(07-11-2019 05:56 PM)Stugray2 Wrote:  The exit letter is here:



Notice July 1st, 2022. That is three years out, as required by AAC exit rules, which avoids penalty fees. But both sides want an exit July 1st, 2020, except UConn wants an extra year or even two more for Football only, other sports moving to the Big East.

The two sides are going to have to negotiate the actual terms. Neither wants it to end up in court, but neither wants to give the other more than they need to.

2020 UConn football and even 2021 would be in terrible shape if they just cut loose after this coming year. So it'll be interesting to see what compromise on money and schedule the two sides agree to.

UConn wants to negotiate not the AAC. They want their cake and eat too. They want to leave their FB in the AAC for the same amount of money that Navy is getting and want to double dip with their other sports in the BE. Just pay up and leave. Your moving on and the AAC is moving on without UConn too.

If UConn Football is really bringing negative value to the AAC brand, then why doesn't the AAC take the $10 million today and allow them to leave 7/1/20? It allows a clean and easy separation between two parties that clearly do not want to associate with each other anymore. UConn is intentional in labeling 7/1/22 as its last end date in the AAC because it knows the conference wants nothing to do with its football program (Aresco has even publicly stated as such numerous times), and because the longer that UConn remains a full member, the longer their football association remains as well. Aresco has also repeatedly stated that football is what drives all of the AAC schools together; the longer the AAC keeps UConn, there will be a dead weight towards its football value.

I think Aresco may have actually tipped his hand by publicly declaring UConn can not remain as a football-only member; making such a declaration revealed that the league actually does not want UConn Football part of its league moving forward, and - in turn - provides UConn ammunition in court to argue that they do not need to pay more than the $10 million exit fee. When Syracuse/Pittsburgh/WVU/Rutgers/Louisville left the Big East, I do not think that John Marinatto ever publicly stated that they did not want those schools around anymore; thus, he was able to negotiate a slightly higher exit fee from the departing schools.

Again, I think Aresco may have legally put himself and the AAC in a corner with his public comments about not wanting UConn Football. I don't think you publicly stipulate that you don't want - and will not allow - their football in the conference, but also demand they also pay a higher exit fee to leave the conference.

(07-12-2019 08:49 AM)GoldenWarrior11 Wrote:  If UConn Football is really bringing negative value to the AAC brand, then why doesn't the AAC take the $10 million today and allow them to leave 7/1/20? It allows a clean and easy separation between two parties that clearly do not want to associate with each other anymore. UConn is intentional in labeling 7/1/22 as its last end date in the AAC because it knows the conference wants nothing to do with its football program (Aresco has even publicly stated as such numerous times), and because the longer that UConn remains a full member, the longer their football association remains as well. Aresco has also repeatedly stated that football is what drives all of the AAC schools together; the longer the AAC keeps UConn, there will be a dead weight towards its football value.

I think Aresco may have actually tipped his hand by publicly declaring UConn can not remain as a football-only member; making such a declaration revealed that the league actually does not want UConn Football part of its league moving forward, and - in turn - provides UConn ammunition in court to argue that they do not need to pay more than the $10 million exit fee. When Syracuse/Pittsburgh/WVU/Rutgers/Louisville left the Big East, I do not think that John Marinatto ever publicly stated that they did not want those schools around anymore; thus, he was able to negotiate a slightly higher exit fee from the departing schools.

Again, I think Aresco may have legally put himself and the AAC in a corner with his public comments about not wanting UConn Football. I don't think you publicly stipulate that you don't want - and will not allow - their football in the conference, but also demand they also pay a higher exit fee to leave the conference.

You might be over-simplifying this, GW11.

I recall Aresco has said the AAC does not want UConn for football only (and it should not). He would have been pleased had UConn been happy to stay for all sports (which it should not have been).

The league wants nothing to do with UConn football because UConn wants nothing to do with the league for all sports other than football.

Both parties are justified in their respective stances.

As to the potential legal concerns regarding Aresco's comments, I would have no idea.

(07-12-2019 08:49 AM)GoldenWarrior11 Wrote:  If UConn Football is really bringing negative value to the AAC brand, then why doesn't the AAC take the $10 million today and allow them to leave 7/1/20?

The AAC is probably amenable to that. Especially if you up the $10M to $11M, what Louisville and Rutgers paid to get out early. Can UConn accept that, though--about 13 months to kickoff of the 2020 football season, and UConn needs 7-8 games, including at least 2 FBS home games and I think at least 3 FBS road games. Tick tock.

I'm pretty sure the AAC would be okay with UConn leaving after this year, based on the Syracuse/ Pitt/ Louisville / Rutgers precedents. (I don't think UConn wants to bring up with WVU precedent.)

Quote: It allows a clean and easy separation between two parties that clearly do not want to associate with each other anymore. UConn is intentional in labeling 7/1/22 as its last end date in the AAC because it knows the conference wants nothing to do with its football program (Aresco has even publicly stated as such numerous times), and because the longer that UConn remains a full member, the longer their football association remains as well. Aresco has also repeatedly stated that football is what drives all of the AAC schools together; the longer the AAC keeps UConn, there will be a dead weight towards its football value.

You misspelled "UConn is not trying to jailbreak the bylaws (unless maybe they really have to), and is instead negotiating for an earlier exit than the bylaws allow."

Quote:I think Aresco may have actually tipped his hand by publicly declaring UConn can not remain as a football-only member; making such a declaration revealed that the league actually does not want UConn Football part of its league moving forward, and - in turn - provides UConn ammunition in court to argue that they do not need to pay more than the $10 million exit fee. When Syracuse/Pittsburgh/WVU/Rutgers/Louisville left the Big East, I do not think that John Marinatto ever publicly stated that they did not want those schools around anymore; thus, he was able to negotiate a slightly higher exit fee from the departing schools.

Those schools weren't asking to keep a major sport in the Big East as an Affiliate Member though. Especially one that they were terrible at.

