Interesting comments last night from Seth Greenberg (and also Dick Vitale) during the ESPN telecast of the Syracuse/UConn game.

Seth Greenberg: “If I was a UConn fan I’d do everything I can to make sure that UConn gets back in the Big East. UConn has got to get back to the Big East where they belong. No offense to the American Athletic conference but the Big East is a GREAT basketball conference."

Kind of odd to see ESPN commentators talk down one of their own properties. I can't remember seeing that before.

FTR, I don't think UConn is coming back to the Big East.

(12-06-2017 03:08 PM)GoldenWarrior11 Wrote:  Interesting comments last night from Seth Greenberg (and also Dick Vitale) during the ESPN telecast of the Syracuse/UConn game.

Seth Greenberg: “If I was a UConn fan I’d do everything I can to make sure that UConn gets back in the Big East. UConn has got to get back to the Big East where they belong. No offense to the American Athletic conference but the Big East is a GREAT basketball conference."

Kind of odd to see ESPN commentators talk down one of their own properties. I can't remember seeing that before.

FTR, I don't think UConn is coming back to the Big East.

I doubt they'd go back to the Big East but I'd love to see them there. It would help the original Big East schools in the Northeast stomach the Midwest expansion of the conference. If they simply added Connecticut, then a 20-game conference schedule would be a cinch.

(12-06-2017 03:08 PM)GoldenWarrior11 Wrote:  Interesting comments last night from Seth Greenberg (and also Dick Vitale) during the ESPN telecast of the Syracuse/UConn game.

Seth Greenberg: “If I was a UConn fan I’d do everything I can to make sure that UConn gets back in the Big East. UConn has got to get back to the Big East where they belong. No offense to the American Athletic conference but the Big East is a GREAT basketball conference."

Kind of odd to see ESPN commentators talk down one of their own properties. I can't remember seeing that before.

FTR, I don't think UConn is coming back to the Big East.

UConn is between a rock and a hard place. As long as there is even a tiny sliver of hope for a P5 invite down the road, then it simply cannot leave the AAC. P5 membership is based on football and independence simply isn't realistically viable for a school like UConn.

However, the money is simple: the Big East makes more TV money just based on basketball than the AAC (and every other G5 conference) makes on football and basketball *combined*. We can argue all day about whether the Big East would get the same contract again or the AAC will get a better contract in a few years and yada yada yada... but the fact is that the Big East completely CRUSHES the G5 conferences when it comes to TV money, which is essentially the entire crux of the conference realignment game. It says something that schools like DePaul and Seton Hall are making more TV money than schools like UConn outright... and when you consider that those Big East schools aren't having to deal with the costs of FBS football, the revenue/expense/P&L gap is a complete blowout.

I think that if UConn decided to drop FBS football, then they'd clearly want to be in the Big East (as it's simply the most desirable conference for *any* non-FBS Division I basketball school outside of the Ivy League). However, they're not dropping FBS football at any point soon, in which case it needs to do everything it can to do what's best for its FBS football program since that's the reality of today's college sports world. That means staying in the AAC and praying that there's a P5 invite in a few years.

I mean, at this point UConn might as well wait another year and see what the AAC's new media deal looks like before making any decision, but he's not wrong. UConn's rightful place is alongside 'Nova as co-kings of basketball in the northeast. Of course, there are some on-court issues to work out as well, but right now UConn's playing to their weaknesses rather than their strengths.

(12-06-2017 03:29 PM)Frank the Tank Wrote:  UConn is between a rock and a hard place. As long as there is even a tiny sliver of hope for a P5 invite down the road, then it simply cannot leave the AAC. P5 membership is based on football and independence simply isn't realistically viable for a school like UConn.

However, the money is simple: the Big East makes more TV money just based on basketball than the AAC (and every other G5 conference) makes on football and basketball *combined*. We can argue all day about whether the AAC will get a better contract in a few years and yada yada yada... but the fact is that the Big East completely CRUSHES the G5 conferences when it comes to TV money, which is essentially the entire crux of the conference realignment game. I

Someone hasn't been paying attention.

