TicketsNo other place to start today than with yesterday's resignation of Big East commissioner John Marinatto. He stepped down and UC President Dr. Gregory Williams takes over as chair of the search committee for his replacement.
What does that mean? Here's Williams perspective on it as given to ESPN's Andrea Adelson. There's more from Williams, Butch Jones and Whit Babcock with Bill Koch here.
Bottom line: Issue 1 is the TV negotiations. Issue 2? TV negotiations. Issue 3? You see where this is going.
These negotiations represent the single-biggest moment in the new era of the conference. And for no program in the Big East is it more important than UC. Just ask Babcock.
Every move made the last few years has been to squeeze the most money out of this TV deal. Period. Every single one. Check out Pete Thamel's NYT piece on how this year's contract could be bigger than the one offered last year.
Why should UC be encouraged as the administration changes shape? Well, having your own leader molding that shape is ideal.
So much speculation about which program will be ditching which conference to go here or there dominates the headlines. It still serves as a subhead to the Marinatto story with rumors of Louisville ditching the conference swirling and nobody forgetting UConn's attempt to join the ACC last year. One quote Williams had for Koch which I thought was particularly telling was in discussing how dedicated UC is to this conference. For those who keep pounding the pavement for the Bearcats to consider bouncing, they are not paying attention.
UC views itself as a central figure in the Big East and that's the main reason why Williams jumped to the forefront of the situation.
"I looked at this and thought about this for quite some time," Williams said. "It appeared to me after my discussions with coaches and other folks that our best possibility to emerge as a school of athletic prominence in this country was to be in the Big East. It was quickly clear to me that I needed to do everything I could to help the Big East not only to stay alive but also to thrive."
Nobody knows what will happen in the future, such has been the nature of all conference realignment. We do know this, if the league can score a big-money deal with their next TV contract the stability grows exponentially with each figure. That could mean holding on to programs considering defection and rewarding those who are dedicated to the league's future. In Cincinnati, that could mean a monumental turning point toward renovating Nippert Stadium/Fifth Third Arena.
The UC guy is now in charge of finding the right man for those negotiations. You couldn't ask to be in better hands.
Let's eat...
--- An interesting thought to ponder: In the old Big East, the AQ status is what kept the league relevant and UC within striking distance of prominent bowls and national championships.
In a new Big East, the lack of AQ status could be exactly what keeps the league relevant and within striking distance of prominent bowls and national championships.
Think about it. In the past, the lock into the AQ allowed the hunt for a Big East championship to decide if a postseason would be spent on a national stage in the BCS.
Now, with the AQ lost and the Big East fighting to be recognized among the other forming football power conferences, a great year in the Big East coupled with a great non-conference win or two would place them into a possible playoff instead of an AQ system limiting the spots available for participation.
Mean anything? Not really. But a unique twist, anyway.
--- Andrea Adelson compiled a list of Marinatto resignation reaction pieces here.
--- Of course, few pieces anywhere compare with the strong work of Dana O'Neil. She hits another home run.
--- On to other topics, if you missed it, I spoke with Armon Binns yesterday about the opportunity in front of him with the Bengals. Armon is one of the real good guys in the game and one of my favorites that I covered. When he came out of UC undrafted, few gave him a chance, but he certainly has one in Cincinnati. If the words of coaches mean anything, they think he will shock everyone with how much he's improved over the last year.
He'll be in the mix for the No. 2 WR spot in preseason and at the very least in line for playing time all season barring injury.
--- I've mentioned here the interest UC would have in picking up Indiana's empty spot as UK dropped them. Well, it appears Louisville is attempting to swoop in on it, according to ESPN.
--- While we are on scheduling, rumors are continuing to float about the Big East/SEC Challenge. This one has Syracuse heading to play new SEC member Mizzou in Columbia. As it states, though, all the games for this series are still in flux. Probably another two weeks until we hear the official slate.
Still sitting with fingers crossed hoping Kentucky is coming to Fifth Third.
--- Marquette is losing Jae Crowder and Darius Johnson-Odom, but the addition of transfer Trent Lockett will keep them in the Big East elite conversation.
--- Congrats to UC pitcher Zach Morris, who was named to the Big East Honor Roll for the second time this season. The freshman left-hander tossed his first career complete-game shutout. It came Saturday at UConn featuring seven strikeouts, two walks and just five hits.
--- Tweet of the day: @GoBearcats: Did You Know? #Bearcats student-athletes have accumulated 3,753 hours of community service in 2011-12.
Stuff like this often goes unnoticed, and man, that is a lot of quality time spent in the community.
--- Kenyon Martin still doing it on the SportsCenter Top 10 with this block last night for the Clippers.
--- Randomness...
--- Love the idea of Andre 3000 as Jimi Hendrix in this biopic. On a related note, anybody hit up the Big Boi concert his weekend? I wasn't able to make it and curious the reviews.
--- Zach Galifianakis and Will Ferrell released their trailer for The Campaign. Looks like the standard strong stuff from guys who you'd expect nothing less from.
--- I don't know the name of this amusement park ride. Though, I think The Regurgitator would make plenty of sense. Feeling sick just watching.
