Mike Aresco addresses UConn's departure, the impact on his American Athletic Conference moving forward | Page 7 | The Boneyard

Mike Aresco addresses UConn's departure, the impact on his American Athletic Conference moving forward

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freescooter said:
There is a lot of nonsense here.

in point of fact UConn has done little to keep up its end of the bargain in the American. Sure we won a National Championship in a transition year, and that is no small thing but after that we crashed and burned. Football was even more of a disaster. I’m guessing had Warde hired 2 competent coaches and we went to say 5 NCAA Tournaments and s few bowl games, played for a league title in football., we’d still be in the AAC. The league got blamed for lots of our own ineptitude. In football it’s been very good. Top 10 finishes. Wins in BCS bowls, multiple ranked teams. Many schools raised their game. We were a disaster. Honestly the top half of the AAC could walk into any P5 league and compete UConn would be laughed out of any of them. Blaming the AAC and Aresco instead of UConn and Warde (and Ollie and Diaco) is just wrong.
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Uh, what exactly does that any of that have to do with Aresco giving up our T3 rights and getting paid less on a net basis than a basketball only conference? Oh if we are such a drag on the conference, why are we the only school that has a network willing to pay seven figures for T3 rights?
 
jonsmith said:
Sounds like BYU might be considering the AAC.
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Football-only suggested in article; makes some sense for BYU based on their reported bowl qualification obstacles and late season scheduling challenges; other sports stay in current conference(s) and no related Sunday scheduling challenges for the AAC to overcome
 
BYU plays several series of home and homes with P5 schools. 2019 is their weakest schedule in terms of P5 school with only 4 P5 games. In 2021 they have 7 P5 games (Arizona, Arizona St, Utah, Baylor, Wash St, Virginia, and USC. In addition they have their traditional games with Utah St, and Boise st. Yes, they get the occasional Ga Southern, or Northern Alabama because of their independent status, but I don't think their fan base would be at all in favor of the AAC schedule replacing their current P5 games. BYU never really has issues scheduling good teams.

Although there are some things that make this move fit into the AAC puzzle. Navy could move to the east and put BYU in the west. That would reduce travel costs for all teams. I guess they may be happy with 4 OOCs against P5s and then hope to win the AAC and get to a NY bowl.
 
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From the story linked above:

Here’s the second scenario, which involves BYU, according to Benson:
“If ESPN exercises the composition clause in its contract — which calls for the network to be compensated for UConn’s lost value — the AAC will seek a replacement to get to 12 teams. That replacement would be BYU as a football-only member,” Benson said.

The SBJ newsletter goes on to say that BYU already has an agreement with ESPN (which expires at the end of the 2019 season but supposedly will be extended soon) and that agreement could be “absorbed” into the AAC’s deal with the network.
“BYU enhances AAC football more than any other non-P5 school, and AAC membership provides the Cougars with a shot to get into a major bowl,” Smith wrote, referencing his conversation with Benson. “And that will never happen as long as BYU is an independent.”

Take a look at BYU's schedule....its actually pretty damn good with 5 to 7 P5 games a year. They would have to shed so many good games.

I don't think BYU joins the AAC as football only unless ESPN forces them too which is not entirely impossible since they pretty much control both.

Future BYU Football Schedules | FBSchedules.com
 
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Exit 4 said:
From the story linked above:

Here’s the second scenario, which involves BYU, according to Benson:
“If ESPN exercises the composition clause in its contract — which calls for the network to be compensated for UConn’s lost value — the AAC will seek a replacement to get to 12 teams. That replacement would be BYU as a football-only member,” Benson said.

The SBJ newsletter goes on to say that BYU already has an agreement with ESPN (which expires at the end of the 2019 season but supposedly will be extended soon) and that agreement could be “absorbed” into the AAC’s deal with the network.
“BYU enhances AAC football more than any other non-P5 school, and AAC membership provides the Cougars with a shot to get into a major bowl,” Smith wrote, referencing his conversation with Benson. “And that will never happen as long as BYU is an independent.”

Take a look at BYU's schedule....its actually pretty damn good with 5 to 7 P5 games a year. They would have to shed so many good games.

I don't think BYU joins the AAC as football only unless ESPN forces them too which is not entirely impossible since they pretty much control both.

Future BYU Football Schedules | FBSchedules.com
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SBJ is just AAC planted rumors. They were making predictions about untold riches too.
 
whaler11 said:
SBJ is just AAC planted rumors. They were making predictions about untold riches too.
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"And AAC commissioner Mike Aresco has repeatedly said he hasn’t heard from BYU since UConn’s pending move became public. " <--Ha, they wont call you back! This is the only move on the board for Aresco worth two pennies and I dont think he can sell it. Only a heavy handed push by ESPN could cause BYU to shed that pretty awesome independent schedule they have assembled.
 
