton Coliseum renovation, upping ticket prices

Iowa State University Athletics — facing a $147 million budget deficit through 2031, or just under $25 million annually over the next six years — is rolling out painful concessions, including indefinitely postponing construction of a new wrestling practice facility and $25 million renovation of...

www.thegazette.com

"Changes threatening ISU Athletics include realignment of the Big 12 Conference from 10 to 16 teams; the House vs. NCAA settlement allowing revenue sharing with student athletes; and adjustment of the distribution model for College Football Playoff revenue, which Iowa State describes as “negatively impacting the Big 12 Conference.” Given the challenges, Iowa State told the board it has made several tough budget decisions, including:

• Indefinitely postponing construction of a planned $20 million wrestling practice facility and a $25 million Hilton Coliseum renovation;
• No longer absorbing the cost of sales tax on tickets and instead passing on that expense — about $1.5 million annually — to consumers;
• Upping annual required donation levels for membership in the Cyclone Club by 20 percent — generating an estimated $3 million annually.
• And mandating all sports and support units cut costs and find savings “to slow the growth of overall expenses.”"

being in a P4 is really not all it's cracked up to be, huh...
this is my first window into a "P4" program's hurting financials.
I put air quotes around it bc it makes me wonder if there even is such a thing as a P4 in the NIL/revenue sharing era, or are big12/ACC programs just white knuckling it and holding on for dear life until the next "thing" that provides them financial relief.

i suppose this is the ugly underbelly of bigtime football. spending too much money to get the players needed to compete with the big(ger) boys in your conference, but you don't actually have the money.

 

[Waquoit]

And Belichick is just as likely to be what he was in Cleveland

Taking them to the playoffs and winning a game? Something they didn’t do for decades after they fired him.

 

[WrenchFan69]

Since this is the most recent Big 12 thread.

"AMES — Iowa State University Athletics — facing a $147 million budget deficit through 2031, or just under $25 million annually over the next six years — is rolling out painful concessions, including indefinitely postponing construction of a new wrestling practice facility and a $25 million Hilton Coliseum renovation.

Facing $147M deficit, ISU Athletics halts Hilton Coliseum renovation, upping ticket prices

Iowa State University Athletics — facing a $147 million budget deficit through 2031, or just under $25 million annually over the next six years — is rolling out painful concessions, including indefinitely postponing construction of a new wrestling practice facility and $25 million renovation of...

www.thegazette.com

"Changes threatening ISU Athletics include realignment of the Big 12 Conference from 10 to 16 teams; the House vs. NCAA settlement allowing revenue sharing with student athletes; and adjustment of the distribution model for College Football Playoff revenue, which Iowa State describes as “negatively impacting the Big 12 Conference.” Given the challenges, Iowa State told the board it has made several tough budget decisions, including:

• Indefinitely postponing construction of a planned $20 million wrestling practice facility and a $25 million Hilton Coliseum renovation;
• No longer absorbing the cost of sales tax on tickets and instead passing on that expense — about $1.5 million annually — to consumers;
• Upping annual required donation levels for membership in the Cyclone Club by 20 percent — generating an estimated $3 million annually.
• And mandating all sports and support units cut costs and find savings “to slow the growth of overall expenses.”"

That's kind of crazy actually. Iowa St is already down to the NCAA minimum for men's sports, including men's golf and XC, which are not exactly expensive compared to soccer, hockey, and baseball. The fact they can't make the money work, with fewer athletes and $25mil more in conference payout, is concerning.

 

[Viet Vet]

UConn fields seven men’s sports, two of which, golf and track and field are non-revenue producing. Only football, basketball, baseball, ice hockey and soccer charge admission.

 

[Kolumbo]

UConn fields seven men’s sports, two of which, golf and track and field are non-revenue producing. Only football, basketball, baseball, ice hockey and soccer charge admission.

