UConn needs a plan

[auggie22]

You hire Suge Knight to pay Mike Aresco a visit.

I love the idea of Suge Knight as our conference commissioner instead of Marianatto or Aresco. Holy sh@t that image is cracking me up.

 

[CL82]

This is how I am imagining you posting on this board.

Really? I kind of picture it more like this:

 

[Ldandy]

I love the idea of Suge Knight as our conference commissioner instead of Marianatto or Aresco. Holy sh@t that image is cracking me up.

You all should have had him on UCONN's Payroll the last time The ACC was expanding. I can just picture him dangling that dips**** Swofford over a balcony by his ankles until he promised UMD's Spot to The Huskies.

 

[nelsonmuntz]

Again - how does UConn extricate itself from the current TV deal?

First of all, it is survival so we figure out a way out. Your argument is like saying it is easier to drown because the current is too strong.

The easiest path would be to find the G5 with the nearest term expiration, and just dump the entire league into that one. In fact, all the G5 should do that. If you aren't going to get paid for televising your games, why bother? I posted my idea in the El Paso thread a couple of weeks ago about reconstituting the G5 under one umbrella that was a loose scheduling and network alliance, but then letting individual teams sell most of their own content individually.

Make 10 6 team divisions instead of 5 conferences that no one cares about. UConn would have 5 set games against regional opponents every year: short distance drives, full stadiums, rivals. Then UConn would play 3 games against national G5 opponents (Boise, Houston, whoever), then have 4 at-large games that UConn could schedule any way they want.

You would have Three tiers of content:

Tier 1: Top 10-20% games from the G5, sell these to a national network, figure out a revenue split.
Tier 2: Division games could be sold regionally. Would SNY or NESN want to televise a Division of UConn, UMass, Navy, Temple, Buffalo, Army? Probably, at a decent price.
Tier 3: Probably close to half the inventory per school, saleable however the school wants.

I would let the schools produce the games. The national networks get paid a crapload of money to show up with a few cameras and ex-jocks. Have a single national studio for the Tier 2 pregame and halftime shows. I would like the A10 join this for hoops.

Low investment, low overhead, more revenue than today. And likely how most P5 conferences will look post 2025 with the exception of Tier 3 will belong to the conference. Once UConn is in that structure, it will likely both generate more revenue and create a benchmark to value UConn for other leagues.

Or we could continue to give our content away for free for eternity.

 

[zls44]

The easiest path would be to find the G5 with the nearest term expiration, and just dump the entire league into that one. In fact, all the G5 should do that.

That would be the AAC.

 

[HuskyHawk]

You didn't answer that question at all.

The logic here is stay the course until someone rescues us. The reality is that on the current course, UConn athletics will not exist in any form worth rescuing by 2025. Only the densest people don't see where the entire market is going: online streaming and school/conference control of their own content, instead of network control of content.

You are arguing for staying in the old, failing model for less money, instead of simply doing the obvious and embracing the future. Got it.

Nobody thinks that is the fair value. Not on this board. Not among UConn staff. Not anybody at the American Conference Offices I suspect. But the American Conference was new. It cut a deal to maximize exposure of the league at a huge discount. ESPN is making loads of money on that deal. It was a short deal to allow the league to renegotiate when it was better situated and it's ratings were proven. In three years it can do that.

Do you think that even if UConn is still in the AAC, the payout will be $2M in 2020 and beyond? That's delusional. It will at least double, or T3 rights will go back to members along with a smaller increase. ESPN just lost the B1G content, so the American just go an even better hand than it already had as ESPN's most profitable college property.

Is that good enough? No, it still isn't. But acting like this absurdly low payout is going to continue is ridiculous. It should not be the basis for future decision making.

 

[noeynox]

First of all, it is survival so we figure out a way out. Your argument is like saying it is easier to drown because the current is too strong.

The easiest path would be to find the G5 with the nearest term expiration, and just dump the entire league into that one. In fact, all the G5 should do that. If you aren't going to get paid for televising your games, why bother? I posted my idea in the El Paso thread a couple of weeks ago about reconstituting the G5 under one umbrella that was a loose scheduling and network alliance, but then letting individual teams sell most of their own content individually.

Make 10 6 team divisions instead of 5 conferences that no one cares about. UConn would have 5 set games against regional opponents every year: short distance drives, full stadiums, rivals. Then UConn would play 3 games against national G5 opponents (Boise, Houston, whoever), then have 4 at-large games that UConn could schedule any way they want.

You would have Three tiers of content:

Tier 1: Top 10-20% games from the G5, sell these to a national network, figure out a revenue split.
Tier 2: Division games could be sold regionally. Would SNY or NESN want to televise a Division of UConn, UMass, Navy, Temple, Buffalo, Army? Probably, at a decent price.
Tier 3: Probably close to half the inventory per school, saleable however the school wants.

I would let the schools produce the games. The national networks get paid a crapload of money to show up with a few cameras and ex-jocks. Have a single national studio for the Tier 2 pregame and halftime shows. I would like the A10 join this for hoops.

