BYU is HOT

Gordon Monson is NOT. What an A-Hole!



http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/cougars/52979395-88/byu-cougars-jill-bcs.html.csp?page=2" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

He is a hater plain and simple. When the Big Least is just a renamed conf USA and they no longer have their AQ status and put people on TV with a confUSA like tv contract, then these guys can eat crow.

Seriously guys, stop reading his articles.

I have zero problem with it. Sums up my frustrations over the conference realignment issues pretty well and asks a fair question: what does BYU really want? Exposure, but to what end?



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El Gordo Monson is pile. An arrogant jerk. Nuff said? (What a POS!)



Go Cougs!

Lawboy wrote:
I have zero problem with it. Sums up my frustrations over the conference realignment issues pretty well and asks a fair question: what does BYU really want? Exposure, but to what end?



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Amen to that. It's good to be a fan, but it's also good to stay in reality. There was nothing wrong with any of his article. All true. Sad, but true. Our best win this season is Ole Miss...and they're horrible. simply put, if we want relevance and respect from the rest of the country, we need to win against decent opponents.

I don't have a problem with it either. What he says is legitimate. If byu has a rebuttal it would be nice to know what it is.

Lawboy wrote:
I have zero problem with it. Sums up my frustrations over the conference realignment issues pretty well and asks a fair question: what does BYU really want? Exposure, but to what end?



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jonnylingo wrote:
I don't have a problem with it either. What he says is legitimate. If byu has a rebuttal it would be nice to know what it is.

How about reading Greg Wrubbel's counterpoints. They pretty well put Monson's points in the light they deserve: http://www.ksl.com/index.php?sid=18217611&nid=498&title=cougar-tracks-thanksgiving-day-thoughts

Today, BYU Football remains independent, even while at least one conference continues to re-assess the program's value to its realignment and/or survival hopes. At the same time, the school is considering its place as a piece in the college athletics puzzle. I think BYU feels comfortable in its position—certainly more comfortable than the Big East and its current and future football- playing members appear to be at the moment.

and

BYU observed the inter-school sniping, occasional threats and fractious power structure in the Big 12. BYU also observed the diminishing of the Big East's football profile at the same time BCS auto-qualification status—for the Big East or any league—has become a question mark. While a Big 12 invitation was never formally extended, as one from the Big East certainly was, I am sure BYU's leaders consistently returned to the same fundamental question: can we give up what we have for what we think we're going to get? In both instances, the answer appears to have been "no," at least to this point, in large part because of a TV arrangement that one Big East source has been quoted as calling a "nice little arrangement."

That certainly makes BYU significantly different than any other school in the country (with the possible exception of Notre Dame and we all now everyone wants to date her and she ALWAYS says no), and

The LDS Church and BYU committed upwards of 100-million dollars to the construction of the hallmark BYU Broadcasting building. Not merely to justify that expense and the continued expense of operating that worldwide broadcasting arm, BYUtv is out to attract an increasingly sizable audience— for all if its programming. BYU Sports will be the entry portal to BYUtv's equally important non-sports programming, for many if not the majority of those audience members. If the Big 12 or the Big East aren't willing to facilitate BYUtv and its BYU Sports broadcast/rebroadcast plans, then those leagues or any league may need to offer something more or different than they have proposed.



Plain and simple: now that BYU has experienced the liberty and security of media autonomy, getting the school to opt for anything else will take a great deal more than simply dangling BCS AQ access as the end reward. In light of the latest speculation about the long-term viability of auto- qualifier status, BYU looks prudent and perhaps even prescient in its reluctance. For BYU, BCS access is desired, but currently fluid; national/international TV exposure is coveted, and currently guaranteed.

and

Sources in multiple leagues have essentially labeled BYU as "difficult to work with," in one form or another. Had BYU been asked to go directly from the Mountain West Conference, to the Pac-12, or Big 12 or Big East, the school would have been a lot "easier" to work with, without a doubt. The fact is, in 2010's summer or realignment, no one asked BYU to join them. BYU then went out and worked a deal for itself—a deal proving that not only did the institution have sustainable national media value, but the infrastructure and technical ability to thrive under the terms of its new arrangement. Now, in 2011, with at least two defection-racked conferences having recognized BYU's value, those leagues have approached the school about enhancing the value of their own operations. All BYU has done is assess its current position and judge it to be one of strength, and again, security.

