Non-Key Tweets

[pj]

College sports are mostly invisible in NYC. Certainly the Big 12 is not going to change that.

If you've decided to expand, and the alternatives are schools like the University of Central Florida and Memphis, you might as well take a shot at New York + New England. Maybe the chances are low, but the payoff is huge.

 

[FDNY99]

NYC is consistently the lowest rated TV market in the country for college football. The term Subway Alumni exists for a reason when Notre Dame is good. Penn State has a bit of a foothold. Michigan is probably third. If Rutgers was really good (ha) there might be some traction.

If you know anything about NYC and sports.. you don't need to wonder if a college football team in the American Athletic Conference registers. It does not and it will not.

College sports are mostly invisible in NYC. Certainly the Big 12 is not going to change that.

College football Isn't that popular BUT that's not true about college basketball. College hoops especially UCONN, St John's and Syracuse to a small extent own the sports page of the NY Post and NY Daily News during basketball season..especially when the Knicks are bad. I know this because I walk out my front door and pick up those 2 papers every morning or pick them up at a deli on the corner of West 43 & 10th Ave on my way into the firehouse....and watch WABC news every night whether I'm in the firehouse or at home.

 

[dayooper]

If you've decided to expand, and the alternatives are schools like the University of Central Florida and Memphis, you might as well take a shot at New York + New England. Maybe the chances are low, but the payoff is huge.

I don't think it is for the Big12. They don't, nor will they have in the near future, a conference network. The Big12 is already over paid, so I don't know how much more they can get with their main media contract. The Big12 additions need to be safe and secure, not reaching for the stars.

 

[whaler11]

If you've decided to expand, and the alternatives are schools like the University of Central Florida and Memphis, you might as well take a shot at New York + New England. Maybe the chances are low, but the payoff is huge.

How exactly do they get the payoff? Do you know how much incremental
money it would have to generate to increase their future TV contacts on a per school basis to add UConn?

If you want to pretend UConn is a viable candidate for the Big 12 - I'll stop pointing out how absurd it is. Try to take 30 seconds and think about it though. From the Big 12 perspective it makes zero sense.

Entirely different culture, geographic nightmare, zero football recruiting territory opened, no football tradition, minimal football success - they don't fit in any way and they don't have what the Big 12 values.

 

[whaler11]

College football Isn't that popular BUT that's not true about college basketball. College hoops especially UCONN, St John's and Syracuse to a small extent own the sports page of the NY Post and NY Daily News during basketball season..especially when the Knicks are bad. I know this because I walk out my front door and pick up those 2 papers every morning or pick them up at a deli on the corner of West 43 & 10th Ave on my way into the firehouse....and watch WABC news every night whether I'm in the firehouse or at home.

Which the Big 12 doesn't value at all.

That's an argument for the ACC or Big 10... the Big 12 is a football league - nothing else matters to
them.

 

[FDNY99]

Which the Big 12 doesn't value at all.

That's an argument for the ACC or Big 10... the Big 12 is a football league - nothing else matters to
them.

I know...but you painted NYC as a non-college "sport" town in that post not a "non college football town".

 

[DarthGrumpy]

Also, while NYC may not be a college football 'town,' a 1% TV share in NYC is larger (and more valuable) that a 50% share in Louisville.

 

[whaler11]

Also, while NYC may not be a college football 'town,' a 1% TV share in NYC is larger (and more valuable) that a 50% share in Louisville.

And the Big Ten already monetized NYC - so unless the ACC comes up with a TV network to sell there nothing is changing. Nobody is going to move the needle ratings wise to generate a television contract that increases what the conferences are already making.

You need to show incremental viewers they don't get already.

 

[WestCoastHusky]

And the Big Ten already monetized NYC - so unless the ACC comes up with a TV network to sell there nothing is changing. Nobody is going to move the needle ratings wise to generate a television contract that increases what the conferences are already making.

You need to show incremental viewers they don't get already.

We will bring CT and its 3.5M population. That got to count for something especially since CT is also one of the wealthiest states in the country.

 

[dayooper]

We will bring CT and its 3.5M population. That got to count for something especially since CT is also one of the wealthiest states in the country.

