It looks like UConn and Big XII are chatting
The article that discussed this is behind a pay wall at The Athletic and I am too cheap to pay for it. :). Plus I am angry that they let Andy Bitter go.
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1y
perspective). Assuming a max of some # of teams, if the ACC implodes, it could potentially limit the # of ACC teams that they could grab. But I suppose even with a crappy football team, they get a top notch basketball program, so maybe worth it vs a mid level ACC team.
(In response to this post by CobbCountyHokie)
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WBGV
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in serious jeopardy. Story by Jason Burgos
“It is unclear at this time if all the schools currently in the conference have signed off on adding UConn to the Big 12. Losing UConn would be a major blow to the Big East and would push it further to being a fringe conference in college sports instead of its former position as a major brand.”
Brett Yormark could be involved in the demise of another conference.
(In response to this post by CobbCountyHokie)
1y
would in no way be a "death blow" to the Big East.
Yes, UCONN is the top of the heap for basketball right now, but it's not like the Big East doesn't also include almost every big time private-school basketball program in the country (besides, what - Gonzaga, Duke, and Syracuse?) UCONN is the only public school in the conference, and they've only been a member (this go-round, anyway) for 4 years. They broke away with the Big East football schools to form the AAC before, and they left that dumpster fire and went independent in football to get back into the Big East for basketball.
UCONN football, with the exception of that one year they were a three-way tie Big East champion and got absolutely manhandled by Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl, is pretty much always DOA, so I question whether this would even be a good move for them. They're already winning national championships back to back without having to fly across the country to play the Big 12 gauntlet. But, if they leave, the Big East will be just fine without them.
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HouClone
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1y
a decade, at least not in the context that being a "power" requires a high level of football acumen and brand value. Their entire organizing principal is men's basketball. They're not worried about football at all; they don't even sponsor it. And, basketball is expensive, sure, but it does not require the level of resources that a football team does; it's not in the same ballpark, it's not even in the same universe. To that end, I have no doubt in my mind that every single current member of the Big East could fairly easily raise more than enough NIL money to put a nationally competitive men's basketball team on the floor on a year-to-year basis. Even DePaul.
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TVLander
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for the Big12. The state of Connecticut has proven willing to bankroll UConn's football team. They see the long game of the visibility and benefits it brings to the state. Is that still true? It appears so based on that article. In some respects, this could be similar to an SMU situation, but for the B12. If UConn follows up on their promises, they could be a positive addition. And UConn has already "arrived" in basketball, so maybe they're actually further along than SMU (albeit with less deep pockets)?
** Edited by TVLander at 8/25/2024, 9:45:27 AM
(In response to this post by CobbCountyHokie)
1y
was a former power football school that was thrown under the bus for the same things others were doing, and ironically, what is legal today. That last part should concern the ACC, as I see them excelling in football in a few years. Give then the right coach, and they can afford him, and they could very well be a regular playoff contender.
UConn in football, will strive for respect, not playoff appearances. They most definitely have the money to invest in their football, but until the recent moves by the SEC, Big 10, ACC, and B12, they haven't had the will. There has been a major shift in college athletics, and schools are afraid of losing what they have. Support for athletics for those teams on the bubble has never been more important.
I think both SMU and UConn will be successful, albeit in different ways.
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1y
I’d look for Gonzaga to join the Big East to replace UConn.
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Stech
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I’m curious why you stated that.
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1y
Will never have a football program and geography it doesn’t work well. Also an argument can be made that when Few retires they slip back a bit. At least UConn is a state school that can claim a portion of the NYC market. Hard pass on the Zags.
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1y
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Stech
1y
the people running UCONN in the future don’t ramp it up. It’s not the first time they’ve said they were going to ramp up 🏈, and then didn’t end up doing it.
