Kenny Blakeney's Idea to Put Valuations on Basketball Programs

[AlTruda94]

Dropping it in here since the Howard coach repeatedly references the Big East in his elevator pitch per The Washington Post story. That said, if (key word) Howard at $300 million is an accurate valuation, what would Marquette be?

https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2024/08/02/howard-basketball-private-equity/

[DFW HOYA]

For a Duke grad, he's out of his league.

From The Post: "The main thrust, though, is that Blakeney needs that initial $100 million to upgrade Howard’s arena and roster. From there, he would want Howard to go independent, allowing it to find its own television deal (think Notre Dame) or join a bigger conference as an affiliate school (think the Big East, which Blakeney mentions throughout his written proposal)."

1. His arena, Burr Gymnasium, is 60 years old and seats 2,700 (Howard averaged 1,439 last season.)  That could eat up $100 million right there.

2. Its own TV deal as an independent? To see them play who, Chicago State?

3. Join the Big East? Unless the Providence barstool crowd has Georgetown thrown out of the league, that's not happening, either.

4. Howard basketball has never been good. Its last conference title was in 2023. Its all time post season record (NCAA, NIT, CBI) stands at 0-5.

Oh, and the obvious: what if they can't meet a ROI?

[mug644]

I was just reading the article and thought of linking it, with the caveat that I really know nothing.

That said, I am intrigued by the ambitiousness of Blakeney, especially in light of the uncertainty around NIL and the future funding of college sports.

What if his idea ultimately mobilized enough money for serious investment in HBCU facilities, in high paying coaches and NIL for athletes? Could that turn into a viable market for a big TV contract?

Overall, I appreciate his statement that "there is a short window of opportunity because the speed that NIL is moving, the transfer portal is moving, the professionalism of our business is happening. This s--- has to take place fast. There has to be some conversations.” So, push it. Try to steer things in a way that might help your own program.

And, maybe it will shed light on the reality that big donors already do "own" programs. Wojo's buyout being but one example.