UConn (along with Cincy and USF) have been augmenting their American TV money with exit fees from Louisville, Syracuse, West Va, Pitt etc. Considering exit fee surplus combined with TV money, and UConn would have made LESS MONEY in the Big East.

And that's before you get to the $10M exit fee cost UConn would owe if they left.

So it really DOES matter what the next American TV contract looks like. And it matters how this Wichita State experiment works out in terms of getting more NCAA tournament bids for the American.

(12-06-2017 03:08 PM)GoldenWarrior11 Wrote:  Interesting comments last night from Seth Greenberg (and also Dick Vitale) during the ESPN telecast of the Syracuse/UConn game.

Seth Greenberg: “If I was a UConn fan I’d do everything I can to make sure that UConn gets back in the Big East. UConn has got to get back to the Big East where they belong. No offense to the American Athletic conference but the Big East is a GREAT basketball conference."

Kind of odd to see ESPN commentators talk down one of their own properties. I can't remember seeing that before.

FTR, I don't think UConn is coming back to the Big East.

You must not remember or watched much of ESPN's coverage of Big East football from 2005-2012. They used to piss on us all the time. I remember watching on College Football Live that they had a graphic that read "The Big Least". Btw, they continue to shyte on the AAC and its members.

As to UConn, they would have to forsake football in order to get back to the Big East, and based on the amount of cash they've invested on the gridiron, I have to think they are at a point of no return at this point.

(12-06-2017 03:39 PM)CougarRed Wrote:  

(12-06-2017 03:29 PM)Frank the Tank Wrote:  UConn is between a rock and a hard place. As long as there is even a tiny sliver of hope for a P5 invite down the road, then it simply cannot leave the AAC. P5 membership is based on football and independence simply isn't realistically viable for a school like UConn.

However, the money is simple: the Big East makes more TV money just based on basketball than the AAC (and every other G5 conference) makes on football and basketball *combined*. We can argue all day about whether the AAC will get a better contract in a few years and yada yada yada... but the fact is that the Big East completely CRUSHES the G5 conferences when it comes to TV money, which is essentially the entire crux of the conference realignment game. I

Someone hasn't been paying attention.

UConn (along with Cincy and USF) have been augmenting their American TV money with exit fees from Louisville, Syracuse, West Va, Pitt etc. Considering exit fee surplus combined with TV money, and UConn would have made LESS MONEY in the Big East.

And that's before you get to the $10M exit fee cost UConn would owe if they left.

So it really DOES matter what the next American TV contract looks like. And it matters how this Wichita State experiment works out in terms of getting more NCAA tournament bids for the American.

Didn't the exit fees finish/conclude last year? Didn't Syracuse/Pittsburgh/West Virginia/etc. all pay less than what the predetermined exit fees were due to settlement when they left the Big East?

If UConn was in the Big East this year, they would be 10th place. Ahead of only DePaul.

Moving to the Big East is not necessary to right the ship in men's hoops. Hiring a better coach is.

For example, see Geno winning several national titles in the American, which is not a good women's league.

(12-06-2017 03:43 PM)GoldenWarrior11 Wrote:  Didn't the exit fees finish/conclude last year?

According to an article written in June 2017, they end after "next fiscal year."

http://www.courant.com/sports/uconn-husk...story.html

(12-06-2017 03:08 PM)GoldenWarrior11 Wrote:  Interesting comments last night from Seth Greenberg (and also Dick Vitale) during the ESPN telecast of the Syracuse/UConn game.

Seth Greenberg: “If I was a UConn fan I’d do everything I can to make sure that UConn gets back in the Big East. UConn has got to get back to the Big East where they belong. No offense to the American Athletic conference but the Big East is a GREAT basketball conference."

Kind of odd to see ESPN commentators talk down one of their own properties. I can't remember seeing that before.

FTR, I don't think UConn is coming back to the Big East.