That said, he might not be able to get the votes for Gonzaga because there is no chance for football. They probably would be more Big East like, even though the Conference Name is ridiculous, like just about every Conference’s names these days. Even the SEC has schools outside of the Southeast. They should just pay the Southern Conference and get basically their name back.
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1y
only school makes sense if the B12 gets a ND for Olympics, and I don't see that happening anytime soon, if ever.
If the old Big east had formed because of football, not basketball, i thing Penn State would have been voted in, and the Big East would have poached the ACC, not the other way around - but armchair revisionist history may be fun, as we will never know what would have happened. Joe Paterno was standing on a roof top yelling that a conference needed to be formed, and then when it was, the Big East voted them down. While I do not think UConn is a Penn State, I believe the ACC will forever regret not including them when they had the chance, this is assuming that UConn going to the B12 happens.
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Stech
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they need to get more eyeballs right now. Some big markets outside of the Eastern Time Zone like San Diego, Houston, New Orleans and maybe even Portland. These markets would probably mean more to E💲PN and of course Notre Dame😁, because they recruit nationally for students.
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TerryD
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Here is a chart that shows this.
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Stech
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the next most likely targets. Media money is trending back to eyeballs over cable hookups, but the schools need to show they will invest in football most of all, probably basketball for the future change many are predicting in basketball payouts.
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Truthahn
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It would be good for Pitt, BC and Syracuse to have UConn in the B12, IMO. One more "local" rival with decent resources with add interest to those programs.
I also think it helps NE football to have Delaware in FBS (in CUSA), UMass in the MAC, and Army in the American. Nice to see all of those teams making good conference moves.
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1y
There aren’t enough good players in the northeast to support Syracuse and BC and Rutgers. (Pitt is a different region.) To think that another funded program is good for Syracuse and BC is to think that a good program at ODU helps Tech and UVa. It’s just not true.
That said, the futures of UConn, Cuse and BC are intertwined - none of them should be in the P2 and none really fit the Big 12. So they can be part of a core of schools along with Wake and maybe Duke and maybe Georgia Tech that could hook up with the best of the Big East to have wonderful basketball and enough schools to play Sun Belt level football that they can afford and where they can be competitive.
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1y
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1y
Penn State would have won a national championship since joining the Big Ten.
There will always be some good players everywhere. And Penn State built an empire by taking a bunch of home state kids and supplementing them with kids from New Jersey and Virginia. And Syracuse got enough of those kids to be really good in the 1980s and 1990s. And BC got enough to have some big years now and then. Heck, Andre Davis came to Tech from New York state.
But the population has changed, and the game has changed. There just aren’t as many players in the northeast as there used to be, nor in Pennsylvania. There was a time around 1980 when Pitt had the kind of talent that all the great Miami teams had. The population and number of recruitable players has dropped, and if the guy is a difference maker, there is a good chance Ohio State or Michigan or an SEC power will sneak in and get him, just like they do in Virginia.
Schools in the upper northeast have an uphill battle and it is not going to get easier, especially when the selling point is the opportunity to take a trip to Lubbock and Waco and Tucson now and then.
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1y
Needs to go watch Requiem for the Big East. It’s not a coincidence that ESPN is in Connecticut and it’s not a coincidence that Requiem for the Big East reflects how the financial backers of UConn think.
So when they get to the part when the Big East made WVU and Rutgers full members, and later, Virginia Tech, and the banjo music plays, that is your tip to how UConn power brokers (such as they are) think about programs in flyover country not named the University of Kansas. And I note this without one ounce of disrespect for any Big 12 school nor any extra respect for KU. It’s just to shed a light on how different folks are in the northeast and how they feel about everyone else.
So invite UConn. And for good measure, invite Syracuse. Then you can get the privilege of Jim Calhoun and Jim Boeheim *****ing in stereo about playing a conference tournament in Kansas City. But maybe they’ll like Kansas City BBQ better than Boeheim liked Carolina BBQ.
