So what's next?

[HuskyHawk]

It looks like it proves that UConn is a top 4 college athletic program in the NYC area.

And that's just football. For basketball it would be #1 or #2 at worst. Overall, top 3 easily. And for anyone like East Coast who says, basketball doesn't matter, that's nonsense. It's harder for the conferences to monetize, but I guarantee you that college basketball is more popular than college football in NYC. And NYC, due to sheer size, is the #2 college football market in the country according to Nate Silver.

 

[nelsonmuntz]

The only remotely positive thing about the disaster of the last 24 hours is that if UConn and the AAC/MWC schools do somehow come up with a way to better monetize their programs and their conference, there will be a day in about 7 years where we get to tell the leftover Big 12 schools to stuff it when Oklahoma, Kansas and Texas leave.

 

[djct1999]

The only remotely positive thing about the disaster of the last 24 hours is that if UConn and the AAC/MWC schools do somehow come up with a way to better monetize their programs and their conference, there will be a day in about 7 years where we get to tell the leftover Big 12 schools to stuff it when Oklahoma, Kansas and Texas leave.

Please stop with Kansas. They are not going anywhere UConn isn't. So much will happen by 2025. First, the B1g will not receive as much the next go around. Greed will set in and in no way will these schools split a smaller pot with a school who offers very little. Second, OU, will feel immense pressure from state government to not leave OSU behind and ultimately won't. What will happen? OSU and OU to Pac12. Texas most likely to ACC with an ND type deal. Kansas to the G5.

 

[UConnJim]

And that's just football. For basketball it would be #1 or #2 at worst. Overall, top 3 easily. And for anyone like East Coast who says, basketball doesn't matter, that's nonsense. It's harder for the conferences to monetize, but I guarantee you that college basketball is more popular than college football in NYC. And NYC, due to sheer size, is the #2 college football market in the country according to Nate Silver.

People miss the reason why football drives the bus over basketball and it has nothing to do with each sport's revenue generation capability. The NCAA basketball tournament revenues goes to the NCAA and they use it to fund their operations, in particular, non-revenue sports championships, etc. Some of the revenues are given back to the schools and conferences. This contrasts with football in which the P5 conferences control all of the revenues from their bowls and college football playoffs.

Thus, basketball is less lucrative than football for the conferences in today's world. As the TV model changes, the revenue distribution model may change and basketball could become more important.

 

[upstater]

Syracuse has upstate NY. Big whoop. Some of those people don't even know Colgate University exists.

Syracuse the #1 team in Harlem? Yeah, right.

They dont have upstate NY. If they did, that would be a huge feather in their cap. 7 million people live upstate.

 

[HuskyHawk]

People miss the reason why football drives the bus over basketball and it has nothing to do with each sport's revenue generation capability. The NCAA basketball tournament revenues goes to the NCAA and they use it to fund their operations, in particular, non-revenue sports championships, etc. Some of the revenues are given back to the schools and conferences. This contrasts with football in which the P5 conferences control all of the revenues from their bowls and college football playoffs.

Thus, basketball is less lucrative than football for the conferences in today's world. As the TV model changes, the revenue distribution model may change and basketball could become more important.

Everyone here is well aware of the fact that football is monetized by the conferences to a much greater degree. Even considering that, basketball is vastly underrated in importance, especially by the fans of more football centric schools. And as for untapping markets in a network, it's just as important as football because it has more content. It's also just as important to brand recognition. The Kansas Jayhawk was ranked the most recognizable college logo nationwide. All the other sports become important to anyone with a network, including hockey, soccer, baseball and women's basketball when taken to the level that UConn has.

 

[nelsonmuntz]

Please stop with Kansas. They are not going anywhere UConn isn't. So much will happen by 2025. First, the B1g will not receive as much the next go around. Greed will set in and in no way will these schools split a smaller pot with a school who offers very little. Second, OU, will feel immense pressure from state government to not leave OSU behind and ultimately won't. What will happen? OSU and OU to Pac12. Texas most likely to ACC with an ND type deal. Kansas to the G5.

Whatever. Most the non OU/UT schools are toast in 8 years, and my feeling is screw them. We were there for them 5 years ago when the Big 12 was coming apart, and they just shivved us in the back.