Oh so we can play Syracuse... hold on wait

maybe exit fees end after next year- but there's still NCAA units from Louisville and Syracuse that won't stop for another year or two. Louisville's title in 2013 period runs 2014-19 seasons so another year past this. along with their sweet 16 payment for the following year which will run thru 2020.

(12-06-2017 03:44 PM)CougarRed Wrote:  If UConn was in the Big East this year, they would be 10th place. Ahead of only DePaul.

Moving to the Big East is not necessary to right the ship in men's hoops. Hiring a better coach is.

For example, see Geno winning several national titles in the American, which is not a good women's league.

Not necessarily. The Big East is viewed as a major conference, the AAC isn't. The Big East will usually have 5 bids to the tourney, the AAC 2 to 3.
Recruiting is in a major conference is better than trying to recruit in a mid-major conference.

American got 4 bids in 2014 and 2016.

Will get at least 4 bids this year.

(12-06-2017 03:50 PM)stever20 Wrote:  maybe exit fees end after next year- but there's still NCAA units from Louisville and Syracuse that won't stop for another year or two. Louisville's title in 2013 period runs 2014-19 seasons so another year past this. along with their sweet 16 payment for the following year which will run thru 2020.

Those are nearly up though, and once they are UConn's the only school in the conference that's gotten out of the first weekend of the tournament(maybe Wichita changes that this year). Tourney credits aren't a reason to stick in the AAC, they're another thing the Big East has an advantage in.

(12-06-2017 03:52 PM)MWC Tex Wrote:  

(12-06-2017 03:44 PM)CougarRed Wrote:  If UConn was in the Big East this year, they would be 10th place. Ahead of only DePaul.

Moving to the Big East is not necessary to right the ship in men's hoops. Hiring a better coach is.

For example, see Geno winning several national titles in the American, which is not a good women's league.

Not necessarily. The Big East is viewed as a major conference, the AAC isn't. The Big East will usually have 5 bids to the tourney, the AAC 2 to 3.
Recruiting is in a major conference is better than trying to recruit in a mid-major conference.

Actually most websites have been classifying the AAC as a major conference in basketball. I'll obviously stipulate that the Big East is a better basketball conference, but the AAC is considered "major" and is a completely viable platform for UConn to launch a national championship run (I mean, its already happened).

(12-06-2017 03:29 PM)Frank the Tank Wrote:  

(12-06-2017 03:08 PM)GoldenWarrior11 Wrote:  Interesting comments last night from Seth Greenberg (and also Dick Vitale) during the ESPN telecast of the Syracuse/UConn game.

Seth Greenberg: “If I was a UConn fan I’d do everything I can to make sure that UConn gets back in the Big East. UConn has got to get back to the Big East where they belong. No offense to the American Athletic conference but the Big East is a GREAT basketball conference."

Kind of odd to see ESPN commentators talk down one of their own properties. I can't remember seeing that before.

FTR, I don't think UConn is coming back to the Big East.

UConn is between a rock and a hard place. As long as there is even a tiny sliver of hope for a P5 invite down the road, then it simply cannot leave the AAC. P5 membership is based on football and independence simply isn't realistically viable for a school like UConn.

However, the money is simple: the Big East makes more TV money just based on basketball than the AAC (and every other G5 conference) makes on football and basketball *combined*. We can argue all day about whether the Big East would get the same contract again or the AAC will get a better contract in a few years and yada yada yada... but the fact is that the Big East completely CRUSHES the G5 conferences when it comes to TV money, which is essentially the entire crux of the conference realignment game. It says something that schools like DePaul and Seton Hall are making more TV money than schools like UConn outright... and when you consider that those Big East schools aren't having to deal with the costs of FBS football, the revenue/expense/P&L gap is a complete blowout.

I think that if UConn decided to drop FBS football, then they'd clearly want to be in the Big East (as it's simply the most desirable conference for *any* non-FBS Division I basketball school outside of the Ivy League). However, they're not dropping FBS football at any point soon, in which case it needs to do everything it can to do what's best for its FBS football program since that's the reality of today's college sports world. That means staying in the AAC and praying that there's a P5 invite in a few years.

