Positive spin on the newest incarnation of the Big East

[Adios]

It's obvious that we've been the most successful school in basketball in the Big East's history. Football has been a drain on the conference but we have 2 BE titles and a BCS bowl appearance in less than 10 years. Now, we are where we are. It was not any of our doing. We're relatively new to the FBS level. Mostly timing is what brings us here. Just some thoughts in case we are still in the Big East beyond 2014.

Putting things in perspective, this conference will be OUR conference. Just as Michigan and Ohio State control the B1G, Texas controls the Big 12, probably UNC and Florida State control the ACC, we would be the most powerful school in the Big East. Even Boise State managed to whip the MWC. This is our chance to really grow more. That will require an upbeat mentality. Not attitudes that call for antidepressants. Out of all the schools in the Big East in the future, apart from Navy football, we are the only school that has a national audience (in basketball).

Our commissioner is a UConn grad. Tulane's president is a UConn grad. Vince McMahon of the WWE is a Connecticut resident and an ECU grad. Fred Smith, the University of Memphis' biggest booster, is a Yale grad. And who knows what other Connecticut connections there are. We are on top of this conference and let's make the best of it. USF, UCF, SMU, UH, Temple, Cincinnati, Tulane all offer us access to fertile recruiting grounds. What brings in Tulsa? I have no idea. Maybe a rivalry for SMU, UH, Memphis and Tulane. The whole conference's TV contract doesn't sound too appealing but I am just about positive we'll be able to create our own TV revenue streams.

If I am wrong, please feel free to correct me.

PS: I like that TJ Weist dude.

 

[coachcap]

While I agree with the "Let's be the big fish in the small pond" theory, that's not what burns me up with conference realignment. My question (& that of many others) is where will the revenue streams come from?As the Big 4 conferences are padding their war chests, the Big East's dowry is looking punier by the moment.
Pres. Herbst has grandiose plans to add sports, (men's lacrosse e.g.), yet the cash to sustain the athletic department is drying up.

 

[UConnJim]

While I agree with the "Let's be the big fish in the small pond" theory, that's not what burns me up with conference realignment. My question (& that of many others) is where will the revenue streams come from?As the Big 4 conferences are padding their war chests, the Big East's dowry is looking punier by the moment.
Pres. Herbst has grandiose plans to add sports, (men's lacrosse e.g.), yet the cash to sustain the athletic department is drying up.

I don't think the cash is drying up. We are not keeping pace with the major conferences, but the old BE media contract was not great, so the new BE media contract will be higher than what we currently get, but not higher than the major conferences. Throw in creative media rights like SNY,... and (hopefully) better marketing, and we should be at least flat and probably up in the new BE.

The key point is does anybody really think the SEC and Big 10 are staying at 14 and the Big 12 is staying at 10? I don't, so there will be a better landing spot for UConn in the future.

 

[huskypantz]

The money in the upcoming contract is not going to be more than we currently get. The key will be UConn lobbying to keep our SNY tier 3 revenue. My understanding from the BE contracts was that money was pooled among BE schools and then distributed. We need 100% of that, there is no way we should have to pool that revenue when we dwarf the other conference members.

 

[CTMike]

Butchy is going to say I need antidepressants but being the most powerful school the Big East is like being crowned the tallest midget, and upon being surrounded by your midget minions, saying "Hey nice view!"

The problem as others have alluded to is future revenue streams. At this moment, those are very limited for us. What sucks more is that we previously were a "have", whereas now we have been demoted to a "have not" in the future revenue pie. It affects everything that UConn wants to do from here on out.

With a little luck, expansion will continue and UConn at least ends up in the ACC. It's at least another life raft.

Me pointing all this out doesn't make me some awful negative Nancy. It is what it is. It just means UConn has to work that much harder to secure its future. I'll still be a fan no matter what.

Hopefully we hear that Weist has been signed sealed and delivered soon.

 

[noeynox]

If you give it 72 hours there will be yet another incarnation or reincarnation of the big east.

Who can keep up at this point. I silently hope UConn gets a life raft out of here real soon, I really hope the acc gets ass raped by the B1G, Big 12, and the acc, just so those left behind get a taste of what if feels like once nasty Nate is done with your ass.