 

[Calhoun's Court]

One thing that has to be addressed is season ticket pricing for both football and basketball now that we are in the AAC for a while.

Attendance has been declining. The matchups are not must see.

In general people are not paying $30 a pop to watch this. And in some cases donate too.

People are going to cherry pick games. League games will not be attended well IMO.

A lot of people have mentioned to me if the Big 12 didn't happen they are no longer going to be season ticketholders for football.

I will continue to be a season ticketholder for both football and basketball but I have a bad feeling a lot of people won't be any longer.

 

[mavblues]

It's on you if you get upset or angry.

Show me on this map, a zip code within 50 miles of Boston, where UConn is a top 3 college team. Now do the same within 25 miles of NYC.
College Football Fan Map

UConn's Derek Pratt Throws First Pitch at Fenway

UConn's Shabazz Napier Throws Out First Pitch At Fenway

UConn-Maine Hockey Game At Fenway Park On Jan. 14

UConn Champion Men to Be Honored at Fenway Today

 

[mavblues]

I'm not even sure what we're arguing about anymore. All I'm saying is UConn's presence in Boston and NYC is weak because they're pro sports towns, so for college fanbases to claim it as their territory is silly.

In fairness to you, I don't think you knew what we were arguing about at the beginning, either.

 

[frankthetank]

Please stop with Kansas. They are not going anywhere UConn isn't. So much will happen by 2025. First, the B1g will not receive as much the next go around. Greed will set in and in no way will these schools split a smaller pot with a school who offers very little. Second, OU, will feel immense pressure from state government to not leave OSU behind and ultimately won't. What will happen? OSU and OU to Pac12. Texas most likely to ACC with an ND type deal. Kansas to the G5.

Uh, no. Kansas will instantly find a place in ANY of the P5 leagues. No question about it. Not even a debate. I see many arguments here that UConn brings in NYC/Boston, which might have some validity, but then people shouldn't turn around and ignore that Kansas brings in a MUCH wider proven fan region than its own home state (as it's located within the Kansas City region that brings in half of Missouri's population and beyond)... and people in that region REALLY watch college basketball at NFL-type levels. They are honestly the basketball version of Nebraska football - this isn't about the sheer size of the market (and the market that Kansas brings to the table is much larger than the Nebraska market), but rather that they truly get 100% of that market and they can basically charge whatever cable rate that they want for the games in that market.

Believe me - the Big Ten would add Kansas in a heartbeat. It's an AAU member school that's a flagship and is the bluest of the blue bloods in basketball. (This is not just about performance on-the-court. This is about over a century of prestige and tradition in a conference that prizes prestige and tradition more than any other league. The Kansas program was literally founded by the person that *invented* basketball, so you can't get much more blue blooded than that situation.) The SEC, ACC and Pac-12 would all add Kansas immediately, too. The only thing that would hold them back is the same thing that you pointed out with respect to Oklahoma, where politicians might try to bind them to Kansas State. Once again, trust me on this: ALL of the P5 leagues would add Kansas immediately alone. It's not even a question. Discount Kansas at your peril. UConn should actually hope that KU gets antsy because they're one of the few schools that could get P5 realignment moving again.

 

[frankthetank]

Whatever. Most the non OU/UT schools are toast in 8 years, and my feeling is screw them. We were there for them 5 years ago when the Big 12 was coming apart, and they just shivved us in the back.

To be sure, ALWAYS rolls downhill in conference realignment. The old Conference USA members used to say similar things about when the Big East was predicted to fall apart... yet when the Big East actually fell apart, the remaining three (!) all-sports members were STILL able to rebuild and raid everyone that they wanted from C-USA. Even if UT, OU and KU all leave the Big 12, that league will still have raiding power if only because they're pocketing exit fees, pre-existing bowl agreements and left-behind NCAA Tournament credits. The reality is that whoever is left in the Big 12 can still effectively take whoever they want from the G5 leagues to create a Frankenstein hybrid of the left-behind Big 12 schools and the best of the AAC and MWC.