Not sure the wealth of the residents has anything to do with this.

 

[NEforceUConn]

Not sure the wealth of the residents has anything to do with this.

Hmm ............ it does if you are a politician, but we are a several years away from that.

 

[nelsonmuntz]

And the Big Ten already monetized NYC - so unless the ACC comes up with a TV network to sell there nothing is changing. Nobody is going to move the needle ratings wise to generate a television contract that increases what the conferences are already making.

You need to show incremental viewers they don't get already.

Exactly. Realignment is finished after this Big 12 move and UConn is locked out. Just like you predicted. You have always said UConn gets no fan support, and that UConn is barely a blip in NYC. You called it a long time ago.

 

[billybud]

If there is further expansion in the east, UConn is one of a very small group of viable candidates.

I do not see the Big 12 going to Connecticut...it would have to be the B1G or the ACC. And it would be about the basketball brand.

TV sets may have played in for Rutgers but that dynamic may now be less in play....

 

[whaler11]

Exactly. Realignment is finished after this Big 12 move and UConn is locked out. Just like you predicted. You have always said UConn gets no fan support, and that UConn is barely a blip in NYC. You called it a long time ago.

Oh good here you come to rewrite my opinion. Thanks.

Have I not made it clear enough I'm talking about UConn Football and NYC? Let me make it clearer on the other misrepresentation - nobody is going to monetize NYC any further than the Big 10 already has without an ACC network. That does not mean there won't potentially be changes to their membership.

I also have not said realignment is over. I actually believe the Big 12 expansion you are lamenting won't ever actually happen - so you might be sharpening your knife to gut Warde for nothing.

Pure gold from the guy who wants to drop football to rush to the loving arms of DePaul and Providence.

 

[FfldCntyFan]

Exactly. Realignment is finished after this Big 12 move and UConn is locked out. Just like you predicted. You have always said UConn gets no fan support, and that UConn is barely a blip in NYC. You called it a long time ago.

And all of the experts claimed that no major conference would ever expand beyond twelve.

The only thing that is an absolute is that the major conferences will always be looking towards what their next step should be.

 

[pj]

How exactly do they get the payoff? Do you know how much incremental
money it would have to generate to increase their future TV contacts on a per school basis to add UConn?

If you want to pretend UConn is a viable candidate for the Big 12 - I'll stop pointing out how absurd it is. Try to take 30 seconds and think about it though. From the Big 12 perspective it makes zero sense.

Entirely different culture, geographic nightmare, zero football recruiting territory opened, no football tradition, minimal football success - they don't fit in any way and they don't have what the Big 12 values.

My point is that UConn is more valuable than the alternatives. If you need a CCG -- which adds revenue by itself -- then you need to take the 2 most valuable schools available.

The B12 has proven they value one thing above all - money - and UConn has a chance to deliver that.

Teams 11 and 12 don't have to add the value of the current per-team contract -- the existing teams don't do that, they are overpaid. Rather they need to maintain the per-school value of the next contract. That's not out of the question.

Have I not made it clear enough I'm talking about UConn Football and NYC? Let me make it clearer on the other misrepresentation - nobody is going to monetize NYC any further than the Big 10 already has without an ACC network. That does not mean there won't potentially be changes to their membership.

Whoever adds UConn will get more money out of NYC than they currently get.

Leagues don't add football programs. They add universities. They get the whole package -- football, basketball, other sports, fans, academics.

In the modern globalized era, Texas and Oklahoma aren't much more remote than Ohio and Michigan. They're a 2 hour flight away. If they play routinely in the region, Texas and Oklahoma could rival Ohio State and Michigan for NYC penetration. Heck, the Florida Gators are the most popular team in much of New England.

Now, all of this discussion is meaningless, because we're headed for the B1G. But if that weren't the case, the B12 would be foolish to pass on us.

 

[whaler11]

My point is that UConn is more valuable than the alternatives. If you need a CCG -- which adds revenue by itself -- then you need to take the 2 most valuable schools available.

The B12 has proven they value one thing above all - money - and UConn has a chance to deliver that.