UConn football may be trash, but the UConn athletic program, including basketball, is a valuable asset, which is why a better conference is taking them and imposing a huge exit fee on them if they jump to a P5 league.

Quote:Again, I think Aresco may have legally put himself and the AAC in a corner with his public comments about not wanting UConn Football. I don't think you publicly stipulate that you don't want - and will not allow - their football in the conference, but also demand they also pay a higher exit fee to leave the conference.

The AAC doesn't want UConn football without UConn basketball. When the rich guy divorces the young trophy wife, she stops sleeping with him, and he cuts off the credit cards.

That doesn't impact the divorce settlement negotiations. He can't claim that she wants the divorce because she stopped sleeping with him.

Short of cancelling games scheduled for this season, I think the AAC is willing to see UConn leave ASAP. $10m exit fee, plus a million or two to not have to go to court to jailbreak the 27 months.

I don't understand the problem
Conn is following the conf by-laws to withdraw

(07-12-2019 01:00 PM)templefootballfan Wrote:  I don't understand the problem
Conn is following the conf by-laws to withdraw

The Conference USA schools have a perpetual chip on their shoulder because we do things like call them Conference USA schools.

(07-12-2019 08:49 AM)GoldenWarrior11 Wrote:  If UConn Football is really bringing negative value to the AAC brand, then why doesn't the AAC take the $10 million today and allow them to leave 7/1/20? It allows a clean and easy separation between two parties that clearly do not want to associate with each other anymore. UConn is intentional in labeling 7/1/22 as its last end date in the AAC because it knows the conference wants nothing to do with its football program (Aresco has even publicly stated as such numerous times), and because the longer that UConn remains a full member, the longer their football association remains as well. Aresco has also repeatedly stated that football is what drives all of the AAC schools together; the longer the AAC keeps UConn, there will be a dead weight towards its football value.

I think Aresco may have actually tipped his hand by publicly declaring UConn can not remain as a football-only member; making such a declaration revealed that the league actually does not want UConn Football part of its league moving forward, and - in turn - provides UConn ammunition in court to argue that they do not need to pay more than the $10 million exit fee. When Syracuse/Pittsburgh/WVU/Rutgers/Louisville left the Big East, I do not think that John Marinatto ever publicly stated that they did not want those schools around anymore; thus, he was able to negotiate a slightly higher exit fee from the departing schools.

Again, I think Aresco may have legally put himself and the AAC in a corner with his public comments about not wanting UConn Football. I don't think you publicly stipulate that you don't want - and will not allow - their football in the conference, but also demand they also pay a higher exit fee to leave the conference.

Actually---what it proves is the loss of value is from UConn basketball leaving the conference--and its football is a negative for the conference. Since that's the case---how exactly does it prove that UConn basketball exiting the conference prior to the 27 month period in not a negative for the AAC? Well--its doesnt. Your whole post is just kinda out of whack with the facts. None of the schools you mentions (Syracuse/Pitt/WVU/Rutgers) proposed taking their most valuable sports programs to another conference while leavng their worst program in it. None of them. Any comparison with those situations beyond the fact they paid extra to leave early is meaningless.

Aresco is not demanding a higher fee for football leaving early. He's demanding a higher fee (which UConn signed on to and has supported multiple times in the past) for the most valuable UConn sports leaving early----much as UConn did when W Virginia, Syracuse, Louisville, Rutgers, etc left the conference early.

Frankly, I think they could get out for 12 million---but I think it will end up being significantly more---say 15-17----but that amount will allow UConn to keep their football around an extra year smoothing the transition process. Doesnt look like the AAC is adding another football school---so its not that big a deal and probably works for both parties. The AAC gets extra money and more time to get a waiver or change the NCAA CCG rule. UConn gets more time to build their first year indy schedule. Its a reasonable compromise.

For what it's worth, Hartford Courant is reporting the AAC is holding $5 million in UConn conference distribution in escrow as partial payment on the exit fees, so UConn's up to about $7.5 million paid of the $10 million total fee. Whatever additional they settle at for an early exit remains to be seen.

(07-12-2019 04:43 PM)Bogg Wrote:  For what it's worth, Hartford Courant is reporting the AAC is holding $5 million in UConn conference distribution in escrow as partial payment on the exit fees, so UConn's up to about $7.5 million paid of the $10 million total fee. Whatever additional they settle at for an early exit remains to be seen.

Thats why Im thinking it will be a compromise where UConn football gets to stay an extra year. That will be the first year of the new deal. It would be easy for UConn to say--keep 4 million and give me one. Aresco can say he got a 14 million dollar exit fee. UConn administrators dont look like they are running off half cocked with no football plan with an extra year to line out their first indy schedule (plus they get a million to do it). Everyone saves face and moves on.

(07-12-2019 09:30 AM)johnbragg Wrote:  

(07-12-2019 08:49 AM)GoldenWarrior11 Wrote:  If UConn Football is really bringing negative value to the AAC brand, then why doesn't the AAC take the $10 million today and allow them to leave 7/1/20?

The AAC is probably amenable to that. Especially if you up the $10M to $11M, what Louisville and Rutgers paid to get out early. Can UConn accept that, though--about 13 months to kickoff of the 2020 football season, and UConn needs 7-8 games, including at least 2 FBS home games and I think at least 3 FBS road games. Tick tock.

I'm pretty sure the AAC would be okay with UConn leaving after this year, based on the Syracuse/ Pitt/ Louisville / Rutgers precedents. (I don't think UConn wants to bring up with WVU precedent.)

Quote: It allows a clean and easy separation between two parties that clearly do not want to associate with each other anymore. UConn is intentional in labeling 7/1/22 as its last end date in the AAC because it knows the conference wants nothing to do with its football program (Aresco has even publicly stated as such numerous times), and because the longer that UConn remains a full member, the longer their football association remains as well. Aresco has also repeatedly stated that football is what drives all of the AAC schools together; the longer the AAC keeps UConn, there will be a dead weight towards its football value.

