The NCAA tournament and Big East Expansion

[Tugg Speedman]

money is a huge part, no doubt.

But you are thinking short term. Eventually, our TV contract will be up. We will have to renegotiate. We bring a lot more to the table with 12-14 teams, especially if we are getting 6-7 bids every year, instead of 4.

If we are a 4-5 bid league every year, we are essentially the A-10. Our prestige will wither. We will become a mid major. And we won't be getting that kind of money from FS1 for very long.

We need to expand while we are ahead.

BE signed a 12 year contract with Fox Sports paying them $500 million.  This is year one.  11 more years to go.

Again expanding means diluting existing money.  Expand and if the new member brings nothing to the table, we make less money.

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

BE signed a 12 year contract with Fox Sports paying them $500 million.  This is year one.  11 more years to go.

Again expanding means diluting existing money.  Expand and if the new member brings nothing to the table, we make less money.

But the contract the BE signed said if the expanded they would add an equal amount per added team year.  Wasn't this discussed on thi sboard?

[Tugg Speedman]

But the contract the BE signed said if the expanded they would add an equal amount per added team year.  Wasn't this discussed on thi sboard?

Yes, which mean FS picks the expansion teams, not us.  FS will base it on TV market and their penetration in that market.  About 17th on the list is wins losses and futures recruits (which is what we base the decision on).

[ChicosBailBonds]

Yes, which mean FS picks the expansion teams, not us.  FS will base it on TV market and their penetration in that market.  About 17th on the list is wins losses and futures recruits (which is what we base the decision on).

They'll get a say, they won't be the final arbiter.  I will poke around about what the true deal is.  I suspect there is nothing or very little in black and white, and much more on the business implication side of things.

[GooooMarquette]

Don't understand the sudden interest in UMass.  This is their first tournament appearance since 1998, their last win that wasn't vacated by the NCAA was in 1995...and they're about to get bounced by an 11 seed.

I'd take any of SLU, Dayton, Wichita State, VCU or Richmond over them in a heartbeat.