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WBGV
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Conference realignment rumors are back. Why UConn remains interested in Big 12, other power leagues.
by Mike Anthony
“So at one point, whether it’s the Big 12 or some conglomeration of ACC programs in a couple years or something altogether different, UConn’s base of operations is unlikely to forever be the Big East. Leadership on the Storrs campus has been, remains so, and will be aggressively proactive in seeking a more lucrative landing spot for its athletic program, no matter the men’s basketball success since a return to the Big East in 2020.”
. . . . . . . .
“UConn’s Big East contract initially called for a $30 million exit fee. That has been renegotiated to $15 million, beginning the year after next. The Huskies also are beholden to a 27-month notice period if they are to depart the conference.”
2 years and 3 months exit notice required. Interesting timing for this to resurface 4 months before conference basketball play begins. Could UConn be having talks about membership with multiple conferences? 2027 could be a big year for conference realignment.
(In response to this post by CobbCountyHokie)
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hokieZ71
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If ACC schools are indeed off the table until the 2030’s, the Big 12 would be smart to double down on blue blood hoops and try to add UConn and Gonzaga.
But there is very little reason for the Big 12 to add anybody until the ACC gets sorted out next February.
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TDVick
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acquisitions, they are about as asleep at the wheel as the schools that didn't jump to P2 a decade ago when they could have. I'm certainly not talking about Missouri and Maryland. March Madness is clearly going to be jettisoned from the NCAA and a conference with some hoops powers will rake in the loot.
That is why I scratch my head when people act puzzled that Duke and Kansas might be in play. All the trends in 2011 pointed to the ACC's current situation for football and getting raided. It seems that basketball payouts will be shaken up in a similar fashion.
Once this ESPN/ACC renewal situation renewal gets clarified next February and the smoke clears, then basketball-oriented moves will also start to occur. If ESPN renews the ACC deal then the current situation might be frozen for a few extra years.
(In response to this post by CobbCountyHokie)
1y
At some point, schools need to recognize who they are.
UConn is a northeastern basketball power. Nothing more, nothing less. Duke is a national brand. Kansas is one of the oldest blue bloods. They may be equals on the basketball court but if there is an argument for UConn in the Big 12 there is an argument for Villanova. So repeat the mistakes of the 1980s Big East at your peril.
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1y
more than Kansas. Maybe they are newer money, but they don't look like they will fade.
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1y
would be a better add than Gonzaga in my opinion.
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1y
The Big 12 as presently constituted is a good league. It may someday have buyer’s remorse for Cincinnati and UCF, but at least those schools play legitimate football.
Learn the lesson of the Big East and, for that matter, the ACC. DO NOT MIX SCHOOLS THAT TAKE FOOTBALL SERIOUSLY WITH THOSE THAT DON’T. Division and misplaced priorities will abound. And keep the culture consistent.
UConn fans want to play Syracuse and Georgetown and Villanova and St. John’s. They always will. And it turns out they can be really successful doing it and generate a big pile of money. And more likely than not, they will get to play Cuse regularly again real soon and, for laughs, the school in Boston that has tried to hold them back for years. And Wake and maybe Duke. And there is a school out in Indiana that is going to need to park basketball and non-revenue sports somewhere soon, that happens to draw well in NYC. And maybe Pitt. And maybe Georgia Tech. They won’t need far flung trips to Creighton anymore, if they choose.
Anyone who thinks a combination of the best of the Big East with the remnants of the ACC wouldn’t be successful has never watched a Yankees-Red Sox game and perhaps isn’t old enough to have seen Patrick Ewing, Chris Mullen, Pearl Washington, Kelly Tripucka, Mugsy Bogues and Mark Price play hoops. It might not have the best team every year but it would print more money than ANY other basketball league, and it would not be particularly close. For the simple reason that the northeast in particular consumes college basketball at a higher volume than any other area and local interest drives the ratings.
