(05-23-2009 09:30 PM)ECMAN79 Wrote:  So, you are saying that it would be solely the 9th member's job to get the re-negotiated Big East tv deal upped enough to make it worthwhile for the entire conference?

No, quite the opposite actually. What I am saying is that the addition of 9th football member needs to make ESPN want to renegotiate the TV contract. In other words, the ideal 9th football member would increase our TV contract money simply by joining the conference (or at minimum they would add enough to the current contract so their addition to the league wouldn't cost other members money).

BE school presidents aren't going to voluntarily jump on the expansion bandwagon if it means their respective schools are going to receive less money. Think about a BE school like UC that is tight on money as it is. They've already had to cut a bunch of scholarships from their minor sports teams. If an expansion candidate is added that can't pay for itself, members couldend up with 100-300K less per year. UC would end up having to cancel sports or cut even more scholarships (something no AD or president would be fond of doing). Louisville would be in a better position to handle a reduction in conference profits than UC, however, I can't see Jurich or Ramsey being ecstatic over a reduction in their athletic profits - particularly considering all the projects that are being completed over the next few years.

(05-23-2009 09:30 PM)ECMAN79 Wrote:  and the value of the traveling fan bases also mean nothing?

Traveling fan bases do have some value in bowl negotiations, but the Big East already has several schools that have proven they will travel well to bowl games (WVU, UConn, Rutgers, Cincy, Louisville). Despite that, the conference is still struggling with bowl negotiations. Why? Because travel is only one piece of the puzzle. The other piece is having a team with an established name that brings lots of viewers (i.e. OSU, Michigan, Notre Dame, USC, Texas, etc). So while traveling is nice, bowls ultimately care about how many eyeballs a game will attractive (this is why the Gator chose the Big 12 over the Big East the last two years and why the BE is always picked last among the BCS bowls...we can bring fans but not a lot of TV sets).

(05-23-2009 09:30 PM)ECMAN79 Wrote:  let's remember that ECU had their own tv contract with ESPN while they were an independent. the only other school to claim that is Notre Dame. why would ESPN do that if they didn't see value in ECU's football program?

What were the terms of the original contract? If ECU was trading profit for exposure (i.e. they signed a low value contract because they cared more about the exposure ESPN brought than the money they were offered), then you can't consider the contract as a plus for the Big East. Why? Because while expansion candidate playing on ESPN is great, if they aren't cashing in while doing it then the conference can't benefit financially. I'm sure the Big East could get a ton more games on ESPN if they cut their asking price in half and agreed to play when TV dictated (i.e. traded profit for exposure), but that wouldn't help the conference's finances.

Also, if ECU has a large value to TV, why are they no longer independent? Why did they give up their independent TV contract to join C-USA? Why is C-USA's current contract so small? Why were they passed over in favor of USF (an infant to D-I), UC, and Louisville? Neither Louisville or UC has anywhere near the market presence that ECU continually claim that ECU brings.

(05-23-2009 09:30 PM)ECMAN79 Wrote:  ECU and ESPN have had a long relationship. ECU on ESPN is nothing new. is ECU worth 30% to C-USA? who knows. what is known is that every single time ECU is on ESPN vs. xyz school, the ratings are strong.

http://www.bcsfootball.org/bcsfb/tvratings
http://blog.al.com/solomon/2009/01/bowl_tv_ratings.html

2007- 2008 Hawaii Bowl E. Carolina-Boise St. 1.47 (4th lowest)
2008- 2009 Liberty Bowl E. Carolina v. Kentucky 2.3 (-34% from UCF's appearance)

So the last two bowls ECU played in had either very low ratings or experienced a massive drop in viewership compared to the year before (when a different C-USA team was playing).
- Why was UCF's liberty bowl appearance so much more highly rated (34% higher to be exact) than ECU's?
- Why was UCF's 2005-2006 Hawaii bowl against Nevada more highly rated (2.20)?
- Why did Southern Miss (2.26), Memphis (1.63), and UCF (4.14) outdrew ECU in TV viewers during the 2007-2008 bowl season?

If you can show me actual data (such as numerical tv numbers instead of opinion), then I might change my mind. However, I wouldn't call the data provided above "strong".

