Non-Key Tweets

[nelsonmuntz]

I'm not saying going independent in football, I know that's a death sentence for football. What I'm saying is we negotiate a way out of the AAC in basketball, remain in football, agree to play X number of games against the AAC for X number of years, but become members of the Big East in basketball only. The Big East's TV cache would immediately increase, we would have a home for the two teams that isn't also a death sentence (which an AAC minus two would be), and still have a good home for football. We've been more than kind to the AAC in terms of not asking for anything special considering UConn carries the flag for the league in basketball, is the highest profile school in the conference, boosts TV numbers, and has brought it the most overall notoriety since its inception. Were we to end up in this situation, we'd be in a position where we could finally use our IOU so to speak.

Lost cause. Most of the posters on this board would pick the AAC over the Big East as a long-term home for football and basketball because someday the Big 10 may invite Uconn. The fact that the Big 10 will never invite UConn doesn't factor in this fantasy.

 

[Ldandy]

The AAC took Navy as a football only, why wouldn't they take UConn too? The reality is that the AAC is better off having UConn football in than out. It's true that UConn football would be worse off outside the AAC - the MAC or some other available conference would be a step down -- but at some point UConn may have to bargain for its media rights and the only leverage is threat of exit.

I won't belabor the point after this post, because I don't disagree that if there is a legit avenue to attaining more revenue for its sports products UCONN should pursue it. I just don't see the Navy Comparison as a viable one. UCONN was all in for all major sponsored sports when The AAC was formed. Navy was only interested in a home for its football team, as was The AAC. Yes UCONN Football is an upside product, but the AAC as a sports league is harmed by losing UCONN Basketball M & W on a full time basis. I don't think the conference would open that can of worms, as others might want to weigh their options across multiple leagues if UCONN is able. Again your best option is improving football, winning The AAC, and working toward inclusion in potentially The Big 12 in the near term or The B1G or ACC Longterm.

 

[Ldandy]

Lost cause. Most of the posters on this board would pick the AAC over the Big East as a long-term home for football and basketball because someday the Big 10 may invite Uconn. The fact that the Big 10 will never invite UConn doesn't factor in this fantasy.

As opposed to the fantasy that somehow football can be maintained as an independent at The FBS Level while playing basketball in The Big East? Its becoming overbearing for programs like BYU and ND who try this. How the Hell is UCONN going to do it? Unless that's the plan all along. Hmm.

 

[dante]

Again why would The AAC allow you to take your two most valuable properties out of their league, but still provide you the benefit of a home for football? Outside of Navy, which was a unique situation as they came in as an independent, no one else has an arrangement like this in the conference. The majority of teams in The AAC have no realistic better options for conference affiliation. They are hoping The AAC works out long term. Allowing a bunch of teams to potentially pursue partial memberships is not a recipe for long term conference success.

UConn football is on the up swing which is better then adding a startup program or another CUSA program that can't keep up with the AAC budget. My understanding is that the AAC TV contract was based on football and not basketball I'm pretty sure they want to keep that contract instead of hoping to get something better.
UConn basketball is a national brand and needs to stay that but it's also unfair to ask/demand the rest of the conference "mas moneda"

 

[Ldandy]

UConn football is on the up swing which is better then adding a startup program or another CUSA program that can't keep up with the AAC budget. My understanding is that the AAC TV contract was based on football and not basketball I'm pretty sure they want to keep that contract instead of hoping to get something better.
UConn basketball is a national brand and needs to stay that but it's also unfair to ask/demand the rest of the conference "mas moneda"

What happens if The AAC agrees for UCONN, and suddenly Cincy or Temple decide they would rather be in The Big East for Basketball, and The Big East decides they are receptive to it? The AAC can't go down that road. I don't think they would even entertain it.

 

[dante]

What happens if The AAC agrees for UCONN, and suddenly Cincy or Temple decide they would rather be in The Big East for Basketball, and The Big East decides they are receptive to it? The AAC can't go down that road. I don't think they would even entertain it.

The Big East don't want those programs UConn would be the exception.

 

[Ldandy]

The Big East don't want those programs UConn would be the exception.

For all we know The Big East is fine as it is currently configured and doesn't want anybody including UCONN. We are speaking in hypothetical dealings. JMO but basketball CAN survive in The AAC even if the games are bit less interesting to your fans. Football as an independent could bring the entire AD down should The AAC Balk at this proposed arrangement.

 

[uchusky32]

The Big East isn't taking Uconn for basketball only to see it leave in a few years. The notion that the Big East would make an exception for us knowing we are trying to get into the P5 for football is absurd.

 

[Ha Who]

The Big East isn't taking Uconn for basketball only to see it leave in a few years. The notion that the Big East would make an exception for us knowing we are trying to get into the P5 for football is absurd.

I guess the moonshine isn't only flowing in West Virginia

 

[whaler11]

If UConn told the AAC they were moving the basketball program they would just punt the football program with it and wouldn't lose a second of sleep.

UConn has no leverage with the AAC because anyone with any sense realizes there is nowhere else to put the football team.