UConn-Kansas or maybe UConn-Arizona may be appointment viewing, but no one in the northeast is begging to see UConn play Kansas State or Iowa State or Baylor or Texas Tech or Colorado, or even Houston, WVU and Cincinnati.
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1y
against that grain.
The old Big East, was a joy to watch, but so was the old A10. Both of those leagues excelled right up to the point where football money became a factor. The old Big East was such a success in basketball, that Football schools that were independent in football, were clamoring to get in. VT and Miami come to mind. I find it interesting that VT came in as football only at first, and was only added later as all sports.
My how things have changed. 1979 - 1991 was the old Big East I remember, and pretty much, is the one you were referring too. The football schools have all moved on to better things except Temple. So, while I agree that mixing football and basketball only schools did not work out, I would argue that it wasn't because of the basketball.
UConn recognized the shift, and moved up their football up from the FCS level. They had success in a short period of time, had decent attendance, and their basketball program remained strong. Then the ACC came calling........... FSU, Miami, and the recent of success of VT were the prizes for ACC football. If it wasn't for FSU, the Big East may have poached the ACC, as that basketball conference was not known nationally for their football. With the exception of Clemson from time to time, the ACC was anemic in football, and it was the ACC on the verge of collapse. (I know some will say I'm rewriting history, but this is my opinion, because I lived in the NE and Mid Atlantic while this all unfolded).
The NE has football fans, but BC is the wrong measuring stick in my opinion. They are a relatively small private in a sea of academic institutions, and if it wasn't for Big East basketball, their football would have gone the same way as Holy Cross. Almost all of the public universities in New England went the way of the IVY's, as they were competing academically, and dare I say, politically, for their students. Football was for the rednecks, beer drinkers, and truck drivers. Money, and student recruitment, has brought a change to that thinking. UMass is a case in point.
VT used their football success as leverage to get into two premier academic conferences. Today, VT wants to use their football as leverage to get into the SEC, a good old fashioned, good ole boy, beer drinking football conference. Money has changed the dynamic. UConn is now trying to use their success in basketball, to elevate their football program to be included in the truck stop B12???? UMass's academics are not associated with the MAC?
As a flagship public university, UConn's rise in football may be laughed at today, but could be a real threat to the established football brands on the East coast, just like UCF football is a sleeping giant, I think a New England school is primed to get the attention of the football fans in the region, and be a relative force in the sport moving forward. I'd like to see UConn succeed where BC faltered.
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Stech
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that make the tournament, so they can still fund Olympic Sports. However, the Sweet 16 basketball money will be paid to the schools/conferences like the playoff money, and it’s going to be huge.
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1y
it will have to wait until 2032 when the NCAA tournament contract ends. Most of the gain will depend on the tournament payouts. The regular season viewership will be routinely suppressed by having to compete with the NBA for views. The new NBA contract has them on TV six days a week during football season, and seven days a week after the NFL season ends. Uphill climb for college MBB.
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Stech
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an early buyout of the contract.
CBS, is protecting the Masters, but IMHO the Masters is at least two weeks early. They have used heaters in many years to get the Azaleas to bloom. I love watching the Masters, but just about all of second semester sports starts 2-4 weeks too early, and the same with the ending.
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2hhoop3
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this week it is extremely doubtful there is any serious discussion and consideration surrounding an early buyout.
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WarHog38
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A decade away. I doubt the P2 has basketball on the brain in that reality along with the present situation on athlete revenue sharing settlements hinging in the US Congress. You then read articles on the prospects of athlete revenue sharing being a probable ongoing legal issue onward into coming years, that all has to lie heavily on the minds of every member of the P2 or any P4 school. I know that no school has been taken due to basketball yet in expansion. We will see Yormark pulls the trigger on U-Conn. Those Nattys just have stars in Yormark's eyes as he beats the bushes for more dollars for the Big-12. Yormark is a good conference commissioner, you got to give him that.
