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Big East Conference Talking to Memphis
Published by MFSKEN on May 15, 2008
The Fox News affiliate in Memphis as of Wednesday night is reporting representatives from the Big East Conference have been in discussions with officials from the University of Memphis about the possibility of joining the Big East.
For years Tiger fans have watched BCS conferences split larger revenue shares among its member institutions. For any school to remain competitive in today’s collegiate athletics, it’s become almost imperative to position yourself within a BCS conference.
Inclusion into the Big East would instantly increase the operating budget for Tiger athletics. Bowl revenues alone would increase an additional $2 million annually. Below is a sampling of schools with the largest athletic budgets and where the University of Memphis ranks.
Amounts listed have been compiled by the U.S. Department of Education Office of Postsecondary Education. All amounts are in millions of dollars.
1. Ohio State $101.8
2. Virginia $92.6
3. Texas $83.8
4. Florida $78.1
5. Tennessee $66.1
6. Southern California $65.4
7. Wisconsin $62.8
8. Kentucky $57.1
25. Memphis $27.1
A move to the Big East would have a huge affect on the Tigers major sports programs.
The Memphis basketball program would remain as one of the nation’s best, despite the hyper-competitive Big East schedule. The Tigers basketball program has reached a level that consistently puts it among the top five programs in the nation. Memphis has signed one of the top recruiting classes in the country and will again be very strong.
The Tigers have been competitive in football of late, making bowl game appearances three of the past four years. However, Memphis has never won a Conference USA football championship.
The Tiger football program would have to improve dramatically if it is going to be competitive in the Big East. At present, Memphis would be fortunate to finish eighth in what would become a nine-team football conference.
But with admission into the Big East, recruiting for Tiger athletic programs stands to improve. Thanks to Coach John Calipari the Memphis basketball program already recruits elite athletes, but the Tigers have had trouble recruiting premier athletes on a consistent basis for all other Tiger athletic programs, especially in football and women’s sports.
Membership in the Big East would enhance scheduling for all sports, especially with the Tigers football program. The Tigers currently play a very competitive non-conference schedule in men’s basketball, but the C-USA conference schedule is much to be desired.
Fans however, will need to be re-conditioned. The days of expecting an undefeated conference season would be over. The days of having to play six to eight strong non-conference games would end as well.
The Tigers baseball team would actually have an easier conference schedule in the Big East. At present, St. John’s is the only Big East team currently ranked in the top 30 by Collegiate Baseball Newspaper. Conference USA on the other hand has two teams ranked among the top 30.
Women’s basketball, and women’s sports in general have fallen on troubled times. When former Lady Tigers Coach Joy Lee-McNelis departed, women’s basketball has been a rudderless ship. Inclusion into the Big East could help boost the women’s athletic programs as a result of the additional revenue being generated from television contracts and bowl games, including BCS bowl games.
If the University of Memphis is offered an opportunity to join the Big East Conference, that move should take place as expeditiously as possible. Continuing their affiliation with C-USA does not serve the Tigers long-term goals and would relegate Memphis to mid-major status indefinitely.
Admission into the Big East would mean Memphis Tiger fans would no longer have to blame C-USA Commissioner Britton Banowsky for nearly every decision he has made in his six years in office. West Virginia Coach Bob Huggins will no longer have reason to call John Calipari the highest paid mid-major coach in basketball.
Aside from all of this, and probably the best reason of any, the Tigers would get an opportunity to join a conference which includes the University of Louisville, Memphis’ long-time rival.
Man, I’m really looking forward to visiting Freedom Hall again.
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3rd Down H-Back on Thu, 15th May 2008 08:19
Tiger High officials probably pissed in their pants out of excitement after that phone call from the Big Least.
MFSKEN on Thu, 15th May 2008 09:31
That’s true enough. I’ve heard some SEC fans in the area plotting to do anything possible to keep this from happening.
The Big East is not near as good as it was when they had Miami, VT etc. but they are still a BCS Conference.
MoonDog on Thu, 15th May 2008 09:37
I agree. At minimum, as with all of the points made within the article, it would give Memphis a huge boost in every sport, even basketball. The additional revenue would help improve facilities – who knows, maybe that privately funded football stadium won’t be needed.
Nice job on this Ken. Your editor is the shit!
MFSKEN on Thu, 15th May 2008 09:57
I call him the hatchet man. I can’t believe the ax job on that post. LOL
ShooterB on Thu, 15th May 2008 12:07
It makes sense…and Memphis definitely deserves a spot in a major conference. But my gosh, how many programs can they pack into that Big East conference? From that direction, a spot in the SEC or Big 12 would make much more sense.
I’m guessing the super-powers in each of those conferences probably wouldn’t be on board with such an idea though.
If the Big East doesn’t work out…there’s always room in the WAC.
MFSKEN on Thu, 15th May 2008 12:39
At some point all of the moving and consolidation will stop. You just want to be on board when it happens.
The SEC makes the most sense, but they feel they have all the TV ratings in Memphis without having to add the local university. When they last expanded Memphis tried to get their hat in the ring but the feeling was why add a University with the backing of a city of 1 million, when you can add a state university such as Arkansas and S. Carolina with fan bases of 4-6 million people each.
TideDruid on Thu, 15th May 2008 13:09
Sometime I wish the Big East would just be a basketball conference and give up on football, even though L’ville and WVU fans would complain about it (South Florida too I guess).
But it just seems to me that football conference as a whole is just awful. Yes, they get one or possibly two good teams, but the rest just doesn’t seem worth it.
MoonDog on Thu, 15th May 2008 14:03
Shooter/Tide – Obviously, the SEC or Big 12 makes the most sense logistically. But neither is going to add Memphis and have to find yet another to even out the conference. From a basketball standpoint, the Big East is already inundated with quality basketball programs.
Tide, you’re right about the football situation. WVU and Louisville have been consistent, and the others have had some recent success, but in order to truly establish themselves, 4-5 teams have to be consistently good for at least five years before you can give the BE any credence.
Shooter – Are you feeling OK? You’re not delirious are you?
Joel on Thu, 15th May 2008 15:48
It is funny to me that now the Big East wants the Tigers now after giving the school the finger a few years ago when they brought in Louisville, South Florida, and a bunch of other mid-major scraps…
Although, I too would love the matchup with Louisville and that dump called Freedom Hall…
MeanDovine on Thu, 15th May 2008 19:57
Like Shooter, I think this makes total sense. I hope it happens. It could be a big shot in the arm for Memphis’ program.
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By the way, I’ll get you that plugin list sometime tomorrow.
MoonDog on Thu, 15th May 2008 22:04
Joel – I think the BE realizes that football is the key to generating revenue. Not that Memphis would be a major football playing addition, but they know over time a presence in a city right in the heart of SEC country could help in many areas.
Memphis vs. Louisville does have a certain comfort about it. I think both schools would really like to renew their rivalry.
MoonDog on Thu, 15th May 2008 22:07
Mean – Outside of the ACC, SEC, or Big 12, what other BCS conference could it be? Tiger fans would love to be in the SEC, but that isn’t going to happen. If they get a chance to jump, they’ll do it very quickly.
10-4 on those plug ins – thanks.