Seems to me that Monson's points are better directed to the Big East rather than to BYU.



Also, a new ESPN informal poll shows 55% of the country, with a majority in every state, believe the Beast needs BYU and only 19% believe BYU needs the Beast. That runs counter to Monson in every way and at the same time supports Wrubbel exactly: http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/fp/flashPollResultsState?sportIndex=ncf&pollId=127694

That poll is crazy! over 54,000 votes, and no state voted that BYU needs the BEAST. In fact back east, the tally is more lopsided than in Utah! Wow.

Gordon Monson makes some good points but at the same time misses one point. We did not seek them out. They tried to get us to join their package in order to help them get BSU, AFA, and Navy on board. We - in the end - decided that there were some things about being independent that we were not ready to give up.



This does not mean anyone is evil or stupid. It just means that a win win was not worked out in the eyes of the BOT. We asked a lot. We did not get it. If we really wanted BEAST - we clearly will need to ask less.



Independence is not all bad. BYU can make it work. We need to quit whining about our weak and boring schedule and actually win all of those games. If we do - good things will come to us. Not perfection - but good things.



Another point Gordon missed is that Utah may have seen more BCS Bowls by going undefeated vs a relatively weak schedule twice - than Utah will ever see in the PAC. Utah may have been good enough to go undefeated vs a weak schedule this year. They may be again next year. We will never know because they stepped up to a PAC schedule and likely will not see a BCS Bowl in 2012 either.



I totally disagree with a poster above. Ole MIss was our best Jake Heaps (KVN Assisted) win, but USU and OSU were our best wins. But point taken - we have no great wins. That is not the issue - we failed to win three games so far and the next two are not gimmes. That is the issue. We never should have agreed to disadvantaged games vs good teams. WIth the right scheduling - we maybe go 12-1 or 13-0.



And that would have been a step in the right direction.

Cougarbib2 wrote:
If we really wanted BEAST - we clearly will need to ask less.

Conversely if the Big East REALLY wants BYU they may have to give up more.

I have not read the monson article and I won't. Having said that, Wrubell is right. It is funny how the most biased writer ends up putting together an article with legit facts and shows how BYU was correct to do what they did. While someone else who is supposed to be "non biased" writes a hating article with no basis in fact. Monson is an idiot. I don't read him.

SpiffCoug wrote:

If we really wanted BEAST - we clearly will need to ask less.

Conversely if the Big East REALLY wants BYU they may have to give up more.

Yes - same for Big 12 and PAC. Or any conference. Indy fits our nature. We are a peculiar people. I would personally prefer PAC, Big East, Big 12, or Big 10 with Big worries about our ability to step up and compete - but it is a preference that I know I might live to regret. INdy is fine. MWC sucked becasue of the TV deal and MWC is about to lose several more of its best programs as will C USA. We better figure out how to make INdy work. Go Cougs. Just win.

Lawboy wrote:
I have zero problem with it. Sums up my frustrations over the conference realignment issues pretty well and asks a fair question: what does BYU really want? Exposure, but to what end?



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My problem with Monson's article isn't a lack of truth. I think he summed up most of the frustrations with independence. The problem with Monson's article is that his analogy to the hot girl who ends up alone is it feeds the emotional opinion-based narrative that BYU is a prima donna and unreasonable, and it projects the end result as given: BYU will end up alone or left out.



BYU's decision-makers may overvalue the institution or they may not, nevertheless there are enough risks for BYU entering a conference situation by comparison to independence and their current contract, especially with the probability that AQ BCS status will probably go away for all conferences, that it is prudent at this point not to concede too quickly and easily. BYU and the church have invested a lot into the broadcasting capability at BYU, and it isn't prudent to just lay it aside and hope that they can renegotiate those rights down the road when they are in a weaker negotiation position. Sometimes holding out for what is right for you is worth it. Sometimes by holding out, the hot chick ends up with just what she wants and it works out well for everyone. Monson just needs to grow up. We aren't in high school anymore.

