Working on...

Three issues that are being researched currently for future posting:

1. ESPN and your cable bill (they might have a reason to fear ala cart cable) .

2. The continuing story of the cancellation of the 9/9/06 game with WVU by University of Buffalo. Why the silence? Is the check in the mail? What was the role of the MAC?

3. Sunday night college football? ESPN has to fill the void created by the loss of the NFL.

What's a matter with UB or Bullish in Buffalo

Bullish attitude
Turner Gill ready to lead Buffalo in winning direction
University of Buffalo Revisited

“...new athletic director Warde Manuel, who in 14 years as an associate AD at Michigan gained a reputation as a fund-raiser. In combination with drumming up more support for Buffalo athletics, he has targeted the school's inadequate facilities.”

The Bull’s are starting from scratch and need to upgrade facilities. Any self-respecting high school senior worth anything first looks at your facilities. Many if not most of the young men in college football seem to be very nice and level headed. However, there are enough that let the ass kissing that is the recruiting process go to there head that they begin to think that they are just a little bit more special.

The AD’s and coaches get into the mode of empire building keeping up with the Jones’. UB is playing catch up and it will be interesting to watch their progress over the next several years.

Perhaps Mr. Manuel should review the story of WOSSAMOTTA U during the magical 1950’s. The twelve episodes could act as a blue print for the pitfalls of a small school attempting to go big time. Now what was the name of Boris’ team?

More on the Dawg Balance Sheet

UGA is a fine school and the digging into their finance is just an attempt to better understand the Business of College Football. There is no intent to make any judgement in this post.

Per AJC article quoted at doubleazone.com
Georgia's athletics department traditionally operates at a profit, but 2005's balance sheet was unusually strong. Operating revenues increased by almost $11 million from the year before, while expenses increased by only $1 million.

The main reason for the revenue jump was a new football ticket priority system. Contributions tied to the system brought in $22.4 million in fiscal 2005, up from $15.9 million in 2004, UGA records show.

Very impressive numbers and how this football program generates these dollars warrants some investigation.

The number that jumps out at you is the $26,035,318 under contributions.
For comparison: Auburn $14,293,519, South Carolina $0, Clemson $1,715,863, Michigan $11,213,608, Michigan State $6,158,807, Texas $15,680,307, Tennessee $127,391, Maryland $0, UCLA $1,050,677, Buffalo $52,376

As you can see the contribution category is not consistently applied as UGA only reported $12,127,237 in ticket sales while UT reported $21,122,228. The factory in UGA’s financial favor is the addition of 27 SkySuites in 2004. Can you say trickle down from the pros.

My question was answered...sort of

Just found thanks to a post about a NCAA podcast at BluGoldNews.

April 18, 2006
Discussing The Financial Issues Of Intercollegiate Athletics
In Sunday’s edition of the Atlanta-Journal Constitution, Tim Tucker revealed that the University of Georgia athletics department had an operating profit of $23.9 million in fiscal 2005. Not only did the Bulldogs finish more in the black than any other athletics department in the nation, but they managed to earn more of a profit than three major professional teams in Atlanta.
Georgia used its surplus to reduce its long-term debt, put in almost $6 million in new scoreboards and video boards and is in the process of buying a new plane.
It’s important to understand that the vast majority of institutions don’t earn as much profit as Georgia did in 2005. In fact, most schools in Division I don’t turn a profit at all, and instead must be subsidized by the institution. In Divisions II and III, profits are nearly impossible to come by.
Needless to say, Georgia’s financial success in athletics serves as a reminder that intercollegiate athletics has become a big business. I’m not saying there’s anything particularly wrong with that, but it’s certainly worth discussing.
I subscribe to the belief that athletics – at any level – is integral to the mission of education. I felt that way as a high school student-athlete and as a college student-athlete. I loved wearing the name of my school across my chest on the cross country course or baseball field. It made me feel as if I were truly an important part of the community.
I’m comfortable with institutions subsidizing athletics departments, but I’m also more than supportive of athletics profits being shared with struggling academic departments on campus. If an athletics department can foot half the bill for a new science building, why shouldn’t that take place? There needs to be a give and take relationship.
I know that new scoreboards and video boards on football fields will help increase profits for years to come, and that is important. I just hope there is a greater plan than continuing to build and improve upon facilities for student-athletes. Not all of the profits have to go back to the athletics department.
In his 2006 State of the Association address, NCAA President Myles Brand said: “We must not let the interest in the ‘business’ of college sports become so alluring or enticing that it diverts us from the primary purpose of intercollegiate athletics – providing athletics opportunities for students that enhance their academic experience. We must never lose sight of the academic purpose while we are conducting the necessary business of college sports.”
Dr. Brand is correct – the business of college sports is necessary. Georgia should be proud of its immense profits, and those dollars are for the institution and athletics department to allocate. It’s my hope, however, that those dollars, and all surplus profits earned by athletics departments, go toward adding more opportunites for all students on college campuses.