Low investment, low overhead, more revenue than today. And likely how most P5 conferences will look post 2025 with the exception of Tier 3 will belong to the conference. Once UConn is in that structure, it will likely both generate more revenue and create a benchmark to value UConn for other leagues.

Or we could continue to give our content away for free for eternity.

Figure out a way is not really an answer.

The P5 leagues, gave the G5 option of forming one league and when the P5 was announced. I remember this as it was presented to Marinato, he passed and resigned shortly after. I don't think it's a terrible idea.

 

[HuskyHawk]

That would be the AAC.

Exactly!!

 

[NYUConn]

Exactly!!

Gotta be honest, I like @nelsonmuntz's plan of sticking with the AAC.

 

[nelsonmuntz]

Gotta be honest, I like @nelsonmuntz's plan of sticking with the AAC.

Merge 3 leagues together and call it something else. Most Change of Control are triggered if the contractual entity doesn't retain 50% post transaction ownership, which no league would if it was a 3 or 5 way merger. All the TV contracts could be null and void.

 

[pepband99]

Merge 3 leagues together and call it something else. Most Change of Control are triggered if the contractual entity doesn't retain 50% post transaction ownership, which no league would if it was a 3 or 5 way merger. All the TV contracts could be null and void.

So, let me get this straight...

Your plan is to further associate with more lower-producing G5's (because the very few G5 peers we have, if any, are mostly associated with us now), and you think we'll be worth more this way?

To answer it like you would (circuitous and nonsensical) - "If UConn vs the AAC is worth 2MM, you think UConn playing Maine and UNI is worth more - genius!"

I get it - our TV contract sucks. What people don't agree with you on is the idea that we're without any hope. Further G5 association like this is a white flag.

 

[nelsonmuntz]

So, let me get this straight...

Your plan is to further associate with more lower-producing G5's (because the very few G5 peers we have, if any, are mostly associated with us now), and you think we'll be worth more this way?

To answer it like you would (circuitous and nonsensical) - "If UConn vs the AAC is worth 2MM, you think UConn playing Maine and UNI is worth more - genius!"

I get it - our TV contract sucks. What people don't agree with you on is the idea that we're without any hope. Further G5 association like this is a white flag.

In a shocking development, the Big 12 decided that adding a school making $2 a year from its media deal wouldn't add >$25 million to the Big 12.

 

[pepband99]

In a shocking development, the Big 12 decided that adding a school making $2 a year from its media deal wouldn't add >$25 million to the Big 12.

Another non answer. Troll.

 

[djct1999]

In a shocking development, the Big 12 decided that adding a school making $2 a year from its media deal wouldn't add >$25 million to the Big 12.

The Big 12 didn't decide anything. The Big12 was told if they added two teams and created a network it would be profitable. I am certain in that most in the Big12 wanted to do this. The only problem was the people paying for said network told the Big 12 no thanks. Can't create a network if there is no demand. The decision was made for them.

 

[nelsonmuntz]

No one is coming to save UConn. Either UConn comes up with a way to save itself, or it is going to die. If UConn is still cashing $2MM checks in the AAC in 2024, NO ONE is going to add us.

 

[BoatShow]

Let's just sustain off bowl NCAA payouts

 

[djct1999]

No one is coming to save UConn. Either UConn comes up with a way to save itself, or it is going to die. If UConn is still cashing $2MM checks in the AAC in 2024, NO ONE is going to add us.

Let's spare this board the hypothetical. There is no other way. Either you join the big boys or you die.

 

[nelsonmuntz]

Let's spare this board the hypothetical. There is no other way. Either you join the big boys or you die.

Then we are dead, and we would be better off downgrading the entire athletic program.

 

[djct1999]

Then we are dead, and we would be better off downgrading the entire athletic program.

Maybe so. Misery enjoys company. We aren't the only school that is going to sink. This model is unsustainable. College athletics is dying a slow death.

 

[djct1999]

Then we are dead, and we would be better off downgrading the entire athletic program.

The only bit of hope I still hold is that the administrations actions make no sense if UConn is going to be excluded.

 

[CTMike]

First of all, it is survival so we figure out a way out. Your argument is like saying it is easier to drown because the current is too strong.

The easiest path would be to find the G5 with the nearest term expiration, and just dump the entire league into that one. In fact, all the G5 should do that. If you aren't going to get paid for televising your games, why bother? I posted my idea in the El Paso thread a couple of weeks ago about reconstituting the G5 under one umbrella that was a loose scheduling and network alliance, but then letting individual teams sell most of their own content individually.

Make 10 6 team divisions instead of 5 conferences that no one cares about. UConn would have 5 set games against regional opponents every year: short distance drives, full stadiums, rivals. Then UConn would play 3 games against national G5 opponents (Boise, Houston, whoever), then have 4 at-large games that UConn could schedule any way they want.

