OT: Football Drags UConn P5 Ambitions

[GoldenWarrior11]

http://mobile.nytimes.com/2016/03/14/sports/basketball/football-drags-on-uconns-power-5-ambitions.html?_r=1

Pretty impactful NYT article on UConn's ambitions to get into a P5 conference.  They really trashed the AAC.

"The better programs in the A.A.C. feel slighted, unfairly left standing in the game of musical chairs that is conference realignment. This is especially true for UConn, whose athletic pedigree exceeds those of every other program in the A.A.C. — and many in the Power 5, for that matter."

"There is also a perception gap. For instance, the second A.A.C. semifinal game on Saturday, between Tulane and Memphis, was so insignificant to ESPN that it didn't even bother to track the updated scores on its website — even though ESPN2 was televising it."

"Now it (UConn) loses around $20 million a year on $70 million in revenue. In effect, the athletic department funds its teams as if they were in a Power 5 conference, but without Power 5 revenue sources."

"One solution — indeed, the most practical solution — would be for UConn to de-emphasize or drop football and rejoin the Big East, which has been reconstituted as a basketball league and includes old Huskies rivals like Georgetown and St. John's. When it was reformulated, the Big East signed a 12-year, $500 million television contract with Fox. Without the expense of football, UConn athletics could well be back in the black."

[Frenns Liquor Depot]

"Now it (UConn) loses around $20 million a year on $70 million in revenue. In effect, the athletic department funds its teams as if they were in a Power 5 conference, but without Power 5 revenue sources."

I wonder how that gap is being made up?  Like most state budgets CT is in a perpetual cycle of cutting spending to balance the budget | particularly because it is already high tax.


 

[Benny B]

I wonder how that gap is being made up?  Like most state budgets CT is in a perpetual cycle of cutting spending to balance the budget | particularly because it is already high tax.

Say it with me, now: "Student Fees."

$2800 x 18,000 undergrads = $50,400,000
Something tells me they can easily make up a $20M deficit on athletics.

[forgetful]

I wonder how that gap is being made up?  Like most state budgets CT is in a perpetual cycle of cutting spending to balance the budget | particularly because it is already high tax.

Easy, it comes out of academic funds.  They don't formally cut funds to academics, they just cut any increases in funding necessary to keep education at its current level.  For instance, because of athletic department deficits, faculty salaries are going to be frozen.  Athletic department budget will be untouched and likely expand.

They'll never publicly admit that sports are hurting academics, but that is exactly where the money comes from.

Also, the article doesn't state it, but those deficits for sports do not included lost revenue due to scholarships.  The reported value is operating deficit only.

[Groin_pull]

If UConn drops football, absolutely they should be welcomed back to the Big East. Keep football...no way, no how.
The Big East is in fine shape. We certainly don't need a football school passing time with us until a space opens in a P5 conference.

Screw that.

[brewcity77]

If UConn drops football, absolutely they should be welcomed back to the Big East. Keep football...no way, no how.
The Big East is in fine shape. We certainly don't need a football school passing time with us until a space opens in a P5 conference.

Screw that.

Exactly right. I have no interest in UConn or any other school with a football program. Not even Notre Dame as a football independent. Would just rather go it as we are now. This league is great, and as programs like Marquette, Creighton, and St. John's return to prominence, it will only get better.

They won't drop football. That's the likely reality and that's perfectly fine with me. As long as they are okay with their continued conference mediocrity, why should we complain?

[Dawson Rental]

If UConn drops football, absolutely they should be welcomed back to the Big East. Keep football...no way, no how.
The Big East is in fine shape. We certainly don't need a football school passing time with us until a space opens in a P5 conference.

Screw that.

No need to drop football, just go FCS, like Butler and Georgetown.

[Herman Cain]

U Conn is waiting for an ACC bid.