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1y
a judge throws out the settlement there is a slim possibility that those suits end up in court. If that happens, and they lose, the NCAA could declare bankruptcy, putting the March Madness contract at risk.
This isn't over yet.
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2hhoop3
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runs through 2032 at relatively flat rates the expansion of teams and Sweet 16 money you anticipate might not achieve the levels you believe.
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Vippie1
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Vs hoops isn't so much popularity as it is the limited supply of big time games. Hoops has well over 300 D1 teams playing over 30 games. In aggregate worth enormous money but so much bifurcation I'm still not sure how much a UConn or Duke can move the needle.
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TDVick
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Let's say that jumps up to $2 billion plus and the P2 conferences grab 60% of it - I suspect that will get that much or more of the football playoff money. If those two conferences have 40 teams, that comes to about $30 million per school on average. There's probably some slippage and costs. If the payout formula is based on success, then a Kansas or Duke probably brings in $100-$120 million to a conference. Those teams typically make the Final 8 or Final 4. I'm surprised the SEC hasn't made a hard play for Kansas already.
https://www.sportico.com/leagues/college-sports/2024/marc...
The NCAA makes about $1.3 billion each year, most of which is generated by March Madness, and it gives the majority of that revenue back to its member institutions. Outside of organizing championships, there are nine different ways the revenue is distributed, but the biggest portion by far is the money awarded for games played during the NCAA men’s basketball tournament. This year, that total is roughly $226 million.
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Vippie1
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The imbalance between football and basketball revenues has been the number one reason for the current mess we are in. Too late to go back to a more logical conference landscape, but maybe it can stop the bleeding. I want more that 2 conferences able to survive and thrive.
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Stech
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below says the ACC is making money and expect to make more money with new schools. Not B1G or SEC money, but a clear number 3 money. UCONN seems like a good fit for the ACC, especially if they lose schools. I really don’t know what this means for the ACC, but what do you think on them likely passing on UCONN? Assuming it happens.
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HOO86
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I have personally wanted the ACC to add UConn, but I don't know what the ACC leadership wants. The football is an issue, but UConn basketball is tremendous.
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Stech
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Southern California comes to mind.
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HOO86
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San Diego State, Rice, and Temple would be large markets. It what Jeramy Michiaels is saying is accurate, I think it should put Temple back into play. They have had multiple coaches make their football successful until they are stolen away. Academics at all three of these is not an issue for the ACC. The Big 12 doesn't have a network, so they go for brands.
** Edited by HOO86 at 8/24/2024, 1:15:16 PM
(In response to this post by Stech)
If ACC expands, they need critical mass in other time zones besides
the east.
Regional conferences worked for the linear networks because they sold their product to regional cable companies that are dying quickly. But the national streaming companies want sports product that encompasses all time zones. That is why they bid so aggressively for pro sports. Even international sports since they have customers worldwide.
I think the B1G has this in mind as they have build out their footprint. The next big money deals in cfb will be driven by bidding between Amazon, Apple, Disney etc. Fox is in a bit of a corner right now as they lack a national streaming platform.
And this is why
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HOO86
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I don't believe they have put live sports on Tubi yet, but they can easily do so. Or launch something for Fox Sports.
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hokieZ71
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The ACC needs the following:
1) The ACC needs ESPN to re-up through 2036, possibly with a pay bump, locking in FSU, Clemson and UNC for the next several years, at least.
2) The ACC needs multiple teams in the CFP for several years in a row, and at least 2 different schools to make runs to the semis over that time period.
3) The ACC needs one CFP entrant to win a title by the late ‘20’s.
4) The ACC needs the B12 to plummet in football without its football heavyweights (Texas and OU).
All 4 aren’t very likely, but the ACC needs them.
** Edited by hokieZ71 at 8/24/2024, 8:48:16 AM
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Truthahn
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It brings more interest to football in the NE. Good for BC and Syracurse, I think.