While Gordon Monson is busy adding to a false perception of BYU and its administrators as crazy, unreasonable, and self important, much simpler and rational explanations and opinions have come out from Dick Harmon, and the Boston Globe. Greg Wrubell's article has been out there as a voice of reason for a couple of days.



http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700201452/In-negotiating-with-Big-East-BYU-demands-were-consistent.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;



http://bostonglobe.com/sports/2011/11/25/byu-sane-voice-conference-alignment-chaos/QZFpCrx0HAVfSnOSrNZsBP/story.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;



http://www.ksl.com/index.php?sid=18217611&nid=498&title=cougar-tracks-thanksgiving-day-thoughts" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;



I would prefer that BYU have the chance to be a full member of a powerhouse conference, but I appreciate that BYU's administrators are willing to stand alone if necessary to protect BYU's interests. Like every course in life, the future is uncertain, but I am optimistic that this "hot chick" is not crazy, she's just cautious and selective, and willing to patiently hold out for the right thing. That is exactly what we all counsel our daughters to do, and we trust that they will be rewarded for their patience and principles, and won't end up all alone. I'm confident that BYU won't either.



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Great post over on CB:

http://www.cougarboard.com/board/message.html?id=7820088" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

OK, I will admit it, I was 100% for joining the BE. I wanted BCS access, I wanted BYU to be able go 7-4 and still be able to go to a BCS game, I wanted BYU to be part of a conference and a conference champoinship, to start and play teams on a consistent basis, etc, etc....



There were a few things, that when they came out, I knew BYU would have a hard look at this before jumping in like we are desperate:



1. The possibility that the BCS was going to change to only be in charge of the championship game.

2. The BE may not retain AQ status

3. Navy and AFA were still waivering (this didn't get a lot of pub, but if you read all the articles, notice that they didn't even really appear as "shoe ins").

4. Comcast was involved in getting rights to TV (and not ESPN).



Here is my opinion in all of this. Even if the above were still true, I was hoping that some how BYU and the BE could work things out. In response to:



1. It would still give us access over next 2 years

2. with BYU, BSU, UH, etc......It probably would retain AQ

3. Ummm, not sure who fills these shoes, memphis? TulsA?

4. Perhaps Comcast/BE could have written a deal that allowed BYU to keep all or part of the TV rights to home games. Think of it as a "Non financially participating partner". We earn and get what we deserve and the rest of the BE earn and get what they deserve. I think the BE mostly wanted us so they retain AQ status and also help to bring in BSU, and maybe even AFA which helps bring in Navy. I say, "fine" let them use us for that, and we use them to get AQ status, BUT let us keep our money and they keep theirs. At least the BE still has a much better chance at retaining AQ status (which would be a HUGE financial boost, even if they didn't get BYU TV rights). Heck, I would even give up ALL BUT 2-3 mil to the BE conference members if we ever got into a BCS bowl. In other words, we are NOT leaching off the BE, we are actually adding to it. Monson suggests that NO team has their own TV rights.......that is currently in a conference. Yep., he is right, that is why we call it "independence". What he fails to say is that teams like ND have TV rights as an INDY and that is exactly what BYU is doing. (I kind of get tired of the "who does BYU think it is, ND?", frankly, BYU isnt "trying to pull it off", we DID and IS pulling it off. how many teams could actually pull this deal off?).



Basically the WHOLE purpose of a conference is to make it so financially, the "have"s can help support the "Have Nots" in exchange for consistent schedualing, rivalries, etc... BUT, is it really fair for WASH St to make as much as USC, for Wyo to make as much as BYU, Baylor to make as much as Texas, etc..... The big teams/programs invest a LOT of money and resources into the sports and the others get to ride the gravy train. That isn't, in and of itself a HUGE deal, BUT when the conference/TV partner and network (MWC/Comcast/CSTV/MTN) lie to you about the TV rights and the rest of the conference members look at you like you are being unreasonable to expect to get anything more than the lowest man on the totem pole, I think at some point you start to look out for yourself instead of everyone else. Remember, comcast is the same company that screwed BYU before.



