(06-22-2019 04:57 PM)JRsec Wrote:  

(06-22-2019 04:05 PM)billings Wrote:  

(06-22-2019 03:53 PM)Attackcoog Wrote:  

(06-22-2019 01:41 PM)billings Wrote:  

(06-22-2019 01:10 PM)JRsec Wrote:  Quo, this may come as a surprise to you, but UConn leaving the AAC with what the last few seasons has been tepid basketball and a dumpster fire of football is an unexpected gift to the AAC and apparently ESPN sees it that way since it won't affect their current contract so the pie just got bigger for everyone else with about 9/11ths of a million in exit fees and one less share of the pie. Aresco and the conference have no reason to worry. They'll play Beverly Hillbillies and stand on the porch and wave bye. But they won't say, "Ya'll come back now, hear!"

Seems obvious UCONN will make more $$ in the Big East then by remaining in the AAC

Not really all that obvious. Its clear UConn is gambling a predicted increase in basketball ticket sales and a decrease in travel costs will more than make up the difference in media/CFP/Bowl money available in the AAC. Even assuming thats true, the 10 million dollar exit fee (and its only that low if they give a 27 month notice--which they have not) would seem to put any break even point more than a few years away. I think this is more about keeping their fans happy. As a Houston fan---I absolutely understand the burning desire of a fan base to get back to playing the teams that matter to them.

Frankly, I thought anything close to the break even point (including the exit fee) for the AAC TV deal would be enough to make the move financially unattractive. I thought as little as 3-4 million a team would probably keep UConn in the AAC. At 7 millon---I figured there was zero doubt they would stay. I vastly underestimated the desire to get back to their old rivals. This move is not financial. This is about keeping the majority of their fans happy. I realize now that the AAC probably had to hit a huge double digit 10+ million a team home run TV deal to keep UConn around. I clearly misread the tea leaves on this one.

The New AAC media deal was a bad deal for Uconn

""Some also noted how the AAC's new television deal with ESPN left UConn as a clear loser as it made Huskies games harder to watch for fans, which limits the exposure to potential recruits as well.""

Source: Bleacher report

Just for the record, Bleacher Report has the worst track record out there for getting anything right. Their writers can't get the their facts straight half of the time and they show little comprehension of sports.

And as to UConn's being impacted by the TV contract, I would think that the Network knew exactly what they were doing. ESPN holds the Big East rights. Having UConn back there makes their holdings more valuable and it takes away a laggard from the value of the AAC football.

The Big East has a 12 year, 500 million dollar deal they signed with Fox in 2013.

(06-22-2019 06:02 PM)adcorbett Wrote:  

(06-22-2019 05:59 PM)quo vadis Wrote:  JR, i bet the ESPN deal gets renegotiated if UConn leaves.

On one of these threads, someone quoted ESPN as having stated the deal will remain as is.

But I think they still need to add another team to allow for the CCG to remain, jut looking at the logistics.

Well, ESPN has a problem on its hands, imo, if it did have to restructure. When you have that much skin in the game, and all of your interests start changing things, you have to factor some wiggle room into this. Houston might want to make some calls regardless.

IIRC, the old AAC arrangement was built on the possibility it could lose one of its tentpoles, such as UConn; it couldn’t lose more. Don’t know if the same logic applied to the new deal, but, I suspect the network structured the deal around such a possibility.

UConn’s the first to really go, but, it’s not like Houston and Cincy have been doing nothing for themselves...

(06-22-2019 07:06 PM)DustMyBroom Wrote:  

(06-22-2019 04:57 PM)JRsec Wrote:  

(06-22-2019 04:05 PM)billings Wrote:  

(06-22-2019 03:53 PM)Attackcoog Wrote:  

(06-22-2019 01:41 PM)billings Wrote:  Seems obvious UCONN will make more $$ in the Big East then by remaining in the AAC

Not really all that obvious. Its clear UConn is gambling a predicted increase in basketball ticket sales and a decrease in travel costs will more than make up the difference in media/CFP/Bowl money available in the AAC. Even assuming thats true, the 10 million dollar exit fee (and its only that low if they give a 27 month notice--which they have not) would seem to put any break even point more than a few years away. I think this is more about keeping their fans happy. As a Houston fan---I absolutely understand the burning desire of a fan base to get back to playing the teams that matter to them.