Teams 11 and 12 don't have to add the value of the current per-team contract -- the existing teams don't do that, they are overpaid. Rather they need to maintain the per-school value of the next contract. That's not out of the question.



Whoever adds UConn will get more money out of NYC than they currently get.

Leagues don't add football programs. They add universities. They get the whole package -- football, basketball, other sports, fans, academics.

In the modern globalized era, Texas and Oklahoma aren't much more remote than Ohio and Michigan. They're a 2 hour flight away. If they play routinely in the region, Texas and Oklahoma could rival Ohio State and Michigan for NYC penetration. Heck, the Florida Gators are the most popular team in much of New England.

Now, all of this discussion is meaningless, because we're headed for the B1G. But if that weren't the case, the B12 would be foolish to pass on us.

Your definition of value is very different than the Big 12's. The Big 12 does not value anything but football. Any decision they make is going to be 100% based on what is added to their football league. There is a reason why literally almost no one legitimate outside of this board considers UConn a viable Big 12 candidate.

Teams 11 and 12 have to maintain the contract in an environment that is changing very quickly. If cord-cutting accelerates and Disney looks to ESPN to cut costs even further the next contract negotiation is going to look very different. So just getting more revenue out of NYC means nothing unless it's enough incremental revenue when divided by 12 to further support the contract. If this dynamic already existed we wouldn't be having this conversation.

I don't even want to know what absurd methodology led anyone to believe the Florida Gators are popular somewhere in New England.

 

[nelsonmuntz]

Your definition of value is very different than the Big 12's. The Big 12 does not value anything but football. Any decision they make is going to be 100% based on what is added to their football league. There is a reason why literally almost no one legitimate outside of this board considers UConn a viable Big 12 candidate.

Teams 11 and 12 have to maintain the contract in an environment that is changing very quickly. If cord-cutting accelerates and Disney looks to ESPN to cut costs even further the next contract negotiation is going to look very different. So just getting more revenue out of NYC means nothing unless it's enough incremental revenue when divided by 12 to further support the contract. If this dynamic already existed we wouldn't be having this conversation.

I don't even want to know what absurd methodology led anyone to believe the Florida Gators are popular somewhere in New England.

If the Big 12 is the weakest of the P5 leagues, and they don't want UConn, why would anyone else? You point out that NYC and even Fairfield County doesn't care about us. If the Big 12 is adding teams, this would seem to be UConn's last chance.

 

[whaler11]

If the Big 12 is the weakest of the P5 leagues, and they don't want UConn, why would anyone else? You point out that NYC and even Fairfield County doesn't care about us. If the Big 12 is adding teams, this would seem to be UConn's last chance.

Gee Nelson because the league monetize their properties differently? Some value basketball more highly? Some make more geographic sense? Some value academics more? Some may see their membership change and need new members?

You are being intentionally dense. I'm not sure why other than to build your ridiculous case for the return to the Big East.

If you want to build a nonsensical case - I'd suggest dropping football and working on an ACC invite.

 

[Pudge]

The 5 Power 5 obviously have different criteria for choosing additional Universities.

Swofford way? Pure Brand & Football tradition started this. Miami? More valuable than any? No one would opine that today. None of the BC, Pitt or Cuse bunch has that broad & bright expansionary future.

RUTGERS? See. Now you're seeing the differing variable. The B1G is about Global World Class Universities making huge dollars in athletics but also rising & solidifying their status. Collegiately. Collaboratively. It's more than just sports. It's a broad wideranging strategy. It's why a solid football school in West Virginia and a valued athletic Program in Louisville never fit. This is ... The Whole Enchilada stratagem. Get all 14 schools in the top 50 in the World? It'll happen. Even RUTGERS.

B12? Catch as Catch can. Expansion? To fill leaks in the boat. And there's mo way the most robust Universities in Texas & Oklahoma & Kansas don't annually consider alternatives. The variance is going to be huge. And the P5 Cartel will leak.

SEC? Great football conference & has some ambition like B1G. Not nearly as academic.