 

[djct1999]

I like the optimism, but unfortunately I don't see it that way. To me, there is absolutely no positive way to look at where UConn currently is or where they plan to play in the immediate future. To me, the longer they are left out of playing with the power 4 the less likely it becomes and the negative side of that to me means the end of UConn athletics, basketball included, as we know it.

 

[RS9999X]

The state faces revenue challenges going forward. Aging population requiring increasing medical care and declining tax base. Pension obligations, etc An XL upgrade is about the last thing UConn will see as the state cuts UConn subsidies going forward. Small state competing against much larger ones.

Sent from my Lumia 920 via Windows 8. Now bite me Apple Droids.

 

[ZooCougar]

What positions do Fred Smith and Vince McMahon play?

 

[geordi]

You know, the NBE may in fact be a more stable conference than you think. I"m not saying its a good place to land, certainly, either from a visibility, money, or competition standpoint, but consider this. IF (Big IF), the PAC12 comes calling for Texas, Tech, OK, and OSU, the Big 12 is toast. Even if it doesn't, IF, (Big IF again), the Big10 takes UVA and GT, and the SEC takes UNC and VT, and the Big 12 goes to at least 14, that puts Miami, Clemson, FSU, and NC State in play at least. What's left in the ACC is Wake, Puke, Looavul, Cuse, Pitt, and BC. That's no bargain either, cause you have to add others, us, Temple, Cincy. Probably better than where we are, especially in basketball, but no bargain. If the Big 12 goes to 16, that takes a couple more, Cincy and Looavul??? There is no really great ending unless it's the B1G, and that ain't happenin'.

 

[Waquoit]

....negative side of that to me means the end of UConn athletics, basketball included, as we know it.

To the fans that have been around since before the Big East, the situation is more like the movie Charly. Except more heartbreaking because it's real. Having Suzy Q telling us to get over it is very disappointing. I bet she's already looking for her next job.

 

[Adios]

If we were still playing D-1AA football, we wouldn't be going nuts. If we upgraded in football earlier, we wouldn't be going nuts. As someone said, if we go to the ACC, we'll still be a "big fish in a small pond". At the same time, UCF, USF, UH, maybe SMU and maybe Cincinnati are not all exactly small fish. All have potential to go to more powerful conferences. We just happen to be the most powerful school amongst this group.

There's only one solution. Thinking big. If we think small, we'll end up in a watered down ACC. Rutgers fans thought big. They've barely accomplished anything and they got into the Big 10. UMD fans didn't even have to think big and they got into the Big 10. We do have a market and athletic department that can appeal to the Big 10. It's all up to us how we perceive ourselves and promote ourselves. A defeatist mentality is what will sink us the most. I speak from personal experience. My doctors love me. I get treated by the best doctors, thankfully. We have to use what we have now and try to parlay it into a Big 10 invite. It is possible. Keep in mind that the Pac-12 took Utah from the MWC.

 

[Danzz]

The problem is our football program has gone backwards since our last bowl game and there are few signs that the trend will end.

 

[UConnDan97]

To the question of revenue, I agree that too much is being made about the size of the tv contract (insert Viagra joke here ___ ). The incoming revenue, once it has reached a level high enough to secure competent coaching staffs in all sports (insert GDL joke here ____ ), the additional money becomes a point of diminishing returns.

However, the REAL elephant in the room is not necessarily the money, but the ACCESS! Not only will UConn have to dominate the NBE from a football perspective, but we will also have to convince the rest of the nation that we are better than the MW, Sunbelt, MAC, and C-USA in order to make it to the January bowls. If we don't end up in the January bowls, we will likely end up playing in an assortment of stinky bowls, like the "Bed Bath and Beyond Bowl" in Sheboygan, Wisconsin or something to that effect.

Having said that, I'm a big believer in controlling what you can control. We can control our destiny through the NBE. There is enough football clout within the league to demonstrate that we are the best of the "have-nots" if we dominate it. That leads to us being considered as a "have" by the rest of the country (ala Boise, but with 100x better olympics, academics, and tv market). That's the immediate goal, which will present us with our long-term goal...

 

[Adios]

The problem is our football program has gone backwards since our last bowl game and there are few signs that the trend will end.

