RE: Making the case for Memphis in the Big 12 (Calkins)
There is only one factor that will be a predictable guide in this process- increasing revenue for the 10 existing members. Different individuals may have emotional bonds to other factors, but no other factor will be shared in importance as proving Memphis increases revenue the most of all options. Recall how St Louis misread who their opponents were in a perhaps rigged NFL decision. They presented the best stadium of the three cities, but not the best stadium of the 5 options, and thought that was enough. Dont misread this. 50-75% of the argument should be money, and the other 25 how this can benefit us.
This isnt about how the Big 12 can benefit us. They could give 2 sh1ts. This is how we benefit them, and benefit them more than not just Houston, Connecticut, the Florida schools, but benefit them more than staying at 10. If there are 24 other schools, make sure you present the best advantage to the Big 12 than your 25 opponents (the 25th being staying pat). Doesnt mean overanalyzing UNLV, but make sure you have the basics down.
Really, I dont know how involved Autozone and Nike are, or St Jude, but if they were 100% behind this, there are few places in the country with a #2, 3, 4 hitter like that in sports and (for St Jude) millenial marketing. ESPN could help by overpaying a network to guarantee Conn, but they are having some financial issues that perhaps the folks at Disney may not like if they are pushing the school in their backyard down in Fl. Maybe they iron it out and overcome it. I read that Uconn has the biggest existing revenue stream of the contenders. That is a huge adversary imo.
All this fluff Calkins put in the article is largely missing the point. Sure, some folks may be drawn to our strength in basketball, or how "appreciative" we'll be, and how important we'll make them feel. But everyone will be drawn to money.
If we dont translate to dollars, none of what Calkins said will overcome that. None. It's like talking about how good or bad a practice player AI was. The game is what matters, and the game is money.
Maybe it's how Calkins wrote it. I know he's not an enthusiastic civic booster in any of his media roles, and that lack of enthusiasm shows in his attempt at advocacy.
Maybe that works for the readers in the demographics the CA apparently targets and caters to.
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