You would have Three tiers of content:

Tier 1: Top 10-20% games from the G5, sell these to a national network, figure out a revenue split.
Tier 2: Division games could be sold regionally. Would SNY or NESN want to televise a Division of UConn, UMass, Navy, Temple, Buffalo, Army? Probably, at a decent price.
Tier 3: Probably close to half the inventory per school, saleable however the school wants.

I would let the schools produce the games. The national networks get paid a crapload of money to show up with a few cameras and ex-jocks. Have a single national studio for the Tier 2 pregame and halftime shows. I would like the A10 join this for hoops.

Low investment, low overhead, more revenue than today. And likely how most P5 conferences will look post 2025 with the exception of Tier 3 will belong to the conference. Once UConn is in that structure, it will likely both generate more revenue and create a benchmark to value UConn for other leagues.

Or we could continue to give our content away for free for eternity.

To your credit, this is your most detailed plan to date.

Unfortunately the first step is "figure a way out".

 

[nelsonmuntz]

To your credit, this is your most detailed plan to date.

Unfortunately the first step is "figure a way out".

That isn't the first step. I am saying that UConn needs to figure this out. My idea is one way, and I am sure there are others. Of all the ideas that might work, the one we know with 1000% certainty that will not is the status quo. That is certain failure. I suspect that if you thought about it over the weekend, you could come up with something better than what UConn is currently doing.

 

[UCFBfan]

Then we are dead, and we would be better off downgrading the entire athletic program.

Now is this just a UConn needs to downgrade or are you advocating that every school not in the P5 downgrade? Last I checked, there are about 65 teams that are cashing $2MM or less paychecks every year....I have a feeling that all of the have nots will figure out that only the strongest will survive and if no P5 seat is coming, they'll band together something. I'm not sure I see every G5 school taking our advice on downgrading.

 

[nelsonmuntz]

Now is this just a UConn needs to downgrade or are you advocating that every school not in the P5 downgrade? Last I checked, there are about 65 teams that are cashing $2MM or less paychecks every year....I have a feeling that all of the have nots will figure out that only the strongest will survive and if no P5 seat is coming, they'll band together something. I'm not sure I see every G5 school taking our advice on downgrading.

Either schools have to generate more revenue or cut costs. The status quo is not sustainable for most schools. Now a lot of the lower level D1 football schools slash coaching, recruiting, and facilities budgets, and sell their schedule to SEC and Big 10 schools for paychecks. They can cut their costs to a point that is sustainable, but those programs are not even trying to compete nationally. That might be UConn's ultimate outcome, becoming the equivalent of Toledo or Georgia Southern.

 

[VAHuskyFan]

First of all, it is survival so we figure out a way out. Your argument is like saying it is easier to drown because the current is too strong.

The easiest path would be to find the G5 with the nearest term expiration, and just dump the entire league into that one. In fact, all the G5 should do that. If you aren't going to get paid for televising your games, why bother? I posted my idea in the El Paso thread a couple of weeks ago about reconstituting the G5 under one umbrella that was a loose scheduling and network alliance, but then letting individual teams sell most of their own content individually.

Make 10 6 team divisions instead of 5 conferences that no one cares about. UConn would have 5 set games against regional opponents every year: short distance drives, full stadiums, rivals. Then UConn would play 3 games against national G5 opponents (Boise, Houston, whoever), then have 4 at-large games that UConn could schedule any way they want.

You would have Three tiers of content:

Tier 1: Top 10-20% games from the G5, sell these to a national network, figure out a revenue split.
Tier 2: Division games could be sold regionally. Would SNY or NESN want to televise a Division of UConn, UMass, Navy, Temple, Buffalo, Army? Probably, at a decent price.
Tier 3: Probably close to half the inventory per school, saleable however the school wants.

I would let the schools produce the games. The national networks get paid a crapload of money to show up with a few cameras and ex-jocks. Have a single national studio for the Tier 2 pregame and halftime shows. I would like the A10 join this for hoops.

Low investment, low overhead, more revenue than today. And likely how most P5 conferences will look post 2025 with the exception of Tier 3 will belong to the conference. Once UConn is in that structure, it will likely both generate more revenue and create a benchmark to value UConn for other leagues.

Or we could continue to give our content away for free for eternity.

This is actually an interesting concept as a thought piece. Under the new BCS structure, we're essentially one conference anyway in football. And this would be an innovative way to get out from under the $2M AAC deal.

Any reason why we'd want to merge everyone together instead of the minimum needed to blow up the AAC deal? What about merging two G5 conferences plus one other team to get to <50%?

One issue I see is that the G5 members would be lighting 4 basketball auto-bids on fire for the NCAA Tournament (and the payouts that go with them). Do you see any way to avoid that?

This would probably also take a lot of work and present a huge collective action problem. The teams with the most to gain like us would need to take the laboring oar, and Priority 1 for them is trying to get into the P5. I get that you think it's a long shot, but I probably want the UConn AD's office focusing on that anyway, rather than crisscrossing the country to try to convince random G5 bottom-feeders to go for this - and pissing ESPN off in the process.

For G5 schools that aren't UConn and whose T3 rights aren't worth anything, what's the value proposition?