[Husker] Big Ten Expansion

[Nick Chevance]

On Thu, Apr 22, 2010 at 12:51 PM, Mike Jaixen <mikejaixen at yahoo.com> wrote:
> 2010 is not a good comparison from Notre Dame's perspective. From ND's
> perspective, they are thinking about the revenue when they make a BCS bowl
> game.  When that happens, they clear $13 million or more...and share $0.00
> with anybody else.
>
> And yes, Notre Dame views the BCS bid as their birthright.  When they
> receive one, they give their coach a huge contract extension.  When they
> don't, they get upset and quickly start looking to fire the coach.
>
> Mike Jaixen
> http://huskermike.blogspot.com
> http://www.cornnation.com

Actually, according to the BCS revenue scheme, if Notre Dame makes a
BCS bowl, they get an additional $4.5 million.  Nothing to sneeze at,
certainly, but not $13 million.  True, it is a special case just for
Notre Dame, and only Notre Dame.  But so far, they've only gotten that
payout three times in 12 years.  I suspect that this arrangement goes
away if they join a conference, but I'm just guessing here.  But my
point was that over the long haul, they would be better off with the
sure money (as part of a conference sharing plan) rather than the
occasional bigger (but not spectacular) payoff.

But I don't quibble at all with the "birthright" argument you make.
It was that agreement that got them in the BCS in the first place, and
probably the BCS wouldn't have fared as well without the "one, true
Independent" as a member.  Keep in mind that the $1.3 million they get
is just for playing out the schedule, just putting guys in pads on
Saturdays. No other school has that arrangement.  But the "real" money
flows when they start to dominate the BCS.

Can you say "Ain't happenin'?"

Nick
-- 
"Never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake."
     Napoleon Bonaparte (1769-1821)