Frankly, I thought anything close to the break even point (including the exit fee) for the AAC TV deal would be enough to make the move financially unattractive. I thought as little as 3-4 million a team would probably keep UConn in the AAC. At 7 millon---I figured there was zero doubt they would stay. I vastly underestimated the desire to get back to their old rivals. This move is not financial. This is about keeping the majority of their fans happy. I realize now that the AAC probably had to hit a huge double digit 10+ million a team home run TV deal to keep UConn around. I clearly misread the tea leaves on this one.

The New AAC media deal was a bad deal for Uconn

""Some also noted how the AAC's new television deal with ESPN left UConn as a clear loser as it made Huskies games harder to watch for fans, which limits the exposure to potential recruits as well.""

Source: Bleacher report

Just for the record, Bleacher Report has the worst track record out there for getting anything right. Their writers can't get the their facts straight half of the time and they show little comprehension of sports.

And as to UConn's being impacted by the TV contract, I would think that the Network knew exactly what they were doing. ESPN holds the Big East rights. Having UConn back there makes their holdings more valuable and it takes away a laggard from the value of the AAC football.

The Big East has a 12 year, 500 million dollar deal they signed with Fox in 2013.

And CBS. I googled it and looked at old information. You are correct. +3

(06-22-2019 04:57 PM)JRsec Wrote:  

(06-22-2019 04:05 PM)billings Wrote:  

(06-22-2019 03:53 PM)Attackcoog Wrote:  

(06-22-2019 01:41 PM)billings Wrote:  

(06-22-2019 01:10 PM)JRsec Wrote:  Quo, this may come as a surprise to you, but UConn leaving the AAC with what the last few seasons has been tepid basketball and a dumpster fire of football is an unexpected gift to the AAC and apparently ESPN sees it that way since it won't affect their current contract so the pie just got bigger for everyone else with about 9/11ths of a million in exit fees and one less share of the pie. Aresco and the conference have no reason to worry. They'll play Beverly Hillbillies and stand on the porch and wave bye. But they won't say, "Ya'll come back now, hear!"

Seems obvious UCONN will make more $$ in the Big East then by remaining in the AAC

Not really all that obvious. Its clear UConn is gambling a predicted increase in basketball ticket sales and a decrease in travel costs will more than make up the difference in media/CFP/Bowl money available in the AAC. Even assuming thats true, the 10 million dollar exit fee (and its only that low if they give a 27 month notice--which they have not) would seem to put any break even point more than a few years away. I think this is more about keeping their fans happy. As a Houston fan---I absolutely understand the burning desire of a fan base to get back to playing the teams that matter to them.

Frankly, I thought anything close to the break even point (including the exit fee) for the AAC TV deal would be enough to make the move financially unattractive. I thought as little as 3-4 million a team would probably keep UConn in the AAC. At 7 millon---I figured there was zero doubt they would stay. I vastly underestimated the desire to get back to their old rivals. This move is not financial. This is about keeping the majority of their fans happy. I realize now that the AAC probably had to hit a huge double digit 10+ million a team home run TV deal to keep UConn around. I clearly misread the tea leaves on this one.

The New AAC media deal was a bad deal for Uconn

""Some also noted how the AAC's new television deal with ESPN left UConn as a clear loser as it made Huskies games harder to watch for fans, which limits the exposure to potential recruits as well.""

Source: Bleacher report

Just for the record, Bleacher Report has the worst track record out there for getting anything right. Their writers can't get the their facts straight half of the time and they show little comprehension of sports.

And as to UConn's being impacted by the TV contract, I would think that the Network knew exactly what they were doing. ESPN holds the Big East rights. Having UConn back there makes their holdings more valuable and it takes away a laggard from the value of the AAC football.

and just for the record that fact that UCONN left or is leaving probably means the Article has some truth and they did not like the new AAC TV deal

(06-22-2019 12:52 PM)quo vadis Wrote:  If the AAC is smart and not emotional, they will let UConn football remain in the AAC.