Pac12? Homogeneous solid West Coast & mostly PST time zone. Less attractive for the big dollars. But simply a great group of schools & you know clearly what their options are. Texas? There has to be complaints that fast growing Nevada isn't included. And then ... You've left out solid San Diego State & Boise? Forever outside?

 

[Ha Who]

I have been watching this side thread for a while. My two cents says there is some truth on both sides. Is UConn P5 worthy? No doubt about it. Is it inevitable? No. If we were a slam dunk value adding program someone would have blinked. We have rehashed geography, history, football recruiting etc.

Perception is going to be the key. Ollie has taken care of his end. The football game yesterday helped. The fan base has to step up. There are plenty of $15 football tickets available. Snap em up. People don't like my sarcasm about driving in snow to hoops games. That's perception. If the base gets a reputation for driving through storms to fill the arenas. That helps. It says those guys are crazy. We want them in our conference.

 

[CallMeBruce]

Hmm .. it does if you are a politician, but we are a several years away from that.

It should matter for advertisers, too, shouldn't it?

 

[nelsonmuntz]

Gee Nelson because the league monetize their properties differently? Some value basketball more highly? Some make more geographic sense? Some value academics more? Some may see their membership change and need new members?

You are being intentionally dense. I'm not sure why other than to build your ridiculous case for the return to the Big East.

If you want to build a nonsensical case - I'd suggest dropping football and working on an ACC invite.

You have spent the last two pages of this thread contradicting yourself. You make some very valid points about UConn's problems, but do not have the sack to admit the obvious conclusion: that we are most likely permanently #$@!ed when it comes to realignment.

Yes, my postings in this thread are all part of my master Big East plan. Unlike many of the idiots who revert to "Nelson just wants to drop football" every time they start losing an argument to me, you are smart enough to realize that my issue is revenue. UConn has two choices: raise more revenue, or cut costs by a lot. It doesn't really matter how the athletic department gets more revenue, but it has to get more revenue.

If you have some bright ideas, you should focus on that.

 

[CTMike]

You have spent the last two pages of this thread contradicting yourself. You make some very valid points about UConn's problems, but do not have the sack to admit the obvious conclusion: that we are most likely permanently #$@!ed when it comes to realignment.

Yes, my postings in this thread are all part of my master Big East plan. Unlike many of the idiots who revert to "Nelson just wants to drop football" every time they start losing an argument to me, you are smart enough to realize that my issue is revenue. UConn has two choices: raise more revenue, or cut costs by a lot. It doesn't really matter how the athletic department gets more revenue, but it has to get more revenue.

If you have some bright ideas, you should focus on that.

It's funny, you've never posited how UConn will get more revenue. Your horrible Big East master plan increases revenue by the width of a gnats ass.

UConn has different value to different leagues. We have the most value to the ACC or B1G, we have the least to the PAC12 and SEC, and the B12 is in between, but a heck of a lot closer to SEC and PAC12. This should be obvious enough that no one can possibly disagree. The PAC12 and SEC are not calling, so that leaves the B12 as the league that UConn would add the least value to.

If you are certain that any one of the ACC, B1G, or B12 will either make a move or not make a move - well, you are wrong in addition to being arrogant. No one here knows if or when one will make a move. But you put yourself in the best spot to be the one called if something moves. That plan isn't a guarantee but FOR NOW, it is the best option. Even if making eyes at the B12 is the longest of longshots.

 

[whaler11]

You have spent the last two pages of this thread contradicting yourself. You make some very valid points about UConn's problems, but do not have the sack to admit the obvious conclusion: that we are most likely permanently #$@!ed when it comes to realignment.

Yes, my postings in this thread are all part of my master Big East plan. Unlike many of the idiots who revert to "Nelson just wants to drop football" every time they start losing an argument to me, you are smart enough to realize that my issue is revenue. UConn has two choices: raise more revenue, or cut costs by a lot. It doesn't really matter how the athletic department gets more revenue, but it has to get more revenue.

If you have some bright ideas, you should focus on that.

I have not. You think I am contradicting myself because you keep misrepresenting what I'm saying.

I don't think it's a done deal. I think at some point there will be movement out of the ACC to either the Big 10 or the SEC.