Possible Big 12 Invite rumors

[superjohn]

I’ve seen this comparison a few times, and it’s asinine.

There are definite risks with any move to another conference - and UConn going to the Big 12 has some major ones - but it has very few parallels with the AAC.

1) The gap between the TV contracts for the AAC and NBE was nowhere near the increased payout that UConn would get from the Big 12.
2) The AAC was hurt by the perception that it was a brand-new conference (even though it was technically the Big East). Fair or not, that lack of reputation hurt its teams when it came to rankings, bowl and college basketball bids, etc.
3) The Big 12 is light years ahead of the AAC in both basketball and football, never mind some of the other sports. I actually think the AAC was highly underrated as a football conference, but it was not on par with the Big 12.
4) UConn won’t have as many OG rivals as the Big East, but there would still be a couple old friends (West Virginia and Cincy). Plus, Kansas would make for an immediate, natural basketball rival that simply didn’t exist in the AAC.
5) UConn is not in the same place it was a decade ago, when they joined the AAC. They can’t continue operating at a deficit forever, and they’ve already had to shut down a couple of teams/sports as a result.

I get why you’re trying to make the Big 12/AAC, comparison, but it’s not a good one. Going to the Big 12 is far from a guaranteed success, but I stand by it being a no-brainer move.

He's pointing out that plenty of posters here said over and over again the AAC was better for UConn than the Big East, some of the most prominent longtime posters here. The AAC was better for money, better for football, and most of all better for basketball. They were actually arguing the AAC was a better basketball league than the Big East.

 

[MuchoDogYears]

The $30-$40 million number that keeps getting thrown out there as UConn’s annual take if they join the Big 12…a few questions to anyone who might know the actual facts.

1. Where is the $30-$40 million to the Big 12 coming from? TV revenue?
2. If yes, is it guaranteed? If yes, until when?
3. Is it contingent? For example, if it’s TV money, is there a clause in the contract that nullifies or reduces payment if certain programs (Kansas; Oklahoma St; Iowa St, etc) exit the conference? Is the Big 12 still legally the Big 12 if, let’s say, 4 more of the original Big 12 programs leave?

That $30-40 million needs to be long term (10 years+) and fully guaranteed before I’m onboard. Taking a 400% raise to switch jobs is a “no brainer”…until and unless the company goes belly up a year later and you’re out on the street, homeless and broke.

 

[MuchoDogYears]

or the Pru…

The Big 12 isn’t coming East to play it’s conference tournament. They usually play in Kansas City…

 

[AzHusky]

This poll needed an age input. I’d wager a significant part of my income that the “stay in the big east” crowd is 50+, pull the carpet up after them types.

Sorry but I am a little older than 50+ and feel that if offered UConn has to accept an invite from the Big12. Our hockey team is fine just where it is, but the Big East is killing our baseball team, and the FB team will not last much longer as an independent. Can't even imagine how hard it must be to schedule a full season.

 

[Huskyforlife]

 

[Billy Jack]

YES!!!!!! The 30 - 40 Million EXTRA TV payout PER YEAR will be real. In a couple years UCF will be raking in $50 million a year in B12 revenue, which is why the ACC schools are livid.

Our basketball only fans want the UCONN administration to make a decision that none of them would make in their personal lives. Which one of you ever turned down a 400 % pay raise because of a few extra flights?

My question about real dollars was with regard to the athletic department deficit.

 

[LoyalFanCT]

The Big 12 isn’t coming East to play it’s conference tournament. They usually play in Kansas City…

Their commissioner knows and loves NYC. Don't be so sure.

 

[Kolumbo]

UConn is only half as bad a fit in the Big 12 as UCLA and USC are in the B1G. Geographically speaking UCLA and USC have to be the absolute worst fit to date as a result of CR. And yet there they go. This isn't your father's CR time anymore.

Culturally, UConn aligns perfectly with the large state universities in the Big 12 so it has that going for it, which is nice.

 

[Billy Jack]

Is this because games were in Brooklyn or because it involved the ACC. I suspect it was because ACC was playing and did not include teams like UConn or Kansas.

The ACC does not include teams like UConn and Kansas???

The list starts with North Carolina, Duke, Louisville, and Syracuse, and goes on from there.

 

[Billy Jack]

UConn is only half as bad a fit in the Big 12 as UCLA and USC are in the B1G. Geographically speaking UCLA and USC have to be the absolute worst fit to date as a result of CR. And yet there they go. This isn't your father's CR time anymore.

Culturally, UConn aligns perfectly with the large state universities in the Big 12 so it has that going for it, which is nice.

Being a large state university doesn’t come close to making it a cultural fit.

 

[ConnHuskBask]

He's pointing out that plenty of posters here said over and over again the AAC was better for UConn than the Big East, some of the most prominent longtime posters here. The AAC was better for money, better for football, and most of all better for basketball. They were actually arguing the AAC was a better basketball league than the Big East.

I'd love to see who actually argued the AAC was better for UConn basketball. I don't believe that to be true.

 

[bendm]

Conn is only half as bad a fit in the Big 12 as UCLA and USC are in the B1G. Geographically speaking UCLA and USC have to be the absolute worst fit to date as a result of CR. And yet there they go.

they couldnt afford not to and neither can we.

we shouldnt accept anything less than a full share but we would be getting ~$30 mill/year until the ACC dissolves and the big12 absorbs the leftovers that arent invited to the BIG or SEC.

 

[superjohn]

I'd love to see who actually argued the AAC was better for UConn basketball. I don't believe that to be true.

I promise you I'm not making it up. I would argue with them at the time. It was the same type of stuff we're seeing now, people taking unwarranted shots at the Big East. Making fun of the Big East and saying the league is done to try and prop up the situation UConn is in.