You misspelled "UConn is not trying to jailbreak the bylaws (unless maybe they really have to), and is instead negotiating for an earlier exit than the bylaws allow."

Quote:I think Aresco may have actually tipped his hand by publicly declaring UConn can not remain as a football-only member; making such a declaration revealed that the league actually does not want UConn Football part of its league moving forward, and - in turn - provides UConn ammunition in court to argue that they do not need to pay more than the $10 million exit fee. When Syracuse/Pittsburgh/WVU/Rutgers/Louisville left the Big East, I do not think that John Marinatto ever publicly stated that they did not want those schools around anymore; thus, he was able to negotiate a slightly higher exit fee from the departing schools.

Those schools weren't asking to keep a major sport in the Big East as an Affiliate Member though. Especially one that they were terrible at.

UConn football may be trash, but the UConn athletic program, including basketball, is a valuable asset, which is why a better conference is taking them and imposing a huge exit fee on them if they jump to a P5 league.

Quote:Again, I think Aresco may have legally put himself and the AAC in a corner with his public comments about not wanting UConn Football. I don't think you publicly stipulate that you don't want - and will not allow - their football in the conference, but also demand they also pay a higher exit fee to leave the conference.

The AAC doesn't want UConn football without UConn basketball. When the rich guy divorces the young trophy wife, she stops sleeping with him, and he cuts off the credit cards.

That doesn't impact the divorce settlement negotiations. He can't claim that she wants the divorce because she stopped sleeping with him.

Short of cancelling games scheduled for this season, I think the AAC is willing to see UConn leave ASAP. $10m exit fee, plus a million or two to not have to go to court to jailbreak the 27 months.

JBragg,

Might I ask how you define "which is why a 'better conference' "? ... asks the arrogant, effete and "tired or homer-ism" you-know-what poster who is new to this board.

Just curious.

(07-12-2019 09:25 PM)bill dazzle Wrote:  

(07-12-2019 09:30 AM)johnbragg Wrote:  

(07-12-2019 08:49 AM)GoldenWarrior11 Wrote:  If UConn Football is really bringing negative value to the AAC brand, then why doesn't the AAC take the $10 million today and allow them to leave 7/1/20?

The AAC is probably amenable to that. Especially if you up the $10M to $11M, what Louisville and Rutgers paid to get out early. Can UConn accept that, though--about 13 months to kickoff of the 2020 football season, and UConn needs 7-8 games, including at least 2 FBS home games and I think at least 3 FBS road games. Tick tock.

I'm pretty sure the AAC would be okay with UConn leaving after this year, based on the Syracuse/ Pitt/ Louisville / Rutgers precedents. (I don't think UConn wants to bring up with WVU precedent.)

Quote: It allows a clean and easy separation between two parties that clearly do not want to associate with each other anymore. UConn is intentional in labeling 7/1/22 as its last end date in the AAC because it knows the conference wants nothing to do with its football program (Aresco has even publicly stated as such numerous times), and because the longer that UConn remains a full member, the longer their football association remains as well. Aresco has also repeatedly stated that football is what drives all of the AAC schools together; the longer the AAC keeps UConn, there will be a dead weight towards its football value.

You misspelled "UConn is not trying to jailbreak the bylaws (unless maybe they really have to), and is instead negotiating for an earlier exit than the bylaws allow."

Quote:I think Aresco may have actually tipped his hand by publicly declaring UConn can not remain as a football-only member; making such a declaration revealed that the league actually does not want UConn Football part of its league moving forward, and - in turn - provides UConn ammunition in court to argue that they do not need to pay more than the $10 million exit fee. When Syracuse/Pittsburgh/WVU/Rutgers/Louisville left the Big East, I do not think that John Marinatto ever publicly stated that they did not want those schools around anymore; thus, he was able to negotiate a slightly higher exit fee from the departing schools.

Those schools weren't asking to keep a major sport in the Big East as an Affiliate Member though. Especially one that they were terrible at.

UConn football may be trash, but the UConn athletic program, including basketball, is a valuable asset, which is why a better conference is taking them and imposing a huge exit fee on them if they jump to a P5 league.

Quote:Again, I think Aresco may have legally put himself and the AAC in a corner with his public comments about not wanting UConn Football. I don't think you publicly stipulate that you don't want - and will not allow - their football in the conference, but also demand they also pay a higher exit fee to leave the conference.

The AAC doesn't want UConn football without UConn basketball. When the rich guy divorces the young trophy wife, she stops sleeping with him, and he cuts off the credit cards.

That doesn't impact the divorce settlement negotiations. He can't claim that she wants the divorce because she stopped sleeping with him.

Short of cancelling games scheduled for this season, I think the AAC is willing to see UConn leave ASAP. $10m exit fee, plus a million or two to not have to go to court to jailbreak the 27 months.

JBragg,

Might I ask how you define "which is why a 'better conference' "? ... asks the arrogant, effete and "tired or homer-ism" you-know-what poster who is new to this board.

Just curious.

Schools leave worse conferences for better conferences. QED. (Exception: UMKC *thought* the WAC was a better conference than the Summit. They were wrong.)

So:
PAC, B1G, SEC > XII.
B1G > ACC.
B1G, ACC, XII, BE > AAC.
And B1G, ACC, XII > BE (Syracuse, Pitt, Notre Dame, WVU, Rutgers left the Big East)

Also AAC> CUSA, MAC, A-10, MVC; BE > A-10, MVC, AAC. Oh and MWC > WAC. Arguably MWC > AAC, but geography was a big factor there.

(07-12-2019 09:51 PM)johnbragg Wrote:  

(07-12-2019 09:25 PM)bill dazzle Wrote:  

(07-12-2019 09:30 AM)johnbragg Wrote:  

(07-12-2019 08:49 AM)GoldenWarrior11 Wrote:  If UConn Football is really bringing negative value to the AAC brand, then why doesn't the AAC take the $10 million today and allow them to leave 7/1/20?