Exit 4 said:
"And AAC commissioner Mike Aresco has repeatedly said he hasn’t heard from BYU since UConn’s pending move became public. " <--Ha, they wont call you back! This is the only move on the board for Aresco worth two pennies and I dont think he can sell it. Only a heavy handed push by ESPN could cause BYU to shed that pretty awesome independent schedule they have assembled.
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I hope BYU joins. It will make our life a lot easier
 
JMick said:
I hope BYU joins. It will make our life a lot easier
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Well, instantaneously there will be a slew of broken football contracts creating options for UConn.

If it happens, my mind will be centered on the notion there was a long shot conspiracy in place to make this chain of events happen. ESPN hands out bad deal contract to AAC, gets lucky that UConn exits, softly encourages exit, softly pushes BYU to take our seat, then after a few weeks goes by rescinds whatever extension offer they had in front of BYU and redirects them to see that empty seat in the AAC.

This is really the only scenario - valid or not, that could happen. The rest of the football options have zero value, especially for ESPN to commit to a 12 year contract.
 
Sounds like wishful thinking. The BYU fanbase would be incredibly angry if their admins went the G5 route. If access was so important, they'd still be in the MWC. It's not like they've recently gone 11-1 and were left out of a major bowl. And BYU isn't hurt for money so there's no reason to go the AAC route right now.
 
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Dooooooomed said:
Sounds like wishful thinking. The BYU fanbase would be incredibly angry if their admins went the G5 route. If access was so important, they'd still be in the MWC. It's not like they've recently gone 11-1 and were left out of a major bowl. And BYU isn't hurt for money so there's no reason to go the AAC route right now.
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Agreed and agreed.....unless ESPN's contract extension suddenly vaporizes.
 
The AAC may need two after Tulane is wiped out this weekend too. That city is doomed - they should pick up like Wake did and move now.
 
Dooooooomed said:
Sounds like wishful thinking. The BYU fanbase would be incredibly angry if their admins went the G5 route. If access was so important, they'd still be in the MWC. It's not like they've recently gone 11-1 and were left out of a major bowl. And BYU isn't hurt for money so there's no reason to go the AAC route right now.
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Yup. BYU fans have absolutely zero interest in the AAC or the schools in the AAC (and rightfully so)
 
Guapo said:
Yup. BYU fans have absolutely zero interest in the AAC or the schools in the AAC (and rightfully so)
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Imagine having those future schedules, with all those big time schools, and being like “nah, let’s play Tulsa every year so that our AD doesn’t have to work as hard on scheduling.”

We’d all be incensed and so would they.

Plus, like @whaler11 said, they are on a mission from God, folks.

Mike Aresco (not mad) is probably so fine with the fact that they haven’t returned his calls. He’s happy, actually.
 
I guess anything is possible, but BYU's schedule is much better as an independent than as part of the AAC. Remember, they have 3 annual games: Utah, Utah St., and Bose St. I guess they could drop Boise St.

And, BYU has scheduled 6 P5 in 2020, 7 P5 in 2021, 5 P5 in 2022, and 6 in 2023. Why would they drop half of those games to play an AAC schedule?

Lets do a sanity check. Which schedule would fans want:

2021 Now:
vs Arizona in Las Vegas
Utah
Arizona St.
USF
@Utah St
Boise St.
@Baylor
@Washington St.
Virginia
Idaho St.
@Georgia Southern
@USC

2021 AAC (possible):
vs Arizona in Las Vegas
Utah
Arizona St.
USF
@Utah St.
Tulsa
@Tulane
Houston
@SMU
Memphis
@ECU
Temple
 
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Dooooooomed said:
Sounds like wishful thinking. The BYU fanbase would be incredibly angry if their admins went the G5 route. If access was so important, they'd still be in the MWC. It's not like they've recently gone 11-1 and were left out of a major bowl. And BYU isn't hurt for money so there's no reason to go the AAC route right now.
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I recall reading that ESPN guarantees a 6+ win BYU bowl access.
 
Husky25 said:
I recall reading that ESPN guarantees a 6+ win BYU bowl access.
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That is what BYU says the agreement is.

With the new games we aren’t far away from everyone at 6 having a home every year.
 
Exit 4 said:
Ass

Replacing us with BYU is the only move aresco can make to actually improve his conference.

And ESPN would love it. All that content behind the ESPN plus pay wall.
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Of course, nobody in Provo has given any indication whatsoever that BYU is even thinking about joining the far-flung league. And AAC commissioner Mike Aresco has repeatedly said he hasn’t heard from BYU since UConn’s pending move became public.

It's unsourced speculation. The one interesting thing is the notion that ESPN let's them keep their side deal. If the AAC contract stays as is and BYU keeps their side deal, that makes a lot sense for everyone except ESPN. Thus it won't happen.
 
Exit 4 said:
Well, instantaneously there will be a slew of broken football contracts creating options for UConn.