 

[Exit 4]

Uh, no. Kansas will instantly find a place in ANY of the P5 leagues. No question about it. Not even a debate. I see many arguments here that UConn brings in NYC/Boston, which might have some validity, but then people shouldn't turn around and ignore that Kansas brings in a MUCH wider proven fan region than its own home state (as it's located within the Kansas City region that brings in half of Missouri's population and beyond)... and people in that region REALLY watch college basketball at NFL-type levels. They are honestly the basketball version of Nebraska football - this isn't about the sheer size of the market (and the market that Kansas brings to the table is much larger than the Nebraska market), but rather that they truly get 100% of that market and they can basically charge whatever cable rate that they want for the games in that market.

Believe me - the Big Ten would add Kansas in a heartbeat. It's an AAU member school that's a flagship and is the bluest of the blue bloods in basketball. (This is not just about performance on-the-court. This is about over a century of prestige and tradition in a conference that prizes prestige and tradition more than any other league. The Kansas program was literally founded by the person that *invented* basketball, so you can't get much more blue blooded than that situation.) The SEC, ACC and Pac-12 would all add Kansas immediately, too. The only thing that would hold them back is the same thing that you pointed out with respect to Oklahoma, where politicians might try to bind them to Kansas State. Once again, trust me on this: ALL of the P5 leagues would add Kansas immediately alone. It's not even a question. Discount Kansas at your peril. UConn should actually hope that KU gets antsy because they're one of the few schools that could get P5 realignment moving again.

Whats the math to get Kansas to carry its weight in any other Power conference with a state pop of 2.9? Big TV isn't writing checks for sports as a loss leader like it has in the past. Fox just proved that by shutting down the B12 expansion which with the right schools would have added tremendously to the reach and influence of FS1. Its fundamental at this point to CRA, the school changing conferences have to carry there own weight in media revenues because the tv check book is closed to cover the shortfalls. The math has to be obvious and assured.

 

[frankthetank]

Whats the math to get Kansas to carry its weight in any other Power conference with a state pop of 2.9? Big TV isn't writing checks for sports as a loss leader like it has in the past. Fox just proved that by shutting down the B12 expansion which with the right schools would have added tremendously to the reach and influence of FS1. Its fundamental at this point to CRA, the school changing conferences have to carry there own weight in media revenues because the tv check book is closed to cover the shortfalls. The math has to be obvious and assured.

You overlooked my point that people are (whether intentionally or not) sandbagging the size of the market for Kansas. If you're going to argue that UConn's fan base is larger than the state of Connecticut and goes into the NYC/Boston areas (which is what most UConn fans want to argue), then you must give a lot of credit to Kansas to bringing in half of the state of Missouri on top of its home state AND that these people truly do watch college basketball at among the highest levels in the country. The Kansas City market, which is what KU brings and is actually mostly in Missouri, was the #3 ESPN college basketball market in the country last season and one of only 4 markets that averaged over a 2.5 rating for ALL college basketball games (AKA P5 college football-level viewership in GREAT college football markets like Austin and Nashville). It's also typically a top 25 college football market, too. Translation: a network can charge whatever it wants to that market for Kansas basketball and they'll receive it. This is like a cable carrier not carrying NESN in the Boston market - that cable carrier will die in that event, so NESN has ultimate pricing power.

I know people here don't seem to want to believe me, but Kansas is very, very, very safe. They are one of the few (only?) basketball-centric schools that could realistically be added that would make money for the Big Ten and SEC. KU's market is significantly larger than what you're giving it credit for... and it's not even about their local market. It's about making the BTN into a true national channel. The SEC would have the same interest with the SECN. In terms of schools that have value in the Big 12, there's Texas, then a big drop to Oklahoma and Kansas, and then there's everyone else. Unless you think that ONLY Texas and Oklahoma are getting out of the Big 12, then Kansas is finding a home. They are waaaaay more valuable than Oklahoma State and everyone else in that league and, as such, will easily be added. They have the academics (AAU status), national brand name, and bluest of the blue blood credentials.

