UConn to the Big East? Rumors and Discussion Thread...

[ivet]

This deal doesn't get done unless Fox also officially (or unofficially) makes concessions for UConn Football to help them schedule as an independent, because they aren't going to C-USA, MAC, MWC, or Sun Belt.

My guess is that Fox is trying to work with the Big 12 and B1G to arrange for some type of scheduling arrangement year-to-year that guarantees UConn play two teams from each conference. That would be four total games accounted for a schedule. Then, UConn would be able to schedule yearly games with Army, UMass and BYU - that gets them to seven games. Finally, you schedule three or four games each year against regional schools to help create regional interest and for recruiting purposes - Syracuse, Boston College, Pittsburgh, Buffalo, Virginia, etc. You could fill it out with one final FCS game against a Villanova, Delaware, James Madison, Richmond, etc.

A schedule like that absolutely does not devalue their football program (an argument can be made that it could even strengthen it). If they get to 6 wins, they are automatically eligible for a bowl game. Maybe Fox even agrees to televise some game(s) to sweeten the deal.

What's the end result? Getting UConn back into the Big East increases an already strong national prestige, entrenches the conference in New York City, increases prestige of basketball conference (which is already really high) and positions the current membership for a potential increase in pay via next TV contract. The other factor to consider is that it likely means we will start averaging six teams into the tournament instead of five. Obviously, UConn wins because it dramatically increases their conference prestige and fan interest with more regional rivals, and gets them properly rewarded for their basketball success.

That doesn't help us. That means more exposure for them an potential for their program to get a P5 invite. Their football program needs to sink down to the Patriot League to guarantee no P5 school will come knocking.

[Xudash]

This deal doesn't get done unless Fox also officially (or unofficially) makes concessions for UConn Football to help them schedule as an independent, because they aren't going to C-USA, MAC, MWC, or Sun Belt.

My guess is that Fox is trying to work with the Big 12 and B1G to arrange for some type of scheduling arrangement year-to-year that guarantees UConn play two teams from each conference. That would be four total games accounted for a schedule. Then, UConn would be able to schedule yearly games with Army, UMass and BYU - that gets them to seven games. Finally, you schedule three or four games each year against regional schools to help create regional interest and for recruiting purposes - Syracuse, Boston College, Pittsburgh, Buffalo, Virginia, etc. You could fill it out with one final FCS game against a Villanova, Delaware, James Madison, Richmond, etc.

A schedule like that absolutely does not devalue their football program (an argument can be made that it could even strengthen it). If they get to 6 wins, they are automatically eligible for a bowl game. Maybe Fox even agrees to televise some game(s) to sweeten the deal.

What's the end result? Getting UConn back into the Big East increases an already strong national prestige, entrenches the conference in New York City, increases prestige of basketball conference (which is already really high) and positions the current membership for a potential increase in pay via next TV contract. The other factor to consider is that it likely means we will start averaging six teams into the tournament instead of five. Obviously, UConn wins because it dramatically increases their conference prestige and fan interest with more regional rivals, and gets them properly rewarded for their basketball success.

Excellent post.

So, imagine juicing it up just a little. Let's run with your premise that Fox is actually the principal behind-the-scenes driver for making this happen by doing what you described to help UCONN football.

What part of this jigsaw puzzle is comprised of UCONN's AAC divorce decree? Per this source - http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/ucf-knights/knights-notepad/os-ucf-big-12-exit-fee-20160726-story.html - the AAC requires 27 months of notice from a school to leave the conference and has a $10 million dollar exit fee. UC and Houston, in particular, probably aren't going to be too happy, relatively speaking, about losing UCONN in all this. Would they argue for a 'soft landing' - would they want the AAC to reduce the notice time and exit fee amount in consideration for a deal with UCONN to remain on their respective calendars for football and basketball?

At the end of the day, I would think that everyone understands that this is a complicated thing, for UCONN, primarily. There are a lot of moving parts to make it as right as it can be for all parties concerned, understanding that it isn't going to be totally right for any party involved.

Published articles, then denials? So what? Imagine that. Is the old adage "where there is smoke, there is fire" in play or not? Who knows, but it makes for interesting conversation. Overall, there is one simple FACT that is in clear play here: UCONN is in a tough position and it KNOWS that. It is uniquely perceived to be in position to be able to "go home" when it comes to its hoops program. The Big East's advantages are obvious to anyone. The cost of losing the football race is clear, too, though it isn't clear where that stands yet, even though UCONN is hanging on by a thread when it comes to all that.