Swallow the pride and do the smart thing.

(06-22-2019 12:52 PM)quo vadis Wrote:  If the AAC is smart and not emotional, they will let UConn football remain in the AAC.

Swallow the pride and do the smart thing.

Hogwash. There is nothing smart about letting them stay. They suck at football. They aren't in a recruiting territory. And above all, they just insulted the other 11 schools by leaving.

You maybe let them have a year's grace but with serious indemnities: Ineligible for the CCG, ineligible for AAC bowl tie ins, ineligible to recieve any media money, make them pay guarantees to the 4 AAC schools who visit Storrs.

(06-22-2019 12:46 PM)Pony94 Wrote:  

(06-22-2019 12:43 PM)IWokeUpLikeThis Wrote:  Where does this leave stever? He seemed to jump ship to the AAC but with UConn returning, does he align back with the Big East or have they dubbed him Benedict Arnold?

Stever heads back to his BE brethren

Sorry BE folks - he’s yours now

Stever never left.

(06-22-2019 04:05 PM)billings Wrote:  

(06-22-2019 03:53 PM)Attackcoog Wrote:  

(06-22-2019 01:41 PM)billings Wrote:  

(06-22-2019 01:10 PM)JRsec Wrote:  

(06-22-2019 01:06 PM)quo vadis Wrote:  Good points. But will the AAC be patient? Aresco seems to be quite emotional and his example has made the AAC an emotional, chip on shoulder conference.

They may not react rationally.

Quo, this may come as a surprise to you, but UConn leaving the AAC with what the last few seasons has been tepid basketball and a dumpster fire of football is an unexpected gift to the AAC and apparently ESPN sees it that way since it won't affect their current contract so the pie just got bigger for everyone else with about 9/11ths of a million in exit fees and one less share of the pie. Aresco and the conference have no reason to worry. They'll play Beverly Hillbillies and stand on the porch and wave bye. But they won't say, "Ya'll come back now, hear!"

Seems obvious UCONN will make more $$ in the Big East then by remaining in the AAC

Not really all that obvious. Its clear UConn is gambling a predicted increase in basketball ticket sales and a decrease in travel costs will more than make up the difference in media/CFP/Bowl money available in the AAC. Even assuming thats true, the 10 million dollar exit fee (and its only that low if they give a 27 month notice--which they have not) would seem to put any break even point more than a few years away. I think this is more about keeping their fans happy. As a Houston fan---I absolutely understand the burning desire of a fan base to get back to playing the teams that matter to them.

Frankly, I thought anything close to the break even point (including the exit fee) for the AAC TV deal would be enough to make the move financially unattractive. I thought as little as 3-4 million a team would probably keep UConn in the AAC. At 7 millon---I figured there was zero doubt they would stay. I vastly underestimated the desire to get back to their old rivals. This move is not financial. This is about keeping the majority of their fans happy. I realize now that the AAC probably had to hit a huge double digit 10+ million a team home run TV deal to keep UConn around. I clearly misread the tea leaves on this one.

The New AAC media deal was a bad deal for Uconn

""Some also noted how the AAC's new television deal with ESPN left UConn as a clear loser as it made Huskies games harder to watch for fans, which limits the exposure to potential recruits as well.""

Source: Bleacher report

Sounds to me like UConn may have just assumed they could park football in the AAC. So, essentially---they were thinking they could get a raise. They could get a football only share in the AAC (about 4.9 million a year) plus a full Big East share 4 million. That way--they earn 8.9 million rather than 7 million.

https://www.cbssports.com/college-footba...ly-member/

(06-22-2019 07:23 PM)billings Wrote:  

(06-22-2019 04:57 PM)JRsec Wrote:  

(06-22-2019 04:05 PM)billings Wrote:  

(06-22-2019 03:53 PM)Attackcoog Wrote:  

(06-22-2019 01:41 PM)billings Wrote:  Seems obvious UCONN will make more $$ in the Big East then by remaining in the AAC

Not really all that obvious. Its clear UConn is gambling a predicted increase in basketball ticket sales and a decrease in travel costs will more than make up the difference in media/CFP/Bowl money available in the AAC. Even assuming thats true, the 10 million dollar exit fee (and its only that low if they give a 27 month notice--which they have not) would seem to put any break even point more than a few years away. I think this is more about keeping their fans happy. As a Houston fan---I absolutely understand the burning desire of a fan base to get back to playing the teams that matter to them.

