Will The Recession Start To Hurt The Big Conferences?

Side Show Joe · July 4, 2009

I wrote this as a comment to another topic but thought it could be interesting to debate.

Our new stadium and athletic fee should allow us to grow, while other programs are being forced to contract. Should there be a shake up in the conferences due to a school's inability to meet their financial obligations, perhaps our financial position could be the primary factor in deciding if we get selected in replacing such a school.

I know it sounds laughable, but If this recession continues for another three to five years, we could see TV revenues drop, and some of the weaker schools and or private schools in the large conferences really start to hurt. What do you guys think?

Edited July 14, 2009 by Side Show Joe

NM Green · July 4, 2009

We are beginning to emerge out of the recession. Programs will hold tight for a bit longer and ADJUST to the new reality. I don't see a folding, but more regional conferences may emerge AFTER everyone is use to the new reality. Imagine most La Tech fans only dreaming of a roadtrip to watch their teams play! The WAC tourney is coming to Vegas for basketball, their bowl games are in the West, their nearest roadie is a trip to Las Cruces. Again, La Tech is one extreme example but over the haul I can imagine far outlaying programs will consider reorganizing for the benefit of their fans and pocket book. Remember those home games will have more fans too.

GMG

OldTimer · July 5, 2009

I wrote this as a comment to another topic but thought it could be interesting to debate.
Our new stadium and athletic fee should allow us to grow, while other programs are being forced to contract. Should there be a shake up in the conferences do to a school's inability to meet their financial obligations, perhaps our financial position could be the primary factor in deciding if we get selected in replacing such a school.
I know it sounds laughable, but If this recession continues for another three to five years, we could see TV revenues drop, and some of the weaker schools and or private schools in the large conferences really start to hurt too. What do you guys think?

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................If I remember correctly Texas A$M recently terminated 19 employees in their athletic department...didn't see what type positions.

GreenStreet · July 5, 2009

The DII schools and DIII will hurt more than the big schools. If the average miles traveled for big schools is around 7000, some of these smaller schools can break 12,000. I know a DIII school in colorado, has already shut the door on football for the 2009 season.

FirefightnRick · July 6, 2009

The Sky Is Falling!, The Sky Is Falling!

Rick

LongJim · July 6, 2009

At least from what I've read, there is some definite grumbling in the Big 12 about quite a few schools not pulling their weight in the conference, and really struggling financially. Which strikes me as odd, but that combined with the comparatively crummy TV deal that conference has is making some members begin to consider greener pastures in other conferences, and some of the weaker sisters are really struggling. It will be interesting to see how that conference adapts. I don't think its going to stay as it is too much longer.

NM Green · July 6, 2009

See Can...Open Worms

The thought of a Big 12 Rumbling topic in the first week of off-season July has caught my eye! Wouldn't that be something!

GMG

forevereagle · July 7, 2009

See Can...Open Worms

Wait...what? I see the can, but why am I opening worms?

gksmith · July 11, 2009

I know the bad economy (dating back to summer 2007) has adversely affected my attending UNT games.

July 12, 2009

At least from what I've read, there is some definite grumbling in the Big 12 about quite a few schools not pulling their weight in the conference, and really struggling financially. Which strikes me as odd, but that combined with the comparatively crummy TV deal that conference has is making some members begin to consider greener pastures in other conferences, and some of the weaker sisters are really struggling. It will be interesting to see how that conference adapts. I don't think its going to stay as it is too much longer.

Is this the Southwest Conference revisited?

I know that it's tough to have to travel as much as 600 miles away and play before only 40-50,000. I look at the teams in the Big XII as either greedy or mismanaged if they complain about not enough 'profit'. The Belt, CUSA, WAC, and MWC travel much further for a much smaller piece of the pie.

shaft · July 13, 2009

Yes, the recession will have an impact on college football. Schools are going to sell less season tickets, less merchandise, and receive less donations. FIU and UNO are good examples of schools having to react to the economy.

No, the recession is not going to force a new round of conference re-alignment. The Big East didn't jump to pick up Marshall a few years back because they were blowing up the MAC and pulling big ratings for ESPN. The big conferences are committed to their current alignment.