A large number of UConn basketball fans would be exceptionally happy if UConn disbanded its football team or next best option moved to FCS. I know, I think that they're insane also, but I think that they truly believe it. With regard to your 9-9 plan, UConn should take that before the ink is dry on the offer. However, it makes no sense for the MAC. There is no benefit to the MAC from competing against UConn's track or cross country teams, among others. What would provide benefit to the MAC is UConn's basketball teams competing in MAC arenas.
Thanks for your comment, Terry. I appreciate it. I totally understand what you mean, but here's the thing. Most likely the Big East would fight like crazy to keep UConn Men's and Women's Basketball in their conference if they were to negotiate with the MAC in this What If scenario. The Big East would probably say "No deal" if the MAC wanted the basketball programs as part of their package. That's partly why I set it up the way I did in the visual. The MAC can take UConn Men's Baseball and Women's Softball, and Men's and Women's Soccer to buffer their package with the Football Huskies. And yeah, the small Olympic sports don't make a lot of money, but sometimes you gotta even it out so both parties can be happy in negotiations.
@@STVCastle Are you aware of the value of each of these conferences' media rights deals? The Big East media deal pays each school about 7 million a year and they play all their games on national TV. The MAC deal pays each of their schools a little under a million (for all sports) each year and they might get one national broadcast game a year. UConn is never in a million years even remotely considering moving their basketball programs to the MAC.
@@MDK384 I know it comes down to media rights deals. They're always being renegotiated. It's not out of the question to assume that the MAC would adjust their media rights deal to make it work economically. And you're right. UConn basketball Men's and Women's would never switch to the MAC. They belong in the Big East. Never did I say here that the MAC should get UConn basketball.
@@STVCastle Just your comment about the Big East fighting to keep UConn basketball made me think you might not be aware of the difference. The Big East would not have to fight at all because UConn would not do it in a million years. And there's no scenario where the MAC could make it work economically. They would have to give UConn their entire annual payout to make up the difference and obviously they wouldn't do that.
@@MDK384 I do believe you're basing part of this on your opinion only. Money talks. We all know this. For your information, yes, I am aware of the difference. Just because there is a difference doesn't mean it's impossible for there to be negotiations. You need to stop making it sound like this could never be done. "UConn would not do it in a million years" is opinion-based. You don't work for the UConn staff at the end of the day. And you did not answer my question. What is your ultimate alternative to this? Sit and wait for the Big XII and ACC? How does that help UConn's image as a university? I won't reply back after this post. We're done.
Couple notes, the MAC no longer sponsors men's soccer, so presumably uconn's soccer programs would remain in the Big East. Also, the Big East doesn't sponsor hockey. UConn plays in the Hockey East conference. I don't see any reason to split the programs. None of them offer any value outside of football and basketball, so there's no reason for the MAC to want them and UConn enjoys having their olympic sports in the Big East where half the conference is still relatively close by. I suppose there's some value in moving your football to the MAC, but it's not like it would be a huge step up in terms of money, exposure or recruiting from what they're currently doing. I think the MAC schools are getting somewhere in the ballpark of 1 million per year. UConn has their own football rights deal with cbssn for a couple hundred thousand, on top of the 7 million a year from the Big East basketball deal. I don't think it significantly improves their standing or gets them any closer to a power conference bid in the future.
I didn't hear anything about the MAC no longer sponsoring men's soccer. You can always switch around sports programs in the graphic. I said this wasn't concrete anyway. Honestly, try to come up with a much better plan than what I proposed here. Sitting on their hands for 10+ years and hoping and waiting for the Big XII and ACC to call them isn't doing UConn any favors either. Take what you can get. If the MAC opens a door for them, even if temporarily, UConn should use common sense and enter through that door.
@@STVCastleYou're correct that UConn doesn't have a lot of great options and I think football-only membership in the MAC is something they would consider for sure. I don't know if it offers substantial benefits to them or the MAC, though, which is probably why it hasn't already happened. (not 100% on this but I think it was something that was discussed after UConn moved back to the Big East and it didn't go anywhere) It's also possible that UConn thinks it's better off as an independent than being in the MAC and I'm not entirely sure they're wrong.
@@MDK384 Just my opinion, but for UConn to stay independent in football and hope that the Big XII and ACC takes them is a foolish strategy long-term. They need to have a resume/proven track record of what they can do in a conference. They can't show anything to the Big XII or ACC if they're not competing in any conference now. At least being in the MAC ensures that UConn can have a proven track record to show when they feel ready to join a Power Conference.
If done right the new PAC will incorporate the 2 most football crazy regions in the country: the South and the Mountain west. Memphis and Tulane UTSA and Rice Utah State and Wyoming South Florida and Southern Miss UConn and Georgia State 16
Good discussion. (Sorry we are late to the party)
A large number of UConn basketball fans would be exceptionally happy if UConn disbanded its football team or next best option moved to FCS. I know, I think that they're insane also, but I think that they truly believe it.