--- Some creepy David Bowie live footage seems fitting today. Enjoy the day everybody.
What does that mean? Here's Williams perspective on it as given to ESPN's Andrea Adelson. There's more from Williams, Butch Jones and Whit Babcock with Bill Koch here.
Bottom line: Issue 1 is the TV negotiations. Issue 2? TV negotiations. Issue 3? You see where this is going.
These negotiations represent the single-biggest moment in the new era of the conference. And for no program in the Big East is it more important than UC. Just ask Babcock.
Every move made the last few years has been to squeeze the most money out of this TV deal. Period. Every single one. Check out Pete Thamel's NYT piece on how this year's contract could be bigger than the one offered last year.
Why should UC be encouraged as the administration changes shape? Well, having your own leader molding that shape is ideal.
So much speculation about which program will be ditching which conference to go here or there dominates the headlines. It still serves as a subhead to the Marinatto story with rumors of Louisville ditching the conference swirling and nobody forgetting UConn's attempt to join the ACC last year. One quote Williams had for Koch which I thought was particularly telling was in discussing how dedicated UC is to this conference. For those who keep pounding the pavement for the Bearcats to consider bouncing, they are not paying attention.
UC views itself as a central figure in the Big East and that's the main reason why Williams jumped to the forefront of the situation.
"I looked at this and thought about this for quite some time," Williams said. "It appeared to me after my discussions with coaches and other folks that our best possibility to emerge as a school of athletic prominence in this country was to be in the Big East. It was quickly clear to me that I needed to do everything I could to help the Big East not only to stay alive but also to thrive."
Nobody knows what will happen in the future, such has been the nature of all conference realignment. We do know this, if the league can score a big-money deal with their next TV contract the stability grows exponentially with each figure. That could mean holding on to programs considering defection and rewarding those who are dedicated to the league's future. In Cincinnati, that could mean a monumental turning point toward renovating Nippert Stadium/Fifth Third Arena.
The UC guy is now in charge of finding the right man for those negotiations. You couldn't ask to be in better hands.
Let's eat...
--- An interesting thought to ponder: In the old Big East, the AQ status is what kept the league relevant and UC within striking distance of prominent bowls and national championships.
In a new Big East, the lack of AQ status could be exactly what keeps the league relevant and within striking distance of prominent bowls and national championships.
Think about it. In the past, the lock into the AQ allowed the hunt for a Big East championship to decide if a postseason would be spent on a national stage in the BCS.
Now, with the AQ lost and the Big East fighting to be recognized among the other forming football power conferences, a great year in the Big East coupled with a great non-conference win or two would place them into a possible playoff instead of an AQ system limiting the spots available for participation.
Mean anything? Not really. But a unique twist, anyway.
--- Andrea Adelson compiled a list of Marinatto resignation reaction pieces here.
--- Of course, few pieces anywhere compare with the strong work of Dana O'Neil. She hits another home run.
--- On to other topics, if you missed it, I spoke with Armon Binns yesterday about the opportunity in front of him with the Bengals. Armon is one of the real good guys in the game and one of my favorites that I covered. When he came out of UC undrafted, few gave him a chance, but he certainly has one in Cincinnati. If the words of coaches mean anything, they think he will shock everyone with how much he's improved over the last year.
He'll be in the mix for the No. 2 WR spot in preseason and at the very least in line for playing time all season barring injury.
--- I've mentioned here the interest UC would have in picking up Indiana's empty spot as UK dropped them. Well, it appears Louisville is attempting to swoop in on it, according to ESPN.
--- While we are on scheduling, rumors are continuing to float about the Big East/SEC Challenge. This one has Syracuse heading to play new SEC member Mizzou in Columbia. As it states, though, all the games for this series are still in flux. Probably another two weeks until we hear the official slate.
Still sitting with fingers crossed hoping Kentucky is coming to Fifth Third.
--- Marquette is losing Jae Crowder and Darius Johnson-Odom, but the addition of transfer Trent Lockett will keep them in the Big East elite conversation.
--- Congrats to UC pitcher Zach Morris, who was named to the Big East Honor Roll for the second time this season. The freshman left-hander tossed his first career complete-game shutout. It came Saturday at UConn featuring seven strikeouts, two walks and just five hits.
--- Tweet of the day: @GoBearcats: Did You Know? #Bearcats student-athletes have accumulated 3,753 hours of community service in 2011-12.
Stuff like this often goes unnoticed, and man, that is a lot of quality time spent in the community.
--- Kenyon Martin still doing it on the SportsCenter Top 10 with this block last night for the Clippers.
--- Randomness...
--- Love the idea of Andre 3000 as Jimi Hendrix in this biopic. On a related note, anybody hit up the Big Boi concert his weekend? I wasn't able to make it and curious the reviews.
--- Zach Galifianakis and Will Ferrell released their trailer for The Campaign. Looks like the standard strong stuff from guys who you'd expect nothing less from.
--- I don't know the name of this amusement park ride. Though, I think The Regurgitator would make plenty of sense. Feeling sick just watching.
--- Some creepy David Bowie live footage seems fitting today. Enjoy the day everybody.