(05-23-2009 09:30 PM)ECMAN79 Wrote:  As far as the Triangle goes (Raleigh-Durham), it's a secondary market for ECU. Just like the Tidewater part of Virginia, and Wilmington, NC. ECU gets press in all of their secondary markets; they house large alumni bases....you can toss in Northern Virginia/DC as well. There are active Pirate Club chapters in those regions. A good example of how that translates to tv...................when the ECU Women played Michigan State 2 years ago in the 1st round of the NCAA tourney, the "ECU home market" on the ESPN regionalized coverage not only included Greenville-New Bern-Washington, but also Raleigh-Durham.

My guess is the numbers tell a different story. If ECU actually had a significant presence in Washington D.C., Charlotte, NC, Tidewater, VA, and everywhere in between, then I would expect that ECU would have gotten a BE invite back in 2005. I would also expect C-USA's TV package to be substantially larger than it actually is since it would include D.C. (7th), Houston (11th), Dallas (6th), Memphis (48th), Orlando (23rd), Charlotte (32), Tidewater region (31st), New Orleans (39), Birmingham, Alabama (41), etc. Somehow I don't believe that the Big East would have left out a school that "brings" 3 markets that are in or very close to the top 30 range.

(05-23-2009 10:38 PM)ECMAN79 Wrote:  It's a resume that is ahead of all of the other candidates for football only, that's for sure.
The reasons we were picked over back then have been explained on here a zillion times.......i guess u haven't paid attention.

If ECU is soooooooooooooooo far of any and all candidates...why then did ECU's AD come out publicly and say that "if they joined the Big East...ECU wouldn't take any conference revenue for the first 10 years?"

I mean...if ECU has ZERO competition...wouldn't ECU hold out for the BEST offer (i.e. obviously want Big East $$$$ right away) vs begging/giving away the store for 10 years?

Its obvious that ECU's AD doesn't think is ahead of any and all other candidates...not with that offer he gave, WHICH the Big East hasn't even accepted (another hint).

(05-23-2009 11:45 PM)UofL07 Wrote:  http://www.bcsfootball.org/bcsfb/tvratings
http://blog.al.com/solomon/2009/01/bowl_tv_ratings.html

2007- 2008 Hawaii Bowl E. Carolina-Boise St. 1.47 (4th lowest)
2008- 2009 Liberty Bowl E. Carolina v. Kentucky 2.3 (-34% from UCF's appearance)

So the last two bowls ECU played in had either very low ratings or experienced a massive drop in viewership compared to the year before (when a different C-USA team was playing).

- Why was UCF's liberty bowl appearance so much more highly rated (34% higher to be exact) than ECU's?

- Why was UCF's 2005-2006 Hawaii bowl against Nevada more highly rated (2.20)?

- Why did Southern Miss (2.26), Memphis (1.63), and UCF (4.14) outdrew ECU in TV viewers during the 2007-2008 bowl season?

Good points.

Also...ECU had the benefit of playing a NAMED football program that has been in most Top 20 polls over the last 5-6 years in the Hawaii Bowl (Boise State), while UCF played some school from Reno, Nevada. (Nevada...formerly Nevada-Reno).

Plus...in UCF's Liberty Bowl Appearance....UCF played a school from the smallest TV market in the entire SEC...Starkville, MS (Mississippi State), while ECU played a big SEC power that averages close to 70,000 fans per football game...and tons more UK fans that are nuts about their state school. (Side note: UCF vs Mississippi State Liberty Bowl Game also set a Liberty Bowl Attendance record too).

ECU played BETTER/known opponents...and UCF played schools from very small TV markets and/or were virtually unknown, yet UCF brought alot more TV viewers to their TV sets vs what ECU was able to bring.

Gee...maybe UCF being located in the 19th largest TV Market...and being the 5th largest school in the country actually MEANS something in regards to TV ratings after all.

PS. Above is for tv rating purposes only...ECU has tons of great diehard fans...and if you ever have a chance to go to a game in Greenville, NC...GO!!! You will most assuredly have a blast...especially this year...as ECU is picked to win CUSA again this season.

(05-23-2009 11:45 PM)UofL07 Wrote:  

(05-23-2009 09:30 PM)ECMAN79 Wrote:  So, you are saying that it would be solely the 9th member's job to get the re-negotiated Big East tv deal upped enough to make it worthwhile for the entire conference?

