New PAC-12 Forming

[Revrat]

Whattya give me for…

The only thing I would believe with this is a desperate attempt to get the Big 12 or ACC to act.

 

[jostar1]

I don’t think that’s correct since he links to Dellenger’s report that makes no mention of consideration as a full member. Could be wrong but I don’t see any legit source (sorry HC) make any mention of that.

The author is the sports editor of the Courant. Yikes! I think he made a mistake. Dellenger never said anything about UConn being a full member.

 

[Storrs South]

The author is the sports editor of the Courant. Yikes! I think he made a mistake. Dellenger never said anything about UConn being a full member.

Unfortunately outside one or two people, the Courant has fallen into complete disrepair due to private equity gutting it like a fish. And I feel fairly confident they aren’t breaking any news particularly on this topic.

 

[LBird33]

The only thing I would believe with this is a desperate attempt to get the Big 12 or ACC to act.

Dave has an obligation to pick up the phone and listen to possible options . Doesn’t mean he has to take them. By obligation I mean. He should never close a door or ignore an opportunity. Without looking into it first and getting the facts

 

[UConn Dan]

I don’t think that’s correct since he links to Dellenger’s report that makes no mention of consideration as a full member. Could be wrong but I don’t see any legit source (sorry HC) make any mention of that.

After they added the four MW schools, I saw a quote from one of the PAC-2 ADs (maybe Barnes) saying they were looking at every possibility for the next additions Including Connecticut as a full member based on our success. Something like, “we at least need to make the phone call and have that conversation.” I think that’s all that was. And we would obviously said no to that, so where we are now is only as a possibility of football-only.

Don’t have time to find it now, but prob in one of the yahoo, cbs or ESPN initial reports. It’s nothing burger throwaway line.

 

[The Yakk]

I doubt UConn is joining the PAC1? for any sport, football or otherwise, but consider this:

For east coast athletes flying west to compete, the jet lag is not a bad thing and might actually help a little.

For west coast athletes flying east to compete in a noon game, the jet lag is brutal.

UConn may enjoy a subtle but real competitive advantage if we play a full home-and-away round robin as the only east coast football team.

I just want to win, baby!

 

[jostar1]

After they added the four MW schools, I saw a quote form one of the PAC-2 ADs (maybe Barnes) saying they were looking at every possibility for the next additions Including Connecticut as a full member based on our success. Something like, “we at least need to make the phone call and have that conversation.” I think that’s all that was. And we would obviously said no to that, so where we are now is only as a possibility of football-only.

Don’t have time to find it now, but prob in one of the yahoo, cbs or ESPN initial reports. It’s nothing burger throwaway line.

I remember that, too, and I thought he was crazy.

 

[UConn Dan]

I remember that, too, and I thought he was crazy.

Yup def crazy and only actual mention of it from a real source and it was just kinda leave no stone unturned kinda comment. Wishful thinking for them and move on lol

This is obviously so messy for them right now. Should’ve done it all in private with whatever schools they wanted and made one big announcement.

 

[Kolumbo]

No way AD David Benedict is seriously considering full membership. Would be the dumbest move in sports history.

I disagree. AD David Benedict should seriously consider ALL proposals and make decisions based on those considerations. The decision may be no but every option should be thoroughly vetted or he's not doing his job.

There are so many moving pieces who knows what the ultimate PAC will look like. Before everyone calls me crazy, of course we are not going all in with the current PAC 7.

 

[Bonamassa]

What is the Pac12 offering? They have no media contract. The Pac12 badly screwed up media negotiations prior to the mass exodus by all but the 2 remaining teams. They will not be a power conference with an automatic bid. I'm keeping an open mind but show me the money/media contract before I'm in. I know UConn can't wait forever but the Power 5 should still be the goal.

 

[Bonamassa]

Power 4

 

[freescooter]

I disagree. AD David Benedict should seriously consider ALL proposals and make decisions based on those considerations. The decision may be no but every option should be thoroughly vetted or he's not doing his job.

There are so many moving pieces who knows what the ultimate PAC will look like. Before everyone calls me crazy, of course we are not going all in with the current PAC 7.

This is right. On the other hand it would be such fun to watch the basketball onlies heads exploding all over Connecticut. Can you imagine the numbers of clean ups in aisle 8 there would be! LOL

 

[Rufus]

The irony of the SEC and B1G taking and getting what they want and everyone under them fight for scraps in a somewhat tiered structure where schools don't always trust each other or their conferences and several file lawsuits of some sort. Meanwhile, the SEC and B1G go unscathed in it all.

