Given the importance of major college football to the remaining Pac 12 Universities, I am surprised that the states involved and major businesses in those states are not stepping up to the plate to develop a gameplan to assure the financial survival and success of this Conference.
So far, I've only heard from Governor Newsome of Californi…
Given the importance of major college football to the remaining Pac 12 Universities, I am surprised that the states involved and major businesses in those states are not stepping up to the plate to develop a gameplan to assure the financial survival and success of this Conference.
So far, I've only heard from Governor Newsome of California, a true leader and visionary.
Several years ago, I served on the Board of Visitors for the U of O Law School for 8 years, during an era when Dave Frohnmayer was the Dean and then the President of U of O.
He emphasized that the success of the football program stemming from the 1994 Rose Bowl changed UO's world, both in terms of interest by students around the Country and alumni involvement and pride in the University. The money followed, in a big way, and not just for sports.
And this started before the rise to ongoing national prominence by the sports programs.
There is a lot at stake for these Universities that goes far beyond their football programs and as a result, a lot is at stake for the states of Oregon, Washington, California (to some extent), Utah, Colorado and Arizona.
I would expect alumni to be all over this, or encouraged to do so.
I would expect state political leaders to be paying attention.
Ironically, the amount necessary per year to assure these schools succeed at the highest level athletically ($80 million or so per school, including TV revenue) is a paltry sum compared to the potential harm if the conference fails.
In other words, if the TV deal from ESPN, etc. is really only $35 million a year, raising another $45 million per year per school is likely going to assure considerably more cash flow for the University from other sources over times, is going to increase visibility of the University, increase alumni interest and involvement and attract students around the Country.
Given the importance of major college football to the remaining Pac 12 Universities, I am surprised that the states involved and major businesses in those states are not stepping up to the plate to develop a gameplan to assure the financial survival and success of this Conference.
So far, I've only heard from Governor Newsome of California, a true leader and visionary.
Several years ago, I served on the Board of Visitors for the U of O Law School for 8 years, during an era when Dave Frohnmayer was the Dean and then the President of U of O.
He emphasized that the success of the football program stemming from the 1994 Rose Bowl changed UO's world, both in terms of interest by students around the Country and alumni involvement and pride in the University. The money followed, in a big way, and not just for sports.
And this started before the rise to ongoing national prominence by the sports programs.
There is a lot at stake for these Universities that goes far beyond their football programs and as a result, a lot is at stake for the states of Oregon, Washington, California (to some extent), Utah, Colorado and Arizona.
I would expect alumni to be all over this, or encouraged to do so.
I would expect state political leaders to be paying attention.
Ironically, the amount necessary per year to assure these schools succeed at the highest level athletically ($80 million or so per school, including TV revenue) is a paltry sum compared to the potential harm if the conference fails.
In other words, if the TV deal from ESPN, etc. is really only $35 million a year, raising another $45 million per year per school is likely going to assure considerably more cash flow for the University from other sources over times, is going to increase visibility of the University, increase alumni interest and involvement and attract students around the Country.
Where is Kate Brown on this issue?
Or the Governor of Washington?
This goes far beyond athletics.