No, quite the opposite actually. What I am saying is that the addition of 9th football member needs to make ESPN want to renegotiate the TV contract. In other words, the ideal 9th football member would increase our TV contract money simply by joining the conference (or at minimum they would add enough to the current contract so their addition to the league wouldn't cost other members money).

BE school presidents aren't going to voluntarily jump on the expansion bandwagon if it means their respective schools are going to receive less money. Think about a BE school like UC that is tight on money as it is. They've already had to cut a bunch of scholarships from their minor sports teams. If an expansion candidate is added that can't pay for itself, members couldend up with 100-300K less per year. UC would end up having to cancel sports or cut even more scholarships (something no AD or president would be fond of doing). Louisville would be in a better position to handle a reduction in conference profits than UC, however, I can't see Jurich or Ramsey being ecstatic over a reduction in their athletic profits - particularly considering all the projects that are being completed over the next few years.

(05-23-2009 09:30 PM)ECMAN79 Wrote:  and the value of the traveling fan bases also mean nothing?

Traveling fan bases do have some value in bowl negotiations, but the Big East already has several schools that have proven they will travel well to bowl games (WVU, UConn, Rutgers, Cincy, Louisville). Despite that, the conference is still struggling with bowl negotiations. Why? Because travel is only one piece of the puzzle. The other piece is having a team with an established name that brings lots of viewers (i.e. OSU, Michigan, Notre Dame, USC, Texas, etc). So while traveling is nice, bowls ultimately care about how many eyeballs a game will attractive (this is why the Gator chose the Big 12 over the Big East the last two years and why the BE is always picked last among the BCS bowls...we can bring fans but not a lot of TV sets).

(05-23-2009 09:30 PM)ECMAN79 Wrote:  let's remember that ECU had their own tv contract with ESPN while they were an independent. the only other school to claim that is Notre Dame. why would ESPN do that if they didn't see value in ECU's football program?

What were the terms of the original contract? If ECU was trading profit for exposure (i.e. they signed a low value contract because they cared more about the exposure ESPN brought than the money they were offered), then you can't consider the contract as a plus for the Big East. Why? Because while expansion candidate playing on ESPN is great, if they aren't cashing in while doing it then the conference can't benefit financially. I'm sure the Big East could get a ton more games on ESPN if they cut their asking price in half and agreed to play when TV dictated (i.e. traded profit for exposure), but that wouldn't help the conference's finances.

Also, if ECU has a large value to TV, why are they no longer independent? Why did they give up their independent TV contract to join C-USA? Why is C-USA's current contract so small? Why were they passed over in favor of USF (an infant to D-I), UC, and Louisville? Neither Louisville or UC has anywhere near the market presence that ECU continually claim that ECU brings.

(05-23-2009 09:30 PM)ECMAN79 Wrote:  ECU and ESPN have had a long relationship. ECU on ESPN is nothing new. is ECU worth 30% to C-USA? who knows. what is known is that every single time ECU is on ESPN vs. xyz school, the ratings are strong.

http://www.bcsfootball.org/bcsfb/tvratings
http://blog.al.com/solomon/2009/01/bowl_tv_ratings.html

2007- 2008 Hawaii Bowl E. Carolina-Boise St. 1.47 (4th lowest)
2008- 2009 Liberty Bowl E. Carolina v. Kentucky 2.3 (-34% from UCF's appearance)

So the last two bowls ECU played in had either very low ratings or experienced a massive drop in viewership compared to the year before (when a different C-USA team was playing).
- Why was UCF's liberty bowl appearance so much more highly rated (34% higher to be exact) than ECU's?
- Why was UCF's 2005-2006 Hawaii bowl against Nevada more highly rated (2.20)?
- Why did Southern Miss (2.26), Memphis (1.63), and UCF (4.14) outdrew ECU in TV viewers during the 2007-2008 bowl season?

If you can show me actual data (such as numerical tv numbers instead of opinion), then I might change my mind. However, I wouldn't call the data provided above "strong".

(05-23-2009 09:30 PM)ECMAN79 Wrote:  As far as the Triangle goes (Raleigh-Durham), it's a secondary market for ECU. Just like the Tidewater part of Virginia, and Wilmington, NC. ECU gets press in all of their secondary markets; they house large alumni bases....you can toss in Northern Virginia/DC as well. There are active Pirate Club chapters in those regions. A good example of how that translates to tv...................when the ECU Women played Michigan State 2 years ago in the 1st round of the NCAA tourney, the "ECU home market" on the ESPN regionalized coverage not only included Greenville-New Bern-Washington, but also Raleigh-Durham.

