Edrick wrote:
Gonzaga is an unrealistic unicorn. It went from a fun thought exercise to the most annoying thing on this board. Gonzaga is never going to be in the Big East. Ever.
Just stop.
Duquense is more likely.
Edrick: do you have actual, valid information that BE presidents and FOX Sports have no interest in Gonzaga? Or are these absolutist statements merely your opinion (clearly not humble opinion)? What needs to stop is your belittling others' opinions about why/why not Gonzaga may be a good addition to the conference. We all get that you don't think the conference should or will add Gonzaga. You've said it several times in multiple strings. No one is unclear about your opinion. Yet it is just your opinion. Message boards exist for people with a common interest to discuss their
opinions. When you get bossy and condescending to everyone else, it becomes boorish.
Independent of that, I think an important consideration hasn't been discussed. Adding Gonzaga isn't just about the number of alums that would tune in because they want to watch Gonzaga. Adding Gonzaga would increase the overall quality of the league and therefore league games. That would absolutely increase the value of our TV contract. The more games between Top 10/25 teams, the more casual fan interest that would be generated, and that is worth money to networks.
Think about the Big East in the 80s. Now we can all agree that was a special time and there was a confluence of a new, sports-only network (which shall remain nameless), an increase in the popularity of college basketball, and a conference with many great/top teams in it that were on TV all the time. I grew up in WY, but it didn't matter that I had no connection to SJ, GT, Nova, Cuse, etc. It was great basketball on TV, and I was a kid who loved playing and watching basketball. I was sucked in. In the present scenario, we have a very good product to show on TV. I don't see how having Gonzaga in the mix doesn't improve our product overall. There would be more 'premier' matchups that FOX could put in primetime on FS1 during the week or put on Big FOX on the weekends. To me, this makes up for the added distance because it would provide the opportunity to increase the number of casual fans. How many non-affiliated fans do UNC, KU, UK and Duke have? Tons. Because they are great teams and they are on TV a lot playing against other top teams. People want to see great basketball. Adding Gonzaga would add to the quality of the Big East product.
And with regard to the distance and travel costs, it's not just the TV contract, but also tourney credits that generate revenue. Someone can correct me, but isn't a credit worth $262K? That sure covers a ton of travel in a given season. Gonzaga would add to our tourney credit haul each season (and yes, I'm hoping the Jays can make a significant contribution in the near future).
Finally, in addition to Men's/Women's bball, volleyball also plays a double round robin. I don't believe that any of the other sports do.