Football Always Drives the Bus ... or does it?

[shof]

_ Football drives everything, not basketball.

No intention of hijacking the thread; but that isn't always the case, and I'd bet WRT mid-major programs basketball does indeed drive the boat if you are getting into the tournament regularly. Below is financial info from Nevada-Reno. A successful basketball program is more achievable on our level than football can be (at least in the near future).

http://www.rgj.com/section/blogs16?p...telife.rgj.com

Men’s Basketball

Year Expenses Revenue Gain/Loss

2007-08 $1.935M $4.479M +$2.315M

2008-09 $2.300M $4.281M +$1.981M

2009-10 $1.756M $3.696M +$1.940M

Total $5.991M $12.456M +$6.465M

Football

Year Expenses Revenue Gain/Loss

2007-08 $5.032M $5.499M +$467,000

2008-09 $5.704M $4.817M -$887,000

2009-10 $5.535M $5.648M +$113,000

Total $16.271M $15.964M -$307,000

[HoustonCajun]

_ No intention of hijacking the thread; but that isn't always the case, and I'd bet WRT mid-major programs basketball does indeed drive the boat if you are getting into the tournament regularly. Below is financial info from Nevada-Reno. A successful basketball program is more achievable on our level than football can be (at least in the near future).

http://www.rgj.com/section/blogs16?p...telife.rgj.com

Men’s Basketball

Year Expenses Revenue Gain/Loss

2007-08 $1.935M $4.479M +$2.315M

2008-09 $2.300M $4.281M +$1.981M

2009-10 $1.756M $3.696M +$1.940M

Total $5.991M $12.456M +$6.465M

Football

Year Expenses Revenue Gain/Loss

2007-08 $5.032M $5.499M +$467,000

2008-09 $5.704M $4.817M -$887,000

2009-10 $5.535M $5.648M +$113,000

Total $16.271M $15.964M -$307,000 _

In Louisiana as in most areas of the country, it is all about football. Look at any conference realignment scenario and it is all about football. Kansas has one of the top basketball programs in the country and wasn't even a consideration for a new conference because KU football sucks. If the Big 12 hadn't stayed together, they would be in C-USA or the Mt. West. If UL is going to move itself to another level, it will have to be in football first. Of course, I want to see both excel. Just that football is where people get their perception of a program and a university. Unless you are Duke, basketball will and should take a back seat to football. In Nevada's case, I wonder how much that will change now that they beat Boise State and are in the Top 20. JMO.

[SlappyCajun]

_ In Louisiana as in most areas of the country, it is all about football. Look at any conference realignment scenario and it is all about football. Kansas has one of the top basketball programs in the country and wasn't even a consideration for a new conference because KU football sucks. If the Big 12 hadn't stayed together, they would be in C-USA or the Mt. West. If UL is going to move itself to another level, it will have to be in football first. Of course, I want to see both excel. Just that football is where people get their perception of a program and a university. Unless you are Duke, basketball will and should take a back seat to football. In Nevada's case, I wonder how much that will change now that they beat Boise State and are in the Top 20. JMO. _

Duke, Kentucky, North Carolina, Indiana, Kansas, Syracuse, UCONN, there are more than just Duke

[CRAWFISH61]

Memphis, Southern Illnois, Kentucky, Utah State, Cincinatti, Louisville, and at one time USL.

[shof]

WOW! I started a new thread and didn't even know it!

To me the bottom line is, only a few select programs (big AQ schools like Texas, LSU, etc) really make money in football. But MANY smaller programs keep their athletic programs afloat by consistently getting into, and advancing in the NCAA basketball tournament. NCAA basketball "units" are very important to a viable program!

And I don't say this to downplay our coach search in FB. This is a VERY important hire for this program; but regardless how good it is, it won't make a significant amount of money for the overall athletic program compared to the expense incurred running football. It really is more of a statement that we want this program to be successful, and are ready to put our money where our mouth's are.

[Turbine]

I think the biz model has to fit the school.

If you go down the road that there is only one way -with no forks- you limit your options.

[ULGrad@HOU]

_ No intention of hijacking the thread; but that isn't always the case, and I'd bet WRT mid-major programs basketball does indeed drive the boat if you are getting into the tournament regularly. Below is financial info from Nevada-Reno. A successful basketball program is more achievable on our level than football can be (at least in the near future).

_

And yet, nobody knows or cares about Nevada-Reno....Until they beat Boise St in FOOTBALL!

Also, ask Lamar how that "focus on basketball" method has worked out.

There is no question and no doubt. We must get our football program up to a very competitive level to get any overall respect and recognition for our University in terms of Athletics. If we excel in Basketball, we get 8,000 - 10,000 fans to show up. If we excel in football, we get 30,000 - 40,000 easy, possibly more.

[SlappyCajun]

You may not care. But many new about Nevada long before that football win, b/c of Nick Fasekas and basketball

igeaux.mobi

[shof]

_ And yet, nobody knows or cares about Nevada-Reno....Until they beat Boise St in FOOTBALL!

Also, ask Lamar how that "focus on basketball" method has worked out.

There is no question and no doubt. We must get our football program up to a very competitive level to get any overall respect and recognition for our University in terms of Athletics. If we excel in Basketball, we get 8,000 - 10,000 fans to show up. If we excel in football, we get 30,000 - 40,000 easy, possibly more. _

My point wasn't about how "well known" UN-Reno is; but how "financially" the basketball program has led the overall program. I know how important football is to the image of a school, and concur that we need to get our act together in that respect (especially being a southern school); but basketball has been paying the bills for them!

[ULGrad@HOU]

_ My point wasn't about how "well known" UN-Reno is; but how "financially" the basketball program has led the overall program. I know how important football is to the image of a school, and concur that we need to get our act together in that respect (especially being a southern school); but basketball has been paying the bills for them! _

10-4

[LSUConnMan]

This is an easily disproven concept. UConn joined the BE in 2003, in its first year of league play the football team earned more than the bball team. The bball team won a NC in '99 and would win another in '04...while the football team won the Motor City Bowl.

45,000 seats x 6 games (let alone 100K) is far more profitable than 11,000x16...and if you're average, there's no $1mil payouts for rent-a-loss bball games. If it's even worth delving deeper, the team shares for NCAA tourney progression are minimal compared to a mid level bowl game.