My guess is the numbers tell a different story. If ECU actually had a significant presence in Washington D.C., Charlotte, NC, Tidewater, VA, and everywhere in between, then I would expect that ECU would have gotten a BE invite back in 2005. I would also expect C-USA's TV package to be substantially larger than it actually is since it would include D.C. (7th), Houston (11th), Dallas (6th), Memphis (48th), Orlando (23rd), Charlotte (32), Tidewater region (31st), New Orleans (39), Birmingham, Alabama (41), etc. Somehow I don't believe that the Big East would have left out a school that "brings" 3 markets that are in or very close to the top 30 range.

I think you hit the nail on the head. I like ECU but that pretty much explains why they have been passed over countless times by the Big East, SEC and ACC. There are a lot of ECU fans who are upset and ripping the Big East for passing over them, but they ignore the fact that the ACC AND SEC have also passed them over.

When does the current Big East Contract with ESPN run out? An expansion doesn't have to occur in the middle of the contract, it can happen when the contract is about to expire, when re-negotiations are naturally going on. That makes more sense then to have to force re-negotiations. That way, the big picture can be looked at.

Why did the Eagle Bank Bowl in DC sign a 1 year contract w/C-USA this year? In case Army isn't bowl eligible, they want ECU or Marshall.......this bowl cares about people in the stands. The bowl knows ECU (and Marshall) can deliver that.

I don't know ECU's original terms.....I'll be more than happy to look for it. Back then (early-mid 90ties), it could very well be that ECU was trading profit for exposure. But obviously, that isn't happening now. Different situation. My point was that ESPN could very well have said no to wanting to give ECU any exposure....what's the benefit for ESPN? Obviously, they must have known eyeballs were going to watch Jeff Blake and Marcus Crandal run over teams such as Va. Tech and Pitt and Syracuse.

Because C-USA, as originally made up, was attractive to ECU, especially in hoops. Obviously, the situation has changed.
Again.....the reasons for ECU being passed over has been detailed on here a zillion times.......Mike Hamrick (old ECU AD) pissing off the Big East suits that visited ECU obviously didn't help things. Wiregrass Pirate had a list of other happenings as well.

I'm talking about regular seasons games from last year....I posted the link to regular season ratings on here before. It was a month or so ago. It was fact, not opinion. ECU-Va. Tech to open the year beat Maryland-Va. Tech Thursday night game later in the year (that's fact). ECU-NC State beat South Carolina-NC State (that's fact). I'll be more than happy to look for that link again.

Where do you think ECU alumni move to after they graduate? You think 110,000+ are all just staying in Greenville?
Here is a link to a recent alumni map......
http://www.piratealumni.com/s/722/images...webmap.htm

ECU alumni live up and down the east coast, with heavy presences in the mid-atlantic.

Here is a link to the list of every ECU Pirate Club Chapter............

http://www.ecupirateclub.com/index.cfm?m...banner.cfm

Why would there be Chapters in Northern VA/DC and the Tidewater if ECU Alumni aren't there? These chapters are up and down the east coast/mid-atlantic, and all over North Carolina. Because ECU Alumni are spread out.

Why is C-USA's tv package worth what it is worth? Because programs such as UAB and Tulane probably bring the value down a tad. Remember...we're talking football here as the driver. Not hoops.

Once again.....please understand this....Mike Hamrick pissed of the Big East suits whom made the trip to Greenville several years ago. Do you really think that helped our cause?

BTW....the Papa Johns dot com bowl featuring Rutgers and Nc State was down 12%, and only scored a 1.7 rating. How could that be, when Rutgers is in the largest tv market in the country? Combined with the ACC powerhouse NC State?

(05-24-2009 08:35 AM)KnightLight Wrote:  

(05-23-2009 10:38 PM)ECMAN79 Wrote:  It's a resume that is ahead of all of the other candidates for football only, that's for sure.
The reasons we were picked over back then have been explained on here a zillion times.......i guess u haven't paid attention.

If ECU is soooooooooooooooo far of any and all candidates...why then did ECU's AD come out publicly and say that "if they joined the Big East...ECU wouldn't take any conference revenue for the first 10 years?"