With regard to your 9-9 plan, UConn should take that before the ink is dry on the offer. However, it makes no sense for the MAC. There is no benefit to the MAC from competing against UConn's track or cross country teams, among others. What would provide benefit to the MAC is UConn's basketball teams competing in MAC arenas.
Thanks for your comment, Terry. I appreciate it.
I totally understand what you mean, but here's the thing. Most likely the Big East would fight like crazy to keep UConn Men's and Women's Basketball in their conference if they were to negotiate with the MAC in this What If scenario. The Big East would probably say "No deal" if the MAC wanted the basketball programs as part of their package. That's partly why I set it up the way I did in the visual. The MAC can take UConn Men's Baseball and Women's Softball, and Men's and Women's Soccer to buffer their package with the Football Huskies.
And yeah, the small Olympic sports don't make a lot of money, but sometimes you gotta even it out so both parties can be happy in negotiations.
@@STVCastle Are you aware of the value of each of these conferences' media rights deals? The Big East media deal pays each school about 7 million a year and they play all their games on national TV. The MAC deal pays each of their schools a little under a million (for all sports) each year and they might get one national broadcast game a year. UConn is never in a million years even remotely considering moving their basketball programs to the MAC.
@@MDK384 I know it comes down to media rights deals. They're always being renegotiated. It's not out of the question to assume that the MAC would adjust their media rights deal to make it work economically.
And you're right. UConn basketball Men's and Women's would never switch to the MAC. They belong in the Big East. Never did I say here that the MAC should get UConn basketball.
@@STVCastle Just your comment about the Big East fighting to keep UConn basketball made me think you might not be aware of the difference. The Big East would not have to fight at all because UConn would not do it in a million years.
And there's no scenario where the MAC could make it work economically. They would have to give UConn their entire annual payout to make up the difference and obviously they wouldn't do that.
@@MDK384 I do believe you're basing part of this on your opinion only. Money talks. We all know this. For your information, yes, I am aware of the difference. Just because there is a difference doesn't mean it's impossible for there to be negotiations. You need to stop making it sound like this could never be done.
"UConn would not do it in a million years" is opinion-based. You don't work for the UConn staff at the end of the day.
And you did not answer my question. What is your ultimate alternative to this? Sit and wait for the Big XII and ACC? How does that help UConn's image as a university?
I won't reply back after this post. We're done.
Couple notes, the MAC no longer sponsors men's soccer, so presumably uconn's soccer programs would remain in the Big East. Also, the Big East doesn't sponsor hockey. UConn plays in the Hockey East conference.
I don't see any reason to split the programs. None of them offer any value outside of football and basketball, so there's no reason for the MAC to want them and UConn enjoys having their olympic sports in the Big East where half the conference is still relatively close by.
I suppose there's some value in moving your football to the MAC, but it's not like it would be a huge step up in terms of money, exposure or recruiting from what they're currently doing. I think the MAC schools are getting somewhere in the ballpark of 1 million per year. UConn has their own football rights deal with cbssn for a couple hundred thousand, on top of the 7 million a year from the Big East basketball deal. I don't think it significantly improves their standing or gets them any closer to a power conference bid in the future.
I didn't hear anything about the MAC no longer sponsoring men's soccer. You can always switch around sports programs in the graphic. I said this wasn't concrete anyway.
Honestly, try to come up with a much better plan than what I proposed here. Sitting on their hands for 10+ years and hoping and waiting for the Big XII and ACC to call them isn't doing UConn any favors either. Take what you can get. If the MAC opens a door for them, even if temporarily, UConn should use common sense and enter through that door.
@@STVCastleYou're correct that UConn doesn't have a lot of great options and I think football-only membership in the MAC is something they would consider for sure. I don't know if it offers substantial benefits to them or the MAC, though, which is probably why it hasn't already happened. (not 100% on this but I think it was something that was discussed after UConn moved back to the Big East and it didn't go anywhere) It's also possible that UConn thinks it's better off as an independent than being in the MAC and I'm not entirely sure they're wrong.
@@MDK384 Just my opinion, but for UConn to stay independent in football and hope that the Big XII and ACC takes them is a foolish strategy long-term. They need to have a resume/proven track record of what they can do in a conference. They can't show anything to the Big XII or ACC if they're not competing in any conference now. At least being in the MAC ensures that UConn can have a proven track record to show when they feel ready to join a Power Conference.
@@STVCastle You could very well be right. I will just say that I think if this is something that both sides wanted, it would have already happened.
BIG 12 should call themselves the BIG 16
And BIG 10
Should call
Themselves the BIG 18 😅
If done right the new PAC will incorporate the 2 most football crazy regions in the country: the South and the Mountain west.
Memphis and Tulane
UTSA and Rice
Utah State and Wyoming
South Florida and Southern Miss
UConn and Georgia State
16