I think there is one gigantic reason to go to the Big 12 if the offer is there and that's money. I'm playing a bit of the contrarian role because I find the constant shots people are taking at the Big East to be so distasteful and dishonest. I really do think a move would hurt our basketball though and I far and away care more about UConn basketball than any other sport.

 

[Jbirdp5]

The current/"upcoming" B12 deal ends in 2030. There is a GOR as well. The ACC GOR is until 2036. The B12 will likely end their next, next media deal in 2036 when the current ACC deal ends.

And I would also give it about a 1% chance that the ACC remnants would want to merge with a UConn-less Big East with the likes of Butler, Seton Hall, Xavier, and Providence. If Pitt, Cuse, Duke, Louisville, etc join the B12 and we aren't in it, our athletic department deserves to wither away into nothingness. That would be the biggest blunder of all time.

No way the big 12 would have their next contract expire at the same time as the ACC, they would assuredly lose the battle there when it comes to value for their league.

 

[aburks41]

No way the big 12 would have their next contract expire at the same time as the ACC, they would assuredly lose the battle there when it comes to value for their league.

The ACC literally won’t exist after 2036. They’re going to want to negotiate a fresh deal with (probably) 6 new members from the ACC. They won’t dilute themselves by adding them and then waiting another 4 years or whatever to sit at the negotiating table with FOX and ESPN.

 

[Kolumbo]

Being a large state university doesn’t come close to making it a cultural fit.

I'd say it gets you at least 80% of the way. Close enough for me.

 

[UCONNRPh]

Sorry but I am a little older than 50+ and feel that if offered UConn has to accept an invite from the Big12. Our hockey team is fine just where it is, but the Big East is killing our baseball team, and the FB team will not last much longer as an independent. Can't even imagine how hard it must be to schedule a full season.

Ditto

 

[How Sway?!]

Their commissioner knows and loves NYC. Don't be so sure.

The big ten and acc have proven that just having your tournament in NYC doesn't automatically make it a success.

 

[August_West]

or the Pru…

 

[August_West]

UConn is only half as bad a fit in the Big 12 as UCLA and USC are in the B1G. Geographically speaking UCLA and USC have to be the absolute worst fit to date as a result of CR. And yet there they go. This isn't your father's CR time anymore.

Culturally, UConn aligns perfectly with the large state universities in the Big 12 so it has that going for it, which is nice.

 

[Fishy]

Also, if you are pro

I remember when the AAC was better than NBE because of TV contract situation. You should remember too, wasn’t that long ago

When was that?

It was worse initially and then UConn was so miffed about the renegotiated contract that they started planning for the door.

 

[August_West]

Also, if you are pro


When was that?

It was worse initially and then UConn was so miffed about the renegotiated contract that they started planning for the door.

For the first 5 years of AAC we got almost 4x BE dollars

 

[UConn990411]

He's pointing out that plenty of posters here said over and over again the AAC was better for UConn than the Big East, some of the most prominent longtime posters here. The AAC was better for money, better for football, and most of all better for basketball. They were actually arguing the AAC was a better basketball league than the Big East.

I can’t speak for those posters, but I wasn’t arguing that the AAC was better for basketball.

With that said, there were legitimate arguments at the time for why the AAC was a better fit for UConn (not to mention the Catholic schools seemed intent on sticking with basketball-only schools). Those arguments ended up being wrong, but that happens sometimes even if they’re based on logical thinking.

And yet none of that really applies here. The AAC becoming a good conference was based purely on predictions, whereas we have years of proof and large sample sizes that the Big 12 is an elite basketball conference, a good football conference, and it’s in another stratosphere financially.

 

[MuchoDogYears]

The NIL...The Transfer Portal....USC and UCLA to B1G....UCF and Cincy to Big 12....Bob Diaco to LSU....Calapari unable to buy recruits...

And now UConn leaving the Big East for the Big Dustbowl Conference. This 7th, and final sign, marks the End Of Days for college sports. Go home everyone.

 

[Jbirdp5]

The ACC literally won’t exist after 2036. They’re going to want to negotiate a fresh deal with (probably) 6 new members from the ACC. They won’t dilute themselves by adding them and then waiting another 4 years or whatever to sit at the negotiating table with FOX and ESPN.

If you believe that about the acc then the big 12 definitely doesn’t want to expire at the same time, it might lead a big 12 school or 2 to jump ship
And join some of the acc schools in your scenario

 

[aburks41]

If you believe that about the acc then the big 12 definitely doesn’t want to expire at the same time, it might lead a big 12 school or 2 to jump ship
And join some of the acc schools in your scenario

Why would they leave a conference that pays more money to join the ACC leftovers? That makes no sense

 

[Bongo Fury]

He wasn't? Didn't he go to be Penn State OC?

No, not until after he was HC at Fordham. We probably complained that he ran the ball too much when he was here. He was successful though.

 

[Stinger92860]

It was a joke response to someone who suggested Brooklyn…jeez

 

[Duncan Idaho]

Also, if you are pro


When was that?

It was worse initially and then UConn was so miffed about the renegotiated contract that they started planning for the door.

UConn, Cincy and USF were getting redistributed Big East exit fees as former members. Uconn the most, USF the least. UConn was getting 11MM+

 

[uconnbill]

^^^
Did you know? Texas and Oklahoma are joining Missouri and Nebraska and Taxas A&M and Colorado on their way out.

Don't worry. AAC members Houston and Cincinnati and UCF are filling the void

Sorry Boys, the Big12 is not at the top if the food chain, they're not dealing from a position of strength, they're grasping. And they're a bad fit for us

Dream on

UConn is not Notre Dame where staying independent in football and staying in the Big East means losing more money and possibly losing more money.

I think the survival of UConn football is going to the Big 12 and improvement in almost all sports except basketball and soccer.