This is quoted as I am no sure how long this will remain a the NCAA site.

Everyone can't have seven home games Chapter 1

"I just want what is coming to me I just want my far share!"

The new 12 game football schedule has started a money grab with the rich and powerful buying a 7th profitable game. As, The Backout Bowl Scheduling is a slippery game in college football, shows the putting together a college football schedule can be akin to the Rubric cube of old with ESPN stepping to make the odd evil if you like twist.

Early this years West Virginia University found itself jilted by Buffalo. UB's motivation was external with Auburn will to pay $600,000 for a game vs. the $300,000 WVU had contracted for minus a $200,000 penalty UB still nets $400,000.

Looking at UB's 2004-05 finances this $100,000 represents a +20% to ticket sales and the $400,000 almost equals the prior guarantees. Has a school like UB done what is needed to build their program or have they merely become a prostitute. Is Auburn the john with money to buy a home game for which they will pocket more than the dollars given to the Bison?

This situation is not unique and this subject warrants further comment.

Thank you IndyStar.com

Partial list of the bottom line.
Although it must be said that this does not take in account revenue from applications/new students or from alumni opening their wallets.

Related article from 3/30/06

What does UGA do with that money?

Expensive Video Game

$240,000 for a videogame simulator

Game on: Friedgen visualizes success

On a cold December morning we arrived at the Best Buy with hopes of spending $500 for an Xbox 360 and while not successful that day the $500 soon was out of my pocket and in that of Bill Gates. In comparison to what Ralph paid $500 seems like a downright bargain.

In the CFB arms race it is amazing that it has taken up to now for someone to sell a product like this. GridIron Technologies . The website has little more than a couple of good testimonials from ASU and OSU. A previous career in sales and life experience makes me skeptical of any claims like these. For an extra $239,500 this thing better do more that train quarterbacks to read defenses that may be difficult to accurately model.

Computer technology has the ability to create the golly gee effect and deliver little in the way of real education. Stealing from Clifford Stoll this may be a bit of Silicon Snake Oil.

If this is the next great thing we shall see a further divide in the haves and have nots.

Statement of Purpose

The raid on the Big East and the financial implication was/is reason for this blog. There are good bloggers already in place that can do a better job with the actual game on the field and the recruiting wars. Stealing form Deepthroat this blog will, "Follow the money", for good or bad money in one from or another is the driving force behind the vast majority of decision made in college football.


Upfront biases:

1. I am a graduate of 1983 West Virginia University and have been a fan since 1993 after attending a thrilling win over Miami. Related to this there will be a pro Big East spin and all fair attempts to show the ACC as a greed driven dishonest bunch will be taken.

2. Title IX while the idea is noble women's sports do not pay for themselves and the real outcome has be the elimination of minor men's sports and requiring the football program foot the bill for field hockey.

3. Blind hatred of one opponent or rival does not make sense to me. Name calling and meaningless put downs area waste of time. Point out your opponents flaws but be prepared to acknowledge your own--remember it is just a game.

4. Most importantly these are young men generally 18 to 22 years old. Hopefully they are playing as a means to educational goal and for the love of the sport. Should they make a mistake on the field remember the mistakes you made at that age. That said those that are involved in serious crime need to be shown the door.

One more note--find typos in my writing is like finding sand on the beach. I have always been a poor proof reader (of my own writing) but will make corrections as soon as possible.