I'm glad to see this and hope it's true. The super conference idea is so dumb and shortsighted - 10 years ago wouldn't include Michigan or Clemson, and maybe not Georgia either. 20 years ago, you'd have to include Nebraska, Tennessee and Miami. You'd include Bama and ND only grudgingly. 30 years ago? Not sure about USC and Texas but you'd definitely include Washington, Colorado and Georgia Tech...Washington would be included now but not at any other junction mentioned.
They pushed this narrative that there was a concentration at the top and now are trying to formalize it, but the truth is that concentration was far more diffuse than they've pretended, with far more changes and turnover than they want to admit.
Love to read your material. You have literally taught me many aspects of college athletics never before envisioned and rarely covered. My concern about small market vs. big market is that the P2 may split from the rest sooner than later and have their own post-season formats. I sure hope not. The big market doesn't exist without the small market at the collegiate levels (see March Madness). Keep on truckin' Bill and thanks.
It's an interesting point that the direct local politicians may often be on your side for attributing funds to the school/program, but it's also your (AD/what have you) job to give them enough believable evidence to get it past *their* bosses. A lot of smoke and mirrors at play. And also a bit of the Costanza "It's not a lie if you believe it"
I'm glad to see this and hope it's true. The super conference idea is so dumb and shortsighted - 10 years ago wouldn't include Michigan or Clemson, and maybe not Georgia either. 20 years ago, you'd have to include Nebraska, Tennessee and Miami. You'd include Bama and ND only grudgingly. 30 years ago? Not sure about USC and Texas but you'd definitely include Washington, Colorado and Georgia Tech...Washington would be included now but not at any other junction mentioned.
They pushed this narrative that there was a concentration at the top and now are trying to formalize it, but the truth is that concentration was far more diffuse than they've pretended, with far more changes and turnover than they want to admit.
Love to read your material. You have literally taught me many aspects of college athletics never before envisioned and rarely covered. My concern about small market vs. big market is that the P2 may split from the rest sooner than later and have their own post-season formats. I sure hope not. The big market doesn't exist without the small market at the collegiate levels (see March Madness). Keep on truckin' Bill and thanks.
It's an interesting point that the direct local politicians may often be on your side for attributing funds to the school/program, but it's also your (AD/what have you) job to give them enough believable evidence to get it past *their* bosses. A lot of smoke and mirrors at play. And also a bit of the Costanza "It's not a lie if you believe it"
Great article and POV. Your real-world experience -on these issues- is very helpful to those of us trying to get smarter about these issues.