Pat Forde on Catholic 7

[Pakuni]

Pretty much nails it, especially in the summation:

"It's a risky venture. Chances are good that the Catholic Seven will lose money in the process, because their new TV rights fee will not be what it would be while sucking from the football-enhanced Big East teat. For schools trying to fund non-revenue sports and remain in Title IX compliance, that's a stressful byproduct of new-found freedom.

But in a mercenary college athletics world drunk on dollars and disdainful of both common sense and the common fan, it's nice to see one group declare that something else matters more.

Identity matters more. Equality matters more.

By breaking away from the Big East, the Catholic Seven will reclaim both. "

For the whole thing:

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/ncaab--catholic-seven-will-regain-identity-with-exit-from-big-east-004320554.html

[esotericmindguy]

What money? The 1.5 million they get from that big east network. Even the A-10 gets 250K from television rights. These seven with Xavier, butler and maybe creighton will probably get just as much.

[Abode4life]

Pretty much nails it, especially in the summation:

"It's a risky venture. Chances are good that the Catholic Seven will lose money in the process, because their new TV rights fee will not be what it would be while sucking from the football-enhanced Big East teat. For schools trying to fund non-revenue sports and remain in Title IX compliance, that's a stressful byproduct of new-found freedom.

But in a mercenary college athletics world drunk on dollars and disdainful of both common sense and the common fan, it's nice to see one group declare that something else matters more.

Identity matters more. Equality matters more.

By breaking away from the Big East, the Catholic Seven will reclaim both. "

For the whole thing:

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/ncaab--catholic-seven-will-regain-identity-with-exit-from-big-east-004320554.html

I enjoyed that article. Puts the C-7 in a very good light.

[LauxForThree]

When you read articles like this, just be cognizant of the tone and tenor coming from the opinions of non-ESPN vs. ESPN commentators.

ESPN opinion will be vindictive and dismissive.

Non-ESPN opinion will be aspirational and rational.

[jsglow]

Love it.  Great article.  I wish the football schools well.  Goodness it is fun to lead rather than simply accept the inevitable.

I could imagine skipping a Tuesday Tulane game.  Man I want that Butler rematch badly.  Think our 4000 student army won't be ready for that?

[GGGG]

When you read articles like this, just be cognizant of the tone and tenor coming from the opinions of non-ESPN vs. ESPN commentators.

ESPN opinion will be vindictive and dismissive.

It hasn't been so far.  In fact word is that they have already been talking with them about a contract.

[brewcity77]

It hasn't been so far.  In fact word is that they have already been talking with them about a contract.

Agreed. I get the impression that ESPN was sort of hoping for this all along. Might they even have been instrumental in the addition of Marquette and DePaul years ago to ensure the Big East non-football schools would have that auto-bid if they chose to go separate ways in 2010 or beyond?

ESPN got what they wanted. I hate them and feel they are continuing to damage college sports, but making an enemy out of them now that they are finally warming to us probably isn't a good idea either.