09-18-2007, 06:49 PM
Ohio has also moved next season’s game against Northwestern from a home game in Peden Stadium to a road date in Evanston, Ill. The Bobcats were locked into a ‘2-for-1’ deal with the Wildcats, meaning Ohio would visit Northwestern twice in return for one home game against the Big Ten opponent. The ‘Cats visited Northwestern in 2005, were slated to host the Wildcats in 2008, and scheduled to return to Northwestern in 2010. In an amendment, finalized less than two weeks ago according to Hocutt, Ohio and Northwestern have agreed to move the 2008 game to Northwestern and have dropped the 2010 matchup from the contract.
The decision was financial, Hocutt said.
“(The 2-for-1 contracts) are not advantageous to us fiscally,” he said. “Because of financial reasons and the restrictions of the 2008 schedule, we felt we were required to restructure this contract.”
Northwestern will pay Ohio $350,000 to play the game on its home field next season, according to Hocutt, the same amount Ohio received in 2005 and would receive in 2010. The money would be more than the expected amount of revenue Ohio could have generated with a home game against the Wildcats next season, and is far less than the market price the Bobcats could get for another money game in 2010.
For example, Ohio will receive $700,000 to visit Ohio State next fall. By restructuring the Northwestern contract, Ohio was able to increase expected revenue for the game next fall and open up a slot for a similar payout in 2010.
“Finances are tight and we must do whatever we can to maximize revenue,” Hocutt said. “But, we still remain committed to fielding a competitive schedule.
“Our goal is to have a Division I-A opponent come to Peden on an annual basis,” he added. “And we feel good about that after we get through 2008.”
Ohio’s non-conference schedule in 2008 includes road games at Wyoming, at Ohio State and, now, at Northwestern. With eight Mid-American Conference games, and a potential home opener with a Division I-AA foe, the Bobcats will likely have five home games and seven road contests in 2008.
“Ideally we want to have six home games (with a 12-game schedule) every year,” Hocutt said. “And in both 2009 and 2010, we think that will be case.”
Ohio has lined up home dates with Division I-A opponents in the three years following 2008 including: Connecticut in 2009, Louisiana-Lafayette in 2010 and old rival Marshall in 2011.
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The decision was financial, Hocutt said.
“(The 2-for-1 contracts) are not advantageous to us fiscally,” he said. “Because of financial reasons and the restrictions of the 2008 schedule, we felt we were required to restructure this contract.”
Northwestern will pay Ohio $350,000 to play the game on its home field next season, according to Hocutt, the same amount Ohio received in 2005 and would receive in 2010. The money would be more than the expected amount of revenue Ohio could have generated with a home game against the Wildcats next season, and is far less than the market price the Bobcats could get for another money game in 2010.
For example, Ohio will receive $700,000 to visit Ohio State next fall. By restructuring the Northwestern contract, Ohio was able to increase expected revenue for the game next fall and open up a slot for a similar payout in 2010.
“Finances are tight and we must do whatever we can to maximize revenue,” Hocutt said. “But, we still remain committed to fielding a competitive schedule.
“Our goal is to have a Division I-A opponent come to Peden on an annual basis,” he added. “And we feel good about that after we get through 2008.”
Ohio’s non-conference schedule in 2008 includes road games at Wyoming, at Ohio State and, now, at Northwestern. With eight Mid-American Conference games, and a potential home opener with a Division I-AA foe, the Bobcats will likely have five home games and seven road contests in 2008.
“Ideally we want to have six home games (with a 12-game schedule) every year,” Hocutt said. “And in both 2009 and 2010, we think that will be case.”
Ohio has lined up home dates with Division I-A opponents in the three years following 2008 including: Connecticut in 2009, Louisiana-Lafayette in 2010 and old rival Marshall in 2011.
http://www.athensmessenger.com/main.asp?...cleID=5376
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