I mean...if ECU has ZERO competition...wouldn't ECU hold out for the BEST offer (i.e. obviously want Big East $$$$ right away) vs begging/giving away the store for 10 years?

Its obvious that ECU's AD doesn't think is ahead of any and all other candidates...not with that offer he gave, WHICH the Big East hasn't even accepted (another hint).

10 years? I don't remember reading that he said 10 years. Where do you get that from? He said "for the first couple of years". He is also confident that we could get our own tv deal. Again......if ECU doesn't draw eyeballs, why would he be so confident that we can get our own deal?

(05-24-2009 08:41 AM)KnightLight Wrote:  ECU played a big SEC power (UK)

This isn't basketball. This is football. UK is not an SEC power in football.

(05-24-2009 10:10 AM)ECMAN79 Wrote:  Why would there be Chapters in Northern VA/DC and the Tidewater if ECU Alumni aren't there? These chapters are up and down the east coast/mid-atlantic, and all over North Carolina. Because ECU Alumni are spread out.

While I have a great respect for Pirates' football, their willingness to play a tough schedule, and the fact that they have a decent traveling reputation - this alumni chapter thing should be dropped.

Syracuse has alumni chapters in LA, Phoenix, and Denver as well as NYC and DC. It doesn't mean we get to claim that we bring those markets.

Cheers,
Neil

(05-24-2009 10:35 AM)omnicarrier Wrote:  

(05-24-2009 10:10 AM)ECMAN79 Wrote:  Why would there be Chapters in Northern VA/DC and the Tidewater if ECU Alumni aren't there? These chapters are up and down the east coast/mid-atlantic, and all over North Carolina. Because ECU Alumni are spread out.

While I have a great respect for Pirates' football, their willingness to play a tough schedule, and the fact that they have a decent traveling reputation - this alumni chapter thing should be dropped.

Syracuse has alumni chapters in LA, Phoenix, and Denver as well as NYC and DC. It doesn't mean we get to claim that we bring those markets.

Cheers,
Neil

Omni...all I'm showing is that ECU has a presence, in terms of alumni, in those areas. That's all. The Triangle, Wilmington, and Tidewater can all be counted as SECONDARY markets for ECU.

EC
i think what omni was trying to say is that most schools can say the same about alumni chapters.

(05-24-2009 10:47 AM)Cubanbull Wrote:  EC
i think what omni was trying to say is that most schools can say the same about alumni chapters.

I'm simply replying to this statement made by UofL:

"If ECU actually had a significant presence in Washington D.C., Charlotte, NC, Tidewater, VA, and everywhere in between, then I would expect that ECU would have gotten a BE invite back in 2005."

(05-24-2009 10:54 AM)ECMAN79 Wrote:  

(05-24-2009 10:47 AM)Cubanbull Wrote:  EC
i think what omni was trying to say is that most schools can say the same about alumni chapters.

I'm simply replying to this statement made by UofL:

"If ECU actually had a significant presence in Washington D.C., Charlotte, NC, Tidewater, VA, and everywhere in between, then I would expect that ECU would have gotten a BE invite back in 2005."

While I am simply rebutting that drawing upon alumni chapters as proof ECU has "a significant presence" in DC or Tidewater, VA is dubious at best.

Cheers,
Neil

omni...

(05-20-2009 09:41 AM)MichaelSavage Wrote:  'Tis the season for these types of columns:

http://www.bdtonline.com/localsports/loc...24101.html

I just don't get it. Why do BE expansion discussions talk about the BE getting raided by another conf (e.g. B10) and then backfilling with non-BCS candidates?

With the BE stature and clout, the BE should raid the SEC or the ACC to backfill or expand.

Just another view for discussion. It seems a viable option, but is never discussed.

Quote:Because C-USA, as originally made up, was attractive to ECU, especially in hoops. Obviously, the situation has changed.
Again.....the reasons for ECU being passed over has been detailed on here a zillion times.......Mike Hamrick (old ECU AD) pissing off the Big East suits that visited ECU obviously didn't help things. Wiregrass Pirate had a list of other happenings as well.

Is there a way you can post or give a link to Wiregrass Pirate's report of the happenings? I have heard about these things as well but I can't find info on it. His report could convince on your way of thinking. But, from what we know, hasn't ECU been turned down at least 3 times by the Big East, going back to the early 90s when Virginia Tech was invited?