Did you forget UMD? Their attendance and records during the Edsall era are nothing to envy. We need to support our team, regardless. If we hire Weist, he should be a huge help in the passing game at the very least. PP does know defense pretty well.

 

[DW4UCONN]

To the question of revenue, I agree that too much is being made about the size of the tv contract (insert Viagra joke here ___ ). The incoming revenue, once it has reached a level high enough to secure competent coaching staffs in all sports (insert GDL joke here ____ ), the additional money becomes a point of diminishing returns.

Diminishing returns? That is the best positive spin I have heard yet regarding our TV contract.

 

[Marty Jackson]

the frustrating aspect in this for me is that I believe certain schools are leaving money on the table.
I think there are enough solid programs to build a solid east west split for all sports that could keep travel minimized with limited crossover games. I think such a league would be competitive for both fb and bb, and present a much better tv contract than what is currently out there for any league outside the top 5.

 

[storrsroars]

I know this whole thing is about football first, men's hoops a distant second. But let's think about what this means for women's hoops and UConn exposure for a second. There will be no more annual rivalries. Tennessee is already gone. No ND, no Rutgers, not even L'Ville or Cuse. Geno can still book one or two games against Stanford or Baylor or whomever is a top program, but that's it.

None of these NNBE teams have anything resembling competent women's hoops programs. Not a single team in the NBE other than UConn even gets a single vote in the AP or USA Today rankings. Games will be dull. Fans will stop showing up. The value of the SNY deal will decline - perhaps to the point where it's not even wanted.

So, the draw for recruiting is less. It's not like a future in the WNBA is as appealing as a potential NBA contract, so it's not that big a recruiting draw. Championships are.

At which point, instead of being self-supporting and even turning a profit many years, the women's hoops program will become another major drag on a thinning athletic budget, further damaging an athletic department that's taking on a lot of water.

The conclusion is that without a dynamic, successful women's hoops program, visibility for UConn declines even further, with repercussions beyond just athletics.

 

[UConnDan97]

Diminishing returns? That is the best positive spin I have heard yet regarding our TV contract.

There's no spin about it, friend. It's the reality. Unless you believe that we somehow can pay the players (Auburn?) or that we somehow lack in facilities. Neither is true. The major component of monetary value is the salary of the coaches. Well, we are more than competitive in both basketball and football pay, even to the assistant coaching levels. We are also fortunate to have the backing of the state of Connecticut, in the event that we need further investment in our facilities. So there is no spin about it.

Does more money equal better situation? Sure, I'm not stupid. But if you think that the University of Connecticut can't still produce top-notch athletics with a 4 million per year NBE contract, then you don't understand our finances. It's not me with the issue, it's you...

 

[UConnDan97]

I know this whole thing is about football first, men's hoops a distant second. But let's think about what this means for women's hoops and UConn exposure for a second. There will be no more annual rivalries. Tennessee is already gone. No ND, no Rutgers, not even L'Ville or Cuse. Geno can still book one or two games against Stanford or Baylor or whomever is a top program, but that's it.

None of these NNBE teams have anything resembling competent women's hoops programs. Not a single team in the NBE other than UConn even gets a single vote in the AP or USA Today rankings. Games will be dull. Fans will stop showing up. The value of the SNY deal will decline - perhaps to the point where it's not even wanted.

So, the draw for recruiting is less. It's not like a future in the WNBA is as appealing as a potential NBA contract, so it's not that big a recruiting draw. Championships are.

At which point, instead of being self-supporting and even turning a profit many years, the women's hoops program will become another major drag on a thinning athletic budget, further damaging an athletic department that's taking on a lot of water.

The conclusion is that without a dynamic, successful women's hoops program, visibility for UConn declines even further, with repercussions beyond just athletics.

The women's hoops analogy is actually the worst one you could make for your point. With the exception of Notre Dame (and Rutgers a few years back with Pondexter), we have NEVER really had good in-conference rivalries. It was Tennessee, Stanford, Duke, North Carolina, Baylor, and even Oklahoma when coach Coale had them near the top. We play anyone anywhere, and they all want to play us too. Where else is a girl going to play in front of 12 to 13k crowds in this country?