(I mistyped that, but I like it, so I will leave it. LOL)
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1y
Hell, most people in the NE don't give a crap about college football. UConn to any conference has ZERO effect of VT.
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TDVick
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football, it is because, having major connections at ESPN, he knows that UConn will bring in a wheel barrow full of loot once the March Madness gets pulled from the NCAA. I made the case above the Duke, Kansas and probably UConn might add $100 million plus of basketball money to a conference.
In retrospect, we all hate the Pitt, Syracuse and BC additions. However, going forward, UConn is probably a better asset than any of them. Who are the top bball schools? Duke, UNC, UK, Kansas and UConn? If you are a very, very good basketball school, it will pay dividends.
I'd just like to see the ACC look ahead and do something smart for a change.
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hokieZ71
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The ACC stabilizing a bit with FSU and Clemson sticking around at least another 2 years shifts the focus to February 2025, when the ESPN/ACC contract lookin for 2027 gets triggered. If the ACC contract gets renewed/upgraded for 2027, it could make for an interesting plot line we approach 2030 when the Big 12 gets closer to its renewal date. This is primarily because if the ACC has a rock-solid contract through 2036, it really makes it hard for Clemson and FSU to leave anytime soon.
The Big 12 is a rock solid conference but has zero football heavyweights, while the ACC has 3. This could also potentially point towards a potential reorganization of both leagues way in the future, one football-driven and the other hoops-driven. Both the ACC and Big 12 are transforming into national conferences (the Big 12 is far more ‘national’) so it could be possible for one to be hoops-driven ‘national’ and the other to be football-driven ‘national’.
If the Big 12 adds Gonzaga and UConn, that would be very telling. If the ACC football powers split off (have no clue how that could be possible) that would also be very compelling. If the 8 best football programs split from the ACC, generating close to the same money, thereby far increasing per-school payouts, that’d have to be very enticing to Oklahoma State, Utah, West Virginia and maybe 3-5 more football-centric B12 programs.
Again, it’s my firm belief that media companies are driving all of this. Likewise that conference commissioners are puppets and will take whatever keeps their league revenue flowing, whether they like it or not. Again, 2 key things to watch: 1) ESPN/ACC lookin next February; Does the ACC media rights deal get approved/improved through 2036? and 2) Does the B12 add UConn and Gonzaga?
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1y
Big deal for uconn. They reached for the big east football right when everyone left. They followed the american when the big east split for football but their core basketball suffered. They lost their passion. Big east was willing to welcome them back and all is good in basketball but football is struggling.
Yes they can get into power 4 but they will be isolated and will have to develop new rivals far far away. No trips for basketball in the garden and the big east culture.this time it would be no turning back.
Also would the big east be interested in expansion and take schools like vcu or richmond?
Whatever happens crazy times
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HouClone
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It may not be the end of the year conference tournament but possibly a preseason tournament. Yormark is a New York guy and he is going to focus on it with UConn in the fold. They are already doing the Rucker Park coaching clinics.
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hokieZ71
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UConn playing Kansas, Baylor, Houston, Arizona, Cincinnati, Kansas State, Iowa State, West Virginia, is beyond compelling.
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gonna bring in that coveted Hartford TV market :)
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HOO86
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They are a big brand in men's basketball, and they are a huge brand in women's basketball.
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Long running tsl joke Hoo ….will add insider-joke font in the future
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EDGEMAN
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WBGV
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Ross Dellenger Post
UConn officials visited in-person with Big 12 ADs in Dallas last week as the school & conference remain in serious expansion negotiations, sources tell @YahooSports.
UConn would join in all sports, but FB would have a runway before full membership in 2031
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1y
Before it would be brought into the Big 12. Sounds like they want UConn to show they're willing to take football seriously. Probably a good move.
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requirements would be easy for a school like UConn, as investments, and athletic budgets should be within the range of existing B12 schools. We don't know the details, but it was described as a run up to the end of the media contract.