Excellent summary of the current state of affairs. The only comment I would add is that the Big East is likely overpaid and underexposed on the current Fox contract. I don't know when that TV deal is up for renewal but they may see a substantial reduction in the next contract.

The new Big East is composed of relatively small, private schools; mostly in urban settings that just don't have the widely dispersed fan bases (and potential TV viewers). Do they have loyal fans? Absolutely. Large geographic footprints? Not so much. That changed to a great extent when the large enrollment research universities parted ways (UCONN, Rutgers, Syracuse, Louisville, Pitt, WVU and Cincy). UCONN is in a tough spot for sure as the American has evolved into more of a southern conference. But as long as they hold out hope for a P5 invitation, they wont' drop football (or the AAC).

FBS football independence is becoming a bit more viable. It's nothing against the AAC or UConn, but I don't see the two being a good match for football. Maybe that's because the AAC is a hodge-podge of institutional types, but, I think the conference is too heavily rooted in the south for its northeastern members to identify with each other and the rest of the conference. I mean, when you consider that Navy identifies the southwest as a base for recruiting rather than Temple and UConn, and that's tough. You can't force UConn to play nice with UMass, but, I think UMass would struggle there, too.

I think the talking heads are right on this one. I think UConn should really consider the Big East to protect its basketball program, and let football "figure it out" in an environment where it could probably build a viable schedule from many parts. And, yes, I think UConn's name is big enough that it could get them a bowl tie-in.

I wouldn't be surprised if UConn's been trying to figure it out. I think there's been an issue of what happens with all of that money UConn got from the departing C7 members AND what the rest of the AAC might want from that cut. I used to think the Big East schools would welcome UConn back easily, but with its hands outstretched looking for its money back; I think UConn knows departing will wind up them getting sued for something significant from the AAC, and UConn wanting to keep every dime they've collected. Meaning, no movement.

(12-06-2017 04:14 PM)The Cutter of Bish Wrote:  FBS football independence is becoming a bit more viable. It's nothing against the AAC or UConn, but I don't see the two being a good match for football. Maybe that's because the AAC is a hodge-podge of institutional types, but, I think the conference is too heavily rooted in the south for its northeastern members to identify with each other and the rest of the conference. I mean, when you consider that Navy identifies the southwest as a base for recruiting rather than Temple and UConn, and that's tough. You can't force UConn to play nice with UMass, but, I think UMass would struggle there, too.

I think the talking heads are right on this one. I think UConn should really consider the Big East to protect its basketball program, and let football "figure it out" in an environment where it could probably build a viable schedule from many parts. And, yes, I think UConn's name is big enough that it could get them a bowl tie-in.

I wouldn't be surprised if UConn's been trying to figure it out. I think there's been an issue of what happens with all of that money UConn got from the departing C7 members AND what the rest of the AAC might want from that cut. I used to think the Big East schools would welcome UConn back easily, but with its hands outstretched looking for its money back; I think UConn knows departing will wind up them getting sued for something significant from the AAC, and UConn wanting to keep every dime they've collected. Meaning, no movement.

I don't think the Big East's concern is necessarily about wanting money back from UConn. Instead, it's about what caused the Catholic 7 to eventually split off on their own in the first place: membership instability. They want to *control* their place in conference realignment as opposed to having other leagues control them (which is what happened over the course of over a decade in the poaching of the old Big East). Within the realm of non-FBS Division I conferences, the Big East is THE top dog when it comes to conference realignment power. The Big East is the predator in that environment while others are the prey. As soon as they let back in a school whose true ultimate goal is to join a P5 conference, then that lets back in the instability of having other power conferences ultimately dictate their membership. All of the Big East schools would love to play games on-the-court against UConn in a vacuum, but that instability that would be invited back in is what could (and I think would) hold the Big East back from inviting UConn even if UConn was willing to make the move (and I don't think they're willing, anyway).