Frankly, I thought anything close to the break even point (including the exit fee) for the AAC TV deal would be enough to make the move financially unattractive. I thought as little as 3-4 million a team would probably keep UConn in the AAC. At 7 millon---I figured there was zero doubt they would stay. I vastly underestimated the desire to get back to their old rivals. This move is not financial. This is about keeping the majority of their fans happy. I realize now that the AAC probably had to hit a huge double digit 10+ million a team home run TV deal to keep UConn around. I clearly misread the tea leaves on this one.

The New AAC media deal was a bad deal for Uconn

""Some also noted how the AAC's new television deal with ESPN left UConn as a clear loser as it made Huskies games harder to watch for fans, which limits the exposure to potential recruits as well.""

Source: Bleacher report

Just for the record, Bleacher Report has the worst track record out there for getting anything right. Their writers can't get the their facts straight half of the time and they show little comprehension of sports.

And as to UConn's being impacted by the TV contract, I would think that the Network knew exactly what they were doing. ESPN holds the Big East rights. Having UConn back there makes their holdings more valuable and it takes away a laggard from the value of the AAC football.

and just for the record that fact that UCONN left or is leaving probably means the Article has some truth and they did not like the new AAC TV deal

Also for the record---UConn actually wants to stay for football.....which is also part of the same TV deal.

(06-22-2019 08:15 PM)memphistiger89 Wrote:  

(06-22-2019 12:52 PM)quo vadis Wrote:  If the AAC is smart and not emotional, they will let UConn football remain in the AAC.

Swallow the pride and do the smart thing.

(06-22-2019 08:41 PM)Fighting Muskie Wrote:  

(06-22-2019 12:52 PM)quo vadis Wrote:  If the AAC is smart and not emotional, they will let UConn football remain in the AAC.

Swallow the pride and do the smart thing.

Hogwash. There is nothing smart about letting them stay. They suck at football. They aren't in a recruiting territory. And above all, they just insulted the other 11 schools by leaving.

You maybe let them have a year's grace but with serious indemnities: Ineligible for the CCG, ineligible for AAC bowl tie ins, ineligible to recieve any media money, make them pay guarantees to the 4 AAC schools who visit Storrs.

There is no good reason to do this one either side. It’s not good for UConn for obvious reasons, but it’s not good for the American if UConn is good enough to win the converence. They could lose out on a New Years day payday

(06-22-2019 10:50 PM)Attackcoog Wrote:  

(06-22-2019 04:05 PM)billings Wrote:  

(06-22-2019 03:53 PM)Attackcoog Wrote:  

(06-22-2019 01:41 PM)billings Wrote:  

(06-22-2019 01:10 PM)JRsec Wrote:  Quo, this may come as a surprise to you, but UConn leaving the AAC with what the last few seasons has been tepid basketball and a dumpster fire of football is an unexpected gift to the AAC and apparently ESPN sees it that way since it won't affect their current contract so the pie just got bigger for everyone else with about 9/11ths of a million in exit fees and one less share of the pie. Aresco and the conference have no reason to worry. They'll play Beverly Hillbillies and stand on the porch and wave bye. But they won't say, "Ya'll come back now, hear!"

Seems obvious UCONN will make more $$ in the Big East then by remaining in the AAC

Not really all that obvious. Its clear UConn is gambling a predicted increase in basketball ticket sales and a decrease in travel costs will more than make up the difference in media/CFP/Bowl money available in the AAC. Even assuming thats true, the 10 million dollar exit fee (and its only that low if they give a 27 month notice--which they have not) would seem to put any break even point more than a few years away. I think this is more about keeping their fans happy. As a Houston fan---I absolutely understand the burning desire of a fan base to get back to playing the teams that matter to them.