 

[djct1999]

You overlooked my point that people are (whether intentionally or not) sandbagging the size of the market for Kansas. If you're going to argue that UConn's fan base is larger than the state of Connecticut and goes into the NYC/Boston areas (which is what most UConn fans want to argue), then you must give a lot of credit to Kansas to bringing in half of the state of Missouri on top of its home state AND that these people truly do watch college basketball at among the highest levels in the country. The Kansas City market, which is what KU brings and is actually mostly in Missouri, was the #3 ESPN college basketball market in the country last season and one of only 4 markets that averaged over a 2.5 rating for ALL college basketball games (AKA P5 college football-level viewership in GREAT college football markets like Austin and Nashville). It's also typically a top 25 college football market, too. Translation: a network can charge whatever it wants to that market for Kansas basketball and they'll receive it. This is like a cable carrier not carrying NESN in the Boston market - that cable carrier will die in that event, so NESN has ultimate pricing power.

I know people here don't seem to want to believe me, but Kansas is very, very, very safe. They are one of the few (only?) basketball-centric schools that could realistically be added that would make money for the Big Ten and SEC. KU's market is significantly larger than what you're giving it credit for... and it's not even about their local market. It's about making the BTN into a true national channel. The SEC would have the same interest with the SECN. In terms of schools that have value in the Big 12, there's Texas, then a big drop to Oklahoma and Kansas, and then there's everyone else. Unless you think that ONLY Texas and Oklahoma are getting out of the Big 12, then Kansas is finding a home. They are waaaaay more valuable than Oklahoma State and everyone else in that league and, as such, will easily be added. They have the academics (AAU status), national brand name, and bluest of the blue blood credentials.

This is such a crock.

 

[jfuchs91]

You overlooked my point that people are (whether intentionally or not) sandbagging the size of the market for Kansas. If you're going to argue that UConn's fan base is larger than the state of Connecticut and goes into the NYC/Boston areas (which is what most UConn fans want to argue), then you must give a lot of credit to Kansas to bringing in half of the state of Missouri on top of its home state AND that these people truly do watch college basketball at among the highest levels in the country. The Kansas City market, which is what KU brings and is actually mostly in Missouri, was the #3 ESPN college basketball market in the country last season and one of only 4 markets that averaged over a 2.5 rating for ALL college basketball games (AKA P5 college football-level viewership in GREAT college football markets like Austin and Nashville). It's also typically a top 25 college football market, too. Translation: a network can charge whatever it wants to that market for Kansas basketball and they'll receive it. This is like a cable carrier not carrying NESN in the Boston market - that cable carrier will die in that event, so NESN has ultimate pricing power.

I know people here don't seem to want to believe me, but Kansas is very, very, very safe. They are one of the few (only?) basketball-centric schools that could realistically be added that would make money for the Big Ten and SEC. KU's market is significantly larger than what you're giving it credit for... and it's not even about their local market. It's about making the BTN into a true national channel. The SEC would have the same interest with the SECN. In terms of schools that have value in the Big 12, there's Texas, then a big drop to Oklahoma and Kansas, and then there's everyone else. Unless you think that ONLY Texas and Oklahoma are getting out of the Big 12, then Kansas is finding a home. They are waaaaay more valuable than Oklahoma State and everyone else in that league and, as such, will easily be added. They have the academics (AAU status), national brand name, and bluest of the blue blood credentials.

Except for the fact that it looked like Kansas was going to be relegated to the G5 in 2010.

The issue that many people here have with Kansas' candidacy is that they're very similar to UConn: State flagship, elite basketball, national brand, owns their home market (and viewership that stretches beyond state), weak football, strong academics, etc.

Kansas has more "history" and is AAU. UConn has the larger market (and without split fandom), higher ranked academics, a much wealthier demographic (think advertiser $$), and the wildcard that is WBB (MBB also has more NCs than Kansas, despite Kansas' history).

In our eyes, Kansas should have value. After all, in many ways, they're the P5 whose profile is most similar to UConn. And yet, everyone always tells us that if UConn had value they'd already be in a P5 league.

UConn was late to big-time football and it's led them to where they are today. But when you look at a side-by-side comparison with Kansas' credentials, UConn's situation just doesn't add up.

So our issue with Kansas on this board isn't so much that we don't think they have value, but it infuriates us that a school with such a similar profile is considered a P5 shoo-in while UConn is stuck in G5 purgatory.