No, the women's hoops team is the least of our worries. They are the one team that can operate independent of a conference...

 

[Adios]

SMU and Tulane seem to have decent women's basketball programs. Houston signed a decent class for 2012.

 

[uconnfan68]

I know this whole thing is about football first, men's hoops a distant second. But let's think about what this means for women's hoops and UConn exposure for a second. There will be no more annual rivalries. Tennessee is already gone. No ND, no Rutgers, not even L'Ville or Cuse. Geno can still book one or two games against Stanford or Baylor or whomever is a top program, but that's it.

None of these NNBE teams have anything resembling competent women's hoops programs. Not a single team in the NBE other than UConn even gets a single vote in the AP or USA Today rankings. Games will be dull. Fans will stop showing up. The value of the SNY deal will decline - perhaps to the point where it's not even wanted.

So, the draw for recruiting is less. It's not like a future in the WNBA is as appealing as a potential NBA contract, so it's not that big a recruiting draw. Championships are.

At which point, instead of being self-supporting and even turning a profit many years, the women's hoops program will become another major drag on a thinning athletic budget, further damaging an athletic department that's taking on a lot of water.

The conclusion is that without a dynamic, successful women's hoops program, visibility for UConn declines even further, with repercussions beyond just athletics.

OK, but the Big East was nothing when we started there either.

 

[UConnDan97]

SMU and Tulane seem to have decent women's basketball programs. Houston signed a decent class for 2012.

No offense, Butchy, but those teams don't even move the meter for the women's team. But that's the point. Neither did Marquette, Georgetown, Syracuse, etc. We consistently play the majority of the top15 teams in the country. Look how many they have already played, and they will play #4 Duke tonight. None of that is determined by us being in the Big East. It's determined by us being UConn...

 

[jostar1]

The women's hoops analogy is actually the worst one you could make for your point. With the exception of Notre Dame (and Rutgers a few years back with Pondexter), we have NEVER really had good in-conference rivalries. It was Tennessee, Stanford, Duke, North Carolina, Baylor, and even Oklahoma when coach Coale had them near the top. We play anyone anywhere, and they all want to play us too. Where else is a girl going to play in front of 12 to 13k crowds in this country?

No, the women's hoops team is the least of our worries. They are the one team that can operate independent of a conference...

Well, BC was pretty good back when they were in the Big East.
The other thing is that Geno isn't exactly young. He's going to be 60 this year. If UConn is stuck in this conference for another 5 years, he will be at retirement age. At that time, UConn will lose another high profile coach and will be diminished even further in public perception when it comes to realignment.

 

[Carl Spackler]

While I agree with the "Let's be the big fish in the small pond" theory, that's not what burns me up with conference realignment. My question (& that of many others) is where will the revenue streams come from?As the Big 4 conferences are padding their war chests, the Big East's dowry is looking punier by the moment.
Pres. Herbst has grandiose plans to add sports, (men's lacrosse e.g.), yet the cash to sustain the athletic department is drying up.

have to apply a little relativity here.

There is a major gap in athletic revenue among universities in the united states, and it revolves around athletics - specifically college football, and it's about 3 1/2 decades in the making.

I don't know what the playoff contracts with ESPN are and how they break down, but I seem to recall that it was spun out in the media, that the gap between the schools is decreasing with this new arrangement. That I would have to see in proof positive format to believe, but it's not impossible.

The rich are getting richer, and we're not on that side of the fence. But does that necessarily mean we are going to fail in being able to remain competitive?

Not necessarily. Doubful actually, what appears to be happening, is that we're going to be on the same page as we've been all along, and that's in the middle of the pack when it comes to revenue streams.

We'll see wehre it all eventually shakes out, I hope sooner than later, because we don't have any media contracts in place come fall 2013 sports as far as I know of right now. What matters is that we improve our media deals, from what they were in the past.

That will happen, I have no doubt. THe extent of which, is determined by the conference affiliation. That we will increase our revenue streams, does not seem to be in question, it's only a question of how much and what is the best way to go about it.

I personally believe, that the more control we have over our own media rights, the better positioned we are for the future. I would gladly trade off profit now, for the freedom to negotiate our own media rights 5-10 years from now.