Do we want/get West Virginia back in BEast if Texas and OU go SEC?

[HutchwasClutch]

For what it's worth, heard on espn radio today that UConn and the ACC have an interest in a discussion.

After they've been snubbed by that conference for the last decade, and after the Big East embraced them when their athletic programs needed to get out of the AAC, wow, that would be some kind of jackass move to pull off.

And I think it's definitely arguable whether the ACC would be better for them.  See Pitt and Syracuse since jumping ship. 

[MU82]

After they've been snubbed by that conference for the last decade, and after the Big East embraced them when their athletic programs needed to get out of the AAC, wow, that would be some kind of jackass move to pull off.

And I think it's definitely arguable whether the ACC would be better for them.  See Pitt and Syracuse since jumping ship.

I agree with every word you say here, Hutch.

I'll close by saying that if UConn leaves, eff 'em.

[HutchwasClutch]

I agree with every word you say here, Hutch.

I'll close by saying that if UConn leaves, eff 'em.

Especially with a wandering eye after ONE season back.

[ChitownSpaceForRent]

Especially with a wandering eye after ONE season back.

It would cost them so much money as well. I think 30 million if they leave before five years.

Their athletic department is already in the hole.

[HutchwasClutch]

It would cost them so much money as well. I think 30 million if they leave before five years.

Their athletic department is already in the hole.

Yeah, figured there's a huge penalty if they leave early. 

Unreal.  We'll see if anything comes of it.

[Viper]

After they've been snubbed by that conference for the last decade, and after the Big East embraced them when their athletic programs needed to get out of the AAC, wow, that would be some kind of jackass move to pull off.

And I think it's definitely arguable whether the ACC would be better for them.  See Pitt and Syracuse since jumping ship.

and, I thought UConn was canning football or dropping down.

[Scoop Snoop]

Is anybody really surprised by this? I had mixed feelings about them joining for a number of reasons. Maybe its just all loose talk but if it happened, what's not to like about $30 mil?

A greater concern would be if they are brought in for basketball only and not share in the FB revenues. I seriously doubt this would happen but if it did, it would set a very dangerous precedent.

[cheebs09]

It would cost them so much money as well. I think 30 million if they leave before five years.

Their athletic department is already in the hole.

I would assume if the ACC wanted to, they could pay that penalty. But I'm not sure UCONN brings an extra $30M in revenue compared to other options.

[MU82]

Is anybody really surprised by this? I had mixed feelings about them joining for a number of reasons. Maybe its just all loose talk but if it happened, what's not to like about $30 mil?

See, I had no mixed feelings. I think they add tremendously to the Big East in basketball, but if they leave the Big East won't be any worse off than before they came back. It really was a no-lose situation for the Big East.

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

After they've been snubbed by that conference for the last decade, and after the Big East embraced them when their athletic programs needed to get out of the AAC, wow, that would be some kind of jackass move to pull off.

And I think it's definitely arguable whether the ACC would be better for them.  See Pitt and Syracuse since jumping ship.

See the New Haven Register article I posted in the Superbar thread why it's most unlikely they leave the Big East. 
(They still owe the AAC and they would owe the Big East $30mil and they won't see much revenue for several years, etc.)

[Billy Hoyle]

For what it's worth, heard on espn radio today that UConn and the ACC have an interest in a discussion.

How much of this discussion could be just the ACC (or a rep) reaching out to gauge interest and that's it?

[Viper]

See, I had no mixed feelings. I think they add tremendously to the Big East in basketball, but if they leave the Big East won't be any worse off than before they came back. It really was a no-lose situation for the Big East.

...the perception, stigma, wouldn't be good. As an original BE program, I feel UConn coming back adds to the conference. Should UConn leave is a loss beyond the court, IMO.

[Frenns Liquor Depot]

...the perception, stigma, wouldn't be good. As an original BE program, I feel UConn coming back adds to the conference. Should UConn leave is a loss beyond the court, IMO.

I agree it's silly to say it wouldn't be a loss...they were a positive add/improvement when they entered the conference so by definition if they leave its a loss on the court and off.

That being said, my opinion is that it is just speculation for the sake of it versus real smoke.  The big pieces need to get set before the scrap eating schools start plotting moves.