If it happens, my mind will be centered on the notion there was a long shot conspiracy in place to make this chain of events happen. ESPN hands out bad deal contract to AAC, gets lucky that UConn exits, softly encourages exit, softly pushes BYU to take our seat, then after a few weeks goes by rescinds whatever extension offer they had in front of BYU and redirects them to see that empty seat in the AAC.

This is really the only scenario - valid or not, that could happen. The rest of the football options have zero value, especially for ESPN to commit to a 12 year contract.
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yup

We will be able to schedule Utah or Utah State .... and 4 other games out west. We are the biggest Independent not Army.
 
If BYU hypothetically joined the AAC for football, a few potential UConn opponents could have openings, e.g., 4 Pac12/Fox schools not including Utah-BYU. Note many BYU alumni, fans, and LDS live in most of the states BYU visits and has scheduled at home; read mutually beneficial scheduling. Not so much 2019, but BYU’s done a good job scheduling.

Whether that translates for UConn is to be determined, but I don’t see the Huskies potentially plugging schedules with most of BYU’s hypothetical openings. A few P5s would be great
 
CL82 said:
Uh, what exactly does that any of that have to do with Aresco giving up our T3 rights and getting paid less on a net basis than a basketball only conference? Oh if we are such a drag on the conference, why are we the only school that has a network willing to pay seven figures for T3 rights?
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You guys are blasting Aresco. We did zero to help him. Had UConn been the UConn of 2010-11 it’s a much different conversation. We were sort of like one of those old heavy weight champs who gets hired as a greeter in Las Vegas. A name but no game any more and ESPN as well as everyone else knows it. Be interesting to see what SNY really pays for T3 rights.
 
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freescooter said:
You guys are blasting Aresco. We did zero to help him. Had UConn been the UConn of 2010-11 it’s a much different conversation. We were sort of like one of those old heavy weight champs who gets hired as a greeter in Las Vegas. A name but no game any more and ESPN as well as everyone else knows it. Be interesting to see what SNY really pays for T3 rights.
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While agree with you, we gave it a go here and it just wasn't a good fit for us. Time to move ahead, if in 15 years this move was a disaster, so be it. We were slowly dying on the vine.
 
Before in the AAC scheduling USC would have been nice but tough, now it is possible. I hope we get into a yearly with BYU, Boise, Army and the University has a realistic approach to admissions to be able to schedule tougher teams in the future.
 
freescooter said:
You guys are blasting Aresco. We did zero to help him. Had UConn been the UConn of 2010-11 it’s a much different conversation. We were sort of like one of those old heavy weight champs who gets hired as a greeter in Las Vegas. A name but no game any more and ESPN as well as everyone else knows it. Be interesting to see what SNY really pays for T3 rights.
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Yeah but ...

It’s a $7m Gross. Net $5m. That’s not $14m. I don’t think - given all we could imagine - a 8 win UConn changes that marketplace marker. We are better off with our individual parts ... and scramble for something for Football

You can’t change the Math
 
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freescooter said:
You guys are blasting Aresco. We did zero to help him. Had UConn been the UConn of 2010-11 it’s a much different conversation. We were sort of like one of those old heavy weight champs who gets hired as a greeter in Las Vegas. A name but no game any more and ESPN as well as everyone else knows it. Be interesting to see what SNY really pays for T3 rights.
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Yeah that’s a whole lot of words, but it really doesn’t answer the question. Do you believe that the Americans media contract is based solely on UConn‘s performance? If not, then you have no point.

But I think you’re missing the point. There’s not a lot of love for Aresco on this board because his immediate deal specifically disregarded the things that were important to UConn. I suppose one could make an argument that that was necessary to get a good media deal, but at the end of the day he got less on a net basis for an FBS all sports conference including football in a deal that runs through 2032 they end the Big East got for a basketball only conference at the end of their deal. It is tough to argue that that is a good deal.
 
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When the biggest most significant player in your league, the only one with a real national rep can’t beat Wagner in Basketball and barely beats Rhode Island in football it doesn’t help the conference. Central Florida has been great. Even Memphis & Temple, the dregs of college football for a decade, have dramatically outperformed us in both sports. It didn’t work because we failed spectacularly. In football and basketball. If Hurley fails to return us to the top ( and it will actually be easier in the Big East, fewer good teams fewer bad ones too to be fair) what will the next move ?
 
CL82 said:
Of course, nobody in Provo has given any indication whatsoever that BYU is even thinking about joining the far-flung league. And AAC commissioner Mike Aresco has repeatedly said he hasn’t heard from BYU since UConn’s pending move became public.

It's unsourced speculation. The one interesting thing is the notion that ESPN let's them keep their side deal. If the AAC contract stays as is and BYU keeps their side deal, that makes a lot sense for everyone except ESPN. Thus it won't happen.
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From what I’ve read, ESPN has a great deal with BYU. They bring in the ratings.

The AAC would dilute that brand.
 
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