 

[HoopsFan21]

Not just stuck in G5 purgatory, but laughed at anytime you mention that UConn is just as worthy of P5 status as anyone else. I'm glad Pres. Herbst released the B12 marketing materials. Maybe the idiots out there would like to take a look at our resume instead of remaining low information. Maybe deep down they realize we're more worthy than many of the schools in the P5 and we've had to work to get there. Deep down I know we could win the next ten MBB titles and people would still say "UConn? Yeah they're a good program, but not Kansas, Duke, or Kentucky good." Never mind the fact that in the last 20 seasons UConn basketball is 14-0 in national title games. It's true: we're not in the same class as the blue bloods, because they've never had that level of success before despite trying really really hard for a longer period of time.

 

[jibsey]

I'm flushing the negative. So far we have held up very well with recruiting and the one thing we haven't done lately is get a top ten recruit or top shelf big man. If we were P5 that would be different I think, the league competition and schedule being the issue, but as long as KO continues to get good players we are OK and we have ample evidence that this will continue. We are in purgatory but the way out is to perform, win, go to final fours, fuel our recruiting and stick it in their eye. I have more optimism than fans of many P5 teams starting the hoop season I'm sure with good reason. We won't be on the outside forever.

 

[frankthetank]

Except for the fact that it looked like Kansas was going to be relegated to the G5 in 2010.

The issue that many people here have with Kansas' candidacy is that they're very similar to UConn: State flagship, elite basketball, national brand, owns their home market (and viewership that stretches beyond state), weak football, strong academics, etc.

Kansas has more "history" and is AAU. UConn has the larger market (and without split fandom), higher ranked academics, a much wealthier demographic (think advertiser $$), and the wildcard that is WBB (MBB also has more NCs than Kansas, despite Kansas' history).

In our eyes, Kansas should have value. After all, in many ways, they're the P5 whose profile is most similar to UConn. And yet, everyone always tells us that if UConn had value they'd already be in a P5 league.

UConn was late to big-time football and it's led them to where they are today. But when you look at a side-by-side comparison with Kansas' credentials, UConn's situation just doesn't add up.

So our issue with Kansas on this board isn't so much that we don't think they have value, but it infuriates us that a school with such a similar profile is considered a P5 shoo-in while UConn is stuck in G5 purgatory.

If the Pac-16 had occurred, Kansas would have ended up in that new Pac-16 (replacing Texas A&M that was prepared to split off to head to the SEC) or a 16-school Big Ten. It has always been a gross misnomer to suggest that they would have been left out (just as I think it's a gross misnomer whenever I see suggestions that the Pac-12 later rejected Oklahoma in 2011 when the reality was they they didn't want Oklahoma State having to come with them). KU had to put on the public face that they weren't going to leave Kansas State behind from a political perspective until they could legitimately argue that the Big 12 was *truly* going to die. Frankly, that's still the case today.

And look, I understand the consternation from UConn fans. Part of the issue is certainly time (meaning the amount of time that UConn has played top-level football compared to Kansas), which is unfortunately something that UConn can't change. I'm just saying that all 4 other P5 conferences would all LOVE to take Kansas *alone* (AKA without Kansas State). I don't expect UConn fans here to like it, but that's what the landscape is like here.

Now, the issue for Kansas is similar to what it was in 2010: they can't leave Kansas State behind unless the Big 12 is truly going to die... and Kansas can't be the one actually *causing* the Big 12 to die by proactively leaving on its own. They basically only have the option to move if Texas and/or Oklahoma makes the first move... but Oklahoma is in the exact same Pandora's box with respect to Oklahoma State. The political binds in the Big 12 might prove to be what keeps the league together in the long-term.

 

[jfuchs91]

If the Pac-16 had occurred, Kansas would have ended up in that new Pac-16 (replacing Texas A&M that was prepared to split off to head to the SEC) or a 16-school Big Ten. It has always been a gross misnomer to suggest that they would have been left out (just as I think it's a gross misnomer whenever I see suggestions that the Pac-12 later rejected Oklahoma in 2011 when the reality was they they didn't want Oklahoma State having to come with them). KU had to put on the public face that they weren't going to leave Kansas State behind from a political perspective until they could legitimately argue that the Big 12 was *truly* going to die. Frankly, that's still the case today.

