Val Ackerman on the future of college athletics & conference realignment

[Fishy]

I'm not sure it's all going to matter very much in a couple-few years. By all appearances the SEC and BiG are throwing big money at hoops to attract and retain talent. How do programs outside those conferences compete?

Folks seem to want to ignore the payroll costs associated with this and I just don't see how the rest of college basketball can compete with deep pocketed programs and conferences.

The pressure for those schools to keep increasing spending on football will be intense; there’s internal competition for that money and basketball will lose.

Also they’re a little worried that some basketball school is going to opt in and pay their hoop program $20.5 million a year.

 

[freescooter]

The pressure for those schools to keep increasing spending on football will be intense; there’s internal competition for that money and basketball will lose.

Also they’re a little worried that some basketball school is going to opt in and pay their hoop program $20.5 million a year.

Maybe but it’s sort of like the 2 guys who meet a grizzly bear in the forest. First guy says let’s run for it. Second guy says “that’s one of the fastest animals in this part of the world. You can’t outbtun the grizzly bear.” First guy says”I’m not trying to outrun him. I just want to outrun YOU!” The Big and SEC just need to outspend everyone else.

 

[uconndogs]

The pressure for those schools to keep increasing spending on football will be intense; there’s internal competition for that money and basketball will lose.

Also they’re a little worried that some basketball school is going to opt in and pay their hoop program $20.5 million a year.

I'm sure that's right, but I think it's highly probable that there will be a number of athletic departments that will go rogue regarding financial management for as long as they can. They are going to to everything they can to attract and retain talent. I continue to ask why most schools will even want to bother competing in that environment.

 

[Ha Who]

Right now I just want Val to reign in her officials

 

[GoConn]

we should add Memphis

 

[CL82]

we should add Memphis

The only thing sadder than offering Memphis is the fact that they wouldn't accept.

 

[shizzle787]

The only thing sadder than offering Memphis is the fact that they wouldn't accept.

They absolutely would accept. They reached out to the Big East. The BE presidents said no.

 

[CL82]

They absolutely would accept. They reached out to the Big East. The BE presidents said no.

That seems extraordinarily unlikely to me. Do you have a link?

 

[KryHavok]

That seems extraordinarily unlikely to me. Do you have a link?

Memphis explored other options, including Big East in basketball, as Pac-12 situation played out | Report
Doesn't mention the BE prez's categorically saying no, but it's implied the fit wasn't good...where have we heard this before...?

 

[CL82]

Memphis explored other options, including Big East in basketball, as Pac-12 situation played out | Report
Doesn't mention the BE prez's categorically saying no, but it's implied the fit wasn't good...where have we heard this before...?

Thanks! I either never saw this or had forgotten about it. Apparently Memphis considered big East membership provided that they could get an acceptable football only deal with the PAC 12(ish).

That scenario, obviously, did not come to fruition.

"... given the quick timeframe, concerns about fit from the Big East side (the league is all private Catholic schools except UConn) and the lack of certainty about Pac-12 money, Memphis had little choice but to recommit to the AAC for now," Wolken wrote

 

[UCONNJACK]

Thanks! I either never saw this or had forgotten about it. Apparently Memphis considered big East membership provided that they could get an acceptable football only deal with the PAC 12(ish).

That scenario, obviously, did not come to fruition.

"... given the quick timeframe, concerns about fit from the Big East side (the league is all private Catholic schools except UConn) and the lack of certainty about Pac-12 money, Memphis had little choice but to recommit to the AAC for now," Wolken wrote

Butler University is not a Catholic school.

 

[CL82]

Butler University is not a Catholic school.

Not my quote, but duly acknowledged.

 

[Kolumbo]

The only thing sadder than offering Memphis is the fact that they wouldn't accept.

I checked some message boards and I think Memphis is very similar to UConn. They are discussing the PAC 12, ACC, PAC 12 football only and rest in Big East, remaining AAC. They ultimately want better than the PAC 12 so why move now. I don't think they have much of a choice. Renovating their stadium too, increasing from 32k to 44k.

Memphis Athletics Unveils Details for Transformative Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium Renovation - University of Memphis Athletics

Memphis Athletics has announced updated plans and timelines for the transformative renovation of Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium, which will help propel the sta...

gotigersgo.com

 

[CTFAN4LIFE]

Butler University is not a Catholic school.

It does have Christian roots, though.

 

[freescooter]

Memphis explored other options, including Big East in basketball, as Pac-12 situation played out | Report
Doesn't mention the BE prez's categorically saying no, but it's implied the fit wasn't good...where have we heard this before...?

Yeah. I’m not sure the Presidents said no. My guess is it never got that far once Memphis decided not to go to the PAC 2.0. They were checking options. We have people pushing for St Louis and Dayton. At least Memphis brings something to the table.

 

[Hoophound]

I think Memphis approached the Big East to see if membership was a possibility if they put football in the Pac 12. I believe the answer was “no”. Memphis would have been crazy to pass on that. No chance they had the option.

The only reason we passed on PAC football is that we believe a P4 offer is coming.

 

[Patman]

I think Memphis approached the Big East to see if membership was a possibility if they put football in the Pac 12. I believe the answer was “no”. Memphis would have been crazy to pass on that. No chance they had the option.

The only reason we passed on PAC football is that we believe a P4 offer is coming.

Why would the big east say no? I gotta imagine it was the pac 12

 

[freescooter]

Why would the big east say no? I gotta imagine it was the pac 12

Because they want St Louis and Dayton. Those places wouldn’t challenge the status quo Memphis would.

 

[ScottVib]

The Pac-12 can't take a football only member until they find the final all-sports member they need to meet NCAA conference regulations, the initial discussions were for all sports, Memphis (and Tulane) wasn't (weren't) willing to jump without a known TV deal they were jumping too.