And when I say Pitt Athletics, I specifically mean Pitt football and basketball. Here’s why I say this. *long read*
Every university around the country is bleeding cash right now- especially when it comes to athletics- due to the COVID-19 pandemic. At the same time, you have almost every major conference’s TV contract expiring within the next five years.
Many people think it’s possible that the P5 conferences split off from the rest in the foreseeable future. However, I think there’s a possibility that could be taken a step further- a group of 24-40 schools breaking off from everyone else.
Think about it; why would schools like Alabama, Ohio State, and Texas want to share their revenue with Vanderbilt, Rutgers, and Iowa State, especially when they’re strapped for cash more than ever and major budget cuts are looming? It’d make more sense if the elite programs come together and consolidate their negotiating power for more leverage (and $$) against the major network and tech companies. Is it hard to fathom the idea that ESPN, FOX, Google, or Amazon could throw 10x the revenue they’re currently making at them if it was a ‘super league’ of all the major players in collegiate athletics? They’d probably even pay for whatever fees it takes to get out of grant of right agreements in order for this to happen.
Now, here’s why I say these next few years are so important for our Pitt Panthers. Just like when we got accepted to the ACC, we’d have to put up a heckuva fight to get one of those last few spots. We have past success in both football and basketball, but we’ve struggled in both as of late. Now would be a great time for both programs to take that next step and become winners again because it’d make it a lot easier to sell Pitt for one of those last “lifeboats” if we had recent success in the money-making sports.
On the flip side, what if something like this happens and we don’t get selected? Are the remaining programs attractive enough to come together and get as much money from someone as they are now? Would we be able to sustain the athletic department as it is now? Would we ever get a chance at cracking that top tier again? Who knows.
So, what say you? Is this scenario likely at all, or am I crazy?
Every university around the country is bleeding cash right now- especially when it comes to athletics- due to the COVID-19 pandemic. At the same time, you have almost every major conference’s TV contract expiring within the next five years.
Many people think it’s possible that the P5 conferences split off from the rest in the foreseeable future. However, I think there’s a possibility that could be taken a step further- a group of 24-40 schools breaking off from everyone else.
Think about it; why would schools like Alabama, Ohio State, and Texas want to share their revenue with Vanderbilt, Rutgers, and Iowa State, especially when they’re strapped for cash more than ever and major budget cuts are looming? It’d make more sense if the elite programs come together and consolidate their negotiating power for more leverage (and $$) against the major network and tech companies. Is it hard to fathom the idea that ESPN, FOX, Google, or Amazon could throw 10x the revenue they’re currently making at them if it was a ‘super league’ of all the major players in collegiate athletics? They’d probably even pay for whatever fees it takes to get out of grant of right agreements in order for this to happen.
Now, here’s why I say these next few years are so important for our Pitt Panthers. Just like when we got accepted to the ACC, we’d have to put up a heckuva fight to get one of those last few spots. We have past success in both football and basketball, but we’ve struggled in both as of late. Now would be a great time for both programs to take that next step and become winners again because it’d make it a lot easier to sell Pitt for one of those last “lifeboats” if we had recent success in the money-making sports.
On the flip side, what if something like this happens and we don’t get selected? Are the remaining programs attractive enough to come together and get as much money from someone as they are now? Would we be able to sustain the athletic department as it is now? Would we ever get a chance at cracking that top tier again? Who knows.
So, what say you? Is this scenario likely at all, or am I crazy?
