Report: UConn Going To Big East For 2020-2021 Season | Page 8 | The Boneyard

Report: UConn Going To Big East For 2020-2021 Season

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I just want to say I'm amazed how many people apparently heard this news from random people before this story was published

"Yeah I was in Milwaukee last week and was chatting up some Marquette AD members and they mentioned we'd be conference mates soon but I kept it quiet because I assumed it was nothing"
 
Engineer90 said:
Could a new football conference be formed? UConn, UMass plus a few upgrades from existing Big East teams? Just throwing it out there.
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44021
 
www.app.com

Is UConn returning to the Big East Conference? It's inevitable

A look at why the reunion would be welcomed with open arms by league members.
www.app.com www.app.com

How accurate is this? In multiple conversations with insiders, the move has been described as inevitable to USA Today Network New Jersey, but the timetable and details are unconfirmed at this time. Obviously it could not happen in time for 2019-2020 with schedules already being finalized.

But here’s why UConn’s homecoming would be welcomed with open arms by all 10 Big East schools and favored by crucial partners Fox Sports 1 and Madison Square Garden:

  • UConn basketball is a big brand that would boost ratings and strengthen the league’s negotiating position for the next TV contract.
  • UConn fans travel well and would provide attendance bumps across the league and at the Big East Tournament (the latter rounds already have been selling out and would become an even hotter ticket).
  • The increase in member schools from 10 to 11 wouldn’t be a problem for basketball. Conferences across the country are moving to 20-game league schedules and the Big East could do that while retaining the true round robin — a high priority for the coaches. As for the tournament, it would change the bracket but the Big East ran a highly successful nine-team tournament for years, so the odd number matters little.
 
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StunningSteve said:
Only it didn’t really go public prematurely...

A St John’s fan with a “news” twitter hit send.

If you’re that worried about it Chief, why even give the guy the time of day.
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LOL it’s public
 
Drew said:
Also not that this is a surprise but: Is UConn returning to the Big East Conference?

As explained to USA Today New Jersey, UConn’s return would be accompanied by a substantial exit penalty. That is not addressed in the Digital Sports Desk report.
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Some guy on reddit who knows someone at a Big East school said the Big East schools would be willing to chip in for the exit penalty. Not @Chief00 certified, but something to ponder.
 
The Bonyeard and the Dude of West Virginia, your sources for realignment news!
 
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UConnNick said:
It has to be if the Big Least is allowing us to join. A couple of years ago they interviewed NBE commish Val Ackerman and asked her about us joining her league. She said we'd have to decide what to do with football, meaning shut it down or downgrade it so there's no chance we'd leave the NBE. She wants to wear a hard hat and swing the wrecking ball at PAWS-ARF.
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Maybe they've changed their minds?

UConn obviously adds way more value than any other school the NBE could pick up, it would make sense to value that over the stability of one school. Especially since any more p5 expansion seems to be a ways off, and UConn doesn't seem very likely to be invited at this point.
 
Hoophound said:
I have no issue with basketball in the Big East. I have a huge issue with damaging football further. Football is essential to my fan experience. Even bad football is far better than no football.
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I'm more concerned with baseball ending up in a worse spot and Stunning Steve's sanity if he can't talk up the AAC anymore. UConn Football could not exist and I don't think 99% of UConn fans would care
 
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navery12 said:
I'm more concerned with baseball ending up in a worse spot and Stunning Steve's sanity if he can't talk up the AAC anymore. UConn Football could not exist and I don't think 99% of UConn fans would care
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But you think people care about the spot UConn baseball ends up in?
 
I still don't understand how this is a financially positive move for us... Isn't the Big East deal half of what we just got from ESPN?
 
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kemba said:
But you think people care about the spot UConn baseball ends up in?
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A handful of people on this board, yes. I didn't say most would. That's why I said *I* care
 
UConnStats said:
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When I said I did not know of a definite plan for football - I meant it. I know that sounds strange since football drives the bus in college sports everywhere else. The majority of effort that Chief was aware of was directed to getting into the Big East. Football is being worked on but it’s far behind in terms of reaching a destination.
 
McLovin said:
I still don't understand how this is a financially positive move for us... Isn't the Big East deal half of what we just got from ESPN?
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Big East contract when it was negotiated had a kicker if an "11th" (hint, hint) team was added. AAC isn't getting the same money sans UConn. Now UConn doesn't have to play on an internet app, either.

I believe a big influence for this move was our strong partnership with SNY. Even if we have to go Independent, I'd imagine they will pick up the game for an amount similar to what we have been making from the AAC. After all, a few years ago they were paying 5 million for our second rate WBB games.
 
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