 

[Kolumbo]

This is right. On the other hand it would be such fun to watch the basketball onlies heads exploding all over Connecticut. Can you imagine the numbers of clean ups in aisle 8 there would be! LOL

That would certainly cause some tremors.

Every AD has to be looking several potential moves ahead given the uncertainty. The AAC programs turned down the PAC although everyone seemed to think they would go. Unlikely, but maybe one of those scenarios has the PAC and ACC doing something worth something. Just spit-ballin' but crazy things happen every week.

 

[LoyalFanCT]

are any east coast schools besides uconn in talks with the Pac12 now?

 

[freescooter]

That would certainly cause some tremors.

Every AD has to be looking several potential moves ahead given the uncertainty. The AAC programs turned down the PAC although everyone seemed to think they would go. Unlikely, but maybe one of those scenarios has the PAC and ACC doing something worth something. Just spit-ballin' but crazy things happen every week.

Right. I sort of wondered if something is in the works with the ACC and the PAC. Not sure what, though. I have always thought that the ACC and B12 would be best served making common cause with the G5 than the P2 on some issues. Basically those 2 have called all the shots and will continue to do so until someone says no.

 

[UCONNRPh]

That would certainly cause some tremors.

Every AD has to be looking several potential moves ahead given the uncertainty. The AAC programs turned down the PAC although everyone seemed to think they would go. Unlikely, but maybe one of those scenarios has the PAC and ACC doing something worth something. Just spit-ballin' but crazy things happen every week.

Remember Stanford and Cal went ACC, Maybe PAC will want to play some games west,

 

[UCONNRPh]

also, only Benedict knows what was truly said regarding BIG 12 issue behind the scenes, maybe it was a hard core never again NO or was it possibly a let see how you do after this season and we can address it after a three-peat in April. I genuinely believe there is so much more going on than all the rumors and "source" stuff.

 

[Vowelguy]

The Pac 12's plan was to sue their way out of a contract they signed a year ago, and Colorado State, Boise State, San Diego State, and Fresno State thought this plan was such a good idea that they joined the league, even though they had to have authorized the same contract that the Pac 12 is now suing to get out of. As a bonus, the Pac 12, until recently a P5 conference, is claiming that the MWC (less the 4 or 5 departing schools) is violating anti-trust law. I look forward to hearing a lawyer argue that the MWC is a monopoly. The MWC doesn't even have a monopoly in the mountain states.

You dont need to be a monopoly to run afoul of anti-trust laws. The issue is restraint of trade.
That would seem a tough argument here.

Dunno why the PAC didn't just start with 8 from the MWC, get them to dissolve the conference, and thus avoid exit fees.

 

[huskymedic]

Worth finding a way to read full article:



-> The new Pac-12 couldn’t lure an AAC team because it has no idea what kind of TV deal it will be able to make. UConn’s brand, even if it’s football-only, could help with that. For the short term, UConn would get less football money than it would from a power conference, sure, but presumably much more than it is getting now as an independent.

The Pac-12 apparently was talking about inviting UConn in all sports. Okay, slam on the brakes there; that can’t happen, from UConn’s point of view. But if it gets Gonzaga, which does not have football, and UConn as a complement, the new league fits together like the jagged pieces of a puzzle.

Without taking a straw poll, I would guess that if UConn were to join this new venture, fans here would be very happy across the board. The football fans would have a conference. The basketball fans would still have the Big East. And those who worry about the financials could remain hopeful that a lucrative power conference move is still possible down the road. <-

 

[Kolumbo]

You dont need to be a monopoly to run afoul of anti-trust laws. The issue is restraint of trade.
That would seem a tough argument here.

Dunno why the PAC didn't just start with 8 from the MWC, get them to dissolve the conference, and thus avoid exit fees.

The PAC 2 didn't dissolve when the other programs left. I think the MWC would hold on to collect its war chest too, unless their bylaws are much different. One would think if there was a way to get the MWC to vote to dissolve before programs gave their notice, the PAC 2 would have learned that valuable lesson recently.

 

[Vowelguy]

The PAC 2 didn't dissolve when the other programs left. I think the MWC would hold on to collect its war chest too, unless their bylaws are much different. One would think if there was a way to get the MWC to vote to dissolve before programs gave their notice, the PAC 2 would have learned that valuable lesson recently.