I didn't realize UConn was down to only 7 men's sports. Tennis, swimming, cross country, all gone. UConn has 7 men's and 12 women's sports. Iowa State has 6 men's and 10 women's. I forget but I believe Track & Field sometimes counts as 2 sports each, indoor and outdoor. It looks like a few Big 12 schools are at the low end of sponsored sports including UCF, Colorado, Utah, WVU

 

[huskymedic]

Good as place as any… Mandel’s Mailbag: Big Ten’s Playoff power grab and bold calls for 2025 season

If the writing is on the wall for the ACC losing its premier teams (Clemson, Florida State, UNC), should they be aggressive now by shoring up reserves? For example, if Memphis is paying now to join a league, why not poach them? Why not see about teams like Texas Tech, Arizona and Arizona State from the Big 12? — Craig B.

I still question where these schools think they’re going to go. The Big Ten is already finding out that bigger is not better. That’s a big reason Petitti is pushing so hard for CFP expansion. He has more schools that expect to be regular Playoff participants than is mathematically possible at 12 teams. And for the SEC, going to a 16-team CFP may be more appealing than going beyond 16 teams. Especially when two of those schools, Florida State and Clemson, are in states where the SEC already has a footprint. (Throw Miami in there as well.)

Now, it’s a different story if we’re talking about a breakaway Super League scenario. Interestingly, the ACC’s lawsuit settlement with Florida State and Clemson includes a specific provision that allows six or more schools to leave in a specific sport and pay a lower exit fee (50 percent, or $75 million, whichever is higher). But if that day comes where the top 24-32 programs band together, all the conferences, including the Big Ten and SEC, will be fighting for scraps.

Finally, I don’t know why any Big 12 schools would leave for the ACC. They have a nice, drama-free setup where they are now.

If the ACC decides to mirror the Big Ten and go to 18 teams, UConn may be at the top of the list, in particular because the ACC still cares about basketball. Maybe Tulane if it can sustain its recent football success. As for Memphis, that school has struggled to attract suitors largely because it doesn’t have a great academic reputation (No. 266 in US News). That the Big 12 did not bite despite: A. Memphis offering to give the other schools free money. B. Granting the Big 12 an out to ditch Memphis before the next TV contract does not bode well for landing an ACC invite.

A friendly reminder that I personally have no opinion about any school’s academics, and question why this should have any factor in deciding which stadiums your football team should or should not visit.

 

[ZooCougar]

Good as place as any… Mandel’s Mailbag: Big Ten’s Playoff power grab and bold calls for 2025 season

If the writing is on the wall for the ACC losing its premier teams (Clemson, Florida State, UNC), should they be aggressive now by shoring up reserves? For example, if Memphis is paying now to join a league, why not poach them? Why not see about teams like Texas Tech, Arizona and Arizona State from the Big 12? — Craig B.

I still question where these schools think they’re going to go. The Big Ten is already finding out that bigger is not better. That’s a big reason Petitti is pushing so hard for CFP expansion. He has more schools that expect to be regular Playoff participants than is mathematically possible at 12 teams. And for the SEC, going to a 16-team CFP may be more appealing than going beyond 16 teams. Especially when two of those schools, Florida State and Clemson, are in states where the SEC already has a footprint. (Throw Miami in there as well.)

Now, it’s a different story if we’re talking about a breakaway Super League scenario. Interestingly, the ACC’s lawsuit settlement with Florida State and Clemson includes a specific provision that allows six or more schools to leave in a specific sport and pay a lower exit fee (50 percent, or $75 million, whichever is higher). But if that day comes where the top 24-32 programs band together, all the conferences, including the Big Ten and SEC, will be fighting for scraps.

Finally, I don’t know why any Big 12 schools would leave for the ACC. They have a nice, drama-free setup where they are now.

If the ACC decides to mirror the Big Ten and go to 18 teams, UConn may be at the top of the list, in particular because the ACC still cares about basketball. Maybe Tulane if it can sustain its recent football success. As for Memphis, that school has struggled to attract suitors largely because it doesn’t have a great academic reputation (No. 266 in US News). That the Big 12 did not bite despite: A. Memphis offering to give the other schools free money. B. Granting the Big 12 an out to ditch Memphis before the next TV contract does not bode well for landing an ACC invite.

A friendly reminder that I personally have no opinion about any school’s academics, and question why this should have any factor in deciding which stadiums your football team should or should not visit.

Ouch. Poor Memphis.