Frankly, I thought anything close to the break even point (including the exit fee) for the AAC TV deal would be enough to make the move financially unattractive. I thought as little as 3-4 million a team would probably keep UConn in the AAC. At 7 millon---I figured there was zero doubt they would stay. I vastly underestimated the desire to get back to their old rivals. This move is not financial. This is about keeping the majority of their fans happy. I realize now that the AAC probably had to hit a huge double digit 10+ million a team home run TV deal to keep UConn around. I clearly misread the tea leaves on this one.

The New AAC media deal was a bad deal for Uconn

""Some also noted how the AAC's new television deal with ESPN left UConn as a clear loser as it made Huskies games harder to watch for fans, which limits the exposure to potential recruits as well.""

Source: Bleacher report

Sounds to me like UConn may have just assumed they could park football in the AAC. So, essentially---they were thinking they could get a raise. They could get a football only share in the AAC (about 4.9 million a year) plus a full Big East share 4 million. That way--they earn 8.9 million rather than 7 million.

https://www.cbssports.com/college-footba...ly-member/

It doesn’t seem like that was their plan. seems like they just weighed their options and rolled the dice

so i go on vaca and all this goes down. St.Louis for 12? or stay at 11 and go 20 gm conf sched? ODU to the AAC or Army fb only? UConn to Indy or MAC fb?

(06-23-2019 01:51 AM)Fresno St. Alum Wrote:  so i go on vaca and all this goes down. St.Louis for 12? or stay at 11 and go 20 gm conf sched? ODU to the AAC or Army fb only? UConn to Indy or MAC fb?

1) I'd say its 50-50 if the BE goes to 12. Adding someone in the west to balance like St. Louis seems logical to me.

2) AAC has to go back to 12 because the rules state to have a championship game it requires everyone to play round robin which isn't possible with 11.

I think ODU's chances at the AAC are right up their with Southern Miss as possible but not preferred. Academies and Rice I believe would pull more votes.

3) Probably UConn goes independent. The only other option seems like it would be the MAC. They might think they can handle the November scheduling challenge with Army and UMass right next door.

(06-22-2019 12:43 PM)GoldenWarrior11 Wrote:  This day has been coming since 2013. UConn's membership in the AAC was not sustainable. Huge day for the Big East, and - while some may not like it - it's a great day for UConn too.

Welcome home.

Are u aware that UConn has just destroyed their Fball team and FBall does
in fact drive the bus

With their decision making over the last 10-15 years, the UConn athletic dept and board has probably cost the university upwards of $300mm in revenue and brand equity. Maybe more. It’s worthy of a business paper.

(06-22-2019 04:11 PM)AirRaid Wrote:  

(06-22-2019 04:00 PM)quo vadis Wrote:  

(06-22-2019 03:43 PM)Attackcoog Wrote:  

(06-22-2019 12:52 PM)quo vadis Wrote:  If the AAC is smart and not emotional, they will let UConn football remain in the AAC.

Swallow the pride and do the smart thing.

They were 0-11 last year and an SOS anchor. Dumping them is not pride. Its addition though subtraction for every schedule in the league. They would also soak up full share of football earnings plus a full share of CFP/bowl split. You are absolutely right that UConn is a huge loss for AAC basketball prestige---but football? Not so much.

Wins and losses mean little. UCF was 0-12 three years ago.

Fundamentally, UConn is the AAC's best school. Would be cutting off nose to spite face to make their football leave.

Bwahaha. Best school behind UCF, Cinci and Houston

USF is better than Houston or UCF, but we're not up there with UConn either.

Trying to be.

(06-22-2019 04:13 PM)1845 Bear Wrote:  

(06-22-2019 04:00 PM)quo vadis Wrote:  

(06-22-2019 03:43 PM)Attackcoog Wrote:  

(06-22-2019 12:52 PM)quo vadis Wrote:  If the AAC is smart and not emotional, they will let UConn football remain in the AAC.