The AAC is probably amenable to that. Especially if you up the $10M to $11M, what Louisville and Rutgers paid to get out early. Can UConn accept that, though--about 13 months to kickoff of the 2020 football season, and UConn needs 7-8 games, including at least 2 FBS home games and I think at least 3 FBS road games. Tick tock.

I'm pretty sure the AAC would be okay with UConn leaving after this year, based on the Syracuse/ Pitt/ Louisville / Rutgers precedents. (I don't think UConn wants to bring up with WVU precedent.)

Quote: It allows a clean and easy separation between two parties that clearly do not want to associate with each other anymore. UConn is intentional in labeling 7/1/22 as its last end date in the AAC because it knows the conference wants nothing to do with its football program (Aresco has even publicly stated as such numerous times), and because the longer that UConn remains a full member, the longer their football association remains as well. Aresco has also repeatedly stated that football is what drives all of the AAC schools together; the longer the AAC keeps UConn, there will be a dead weight towards its football value.

You misspelled "UConn is not trying to jailbreak the bylaws (unless maybe they really have to), and is instead negotiating for an earlier exit than the bylaws allow."

Quote:I think Aresco may have actually tipped his hand by publicly declaring UConn can not remain as a football-only member; making such a declaration revealed that the league actually does not want UConn Football part of its league moving forward, and - in turn - provides UConn ammunition in court to argue that they do not need to pay more than the $10 million exit fee. When Syracuse/Pittsburgh/WVU/Rutgers/Louisville left the Big East, I do not think that John Marinatto ever publicly stated that they did not want those schools around anymore; thus, he was able to negotiate a slightly higher exit fee from the departing schools.

Those schools weren't asking to keep a major sport in the Big East as an Affiliate Member though. Especially one that they were terrible at.

UConn football may be trash, but the UConn athletic program, including basketball, is a valuable asset, which is why a better conference is taking them and imposing a huge exit fee on them if they jump to a P5 league.

Quote:Again, I think Aresco may have legally put himself and the AAC in a corner with his public comments about not wanting UConn Football. I don't think you publicly stipulate that you don't want - and will not allow - their football in the conference, but also demand they also pay a higher exit fee to leave the conference.

The AAC doesn't want UConn football without UConn basketball. When the rich guy divorces the young trophy wife, she stops sleeping with him, and he cuts off the credit cards.

That doesn't impact the divorce settlement negotiations. He can't claim that she wants the divorce because she stopped sleeping with him.

Short of cancelling games scheduled for this season, I think the AAC is willing to see UConn leave ASAP. $10m exit fee, plus a million or two to not have to go to court to jailbreak the 27 months.

JBragg,

Might I ask how you define "which is why a 'better conference' "? ... asks the arrogant, effete and "tired or homer-ism" you-know-what poster who is new to this board.

Just curious.

Schools leave worse conferences for better conferences. QED. (Exception: UMKC *thought* the WAC was a better conference than the Summit. They were wrong.)

16 WAC
27 Summit

They were right.

(07-12-2019 09:25 PM)bill dazzle Wrote:  

(07-12-2019 09:30 AM)johnbragg Wrote:  

(07-12-2019 08:49 AM)GoldenWarrior11 Wrote:  If UConn Football is really bringing negative value to the AAC brand, then why doesn't the AAC take the $10 million today and allow them to leave 7/1/20?

The AAC is probably amenable to that. Especially if you up the $10M to $11M, what Louisville and Rutgers paid to get out early. Can UConn accept that, though--about 13 months to kickoff of the 2020 football season, and UConn needs 7-8 games, including at least 2 FBS home games and I think at least 3 FBS road games. Tick tock.

I'm pretty sure the AAC would be okay with UConn leaving after this year, based on the Syracuse/ Pitt/ Louisville / Rutgers precedents. (I don't think UConn wants to bring up with WVU precedent.)

Quote: It allows a clean and easy separation between two parties that clearly do not want to associate with each other anymore. UConn is intentional in labeling 7/1/22 as its last end date in the AAC because it knows the conference wants nothing to do with its football program (Aresco has even publicly stated as such numerous times), and because the longer that UConn remains a full member, the longer their football association remains as well. Aresco has also repeatedly stated that football is what drives all of the AAC schools together; the longer the AAC keeps UConn, there will be a dead weight towards its football value.

You misspelled "UConn is not trying to jailbreak the bylaws (unless maybe they really have to), and is instead negotiating for an earlier exit than the bylaws allow."

Quote:I think Aresco may have actually tipped his hand by publicly declaring UConn can not remain as a football-only member; making such a declaration revealed that the league actually does not want UConn Football part of its league moving forward, and - in turn - provides UConn ammunition in court to argue that they do not need to pay more than the $10 million exit fee. When Syracuse/Pittsburgh/WVU/Rutgers/Louisville left the Big East, I do not think that John Marinatto ever publicly stated that they did not want those schools around anymore; thus, he was able to negotiate a slightly higher exit fee from the departing schools.

Those schools weren't asking to keep a major sport in the Big East as an Affiliate Member though. Especially one that they were terrible at.

UConn football may be trash, but the UConn athletic program, including basketball, is a valuable asset, which is why a better conference is taking them and imposing a huge exit fee on them if they jump to a P5 league.

Quote:Again, I think Aresco may have legally put himself and the AAC in a corner with his public comments about not wanting UConn Football. I don't think you publicly stipulate that you don't want - and will not allow - their football in the conference, but also demand they also pay a higher exit fee to leave the conference.

The AAC doesn't want UConn football without UConn basketball. When the rich guy divorces the young trophy wife, she stops sleeping with him, and he cuts off the credit cards.

That doesn't impact the divorce settlement negotiations. He can't claim that she wants the divorce because she stopped sleeping with him.

