Big East on the Clock

[GoldenWarrior11]

Figured this was worthy of its own thread, given this past week's realignment tsunami.

The Big East is currently in renewal discussions with Fox (per Ackerman's remarks in March). However, Fox has suddenly gained a plethora of basketball coverage with the Big Ten (especially with adding USC, UCLA, Oregon and Washington) after ending its relationship with ESPN. Despite our outstanding partnership with Fox, and its national coverage and visibility, I think the Big East needs to be prepared for A) fewer slots on Fox and FS1 and B) less than a full projected share (~$8 million) given all that it is spending on the Big Ten. The Big Ten ending the Gavitt Games have also eliminated its on-going annual series, which promoted a long-standing partnership going back to the league's split. I would not expect any charity or extended arms there, as many BE programs already have annual B1G rivalry games (MU/UW, CU/Neb, Hall/Rutgers, GT/Maryland).

With the Big 12 reportedly remaining on the offensive, and the ACC also needing to keep revenues up to existing members, both will have UConn locked in its crosshairs for expansion. Football will remain a question mark for any football-first conference, but the value and brand they bring in basketball is undeniable. UConn, for the first time in a long time, can elect to be selective. They don't need to jump anywhere right now, as the future of the ACC remains uncertain. Big 12 Commissioner, Brett Yormark, a NE sports executive, continues to see the value of a presence in the NE; he also sees the long-term value of splitting the football/basketball rights in order to maximize revenue. Big 12 Basketball is already at the highest levels with Arizona now in tow; adding a UConn (or seeking a Georgetown or Villanova to pair with them), would put them over the edge.

In a long-winded summary, the long-term sustainability and survivability of the Big East is once again at stake. This next TV deal is pivotal for not only the Big East to remain at the big table of college basketball, but also allows each of our schools to compete at the highest levels. Our conference leadership has never been questioned before, nor is it within this post. They are in for a huge challenge, however. I am cautiously optimistic about our next TV deal, especially because our content isn't necessary to command $30-$35 million annually just to keep pase with the SEC and B1G; however, anything short of $8 million annually per member (especially with UConn on-board) would be a disappointment. I would hope that we continue with Fox for a package, and split the remainder with ESPN (possibly with a small package through CBS). Our games need to be on the networks, and if they become relegated to strictly streaming (Apple, ESPN+, etc.), we lose our reach. Given our hub in NYC and strong NE presence, I'm confident we will continue to provide the demand.

We should be in active discussions with Gonzaga (if we aren't already - we are always quiet purposefully on the expansion front) and should look to replace the Gavitt Games with another conference challenge (SEC or ACC). We should also keep our eyes down the road for the possibility of programs like Syracuse, Notre Dame, Pittsburgh, Boston College, Wake Forest or even Duke of joining too. If Stanford can get left out of the college athletics power grouping, anything is possible. I'd be very nervous if I'm an ACC school that isn't in that top revenue-generating grouping.

[hortle]

I don't really follow realignment, but how would it work for the BE to bring in a Syracuse or WF. Just take their Olympics and they find a separate home (or indy) for football? Is that really going to be a feasible option for those middle-to-lower-class ACC schools?

[GreatDaneAttorney]

Is there no possibility the Big East can work with the remaining PAC-4 plus Gonzaga and St Mary's?

[Xudash]

Is there no possibility the Big East can work with the remaining PAC-4 plus Gonzaga and St Mary's?

Crazy, or creative?

Nuts, or open minded?

I vote creative and open minded. In the insanity pool in which we’re all swimming right now, thanks to football, we may as well be looking at everything.

On the flip side, it is interesting that nothing is stirring in New York headquarters with a Val and company. Seems very quiet. They are very good when it comes to remaining stealthy. It’s either about being fatalistic (they don’t strike me as being frozen up in that regard) or having no reason to panic at this point.

[Django]

This thread is stupid. The only one with a problem is UCONN because of their horrid and bankrupt FOOTBALL team. The Big East has never been stronger/ better. Only UCONN is the poor beggar because they are completely delusional and broke due to funding the worst college football program in the entire FBS.

[DeltaV]

Is there no possibility the Big East can work with the remaining PAC-4 plus Gonzaga and St Mary's?

Why?

It's what, Stanford, Cal, Washington State and Oregon State?

Stanford used to be decent, but based on how my memory has been lately that was probably 15 years ago. Cal as well maybe? But I'm pretty sure Pac basketball has been pretty sad the last decade.

Haven't they been like a 4 bid league recently?

[xusandy]

Django,
I happen to agree that UCONN should probably just discontinue football or downgrade to the DIII level, but politics is politics, and money always has the last speech. So I just dunno what the geniuses at UCONN will decide.

[Xudash]

I don't think this thread is stupid.

I agree that it would be better for the UCONN fan base to sober up a lot about the value of their football program specifically and its overall attractiveness as an expansion candidate in general (i.e. football status, location in CT, etc.). I get that UCONN sees itself as having put itself into a position of having to chase money to help backfill a badly bleeding problem. That's UCONN's problem. The market that is pricing value in this particular area isn't concerned about that.

Otherwise, GW11 is spot on: the Big East is once again - the first time with this 11-team make-up - at a pivotal crossroads, anticipating its next media agreement. I can't put it any better than this:

... the long-term sustainability and survivability of the Big East is once again at stake. This next TV deal is pivotal for not only the Big East to remain at the big table of college basketball, but also allows each of our schools to compete at the highest levels. Our conference leadership has never been questioned before, nor is it within this post. They are in for a huge challenge, however. I am cautiously optimistic about our next TV deal, especially because our content isn't necessary to command $30-$35 million annually just to keep pace with the SEC and B1G; however, anything short of $8 million annually per member (especially with UConn on-board) would be a disappointment.

Best Case: The existing 11 stay together. The Big East continues to be THE unique, premier hoops conference in collegiate athletics. MSG for the BET. =/> $8mm per school per year, with solid TV coverage. Organic growth in conference program strength that leads to 6 and up NCAAT slots per year. That's a massive win that will sustain the Big East for the near future.

I don't know how to name the other one or two cases, but we both know that it/they start with a bad signal resulting from TV money that doesn't cut the mustard, primarily due to media partner exhaustion from having spent so much on football.

Otherwise, with each passing day at this point, it would appear as though UCONN isn't going anywhere.

[Django]

Yes dash I think this thread got off base and the thread title seems like the doom snd gloom that’s being spewed on the boneyard. Yer right GW11’s original post is spot on and we are right on the cusp of s new deal, my personal expectations are we do really well this year and see if we can get one or two FF teams and get that $8 mil every one is hoping for.

[redmen9194]

No need to add anyone. We should avoid at all costs the impulse to invite teams to become bigger. We don’t need any other schools in this league. You can’t bring in anyone else with FBS football - that was a nightmare in the past. And there are no other schools out there that work. Don’t take the bait and water down the league. This is perfect. And if UConn were to go - and I don’t think they will - leave it at ten.