(08-03-2016 03:44 PM)Borncoog74 Wrote: While not paid to keep them in the PAC, this is no different than the $$$ Nike used to fund Oregon.
The CCG sponsorship is nothing new. And is probably comparable to the $$ used on similar naming rights for CCG's and Bowls.
I don't see the big deal.
Right. That point above about Memphis and FedEx is misstated. Fred Smith is giving ZERO personal money to Memphis. FedEx is giving ZERO corporate money directly to Memphis. That support would come in other ways that benefit Memphis' expenditures or revenue streams, like paying for upgrades to the stadium and putting the FedEx name on it, etc. Nothing whatsoever that the board would look down on.
The FedEx marketing pledge is for a LOT of money to the Big 12, for much longer than the length of the current contract, but it is sports marketing money only. It goes directly to the TV networks, and essentially makes the contracts worth more with Memphis included, by the amount that FedEx would spend over what Fox or ESPN would normally expect to take in.
And it is much more than sponsoring a CCG. It includes basketball and other Big 12 sports, and is for regular season, as well as CCGs. Essentially, the Big 12 would become sponsored by FedEx, but still leave a way for other ads to be sold, so no revenue from elsewhere is excluded.
For an idea of how much that would be, google FedEx's annual sports marketing budget, and then move a chunk of it over to the Big 12. Nothing illegal about it. Nothing wrong with it. FedEx Board approved it.
As for Memphis volunteering to take no pay for 2 years, and let FedEx fund them, that is inaccurate, as well. The offer was to take AAC level pay for 2 years, which we can do, since we would be doing that, anyway, in this conference, followed by a typical phase-in, or better.
And we are not the only school offering to do that, lol.
The other money being funded by and for the University of Memphis is completely separate from FedEx, but still a part of our proposal to the Big 12. We are in the beginning of a 5-year campaign to spend $500M on infrastructure, most on campus, but some in the university district around the campus (retail establishments around campus, apartment complexes, etc.)
This is being funded partly by public money (local/state/fed) and partly by private money. It also includes money to buy additional land to expand the campus footprint.
Then, in the master plan, but not yet publicly announced, is another $500M plan for the five years following, to continue more of the same.