And look, I understand the consternation from UConn fans. Part of the issue is certainly time (meaning the amount of time that UConn has played top-level football compared to Kansas), which is unfortunately something that UConn can't change. I'm just saying that all 4 other P5 conferences would all LOVE to take Kansas *alone* (AKA without Kansas State). I don't expect UConn fans here to like it, but that's what the landscape is like here.

Now, the issue for Kansas is similar to what it was in 2010: they can't leave Kansas State behind unless the Big 12 is truly going to die... and Kansas can't be the one actually *causing* the Big 12 to die by proactively leaving on its own. They basically only have the option to move if Texas and/or Oklahoma makes the first move... but Oklahoma is in the exact same Pandora's box with respect to Oklahoma State. The political binds in the Big 12 might prove to be what keeps the league together in the long-term.

In your estimation, what in Kansas' profile makes them a P5 must-have, while UConn is stuck in the G5?

Market?
Academics?
Basketball success?

 

[ConnHuskBask]

The amount of incremental value that someone would need to join the B1G or SEC is likely only matched by a Texas or Florida State. I'm not downplaying Kansas by saying that.

It's possible that the ACC would take Kansas as a one off, but given the fact they prioritized football over everything in their last move, I have a hard time seeing them add one of the truly perennial dogs of the FBS.

Pac 12, probably? But I can't see teams wanting less California exposure in exchange for games in Kansas.

 

[frankthetank]

In your estimation, what in Kansas' profile makes them a P5 must-have, while UConn is stuck in the G5?

Market?
Academics?
Basketball success?

I don't think Kansas is taking a spot in lieu of UConn. It's more about Kansas overall. I'd say all of those things put together (market, AAU for academics, basketball history and prestige) are what makes Kansas attractive.

Let's put it this way: if you put Notre Dame's resume from the past 20 years into a pile of all FBS schools but removed its name (meaning that it has a blind resume), you might find a dozen or more schools on paper that would look more valuable than Notre Dame. Maybe those schools have more success on-the-field, larger markets, and even higher TV ratings over that time period. Yet, if you were to poll university presidents out there about who would be the most valuable football addition off the top of their heads without any data, they would almost universally say Notre Dame. You can't remove the name "Notre Dame" from the process.

Kansas has pretty close to that name brand status with respect to basketball - maybe not Notre Dame status (that would be Duke), but it's at the level of Michigan/Ohio State/Alabama as a football equivalent. They're not just a great program - they also have the extra qualitative oomph from the national brand name that has been built up through history that only a handful of other basketball programs have (meaning that they're going to be an elite school that sells tickets and drives TV ratings whether they're up or down in any given year). When you combine that with their AAU status and massive national fan base, it makes them an automatic invite to any other P5 conference.

And look - I know that Kansas would lose to UConn in a blind resume comparison from the past 20 years. Heck, I think UConn might actually beat EVERYONE on a blind men's basketball resume from the past 2 decades (and UConn would certainly beat everyone on a women's basketball resume in all of history). However, you just can't remove the names from the process. You don't need to sell the university presidents about the value of Kansas any more than they need to be sold about the value of Notre Dame: they just KNOW it already because of their historical pedigree.

 

[frankthetank]

The amount of incremental value that someone would need to join the B1G or SEC is likely only matched by a Texas or Florida State. I'm not downplaying Kansas by saying that.

It's possible that the ACC would take Kansas as a one off, but given the fact they prioritized football over everything in their last move, I have a hard time seeing them add one of the truly perennial dogs of the FBS.

Pac 12, probably? But I can't see teams wanting less California exposure in exchange for games in Kansas.

I understand your argument, but I truly believe that Kansas is the exception to the general rule regarding football focus. They are in an entirely different category that is occupied by Kansas, Duke, UNC, Kentucky and *maybe* Indiana where the hoops blue bloodedness is so strong that the football doesn't really matter. Kansas wouldn't be left out due to football ineptitude if the Big 12 died any more than Duke would be left out if the ACC died. They're simply a really special situation (and just to be clear, I actually really don't like Kansas at a personal level at all).

 

[huskeynut]

and bluest of the blue blood credentials.