MONSON mentions a few other things that really are one sided:



Paraphrasing "BYU is so unreasonable, that 4 conferences couldn't even deal with them". REALLY? Lets look at this closer...



1. PAC10-We never had a deal with them, and we were never invited, and no other religious school has either. Not unique to BYU. Pac10s problem



2. MWC-Ummm, they say we are difficult to deal with? Then why did UU, TCUX2 JUMP at the 1st chance they had to leave, BSU is wanted to jump after only being there 1 year. AFA is considering, and SDSU is begging anyone and everyone to take them. That makes 6 schools in the past couple of years that are either thinking about leaving, begging to leave, or have left. MWC's fault. Is BYU really the "only team" to have a problem with the MWC?



3. B12-Well, where do we start? Missouri has tried to leave 2x, Nebraska just left, UT, OU, OSU and TT have opening thought about leaving, aTm is leaving. That is 7 teams. Is BYU really the "only team" to have a problem with the conference?



4. BE-Lets see, what teams have left, recently? BC, Miami, VT, WV, TCU (before even getting in), Syracuse, Pitt, other programs thinking of leaving; L'Ville, Cinnci, and maybe UConn. So we have almost 10 members either thinking of leaving the conference or have left if the past couple years? And we are expected to join that? BYU is "The Problem"?





If Monson wants to use the analogy of a crazy gal in HS, this one of those times where someone appears to be "Crazy" because she never has a long term relationship, but then she goes back to a 20 year class reunion and learns that all the other people that said she was "Crazy" and unfit to have a long term relationship, ACTUALLY all ended up being the ones that have been married and divorced 5 times. Like the point Monson tried to make, at some point you look in the mirror and say "maybe the problem is me". I am not saying BYU is the right one in all of this, I am just saying the conferences need to bear some responsibility as well.



MONSON also mentions that "No one that is in a conference has what BYU is asking for". Yep, your right, like I said, thats what we are indy. That doesn't mean that no one does what BYU does, because that is why ND is indy, and it might be why others go that route. btw, TEXAS is getting kind of close to proving MONSON wrong in this whole thing.



The other problem is that, if all these conferences want to USE BYU as a "bartering chip" to get more from TV networks when they renegotiate the contracts, then doesn't this PROVE that BYU is actually WORTH something? Isn't this exactly validating that BYU is at least bringing more to the table than the "the average conference team"? So they want to use us to get the conference more money, yet they want to give us only regional coverage, less games on TV, etc.... But I thought it wasn't worth anything? Some body is bluffing. If you aren't going to put BYU on national TV, and every game, what is the harm in letting us keep our home games? They aren't worth anything to you, so let us keep them, otherwise either show them on national TV or give BYU TV rights to do so.



Remember, BYU makes almost as much as 3 BE teams COMBINED and gets MUCH more national TV coverage.



To continue on with the TOPIC and no conference letting a team have their own TV rights, well, then lets just be a "non-financially participating partner". It isn't like this would be totally new idea to give teams different amounts of money based on what they are worth and what they bring the conference. Lets look at the Pac10 and UU and CU, they are sort of in similar deal that BYU is asking for but in the opposite way. The pac10 must not feel like they bring up the "average" so they get less money until they start adding more to the conference in time. So it is OK to give UU and CU LESS money because they aren't worth as much, BUT it isn't OK for BYU to ask for it's own rights (because it is worth more)? You think that if a Texas were to join the Pac10, they pac10 would ask for the deal that UU and CU are getting? NO WAY!!



So the BE sees what BYU has as far as a TV and is asking BYU to give it up, for less, all just to gain AQ Access? Here is the other kicker, they didn't want BYU to be able too pull out without a penalty, IF they lost AQ status? If you are so secure in retaining AQ status, why would you care? This to me is a HUGE redflag. So we are supposed to give up our great deal with ESPN and may never get it back if we join the BE, yet you wont let us leave? Ummmm.