Short of cancelling games scheduled for this season, I think the AAC is willing to see UConn leave ASAP. $10m exit fee, plus a million or two to not have to go to court to jailbreak the 27 months.

JBragg,

Might I ask how you define "which is why a 'better conference' "? ... asks the arrogant, effete and "tired or homer-ism" you-know-what poster who is new to this board.

Just curious.

In this particular instance, it's the presence of a group of geographic/historical rivals and a sold-out conference tournament that half the fan base can get to via commuter rail. Also just the on-court results the last few years.

(07-12-2019 09:51 PM)johnbragg Wrote:  

(07-12-2019 09:25 PM)bill dazzle Wrote:  

(07-12-2019 09:30 AM)johnbragg Wrote:  

(07-12-2019 08:49 AM)GoldenWarrior11 Wrote:  If UConn Football is really bringing negative value to the AAC brand, then why doesn't the AAC take the $10 million today and allow them to leave 7/1/20?

The AAC is probably amenable to that. Especially if you up the $10M to $11M, what Louisville and Rutgers paid to get out early. Can UConn accept that, though--about 13 months to kickoff of the 2020 football season, and UConn needs 7-8 games, including at least 2 FBS home games and I think at least 3 FBS road games. Tick tock.

I'm pretty sure the AAC would be okay with UConn leaving after this year, based on the Syracuse/ Pitt/ Louisville / Rutgers precedents. (I don't think UConn wants to bring up with WVU precedent.)

Quote: It allows a clean and easy separation between two parties that clearly do not want to associate with each other anymore. UConn is intentional in labeling 7/1/22 as its last end date in the AAC because it knows the conference wants nothing to do with its football program (Aresco has even publicly stated as such numerous times), and because the longer that UConn remains a full member, the longer their football association remains as well. Aresco has also repeatedly stated that football is what drives all of the AAC schools together; the longer the AAC keeps UConn, there will be a dead weight towards its football value.

You misspelled "UConn is not trying to jailbreak the bylaws (unless maybe they really have to), and is instead negotiating for an earlier exit than the bylaws allow."

Quote:I think Aresco may have actually tipped his hand by publicly declaring UConn can not remain as a football-only member; making such a declaration revealed that the league actually does not want UConn Football part of its league moving forward, and - in turn - provides UConn ammunition in court to argue that they do not need to pay more than the $10 million exit fee. When Syracuse/Pittsburgh/WVU/Rutgers/Louisville left the Big East, I do not think that John Marinatto ever publicly stated that they did not want those schools around anymore; thus, he was able to negotiate a slightly higher exit fee from the departing schools.

Those schools weren't asking to keep a major sport in the Big East as an Affiliate Member though. Especially one that they were terrible at.

UConn football may be trash, but the UConn athletic program, including basketball, is a valuable asset, which is why a better conference is taking them and imposing a huge exit fee on them if they jump to a P5 league.

Quote:Again, I think Aresco may have legally put himself and the AAC in a corner with his public comments about not wanting UConn Football. I don't think you publicly stipulate that you don't want - and will not allow - their football in the conference, but also demand they also pay a higher exit fee to leave the conference.

The AAC doesn't want UConn football without UConn basketball. When the rich guy divorces the young trophy wife, she stops sleeping with him, and he cuts off the credit cards.

That doesn't impact the divorce settlement negotiations. He can't claim that she wants the divorce because she stopped sleeping with him.

Short of cancelling games scheduled for this season, I think the AAC is willing to see UConn leave ASAP. $10m exit fee, plus a million or two to not have to go to court to jailbreak the 27 months.

JBragg,

Might I ask how you define "which is why a 'better conference' "? ... asks the arrogant, effete and "tired or homer-ism" you-know-what poster who is new to this board.

Just curious.

Schools leave worse conferences for better conferences. QED. (Exception: UMKC *thought* the WAC was a better conference than the Summit. They were wrong.)

So:
PAC, B1G, SEC > XII.
B1G > ACC.
B1G, ACC, XII, BE > AAC.
And B1G, ACC, XII > BE (Syracuse, Pitt, Notre Dame, WVU, Rutgers left the Big East)

Also AAC> CUSA, MAC, A-10, MVC; BE > A-10, MVC, AAC. Oh and MWC > WAC. Arguably MWC > AAC, but geography was a big factor there.

I guess my thought is this, JBragg: How do we define “better”? There is no doubt the Big East is a “better fit” overall for UConn than the AAC, and that is why the university is moving. Good for them. They should.

But “better” can be defined many ways. Some would say the American is “better” than the Big East in various metrics and that the Big East is “better” than the American in other metrics. It’s very subjective. Conferences can be judged by the average endowment or graduation rate of their collective members. They can judged by, for example, the collective total number professional schools of their members. They be judged by Olympic sports (particularly baseball and women’s hoops but to a growing extent soccer). They can be judged by their annual budgets.

One could argue the Big East is "better" now than it was when it had all the schools that have since left. Others might argue it is "worse" than what it was. It's a matter of personal approach.

I see on the board the occasional “we’re better than you” mindset (from both Big East and AAC posters) and just scratch my head. True, every fair and reasonable follower of college sports knows Big East men’s hoops is better than that of the AAC (though not substantially). We can all agree on that. But generalizations that the Big East is “better” or the AAC is “better” … puzzling. I’m not suggesting you were oversimplifying but that was my impression.

Anyway, thanks for responding.

(07-13-2019 07:43 AM)Bogg Wrote:  

(07-12-2019 09:25 PM)bill dazzle Wrote:  

(07-12-2019 09:30 AM)johnbragg Wrote:  

(07-12-2019 08:49 AM)GoldenWarrior11 Wrote:  If UConn Football is really bringing negative value to the AAC brand, then why doesn't the AAC take the $10 million today and allow them to leave 7/1/20?

The AAC is probably amenable to that. Especially if you up the $10M to $11M, what Louisville and Rutgers paid to get out early. Can UConn accept that, though--about 13 months to kickoff of the 2020 football season, and UConn needs 7-8 games, including at least 2 FBS home games and I think at least 3 FBS road games. Tick tock.