And we have heard this before. UConn doesn't have enough history like Syracuse, or Pitt or BC. When was the last time Syracuse and Pitt were relevant in football? Jim Brown, Ernie Davis, Floyd Little and Tony Dorsett were a long time ago.

 

[Exit 4]

In your estimation, what in Kansas' profile makes them a P5 must-have, while UConn is stuck in the G5?

Market?
Academics?
Basketball success?

We are stuck simply because the ACC believes they have NY/NE covered with Syracuse and BC and the B1G thinks they have the mid atlantic covered by MD and Rutty. We are not in because of geography, nothing more.

 

[frankthetank]

We are stuck simply because the ACC believes they have NY/NE covered with Syracuse and BC and the B1G thinks they have the mid atlantic covered by MD and Rutty. We are not in because of geography, nothing more.

Well, that's an interesting and valid point. UConn's geography was definitely a negative for the Big 12 for being too far while there's a possible redundancy issue with the ACC and Big Ten. The benefit that Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas all have is that they can be slotted into any of the Big Ten, SEC or Pac-12 quite easily from a geographic standpoint (and the ACC could stretch for them, too). There are good things for UConn's geography on paper (namely its location between NYC and Boston), but it's an open question whether that geography matches up well with what the P5 leagues are looking for.

 

[bobbyinaz]

Well, that's an interesting and valid point. UConn's geography was definitely a negative for the Big 12 for being too far while there's a possible redundancy issue with the ACC and Big Ten. The benefit that Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas all have is that they can be slotted into any of the Big Ten, SEC or Pac-12 quite easily from a geographic standpoint (and the ACC could stretch for them, too). There are good things for UConn's geography on paper (namely its location between NYC and Boston), but it's an open question whether that geography matches up well with what the P5 leagues are looking for.

I don't see there being any fit for UConn in the B1G based on the revenues that conference is about to receive.

There may be a fit in the ACC when/if they launch their ACC network. If the ACC finds that they cannot get the carriage rates they expect in NYC & Boston with Syracuse & BC then adding UConn may provide the incentive for the cable providers to increase the rate.

 

[Exit 4]

I don't see there being any fit for UConn in the B1G based on the revenues that conference is about to receive.

There may be a fit in the ACC when/if they launch their ACC network. If the ACC finds that they cannot get the carriage rates they expect in NYC & Boston with Syracuse & BC then adding UConn may provide the incentive for the cable providers to increase the rate.

Bingo - couldnt agree more on both points. Unless there is something we dont understand about the B1G $ machine, it seems only the biggest schools in the biggest states could provide the marginal revenue increase they require to join.

The question for Malloy is can you politely pressure the ESPN to grease the skids to make us fit into the ACC. Have ESPN cough up a few bucks and we'll take a jr sized payout the first 10 years in the ACC. There is no doubt the ACCn would do better in the NYC and NE markets with our ad. And Syracuse & BC would surely get a boost in much needed fan interest as local rivals are best rivals. I wouldnt bet on it, but it seems to be about the only angle.

 

[bobbyinaz]

Bingo - couldnt agree more on both points. Unless there is something we dont understand about the B1G $ machine, it seems only the biggest schools in the biggest states could provide the marginal revenue increase they require to join.

The question for Malloy is can you politely pressure the ESPN to grease the skids to make us fit into the ACC. Have ESPN cough up a few bucks and we'll take a jr sized payout the first 10 years in the ACC. There is no doubt the ACCn would do better in the NYC and NE markets with our ad. And Syracuse & BC would surely get a boost in much needed fan interest as local rivals are best rivals. I wouldnt bet on it, but it seems to be about the only angle.

Rivalries are the last thing any of these conferences look at anymore.

The BTN gets .80 per cable subscriber in the NYC DMA basically due to the addition of Rutgers. If the ACCN were to get (I'm making up numbers here) .20 per subscriber with the current conference makeup but were to get .50 per with the addition of UConn that might be the justification to add us. Obviously the ACCN could name it's price in Connecticut but the key is what is the additional delta in NYC & Boston and does it justify adding us.

I think that is the only chance we have of getting out of this mess in the short term. Otherwise we do our best to survive until the mid 2020's and then root for like hell for a massive overhaul that gets us included somewhere

 

[Adios]

What we want to do is have Geno around for as long as possible...