Power 5 "autonomy" vote discussion

[stever20]

The AAC isn't going anywhere. The amount of pure hatred towards the AAC is just remarkable on here by some folks. Just hoping they fail. Why?

I agree with you Stever. Seems like a lot of jealousy towards the success the AAC had last year. They are and will continue to be a strong conference. Memphis is loaded for hoops this season and will be a contender to follow UConn's footsteps.

I have also detected jealousy on this board concerning the AAC and their success. However we should point out there is more than a little animosity on the AAC board directed towards the Big East. I check the AAC and ACC boards about once a week and on the AAC board I have often seen derogatory comments about the BE and especially our Fox Sports contract. That may also be jealousy. In short neither side is clean in this mud fight. We BOTH need to grow up.

I think the comments with regards to the Fox Sports contract- right now- with the numbers that we drew- you have to expect that. It's an interesting dynamic with us and the AAC- they took less money, but the better ESPN exposure. We took more money, but much more of a gamble with FS1.

[stever20]

I don't think anyone here really dislike the AAC, its just that the AAC is not long for this world. All of their power programs (which carry the rest of the conference more-so than any other conference) are doing everything they can to get out. That is not the sign of a healthy future.

I think that's just a lot of hope. They can talk all they want- but there's no room at the inn right now.

The interesting thing- if in 5-6 years say UConn and Cincy leave- how much improvement do the other teams have to show for it. That's going to be the end determinant on how the AAC winds up being. If schools like UCF, Houston, Tulane, etc. take advantage of the much better exposure than they've ever had before- and build their programs up to where say SMU is right now- it'll hurt- but it's not going to be fatal....

[HoosierPal]

First potential casualty of the P5 move: Hawaii AD says they cannot afford to pay football players. The Athletic Department is at a $2.1 MM deficit. Either substantially raise ticket prices for a dwindling fan base, have donors pony up, or cut the football program were the three options he mentioned.

http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/writer/dennis-dodd/24666953/ad-deficit-may-cause-hawaii-to-drop-football

[GumbyDamnit!]

I don't think anyone here really dislike the AAC, its just that the AAC is not long for this world. All of their power programs (which carry the rest of the conference more-so than any other conference) are doing everything they can to get out. That is not the sign of a healthy future.

I think that's just a lot of hope. They can talk all they want- but there's no room at the inn right now.

The interesting thing- if in 5-6 years say UConn and Cincy leave- how much improvement do the other teams have to show for it. That's going to be the end determinant on how the AAC winds up being. If schools like UCF, Houston, Tulane, etc. take advantage of the much better exposure than they've ever had before- and build their programs up to where say SMU is right now- it'll hurt- but it's not going to be fatal....

Wouldn't say I "hate" the AAC but let's face it we share much of the same recruiting patches and markets with the premier programs from that conference (Temple/Nova; Xavier/Cinn; Prov/UCONN). The problem those schools face is that they each have had so much more success in BB than in FB, but they are making decisions, like every other large university, in pursuit of the almighty FB $. I hated losing UCONN in BB. Calhoun ran a questionable program (laptop thefts, academic issues, etc., while he looked the other way) but I like Kevin Ollie. I'd welcome them to the BE in a second. Maybe even Memphis.

Temple and Cinn? Not so much. I think the bottom line with these 2nd tier FB programs is that if they never get the invite to the big boy table I just don't see how their programs can survive. Temple, who gets millions in state subsidies, loses millions each year because of FB. The one year they actually fielded a competitive team and made a bowl game, they were like $10M in the hole. PA cut school funding something like $1B a year. At what point does a legislator, from the other side of the state or one who simply is not a fan of college football, stand up and start the rally cry that enough is enough?