I'm pretty sure the AAC would be okay with UConn leaving after this year, based on the Syracuse/ Pitt/ Louisville / Rutgers precedents. (I don't think UConn wants to bring up with WVU precedent.)

Quote: It allows a clean and easy separation between two parties that clearly do not want to associate with each other anymore. UConn is intentional in labeling 7/1/22 as its last end date in the AAC because it knows the conference wants nothing to do with its football program (Aresco has even publicly stated as such numerous times), and because the longer that UConn remains a full member, the longer their football association remains as well. Aresco has also repeatedly stated that football is what drives all of the AAC schools together; the longer the AAC keeps UConn, there will be a dead weight towards its football value.

You misspelled "UConn is not trying to jailbreak the bylaws (unless maybe they really have to), and is instead negotiating for an earlier exit than the bylaws allow."

Quote:I think Aresco may have actually tipped his hand by publicly declaring UConn can not remain as a football-only member; making such a declaration revealed that the league actually does not want UConn Football part of its league moving forward, and - in turn - provides UConn ammunition in court to argue that they do not need to pay more than the $10 million exit fee. When Syracuse/Pittsburgh/WVU/Rutgers/Louisville left the Big East, I do not think that John Marinatto ever publicly stated that they did not want those schools around anymore; thus, he was able to negotiate a slightly higher exit fee from the departing schools.

Those schools weren't asking to keep a major sport in the Big East as an Affiliate Member though. Especially one that they were terrible at.

UConn football may be trash, but the UConn athletic program, including basketball, is a valuable asset, which is why a better conference is taking them and imposing a huge exit fee on them if they jump to a P5 league.

Quote:Again, I think Aresco may have legally put himself and the AAC in a corner with his public comments about not wanting UConn Football. I don't think you publicly stipulate that you don't want - and will not allow - their football in the conference, but also demand they also pay a higher exit fee to leave the conference.

The AAC doesn't want UConn football without UConn basketball. When the rich guy divorces the young trophy wife, she stops sleeping with him, and he cuts off the credit cards.

That doesn't impact the divorce settlement negotiations. He can't claim that she wants the divorce because she stopped sleeping with him.

Short of cancelling games scheduled for this season, I think the AAC is willing to see UConn leave ASAP. $10m exit fee, plus a million or two to not have to go to court to jailbreak the 27 months.

JBragg,

Might I ask how you define "which is why a 'better conference' "? ... asks the arrogant, effete and "tired or homer-ism" you-know-what poster who is new to this board.

Just curious.

In this particular instance, it's the presence of a group of geographic/historical rivals and a sold-out conference tournament that half the fan base can get to via commuter rail. Also just the on-court results the last few years.

Agree fully.

(07-13-2019 07:43 AM)Bogg Wrote:  

(07-12-2019 09:25 PM)bill dazzle Wrote:  

(07-12-2019 09:30 AM)johnbragg Wrote:  

(07-12-2019 08:49 AM)GoldenWarrior11 Wrote:  If UConn Football is really bringing negative value to the AAC brand, then why doesn't the AAC take the $10 million today and allow them to leave 7/1/20?

The AAC is probably amenable to that. Especially if you up the $10M to $11M, what Louisville and Rutgers paid to get out early. Can UConn accept that, though--about 13 months to kickoff of the 2020 football season, and UConn needs 7-8 games, including at least 2 FBS home games and I think at least 3 FBS road games. Tick tock.

I'm pretty sure the AAC would be okay with UConn leaving after this year, based on the Syracuse/ Pitt/ Louisville / Rutgers precedents. (I don't think UConn wants to bring up with WVU precedent.)

Quote: It allows a clean and easy separation between two parties that clearly do not want to associate with each other anymore. UConn is intentional in labeling 7/1/22 as its last end date in the AAC because it knows the conference wants nothing to do with its football program (Aresco has even publicly stated as such numerous times), and because the longer that UConn remains a full member, the longer their football association remains as well. Aresco has also repeatedly stated that football is what drives all of the AAC schools together; the longer the AAC keeps UConn, there will be a dead weight towards its football value.

You misspelled "UConn is not trying to jailbreak the bylaws (unless maybe they really have to), and is instead negotiating for an earlier exit than the bylaws allow."

Quote:I think Aresco may have actually tipped his hand by publicly declaring UConn can not remain as a football-only member; making such a declaration revealed that the league actually does not want UConn Football part of its league moving forward, and - in turn - provides UConn ammunition in court to argue that they do not need to pay more than the $10 million exit fee. When Syracuse/Pittsburgh/WVU/Rutgers/Louisville left the Big East, I do not think that John Marinatto ever publicly stated that they did not want those schools around anymore; thus, he was able to negotiate a slightly higher exit fee from the departing schools.

Those schools weren't asking to keep a major sport in the Big East as an Affiliate Member though. Especially one that they were terrible at.

UConn football may be trash, but the UConn athletic program, including basketball, is a valuable asset, which is why a better conference is taking them and imposing a huge exit fee on them if they jump to a P5 league.

Quote:Again, I think Aresco may have legally put himself and the AAC in a corner with his public comments about not wanting UConn Football. I don't think you publicly stipulate that you don't want - and will not allow - their football in the conference, but also demand they also pay a higher exit fee to leave the conference.

The AAC doesn't want UConn football without UConn basketball. When the rich guy divorces the young trophy wife, she stops sleeping with him, and he cuts off the credit cards.

That doesn't impact the divorce settlement negotiations. He can't claim that she wants the divorce because she stopped sleeping with him.

Short of cancelling games scheduled for this season, I think the AAC is willing to see UConn leave ASAP. $10m exit fee, plus a million or two to not have to go to court to jailbreak the 27 months.

JBragg,

Might I ask how you define "which is why a 'better conference' "? ... asks the arrogant, effete and "tired or homer-ism" you-know-what poster who is new to this board.