(05-24-2009 11:08 AM)RaiderKnight Wrote:  

(05-20-2009 09:41 AM)MichaelSavage Wrote:  'Tis the season for these types of columns:

http://www.bdtonline.com/localsports/loc...24101.html

I just don't get it. Why do BE expansion discussions talk about the BE getting raided by another conf (e.g. B10) and then backfilling with non-BCS candidates?

With the BE stature and clout, the BE should raid the SEC or the ACC to backfill or expand.

Just another view for discussion. It seems a viable option, but is never discussed.

If that seems to be a viable option then perhaps you might want to consider researching some sites regarding college conference TV contracts and payouts.

Cheers,
Neil

ECMAN79, I fear you are becoming the 'Gray Avenger' of ECU on this board.

Speaking of this board, it seems I can't click on a single thread without being it loaded with C-USA fans extolling the virtues of their respective school.

I guess it's understandable though, since every topic has someting to do with splitting, expanding, kicking ND out, kicking all Catholic schools out, the End of Days, etc.

Such is discussion in the summer, I guess.

(05-24-2009 10:10 AM)ECMAN79 Wrote:  Why would there be Chapters in Northern VA/DC and the Tidewater if ECU Alumni aren't there?

Probably because virtually most schools in the nation have alumni chapters in Washington, DC/Northern Virginia...because people from all over the Nation MOVE THERE for jobs.

Heck...UCF has an alumni chapter in Washington, DC...but does that mean UCF can "bring with it" the Washington, DC TV Market?

Of course not.

(05-24-2009 11:14 AM)omnicarrier Wrote:  

(05-24-2009 11:08 AM)RaiderKnight Wrote:  

(05-20-2009 09:41 AM)MichaelSavage Wrote:  'Tis the season for these types of columns:

http://www.bdtonline.com/localsports/loc...24101.html

I just don't get it. Why do BE expansion discussions talk about the BE getting raided by another conf (e.g. B10) and then backfilling with non-BCS candidates?

With the BE stature and clout, the BE should raid the SEC or the ACC to backfill or expand.

Just another view for discussion. It seems a viable option, but is never discussed.

If that seems to be a viable option then perhaps you might want to consider researching some sites regarding college conference TV contracts and payouts.

Cheers,
Neil

Translation for Raider: All the other 5 BCS Conferences pay their schools more $$$ vs what the Big East can offer...which is why chances are extremely slim (sure...anything is possible) for an existing BCS Member from another conf not named Big East that would jump to the Big East to earn "less money".

This is true at this point in time...now maybe in another 8-10-20 years...circumstances might change.

(05-24-2009 11:13 AM)CatsClaw Wrote:  

(05-24-2009 11:08 AM)RaiderKnight Wrote:  

(05-20-2009 09:41 AM)MichaelSavage Wrote:  'Tis the season for these types of columns:

http://www.bdtonline.com/localsports/loc...24101.html

I just don't get it. Why do BE expansion discussions talk about the BE getting raided by another conf (e.g. B10) and then backfilling with non-BCS candidates?

With the BE stature and clout, the BE should raid the SEC or the ACC to backfill or expand.

Just another view for discussion. It seems a viable option, but is never discussed.

I have said the same thing, but, for some reason, a lot of fans of the Big East has an inferiority complex when it comes to discussing things like that.

I admire your stance regarding the Big East CC, but I think you would have a difficult time coming up with any argument that would convince us that the Big East could "raid" a team from the SEC or the ACC. So the topic has much less to do with BE fans having an inferiority complex (which I agree, is true to some extent) than it does the actual reality of the business of college athletics.

Quote:With that being said, I think the days of the Big East being raided are over. Now, we need to strengthen our own house, which we CAN do. We just need to get off our behinds and do it.

Agreed. And I actually think the league is doing this. We have seen tremendous strides by West Virginia, Villanova and Georgetown in basketball and by Rutgers, UConn, USF, and Cincinnati in terms of football.

I think Syracuse will eventually turn it around with Doug Marrone as head coach. And the Cards' once they rid themselves of Coach Crappy, will start their climb back in football. Unfortunately, all 8 teams can't be good-to-great at the same time, which is another disadvantage to a smaller league.

Cheers,
Neil