MONEY-Also, when I read that the average team only gets $3.7 mil a year from the BE, and knowing we are getting around 8-10 million, this also raised a HUGE red flag. Sure they are renegotiating the BE contract, but you are asking us to give up our guarenteed 8-10 mil, to MAYBE get that if we are lucky?



So fine, MONSON, BYU isn't ND, but it is the next best thing and it is in a better position than 99% of the other schools out there to pull this off. Lets be HONEST, the BE approached BYU (for a 2nd time) they knew what we have, they know what we want, don't bother to approach BYU if you aren't pretty dang sure you are going to give us what we want, unless you want to be rejected. Remember, you approached BYU, not the other way around, why is BYU expected to just give in to your, lesser terms?



The more and more I look at everything that was involved, the more I think BYU did the right thing, at this time.



The way it could have worked is:



1. BE lets BYU keep home TV rights.

2. BYU helps BE maintains AQ status (helps to bring BSU, and AFA, which helps bring AFA, which all help it to keep AQ status)

3. BE benefits from having BYU travel to other BE schools (BE home schools benefit from having BYU travel there in both attendance numbers and TV coverage)

4. BYU helps cover a few BE games a year on BYUtv that isn't scheduled to be on TV, giving the BE more coverage and their fans ability to see more games (also provide some equip).



One last thing. I am treating a former South Florida player. When I told him BYU "passed" on the BE situation, his reply was "good for BYU, do you ever see any BE games on TV around here (South Calif)? the coverage sucks"

I totally agree with the Cougarboard post. The poster suggests ways that this deal might have worked, but what is forgotten is that the TV "partners" and the conference are different entities with slightly different goals/demands. BYU would be a godsend for the conference (i.e. solidifying western membership, adding credibility to keep the AQ bid, boosting attendance at away games, etc.) but BYU is just a thorn in the side of the TV partners because of demands to reduce their exclusive control of the TV exposure and thus advertising revenues. I'm sure the TV partners also worry that if they allow BYU to have the media rights they are demanding within a conference framework that every team in every conference will soon be demanding the same thing (or at least the big dogs in each conference), and without an exclusive right to all of the broadcasts, the TV partners are put in a weaker negotiating position with advertisers, who could potentially negotiate directly with BYU or another school for less. It is clear that the deal broke down between the TV partners and BYU, not between the conference and BYU.

Another thing that we forget in regards to the tv revenue is the promotion value of being on tv. The free promotion could be worth more than what we are being paid. Look at what happened to BSU the last few years. We are rebuilding our brand and will be worth a lot more to a conference in a few years.

If we don't get into a conference in 7 years than our next ESPN contract could be even better.

scott715 wrote:
Another thing that we forget in regards to the tv revenue is the promotion value of being on tv. The free promotion could be worth more than what we are being paid. Look at what happened to BSU the last few years. We are rebuilding our brand and will be worth a lot more to a conference in a few years.

If we don't get into a conference in 7 years than our next ESPN contract could be even better.

BEAST WEST TV revenue would have improved and it wasn't the whole revenue story. BYU would have more home sellouts - if they win. BIg IF. Whether in BEAST WEST or INDY - it all comes down to that. BYU has to win nearly every game. 13-0. 12-1. An 11-2 or 10-3 season should be a rare off year. That would get us BCS Bowl access. We could not be denied. NC access - tougher to get that. Houston will not get it. Boise State might have - but for that one loss to TCU on the Blue Turf. NC went right out the window - I mean wide right - in that one.



If we win it will all work out. At the end of the day - BYU is INdependent. It just does not seem to fit into a conference framework. Like ND and everyone else, it seems that we will need to decide whether to eat the cake or have it.



I say



LET THEM EAT CAKE! 13-0 worth of it.

I was talking about the airtime and all of the free BYU advertisements that ran on ESPN this year. If we had to pay for all of that, it would have costs us Millions. Name recognition is very valuable.