Sad to say this but the value wouldn't be that much. UCONN wouldn't be adding on to the rate in NYC more than likely, or if it did it wouldn't be all that much since the cable companies would probably say they already raised it once.
It depends on how much of the entirety of New England you can bring with you.
Disagree Jay. First and formost, UConn brings Connecticut. When SNY started broadcasting UConn games SNY wasn't in most of the state. Once UConn games were broadcast SNY not only got in but was able to charge $2.50 a STB for the service. Connecticut has a 3.6 million population with 1,360,184 households do that's a quick $3.4 million dollars a month or $40.8 million a year. That's a pretty sizable indicator of value.
Keep in mind that BTN makes money not only from STBs but also from advertisers. Like New Jersey, Connecticut has a pretty attractive demographic with a median household income of $69,519 (2008-2012). Unlike RU, UConn brings the top men's basketball program over the last 15 years. That star power means better ratings which means better advertiser revenue and better gate as well. As big as that is for men's team, UConn is unique in what it brings for woman's team. UConn fills arenas for woman's college basketball. Those filled arenas are revenue. The new American teams were shocked by it this past year. The fact that we can fill MSG also means more revenue when the B1G championship plays there.
Additionally, people actually watch UConn woman's basketball. Ratings lead to advertisers which leads to revenue. UConn fields a lot of sports, and fields them at a high level. With NCAA championships in men's basketball, women's basketball, soccer, and field hockey. I suspect that national championships brings value, especially to a conference that has it own network and is looking for content.
Also, as the B1G renegotiates it's TV contract it is likely that bring UConn on board will result in increased value in that deal as marquee team in men's and woman's basketball.
Add to that Connecticut's strong academics and research affiliations and I think it is pretty safe to say that UConn brings considerable value.
There's a reason why it has become fashionable to say that the B1G made a mistake when it invited RU of UConn. Connecticut is much more attractive in a whole lot of metrics. In the end NJ's 8.9 million people carried the day. Congrats. Being a densely populated state isn't the greatest thing to hang your hat on, but it did get RU in the B1G. On a go forward basis, that will be huge for you. Congrats.