They did not discuss post season money, but said it was revenue neutral for the schools in the B12. I wonder if tournament units, bowl games, and or playoff money would be shared.
If the B12 gets UConn, that is a pretty big flag planted in the NE.
(In response to this post by wwhokie1)
1y
any blue blood football teams, and that consolidation is all but done. A solid football conference that can compete in the playoffs, with a dominate basketball conference can not be ignored by the media, or the P2.
Can you imagine guaranteed tournament money in the next round of negotiations? The NCAA could falter, and a new form of March madness would take their place.
If you look at the top 4 ACC "football schools", the chance of a Miami or even VT being left out of the P2 are slim. That would leave some pretty darned good basketball schools with some really competitive football on the table. Duke, Louisville, Pitt?
I see the SEC going to 20, and the Big 10 going to 20. ND continues to be independent.
If the SEC and Big 10 do not go to 20, then maybe the B12 goes to 24? (those options have been litigated).
The other scenario is that the ACC stays intact, maybe only loses 2. Either way, there are still options for the B12 to remain relevant.
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hokieZ71
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Don’t matter for football, just take a look at what’s happening to the ACC now.
NE flags could matter somewhat for hoops, if you have an elite hoops team, which UConn is.
So…it’s a hoops move that is a non-starter for football.
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Therefore, I interpret every move they make as competition against the ACC. Perhaps they think if the ACC loses some schools, UConn might be a potential Target to the ACC. So, if uconn is in the future, plans for the Big 12, better strike now.
** Edited by wwhokie1 at 8/24/2024, 8:40:58 AM
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SMU Pony
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(In response to this post by Big12 guy)
1y
There are also lots of reasons it does. With FOX having about 40% of the B12 content, are they looking to 2031? Yormark has said he will separate the football and basketball media rights. Frankly, your guess is as good as mine.
(In response to this post by SMU Pony)
E
EDGEMAN
1y
(In response to this post by Big12 guy)
1y
hang on with what they have.
A flagship public school, great academics, lots of money, the NY market, and one of the best basketball brands in existence.
How long did it take them to compete for a football title, and make a BCS bowl?
I will NEVER understand why they are not in the ACC.
(In response to this post by EDGEMAN)
1y
1. UConn demolished its on campus stadium, Memorial Stadium (seating capacity approx. 16k), so it could build a multi-million dollar basketball practice facility.
2. State of Connecticut built a football stadium in East Hartford in hopes of luring the Patriots from Foxboro. When that failed, the state was forced to settle for the Hukies as the primary tennant even though the campus is located in Storrs (approximately 25 miles away). Based on various newspaper articles I have found over the years, this decision is tied to #1 in some way. Unfortunately, the articles never clearly connected the dots and I'm assuming the residents were able to do that via other news outlets or by word of mouth.
3. Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field has a capacity 38,066 (standing room to 40,000) which is only bigger than Wake's stadium (31,500) and Duke's stadium (35,018).
4. For the longest time UConn's AD and President weren't willing to make the same financial commitment for football that they were to the basketball programs. Even after things changed there, it still wasn't at the minimum level to appease the football schools in the ACC (see L'ville for comparison).
There are probably other reasons out there, but I suspect these are the main ones.
(In response to this post by Big12 guy)
1y
commitment to football has a lot to be desired, and while the B12 might get a bump if basketball is separated out from football media deals, the SEC could do the same thing down the line.
We don't know what they are saying behind the scenes, but from my perspective, investing in football would mean pulling a SDSU or Colorado State, and building an on campus football stadium. Do they have that kind of money? They have a pretty robust athletic budget, but the school is chipping in on average, $40M a year. That is quite the deficit.
With the NCAA settlement with playing players, another $20M ++ will have to be found. Could they turn around their football team to bring value to the football media deal in 2031? Or will they be dead weight? The addition has to pencil out for football, or it's just a sugar high with basketball.