[DudeAnon]

First potential casualty of the P5 move: Hawaii AD says they cannot afford to pay football players. The Athletic Department is at a $2.1 MM deficit. Either substantially raise ticket prices for a dwindling fan base, have donors pony up, or cut the football program were the three options he mentioned.

http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/writer/dennis-dodd/24666953/ad-deficit-may-cause-hawaii-to-drop-football

1. Tough, welcome to the real world AD's
2. I don't think they will "have" to pay, but they may be able to in the future

[Irishdawg]

I actually think that for a lot of the non-Power 5 schools, dropping football, or moving to models similar to Georgetown, Villanova or even further down to Butler (non-scholarship) would be the most prudent move for the University. Most of their programs already lose money every year, and there is no way the majority of those programs could ever afford to pay 85 players a stipend and additional medical expenses for after they're done with school.

This, along with the Fox Sports deal is why the Big East is as well positioned as they can be financially going forward. It's a lot easier to pay 26 athletes (Men's and Women's basketball) for these additional costs than it is to pay hundreds of athletes. Other schools, especially those who are already losing quite a bit of money, would be wise to follow suit, IMO.

[GoldenWarrior11]

Regarding the AAC, there will always be comparisons over which is superior. That's just what happens when you take a huge group and separate into two. Fact is they have been, and always will be, different bodies. One focuses purely on football and its advancement, the other on basketball and its advancement. With that being said, one is EXTREMELY stable and has a solid foundation moving forward. The AAC will never be stable, because it will always be the league that the P5 will look to for realignment additions. Going off of that, the similarities between a Georgetown, Marquette or a Creighton (or anyone in the Big East) is a LOT clearer than the similarities between an East Carolina, Temple or SMU (or anyone in the AAC). Personally, I'm thrilled with where my school ended up, but I am sure there are also AAC schools that are much happier being in the AAC than C-USA (Connecticut and Cincinnati probably not so much).

Regarding P5 autonomy, there will be a LOT of schools that will be unable to keep up, forcing them to either drop football down or level or eliminate completely. I see Hawaii doing this in the next few years (no way recruits consider them now with their AD publicly unsure of the program's future). I see Idaho in that boat. Same for UAB.

UGH, WHEN DOES THE BIG EAST SCHEDULE GET RELEASED???

[TheHall]

....

UGH, WHEN DOES THE BIG EAST SCHEDULE GET RELEASED???

+1

[stever20]

Regarding the AAC, there will always be comparisons over which is superior. That's just what happens when you take a huge group and separate into two. Fact is they have been, and always will be, different bodies. One focuses purely on football and its advancement, the other on basketball and its advancement. With that being said, one is EXTREMELY stable and has a solid foundation moving forward. The AAC will never be stable, because it will always be the league that the P5 will look to for realignment additions. Going off of that, the similarities between a Georgetown, Marquette or a Creighton (or anyone in the Big East) is a LOT clearer than the similarities between an East Carolina, Temple or SMU (or anyone in the AAC). Personally, I'm thrilled with where my school ended up, but I am sure there are also AAC schools that are much happier being in the AAC than C-USA (Connecticut and Cincinnati probably not so much).

Regarding P5 autonomy, there will be a LOT of schools that will be unable to keep up, forcing them to either drop football down or level or eliminate completely. I see Hawaii doing this in the next few years (no way recruits consider them now with their AD publicly unsure of the program's future). I see Idaho in that boat. Same for UAB.

UGH, WHEN DOES THE BIG EAST SCHEDULE GET RELEASED???

I think the thing with the P5 is that's assuming there will be additions. That's not a lock by any stretch of the imagination. I think the one major thing as well is that if the AAC lasts 4-5 years with this group- those old CUSA schools with the MUCH better exposure and more money- will improve. Remember- those CUSA schools were on CSS last year. Now- most of their games are on ESPN. And, I do like your point about there are AAC schools that are much happier in the AAC than CUSA.

I do agree with you that we're going to see a lot of schools that are unable to keep up. I think CUSA, SBC, and maybe some of the MWC are in deep trouble. I think the AAC and some of the MWC will be able to keep up... MAC not sure about...

last year the Big East Schedule got released right after Labor Day. So that would be in about 2 weeks now.

[Irishdawg]

Last year they released on September 5th, though I would definitely like to see it done sooner than that.