I've seen multiple statements, which granted could be wrong, that 8 teams could vote to dissolve the conference.

I thought the PAC either had different rules AND/OR that once a school said "we are leaving" they were no longer allowed to vote. Since the PAC fell apart in pieces -- 2 to BiG, then Col to B12, then 2 more to BiG, then 3 to B12, then 2 to ACC .. and none were sure they were leaving until the offers came, you didn't get the single block of 8-10 schools departing at once.

The MW could've had 8 schools vote to dissolve, and then go to the PAC. Of course they'd have to be sure the PAC wouldn't screw them over....

 

[Kolumbo]

I've seen multiple statements, which granted could be wrong, that 8 teams could vote to dissolve the conference.

I thought the PAC either had different rules AND/OR that once a school said "we are leaving" they were no longer allowed to vote. Since the PAC fell apart in pieces -- 2 to BiG, then Col to B12, then 2 more to BiG, then 3 to B12, then 2 to ACC .. and none were sure they were leaving until the offers came, you didn't get the single block of 8-10 schools departing at once.

The MW could've had 8 schools vote to dissolve, and then go to the PAC. Of course they'd have to be sure the PAC wouldn't screw them over....

Oh, right. They could have organized 8 programs to vote to dissolve together, and based on experience you think they would have done that. I guess they didn't want 8 MWC programs because they wanted AAC programs, and now that the PAC effed it up, they are suing to eliminate the penalties. Good stuff.

 

[CL82]

No way AD David Benedict is seriously considering full membership. Would be the dumbest move in sports history.

I'm sure he talked about it. Suspect that conversation went something like this.:

PAC 12: "We'd love to have you as a member for all sports"

AD Dave:

 

[Viet Vet]

IF……UConn can join a reconstituted PAC “whatever” for football only with NO exit fee should we subsequently leave…….fine. Stay flexible to depart for a better offer if/when the ACC or Big12 collapse or come calling.

 

[UCFBfan]

What is the Pac12 offering? They have no media contract. The Pac12 badly screwed up media negotiations prior to the mass exodus by all but the 2 remaining teams. They will not be a power conference with an automatic bid. I'm keeping an open mind but show me the money/media contract before I'm in. I know UConn can't wait forever but the Power 5 should still be the goal.

This gets UConn a guaranteed schedule of conference games so we don't end up with the gross hodgepodge we have this year with a bunch of teams we don't care about at home. At least the teams in the PAC are recognizable names. They also have money to offer and will have a TV deal. AD David Benedict has been able to pull a rabbit out of a hat with this CBSS TV deal. However, you can't imagine that will stay forever. The PAC will have a guaranteed TV partner that will pay more than we currently get. Finally, players will have something to play for, a conference championship. It also gets us in the door for a possible CFP bid should we have a magical season and become the top G5 school. We can't get that in our current state.

I doubt the B12 or ACC will hesitate offering us a spot because we're in the PAC if that happens. We just need to make sure we don't sign a long term stupid GOR.

 

[Vowelguy]

Oh, right. They could have organized 8 programs to vote to dissolve together, and based on experience you think they would have done that. I guess they didn't want 8 MWC programs because they wanted AAC programs, and now that the PAC effed it up, they are suing to eliminate the penalties. Good stuff.

I get that maybe they didnt want 8 MW, but take 1-2 more teams than desired and save $100M+? I'd take that deal.
And they are going to end up with 6 or 7 MW teams anyway.

I didnt understand what the PAC2 were doing last year in terms of not acting, but thought it made sense if the MWC buyout declined over time. Since that doesnt seem to be the case, no idea what they were thinking.

 

[How Sway?!]

I'm cautiously optimistic that even if the fb only PAC 12 invite does not come through, we'll find a spot in another conference. With the MW likely raiding CUSA, there will be spots open there. There might also be enough turnover that Delaware has second thoughts and a possible package deal to the MAC might come to fruition.

 

[uchusky32]

I'm cautiously optimistic that even if the fb only PAC 12 invite does not come through, we'll find a spot in another conference. With the MW likely raiding CUSA, there will be spots open there. There might also be enough turnover that Delaware has second thoughts and a possible package deal to the MAC might come to fruition.

No one wants this.

 

[huskidork]

UConn football teams travel schedule if we join is going to be atrocious, but on the other hand? money in a pretty competitive conference and I still think eventually a handful of American conference teams will be added