 

[ConnHuskBask]

If UConn told the AAC they were moving the basketball program they would just punt the football program with it and wouldn't lose a second of sleep.

UConn has no leverage with the AAC because anyone with any sense realizes there is nowhere else to put the football team.

Insert Nelson's response of saying everyone is OK with the AAC and that nobody else has any other alternative solutions and we're content to die on the vine yada, yada, yada.

 

[whaler11]

Insert Nelson's response of saying everyone is OK with the AAC and that nobody else has any other alternative solutions and we're content to die on the vine yada, yada, yada.

It's similar to what they told Hank Greenberg. We can finish last without you.

When you get no revenue... oh no we went from 1.9 million to 1.4 million!

Temple would be glad to take the recruits. ECU, UCF, USF, Tulane, Memphis, Houston, Tulsa and SMU would all be happy to never set foot in Rentschler again.

Cinci and Navy would feel a twinge for a second, download Tinder and be over it in 48 hours.

 

[Fishy]

We're not going to throw the entire athletic department into chaos for an extra million dollars a year.

An extra million, btw, that will likely evaporate the next time the Big East signs a television contract.

 

[nelsonmuntz]

We're not going to throw the entire athletic department into chaos for an extra million dollars a year.

An extra million, btw, that will likely evaporate the next time the Big East signs a television contract.

As opposed to lighting $25MM that we don't have on fire every year in the hope that we will get a windfall in the form of a P5 invitation, that will have a multi-year buy in towards a future pot of gold that would likely evaporate the next time the Big 12 or ACC signs a TV contract.

No matter what your position on the future (P5 invite or no P5 invite), remaining in the AAC is a mistake.

 

[nelsonmuntz]

It's similar to what they told Hank Greenberg. We can finish last without you.

When you get no revenue... oh no we went from 1.9 million to 1.4 million!

Temple would be glad to take the recruits. ECU, UCF, USF, Tulane, Memphis, Houston, Tulsa and SMU would all be happy to never set foot in Rentschler again.

Cinci and Navy would feel a twinge for a second, download Tinder and be over it in 48 hours.

If none of them want to schedule us, then why are we in a league with them in the first place?

 

[nelsonmuntz]

Insert Nelson's response of saying everyone is OK with the AAC and that nobody else has any other alternative solutions and we're content to die on the vine yada, yada, yada.

If UConn does not have a Big 12 (or other P5) invitation by the end of this round of realignment, our athletic program is going to look very different in a few years.

 

[Fishy]

You would have to be a garden-variety idiot to euthanize our athletic program Nelson-style.

 

[ConnHuskBask]

If UConn does not have a Big 12 (or other P5) invitation by the end of this round of realignment, our athletic program is going to look very different in a few years.

No kidding. If our football less athletic department is in the Big East as a hoop only school it will a lot different too.

We all know it's P5 or bust. Need a team in the most relevant league we can play in.

 

[whaler11]

If none of them want to schedule us, then why are we in a league with them in the first place?

Well UConn has no options. UConn was in the league where added so they didn't really have the ability to say no.

 

[whaler11]

You would have to be a garden-variety idiot to euthanize our athletic program Nelson-style.

Pretty sure those types of idiots are more rare. Like a four leaf clover or a white lobster.

 

[nelsonmuntz]

Well UConn has no options. UConn was in the league where added so they didn't really have the ability to say no.

I agree that UConn no longer has any options. UConn will be in the Big 12 or the A 10 within 10 years.

 

[whaler11]

I agree that UConn no longer has any options. UConn will be in the Big 12 or the A 10 within 10 years.

Big 12, ACC or A-10 I guess.

Is your position today to go football independent and A-10 or Big East in basketball. Can you please put your strategy today on the record?

 

[ConnHuskBask]

Big 12, ACC or A-10 I guess.

Is your position today to go football independent and A-10 or Big East in basketball. Can you please put your strategy today on the record?

You're saying if no P5 movement, we'd be forced to drop football and go A10 for hoop? I'd think we'd just stay AAC, no? Are A10 games even on TV?

 

[nelsonmuntz]

Big 12, ACC or A-10 I guess.

Is your position today to go football independent and A-10 or Big East in basketball. Can you please put your strategy today on the record?

I have written novels on my position, and it is too late to do any of it now. We are in a terrible basketball conference and a bad football conference, and the only things keeping our athletic program remotely relevant are Geno and KO, along with Herbst's willingness to spend like a drunken sailor. It is safe to assume that the athletic department's allowance will be cut off soon.

 

[nelsonmuntz]

You're saying if no P5 movement, we'd be forced to drop football and go A10 for hoop? I'd think we'd just stay AAC, no? Are A10 games even on TV?

The spending on football is completely unsustainable. If we do not get into a P5 league soon, then either we will drop football and go A10, or we will downgrade the program to MAC level, recruiting only locally and selling our schedule to P5 opponents. I don't know if Herbst or the BoT would want a football program competing at that level, so they may just shut it down altogether.