[MU82]

I agree it's silly to say it wouldn't be a loss...they were a positive add/improvement when they entered the conference so by definition if they leave its a loss on the court and off.

That being said, my opinion is that it is just speculation for the sake of it versus real smoke.  The big pieces need to get set before the scrap eating schools start plotting moves.

OK ... I'll amend ... I don't think there would be any significant long-term "stigma" against the Big East. UConn would get more grief in the "perception battle" than the Big East would IMHO.

The Big East has been through a heck of a lot worse in the last decade than one flighty school leaving.

[CountryRoads]

I doubt the ACC would add UCONN. Their football program is a joke. It backfired on the ACC last realignment when they sneakily tried to prioritize improving their basketball conference over football. They should have instead tried to poach better football programs from other conferences. Losing Florida State and Clemson will make that conference a complete mess. Sort of AAC quality actually.

[GoldenWarrior11]

For a school that had a 40+ million athletic budget deficit, the idea that this same school would pony up another $30 million in exit fees (per the Big East agreement with UConn during the first six years in the league) is genuinely laughable.

UConn is not going anywhere. If anything, with this new FBS landscape unfolding before our eyes, there is a stronger likelihood of UConn moving to FBS-1B than it is to move to a P4 conference.

[The Sultan]

For a school that had a 40+ million athletic budget deficit, the idea that this same school would pony up another $30 million in exit fees (per the Big East agreement with UConn during the first six years in the league) is genuinely laughable.

UConn is not going anywhere. If anything, with this new FBS landscape unfolding before our eyes, there is a stronger likelihood of UConn moving to FBS-1B than it is to move to a P4 conference.

$30 million is nothing compared to the jump in rights fees they'd get. That would be paid off in two years.

[f/k/a humanlung]

Why settle for West Virgina? Maybe Kansas gives up on football 

Looking at their record over the last decade or two, one can argue they already have.

[oldwarrior81]

I would guess Kansas has the BigTen, Pac 12 and ACC all on their speed dial before the BigEast.

[Hards Alumni]

Looking at their record over the last decade or two, one can argue they already have.

Hey that's my joke!   Great minds and all...

[Warrior Code]

Looks like it's no longer an "if"

https://twitter.com/Andy_Staples/status/1419663790552006657

[LAZER]

$30 million is nothing compared to the jump in rights fees they'd get. That would be paid off in two years.

Is adding UConn financially advantageous for the other ACC members?

[The Sultan]

Is adding UConn financially advantageous for the other ACC members?

Probably not, which is why it is quite doubtful they would make the offer, but UConn would take it in a heartbeat.  Seriously people think UConn would stick with the BE with their $2 million payout, plus whatever they can scramble for their football rights fees, versus an eight figure payout from the ACC?

Let's just say that the ACC payout is $20 million a year.  A $30 million exit fee isn't stopping that.

[Skip Intro]

It appears as though the ACC is looking to expand to counter the SEC (and perhaps avoid a B12-esque catastrophe if Clemson and FSU were to leave).  I have no doubt WVU would be a main target, and I could see one or both of UConn and Cincy being targets, as well.  I would be genuinely surprised if UConn is still in the Big East when this all shakes out.

So, if that's the case, does the Big East just go back to being a 10-team conference?  Or do we replace UConn?  Put me in the camp that would like to see Dayton in our league (**ducks**).

[asdfasdf]

Probably not, which is why it is quite doubtful they would make the offer, but UConn would take it in a heartbeat.  Seriously people think UConn would stick with the BE with their $2 million payout, plus whatever they can scramble for their football rights fees, versus an eight figure payout from the ACC?

Let's just say that the ACC payout is $20 million a year.  A $30 million exit fee isn't stopping that.

I was thinking about this also. How much would it take for a power football conference to pluck a team from the Big East? If the ACC offers a pro-rated share to Villanova at $8 million a year, that doubles what Villanova gets now from the Big East, and is a drop in the bucket for the ACC. No way Villanova turns that down.

This is why I think the Big East isn't as secure as people think. Yes, football drives the bus and basketball is an afterthought. But the Big East has no leverage. If the power football conferences want to start their own basketball tournament, they could easily pluck the best BBall only schools (Nova, Zags, etc...) and those BBall only conferences become an afterthought.