(12-06-2017 04:14 PM)The Cutter of Bish Wrote:  FBS football independence is becoming a bit more viable. It's nothing against the AAC or UConn, but I don't see the two being a good match for football. Maybe that's because the AAC is a hodge-podge of institutional types, but, I think the conference is too heavily rooted in the south for its northeastern members to identify with each other and the rest of the conference. I mean, when you consider that Navy identifies the southwest as a base for recruiting rather than Temple and UConn, and that's tough. You can't force UConn to play nice with UMass, but, I think UMass would struggle there, too.

I think the talking heads are right on this one. I think UConn should really consider the Big East to protect its basketball program, and let football "figure it out" in an environment where it could probably build a viable schedule from many parts. And, yes, I think UConn's name is big enough that it could get them a bowl tie-in.

I wouldn't be surprised if UConn's been trying to figure it out. I think there's been an issue of what happens with all of that money UConn got from the departing C7 members AND what the rest of the AAC might want from that cut. I used to think the Big East schools would welcome UConn back easily, but with its hands outstretched looking for its money back; I think UConn knows departing will wind up them getting sued for something significant from the AAC, and UConn wanting to keep every dime they've collected. Meaning, no movement.

UConn, or any other G5 school, can't go Indy in football without taking a revenue hit. The G5 schools receive a share of the CFP revenue, not to mention the split bowl tie-in money. This simply cannot be made up in the media revenue from the Big East and NCAA tourney credits.

(12-06-2017 03:29 PM)Frank the Tank Wrote:  

(12-06-2017 03:08 PM)GoldenWarrior11 Wrote:  Interesting comments last night from Seth Greenberg (and also Dick Vitale) during the ESPN telecast of the Syracuse/UConn game.

Seth Greenberg: “If I was a UConn fan I’d do everything I can to make sure that UConn gets back in the Big East. UConn has got to get back to the Big East where they belong. No offense to the American Athletic conference but the Big East is a GREAT basketball conference."

Kind of odd to see ESPN commentators talk down one of their own properties. I can't remember seeing that before.

FTR, I don't think UConn is coming back to the Big East.

UConn is between a rock and a hard place. As long as there is even a tiny sliver of hope for a P5 invite down the road, then it simply cannot leave the AAC. P5 membership is based on football and independence simply isn't realistically viable for a school like UConn.

However, the money is simple: the Big East makes more TV money just based on basketball than the AAC (and every other G5 conference) makes on football and basketball *combined*. We can argue all day about whether the Big East would get the same contract again or the AAC will get a better contract in a few years and yada yada yada... but the fact is that the Big East completely CRUSHES the G5 conferences when it comes to TV money, which is essentially the entire crux of the conference realignment game. It says something that schools like DePaul and Seton Hall are making more TV money than schools like UConn outright... and when you consider that those Big East schools aren't having to deal with the costs of FBS football, the revenue/expense/P&L gap is a complete blowout.

I think that if UConn decided to drop FBS football, then they'd clearly want to be in the Big East (as it's simply the most desirable conference for *any* non-FBS Division I basketball school outside of the Ivy League). However, they're not dropping FBS football at any point soon, in which case it needs to do everything it can to do what's best for its FBS football program since that's the reality of today's college sports world. That means staying in the AAC and praying that there's a P5 invite in a few years.

More money combined??! Well let's see.
1.8 million a year from existing tv contract
20+ million a year from current cfp contracted allotment
20+ million a year for being the top g5 conference
4 million from the peach bowl
2.6 million from the liberty bowl
Not including Ncaa credits ?? Millions
Plus the other bowl payouts
I think all of that should total up to an extra 50+ million to split up. Maybe Frank the tank will know exactly since he is so sure that the NBE makes more than all the g5s, but if all of that totals up say 54 million that's another 4.5 million a year and that's before the NBE money is added to the pot. I may have some figures wrong so someone please correct me