It might be a preemptive backfill if the SEC wants Kansas as well. I hope not, because I seem to be against the grain, I'd like Kansas to NOT be in the SEC.
The B12 could get lucky if the ACC implodes, and pick up some really good football schools, but I will believe that when I see it. Meanwhile, back at the ranch, the B12 rolls the dice with arguably the best basketball program in the country? Why not.... no risk, no reward.
(In response to this post by VTHokie2000)
E
EDGEMAN
1y
...domain of RUTSgers.
(In response to this post by Big12 guy)
1y
Apparently, there is an official meeting next wee with Yormark and UConn.
As usual, margarita salt is needed until there is an official announcement.
** Edited by Big12 guy at 8/23/2024, 4:54:57 PM
** Edited by Big12 guy at 8/23/2024, 5:04:29 PM
Link:
UConn talks
(In response to this post by CobbCountyHokie)
W
WarHog38
1y
That appears to be the biggest draw. The Big12 does have West Virginia with Cincinnati now within that NE region of the country. One does have to kinda question the timing of all this renewed interest by Yormark in U-Conn, These conference commissioners are far above the fray of the racket that the general public gets exposed to researching the current expansion issues. They can make a few well placed phone calls and see those expansion issues in relative clarity. Yormark may know exactly what is over the horizon on expansion in the next few months Yormark may be expecting a lot of company for U-Conn in entering the Big-12 rather soon.
I think the reserved conduct of the SEC & even the B1G on shunning schools as Arizona & Utah deserves being noted. The SEC didn't make a single peep about going west of Oklahoma all during that PAC break-up.The B1G was surely a bit reserved just taking USC, UCLA, Oregon & Washington with what was left on the table. I think those in the ACC should look at all that when envisioning the future. I surely do.
(In response to this post by Big12 guy)
1y
is on record about negotiating basketball media rights separate from football. Adding UConn, especially with their football, confirms that strategy.
(In response to this post by WarHog38)
W
WarHog38
1y
towards U-Conn. I think the swift disintegration of the PAC probably was a surprise to about everyone. However we now have a logical template for exactly what happens when a football conference loses their Big Media partner. If ESPN does leave the ACC high 'n' dry. Would you be as shocked by a similar outcome once again?
(In response to this post by Big12 guy)
1y
ended up paying for all of the schools except 2. Seems a lot of stuff to go through to drop 2 schools, especially when they elevated 3 G5 schools and BYU. It still doesn't make a lot of sense from where I'm sitting.
Ya, I would be shocked with a similar outcome. Even more so, now that the B12 basement dwelling You Tubers may be right about UConn.
There is NO WAY Yormark would make a play for UConn if valuable ACC schools would be available. I think this deal, if it does happen, solidifies the ACC as an entity moving forward, and while they won't get P2 money if a few leave, they will be in the ballpark of the B12 + or -.
(In response to this post by WarHog38)
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WarHog38
1y
It is all about brand name match-ups that draw high ratings with the associated high advertising rates. Nothing else.You can clearly see that playing out in reality with the way ABC has given all their three game windows for the first three Saturdays of the soon upcoming football season to SEC content. That info is within a post not far down on this board. Where are the Big 12 & ACC match-ups in those first three weeks on ABC?
Big Media wanted USC, UCLA, Oregon & Washington with the big boys. The four corner schools made lateral moves that cost Big Media nothing. The same goes with Cal & Stanford to ACC. Cal & Stanford may soon be ejected again like Oregon State & Washington State. More money saved by Big Media.
You think a NE Division of the Big-12 with West Virginia, Cincinnati, Louisville, U Conn, Pitt & Syracuse would not appeal to Yormark? All just about basketball. Why has Yormark also being again interested n Gonzaga not yet resurfaced?
(In response to this post by Big12 guy)
O
ombandit
1y
(In response to this post by WarHog38)
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WarHog38
1y
(In response to this post by ombandit)