Big East Financials: How does it make money and where does it go?
As the conference arm race cranks up around the country, it’s a good time to examine the health of the Big East’s ledgers.
painttouches.com
Big East Financials: How does it make money and where does it go?
- Thread starter otis
- Start date
painttouches.com
Really interesting article, and for the first time makes me think adding Gonzaga, another WCC school or 2, and maybe Dayton and St. Louis for the 2025 TV negotiations is probably the right way forward.Big East Financials: How does it make money and where does it go?
As the conference arm race cranks up around the country, it’s a good time to examine the health of the Big East’s ledgers.
braintrust
Well-known member
New media contract in 2025? I am confident we will surpass the $3-4mm we getting now. Why? Lack of content for the media companies. The other night, I could choose from two Cornhole championships on two different stations; Pro Women's bowling; Pro Men's bowling, Ultimate frisbee playoffs and spikeball. With Big East demographics, any one of us could negotiate a media contract that at least doubles what we are getting now.
The "Ocho" is here and we love it!
- Cotton McKnight: I'm being told that Average Joe's does not have enough players and will be forfeiting the championship match.
- Pepper Brooks: It's a bold strategy, Cotton. Let's see if it pays off for 'em.
SJUDave
Well-known member
Am I really the only one that doesn't want to deal with Gonzaga in the Big East? Besides the idea of them playing in a "Real" conference, their location makes no sense what so ever for any team in the big east to deal with the travel headaches. Let them go to the Pac 12 or something a little more central / west coast based
L J S A
Well-known member
They are a tough add as a 12th team. But if the Big East went bonkers and went to 16, 20, or 24 to insulate themselves against football realignment killing basketball, then they become a much easier sell.
Pretty sure they would finish top two or three every year in our "real" conference, so them being here makes it tougher for nearly everyone else's prospects.
SJUDave
Well-known member
Yea and from the SJU perspective the last thing we need right now is another barrier to a Big East title .... and or a Friday in the Big East tournament. There are PLENTY of other top tier options that aren't 2500 miles away.
Are there plenty other top tier options?
Davidson.
L J S A
Well-known member
Aside from the fact that they aren't a top tier option, I'm OK with them.
And for the TBD poster who says Dayton, the answer will be exactly the same.
Don't think the financial data is available to do this, but I'd love to see a direct financial comparison between BE basketball programs and P5 basketball programs with football taken out of the equation.
In other words, are P5 basketball programs raking in a ton more money than BE programs?
In other words, are P5 basketball programs raking in a ton more money than BE programs?
L J S A
Well-known member
We luckily have the ability to be patient and wait until full-blown P5 expansion kills conferences and potentially leaves some high majors homeless.
But as of today, I think Gonzaga is the only addition that would move the needle. It would be the main story on ESPN and CBS Sports' front pages -- giant picture, huge point size title, the works. Wichita State would have moved the needle a few years ago.
Dayton, Davidson, St. Louis all fit character of league and would be fine additions but don't have same pizzazz.
Out of curiosity, what did you think of the additions of Xavier, Butler and Creighton at the time?
Not to answer for him but the BE was more in survival mode then. They ended up being 3 great additions who were obviously ahead of everyone else on the list that usually gets thrown around sans gonzaga. But still, they’ve out performed most everyone’s expectations. This go around the BE has the chance (hopefully) to be a little more selective. They’re looking to enhance the league not save it.
L J S A
Well-known member
I'm sure I was excited because it meant the conference not dying. Of the three, I can 99.9 percent say that I was most excited about Xavier. And Butler was recently coming off two finals appearances.
Top tier? I don’t know what tier they are but I know it’s not the same as gonzaga. And I know we are not one to look down on anyone but that’s not the point.
You have to ask yourself the reverse question: what does Gonzaga get out of a move to the Big East?
National recognition? Already have it.
Ability to be a top 10 program? Already have it.
High level recruiting? Already have it.
Better TV exposure? Marginal
The worst travel schedule in the country? Hands down, yes.
National recognition? Already have it.
Ability to be a top 10 program? Already have it.
High level recruiting? Already have it.
Better TV exposure? Marginal
The worst travel schedule in the country? Hands down, yes.
Any school that is added to the Big East will be with the approval of the Conference’s media advisors and its 2025 media partner which may or may not be FoxSports.
A lot can happen between now and 2025. It is entirely possible that some Power conference schools who are left out of the B1G/ SEC conference reshuffle may find it financially beneficial to reclassify their FBS programs to FCS and be attractive to the Big East.
L J S A
Well-known member
I think it would take a lot for a current program to drop to FCS. They could always latch on to a lesser FBS conference. But the theory is the same. There will be refugees.
I've been targeting WF for a while. They may find themselves in a tough spot.