Just curious.

In this particular instance, it's the presence of a group of geographic/historical rivals and a sold-out conference tournament that half the fan base can get to via commuter rail. Also just the on-court results the last few years.

Exactly. While I happen to think the Big East is an objectively better basketball conference, the reality is these better vs worse viewpoints are often a relative answer that depends on the schools being asked. For Temple, its a no brainer that the AAC is better than the MW. For SDSU, its a no brainer that the MW is better than the AAC---Massey ratings dont matter for either of those opinions to be true for the schools in question. Geography and fit can matter as much as performance in determining these individual judgments.

I think the AAC is fine with UCONN (all sports) staying 3 years longer. The issue is UCONN (FB) is actually a liability to AAC and AAC will not allow FB to stay without BB.

UCONN will have a rough road as Independent. They will get body bag games but nobody wants to visit UCONN when it gets cold, so while SEPT games will be easy to fill, OCT-NOV will be a pain to fill.

No CCG to sell recruits. Recruits want the possibility to play for a CG.
They will play some decent teams but nobody wants to go to UCONN.
They will be UMass without the Pro stadium access.

(07-13-2019 11:51 AM)bill dazzle Wrote:  

(07-12-2019 09:51 PM)johnbragg Wrote:  

(07-12-2019 09:25 PM)bill dazzle Wrote:  

(07-12-2019 09:30 AM)johnbragg Wrote:  

(07-12-2019 08:49 AM)GoldenWarrior11 Wrote:  If UConn Football is really bringing negative value to the AAC brand, then why doesn't the AAC take the $10 million today and allow them to leave 7/1/20?

The AAC is probably amenable to that. Especially if you up the $10M to $11M, what Louisville and Rutgers paid to get out early. Can UConn accept that, though--about 13 months to kickoff of the 2020 football season, and UConn needs 7-8 games, including at least 2 FBS home games and I think at least 3 FBS road games. Tick tock.

I'm pretty sure the AAC would be okay with UConn leaving after this year, based on the Syracuse/ Pitt/ Louisville / Rutgers precedents. (I don't think UConn wants to bring up with WVU precedent.)

Quote: It allows a clean and easy separation between two parties that clearly do not want to associate with each other anymore. UConn is intentional in labeling 7/1/22 as its last end date in the AAC because it knows the conference wants nothing to do with its football program (Aresco has even publicly stated as such numerous times), and because the longer that UConn remains a full member, the longer their football association remains as well. Aresco has also repeatedly stated that football is what drives all of the AAC schools together; the longer the AAC keeps UConn, there will be a dead weight towards its football value.

You misspelled "UConn is not trying to jailbreak the bylaws (unless maybe they really have to), and is instead negotiating for an earlier exit than the bylaws allow."

Quote:I think Aresco may have actually tipped his hand by publicly declaring UConn can not remain as a football-only member; making such a declaration revealed that the league actually does not want UConn Football part of its league moving forward, and - in turn - provides UConn ammunition in court to argue that they do not need to pay more than the $10 million exit fee. When Syracuse/Pittsburgh/WVU/Rutgers/Louisville left the Big East, I do not think that John Marinatto ever publicly stated that they did not want those schools around anymore; thus, he was able to negotiate a slightly higher exit fee from the departing schools.

Those schools weren't asking to keep a major sport in the Big East as an Affiliate Member though. Especially one that they were terrible at.

UConn football may be trash, but the UConn athletic program, including basketball, is a valuable asset, which is why a better conference is taking them and imposing a huge exit fee on them if they jump to a P5 league.

Quote:Again, I think Aresco may have legally put himself and the AAC in a corner with his public comments about not wanting UConn Football. I don't think you publicly stipulate that you don't want - and will not allow - their football in the conference, but also demand they also pay a higher exit fee to leave the conference.

The AAC doesn't want UConn football without UConn basketball. When the rich guy divorces the young trophy wife, she stops sleeping with him, and he cuts off the credit cards.

That doesn't impact the divorce settlement negotiations. He can't claim that she wants the divorce because she stopped sleeping with him.

Short of cancelling games scheduled for this season, I think the AAC is willing to see UConn leave ASAP. $10m exit fee, plus a million or two to not have to go to court to jailbreak the 27 months.

JBragg,

Might I ask how you define "which is why a 'better conference' "? ... asks the arrogant, effete and "tired or homer-ism" you-know-what poster who is new to this board.

Just curious.

Schools leave worse conferences for better conferences. QED. (Exception: UMKC *thought* the WAC was a better conference than the Summit. They were wrong.)

So:
PAC, B1G, SEC > XII.
B1G > ACC.
B1G, ACC, XII, BE > AAC.
And B1G, ACC, XII > BE (Syracuse, Pitt, Notre Dame, WVU, Rutgers left the Big East)

Also AAC> CUSA, MAC, A-10, MVC; BE > A-10, MVC, AAC. Oh and MWC > WAC. Arguably MWC > AAC, but geography was a big factor there.

I guess my thought is this, JBragg: How do we define “better”?

There is no doubt the Big East is a “better fit” overall for UConn than the AAC, and that is why the university is moving. Good for them. They should.

But “better” can be defined many ways. Some would say the American is “better” than the Big East in various metrics and that the Big East is “better” than the American in other metrics. It’s very subjective. Conferences can be judged by the average endowment or graduation rate of their collective members. They can judged by, for example, the collective total number professional schools of their members. They be judged by Olympic sports (particularly baseball and women’s hoops but to a growing extent soccer). They can be judged by their annual budgets.

One could argue the Big East is "better" now than it was when it had all the schools that have since left. Others might argue it is "worse" than what it was. It's a matter of personal approach.

I see on the board the occasional “we’re better than you” mindset (from both Big East and AAC posters) and just scratch my head. True, every fair and reasonable follower of college sports knows Big East men’s hoops is better than that of the AAC (though not substantially). We can all agree on that. But generalizations that the Big East is “better” or the AAC is “better” … puzzling. I’m not suggesting you were oversimplifying but that was my impression.