Swallow the pride and do the smart thing.

They were 0-11 last year and an SOS anchor. Dumping them is not pride. Its addition though subtraction for every schedule in the league. They would also soak up full share of football earnings plus a full share of CFP/bowl split. You are absolutely right that UConn is a huge loss for AAC basketball prestige---but football? Not so much.

Wins and losses mean little. UCF was 0-12 three years ago.

Fundamentally, UConn is the AAC's best school. Would be cutting off nose to spite face to make their football leave.

I wouldn’t go that far. They make more sense as a full member than all but the most optimistic replacement scenarios but let’s not pretend that the football program on its own would be sought after.

Agreed, except the football program is attached to the institution.

(06-22-2019 05:45 PM)adcorbett Wrote:  

(06-22-2019 01:13 PM)stever20 Wrote:  as far as Big East, I really think it's getting beyond stupid with the 20 game conference season. The committee sure didn't reward teams with poor overall records like Indiana last year. Until we start seeing the committee rewarding teams that finish 18-15 or worse, having 2 extra conference games- I just don't see the benefit.

It is a boon in TV dollars, depending on the set up. I know the ACC did it in part to have a few more attractive games for the ACC network. Also allows more teams to get round robins with the flagship teams.

(06-22-2019 04:06 PM)Attackcoog Wrote:  

(06-22-2019 04:00 PM)quo vadis Wrote:  Wins and losses mean little. UCF was 0-12 three years ago.

Fundamentally, UConn is the AAC's best school. Would be cutting off nose to spite face to make their football leave.

lol...UConn has never been good. They have been a bit above average a few times---but they are far more Tulane than UCF. Yes, they bring a lot to the table institutionally, but after soaking up the biggest part of the realignment fund only to abandon the conference when it was exhausted likely will leave then with few supporters among the remaining members. Aresco's "emotions" wont be making this decision. The the AAC presidents will.

There is one BIG benefit to UConn being in the conference, that people neglect to mention. UConn was the only thing that separated the outside view of the conference from that of the old Conference USA. That is gone now.

Yes. AAC fanboys keep talking about how bad UConn football is to salve hurt feelings, but that is small picture thinking. From a prestige and symbolic POV, UConn is easily the AAC's most venerable brand. Losing them clearly hurts AAC status, and building status has largely been Aresco's top goal the past seven years.

Btw, this article suggests the TV deal could be adjusted, which makes sense:

https://www.cbssports.com/college-footba...ly-member/

(06-22-2019 01:44 PM)seaking4steel Wrote:  

(06-22-2019 01:27 PM)quo vadis Wrote:  They won't be, as the Big East does not have football.

You can be a full member of a conference and field sports that your conference doesn't sponsor. App State is full member of the Sun Belt that plays wrestling in the SoCon because SB doesn't sponsor it. UConn is moving hoops and their other sports sponsored by the BE to that conference.

Sorry but as a former wrestler this makes me laugh.

(06-23-2019 01:51 AM)Fresno St. Alum Wrote:  so i go on vaca and all this goes down. St.Louis for 12? or stay at 11 and go 20 gm conf sched?

(06-23-2019 02:12 AM)Kit-Cat Wrote:  1) I'd say its 50-50 if the BE goes to 12. Adding someone in the west to balance like St. Louis seems logical to me.

I actually have no problem with St. Louis, but there's basically no chance of a 12th member right now. The Big East really likes the round robin schedule.

(06-23-2019 02:36 AM)wavefan12 Wrote:  Are u aware that UConn has just destroyed their Fball team and FBall does
in fact drive the bus

Football is the single biggest economic loser at UConn while also being possibly the poorest-performing sport the school sponsors. Once the TV expansions of 7-8 years ago shook out football was never going to generate any sort of return, and at that point it's just about where do you want to be.

(06-23-2019 02:12 AM)Kit-Cat Wrote:  2) AAC has to go back to 12 because the rules state to have a championship game it requires everyone to play round robin which isn't possible with 11.

Incorrect. You can play round robin within divisions of 5 and 6.