Travel $$$ Comparison

[MeanGreen61]

Post on the Belt board by Arkstfan.

Interesting Travel numbers

I've noticed Tech fans compare their travel to the Cajuns. I looked up the most recent numbers and Tech averages $1.9 million a year over the last four years, (big burst of spending in 08-09 the last year available) while the Cajuns average $1.2 million. A $700,000 difference.

But it occurred to me that travel from Lafayette probably isn't the most accurate measure of travel costs when the schools are 180 miles apart, would have a difference in who they could bus to as members of the Sun Belt and would use different airports.

It seemed to me a more accurate picture is easily obtained 35 miles away in Monroe. The number of bus trips would be identical and the available airports would be identical.

So I ran ULM's four year average and it was $850,000. That's a million dollar difference and if Tech were to ever choose to return to the Belt, the number would fall because well there is a school 35 miles away.

Edited June 29, 2010 by MeanGreen61

[Arkstfan]

Here is a comparison that ought to drive the point home

2008-09

Conference + NCAA Revenue

Louisiana Tech $1.4 million

North Texas $800,000

OK so moving to the WAC is a gain of $600,000 per year but with the same entry fee as last time, the first three years it is a gain of $350,000.

BUT there is the travel difference

Reported Travel Expenses

Louisiana Tech $2.5 million

North Texas $1.5 million

So if you factor travel into the picture, UNT loses $400,000 net by going to the WAC. Factor in the admission fee and UNT loses $650,000 a year for the next three years.

This assumes that 1) ESPN doesn't cut the rights fee and Commissioner Benson has already said he expects it to be cut and 2)the WAC's share of BCS revenue does not fall but anyone can go back and look at the numbers over the past few years and determine that WAC revenue is going to fall.