Anyway, thanks for responding.

I thought I was pretty clear about that. It's a pretty objective metric: Which conferences can take schools from which other conferences. It's a prison-yard type pecking order. The Big Ten is above the ACC because they could get Maryland to defect from the ACC to the Big Ten. The SEC is above the Big 12 because they got Texas A&M and Missouri. The PAC is above the Big 12 because they took Colorado.

But the Big 12 is not above the ACC, because the Big 12 tried and failed to get Clemson and Florida State. The Big Ten and SEC are not as far above the ACC as some people thought, because the Big Ten shook the tree and couldn't get any of the North Carolina-Virginia group to defect.

The Big East is above the AAC because 8 of 11 schools in the Big East chose to leave the AAC schools behind to be in the Big East. On the other hand, everyone in the AAC except Wichita tried to be in the Big East Conference.

(07-13-2019 03:11 PM)johnbragg Wrote:  I thought I was pretty clear about that. It's a pretty objective metric: Which conferences can take schools from which other conferences. It's a prison-yard type pecking order. The Big Ten is above the ACC because they could get Maryland to defect from the ACC to the Big Ten. The SEC is above the Big 12 because they got Texas A&M and Missouri. The PAC is above the Big 12 because they took Colorado.

But the Big 12 is not above the ACC, because the Big 12 tried and failed to get Clemson and Florida State. The Big Ten and SEC are not as far above the ACC as some people thought, because the Big Ten shook the tree and couldn't get any of the North Carolina-Virginia group to defect.

The Big East is above the AAC because 8 of 11 schools in the Big East chose to leave the AAC schools behind to be in the Big East. On the other hand, everyone in the AAC except Wichita tried to be in the Big East Conference.

No offense friend, but this is literally spin trying to get a predetermined conclusion. Generally what you say would be true... (schools move to a 'stronger' conference), but in this case there are several unique caveats.

The C7 didn't 'leave' for a stronger conference. In fact, they were tired of a hybrid, and the conference 'split' into Olympic, and FB conferences. The hybrid was the problem... the C7 knew (obviously) that football was the priority for the conference so they split.

UConn is not leaving for a inherently 'stronger' conference. How can you even compare when the NBE does not even play FB, and UConn does?? Admittedly the Big East may be marginally ahead on basketball, but for a FB/BB school like UConn (not that far removed from a BCS bowl appearance), you can't apply the same logic as the C7. Plus, the AAC currently holds a higher payout than the NBE.

The UConn situation is, frankly, a mess... They are hemorrhaging money, then wanted out, and the AAC schools are happy to be rid of a vocal 'problem' that was one of the worst FB programs in FBS. They (insanely naïve) thought they could keep their football in the AAC. UConn is essentially giving up on FB as they clearly can't afford it... so in their (unique) situation a move to the NBE may be seen as beneficial. But here is what's unique... almost every other FBS school is clawing, scratching, fighting, and INVESTING to improve and advance their football.

Again, in this situation if UConn is happy, then everyone wins. I wish them the best... but if you are not named Notre Dame, Indy is hard. No conference rivals, no conference championship to fight for, no CCG, no NY6 access. Difficult scheduling. But trying to spin this as some quasi NBE>AAC is nonsense. But, fans of conferences will spin this stuff on message boards... it's what they do.

(07-13-2019 03:59 PM)Bull Wrote:  

(07-13-2019 03:11 PM)johnbragg Wrote:  I thought I was pretty clear about that. It's a pretty objective metric: Which conferences can take schools from which other conferences. It's a prison-yard type pecking order. The Big Ten is above the ACC because they could get Maryland to defect from the ACC to the Big Ten. The SEC is above the Big 12 because they got Texas A&M and Missouri. The PAC is above the Big 12 because they took Colorado.

But the Big 12 is not above the ACC, because the Big 12 tried and failed to get Clemson and Florida State. The Big Ten and SEC are not as far above the ACC as some people thought, because the Big Ten shook the tree and couldn't get any of the North Carolina-Virginia group to defect.

The Big East is above the AAC because 8 of 11 schools in the Big East chose to leave the AAC schools behind to be in the Big East. On the other hand, everyone in the AAC except Wichita tried to be in the Big East Conference.

No offense friend, but this is literally spin trying to get a predetermined conclusion. Generally what you say would be true... (schools move to a 'stronger' conference), but in this case there are several unique caveats.

The C7 didn't 'leave' for a stronger conference. In fact, they were tired of a hybrid, and the conference 'split' into Olympic, and FB conferences. The hybrid was the problem... the C7 knew (obviously) that football was the priority for the conference so they split.

UConn is not leaving for a inherently 'stronger' conference. How can you even compare when the NBE does not even play FB, and UConn does?? Admittedly the Big East may be marginally ahead on basketball, but for a FB/BB school like UConn (not that far removed from a BCS bowl appearance), you can't apply the same logic as the C7. Plus, the AAC currently holds a higher payout than the NBE.

The UConn situation is, frankly, a mess... They are hemorrhaging money, then wanted out, and the AAC schools are happy to be rid of a vocal 'problem' that was one of the worst FB programs in FBS. They (insanely naïve) thought they could keep their football in the AAC. UConn is essentially giving up on FB as they clearly can't afford it... so in their (unique) situation a move to the NBE may be seen as beneficial. But here is what's unique... almost every other FBS school is clawing, scratching, fighting, and INVESTING to improve and advance their football.

Again, in this situation if UConn is happy, then everyone wins. I wish them the best... but if you are not named Notre Dame, Indy is hard. No conference rivals, no conference championship to fight for, no CCG, no NY6 access. Difficult scheduling. But trying to spin this as some quasi NBE>AAC is nonsense. But, fans of conferences will spin this stuff on message boards... it's what they do.

Perfectly put, Bull.