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- Mar 2, 2015
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Maybe. As the newbie in HE our departure wouldn't likely result in a B1G bludgeoning by the HE media, as it certainly would if BC was enticed to leave. What if the move was conditioned on three symbiotic promises from Delaney. UConn would agree to turn down any offer from the Big XII, thus keeping UT/OU and friends from encroaching into the prized NYC/NE markets that the B1G is trying hard to protect. In return, the B1G would put us in a "priority" position for entry during next expansion opportunity, predicated on meeting certain football metrics, e.g., record, bowl games, attendance, stadium expansion, etc. as we push ever closer to AAU. B1G would also reward UConn during the waiting period (6 years?) with the scheduling of several high profile B1G/UConn home and home football and basketball games--while we await "highly probable" but not "guaranteed" full membership.
Would you take that?
I would not accept those terms as you stated them.
Being put in "priority" position for B1G membership based on meeting certain metrics would be acceptable as long as they are reasonable and attainable. Attendance for example, asking us to have 100% attendance especially with the schedule we have is out of the question, (35,000 avg. is more reasonable in a 40,000 seat venue). That would mean the B1G would have to agree to help us achieve those established attendance figures by scheduling quality out-of conference games with us. B1G would also have to recommend us for AAU status as long as we meet established criteria (We've got to be very close right now, if not already there.) Record, bowl games, stadium expansion are fair criteria. However, without guaranteed "full" membership its a dead deal in my mind.
Yes, I think being in the AAC will in the long run be a death sentence for us. But I don't think we can become beggars. I truly believe UConn is a quality property and has much to offer the B1G athletically, academically, media wise, monetarily, and tradition. We are a good fit. Are we there yet?? Maybe not quite? But we are definitely not far off. If the NBA or NFL can afford to draft a player based on projected future value I think the B1G can also. UConn should not be overlooked. That's dangerous because we will come back and bite you in the as*.