ASSUMING Fox can engineer a lifeline, UCONN can navigate a palatable divorce decree from the AAC, and the BE finds the re-marriage terms acceptable, it would be reasonable to expect that all this may come to fruition. A piece of cake, without question.

[kayako]

I do think the denials came so swiftly, perhaps coordinated...

IFF Uconn is serious about rejoining the BE, I don't think they're really looking to jump ship at first opportunity. They'll probably look for football-only alliances. I see very reason to even leave the AAC if they didn't believe the BE is truly their home for all non-football sports.

[GoldenWarrior11]

UConn could easily settle out of the 27-month notice and $10 million fee - just like West Virginia, Syracuse, Louisville and Notre Dame all did when they left the original Big East. Since the American is the original successor the original Big East, UConn could make a case in court that - since settlements were made in those respective cases, which is under the continuation of the football conference of the Big East - that they are entitled to the same legal deal and settlement. It's no accident that the 27-month/$10 million fee are the exact same conditions as the original Big East - they carried over a number of the former bylaws and conference guidelines.

Now, in order to lower it, UConn would have to scheduled some OOC games against American members for a few years after officially separating, but - in the long-run - that would be the more wise investment.

The end-goal for UConn should be to get as regional and more in-control with their athletic scheduling as possible. Being locked together with ECU, Tulane, SMU, Houston, Tulsa, Memphis, UCF and USF does not benefit UConn in any way - academically, athletically, institutionally or geographically. Getting back into the Big East - and playing St. Johns, Providence, Seton Hall, Georgetown, and Villanova regularly - helps them immensely with travel sports. And, by going independent, they can focus on getting back to their Northeast roots, trying to schedule playing Rutgers, West Virginia, Syracuse, Pittsburgh, Boston College, Army and UMass regularly - instead of traveling to Florida, Texas, Louisiana and Oklahoma all the time.

[herodotus]

The biggest problem UConn would have with football, is the fact that all of the conferences are increasing the number of conference games. This is making the schedules very tight. There is no longer room on the schedule for mid level opponents that want a return game. Most schools have one big boy they like to play out of conference, then they'll be looking for a cupcake. UConn could be the cupcake, but those schools will have no interest in doing a return game. UConn can't play 8 games on the road. Being an independent won't happen. Unless they can somehow find a league where they can park football, they'll be stuck in the AAC until they either get a P5 invite, or they give up the football dream.

[Bill Marsh]

UConn would actually lose money by making this move. The only real way for them to eliminate the drain of football expenses on their budget would be to eliminate football.

[jaxalum]

So, if UConn to the Big East comes to fruition, bringing the league number to 11, what would be the logic behind ever moving to 12 teams? Everyone associated with the Big East seems to love the home and home round robin format, which would still be feasible with 11. 12 teams and that's to many OOC games lost. And thre are no teams available that even come close caliber wise to UConn. The only rock solid reason to add a 12th team would be if they were a national brand, highly respected and coming in with a national reputation...i.e. Gonzaga (at some point, through some very creative logistical planning, I think they could make this work)

[GoldenWarrior11]

When the league was reorganized, one of the tremendous benefits of a round-robin format was the quick assimilation and generation of rivalries between Butler/Creighton/Xavier and the C7. Playing home and homes with everyone quickly increased popularity and visibility with those schools across C7 campuses, and it has been an absolute home run thus far. While I believe that the Butler/Creighton/Xavier are firmly entrenched as established members of the conference, there may very well come a day where the round-robin no longer is necessary - simply because whatever additions are made to the conference are strong, prestigious and national basketball programs that could only elevate the league.

My guess would be that the conference would stay at eleven for a few seasons, keeping the round-robin format, in order to ensure that UConn gets affiliated and builds rivalries with Butler, Creighton and Xavier. After a few seasons of that format, who knows. They could add a twelfth, or they could continue with the 11/20 format.

[bluejayfanatic]

I like the round robin format, but it's certainly not without its disadvantages and the desire to preserve it should never be a reason not to expand. We expand when there are excellent candidates, period. The composition of membership will dictate the conference scheduling format, not the other way around.

[paulxu]

What are the disadvantages of the round robin format? Just curious.