Making Independece successful for BYU

"Anyone advocating independence needs to reconcile four major risks that can't be avoided by making such a bold move: finding a home for BYU's other sports, scheduling twelve games every year, losing access to bowl games, and identifying a new television partner. Overcoming these four risks is a daunting task, and the initial reaction is that independence cannot work. However, by thinking outside the box, legitimate solutions can be identified that make succeeding as an independent very feasible."



http://byufootballtalk.blogspot.com/2010/08/how-byu-can-succeed-as-independent.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;



Looks like it is going to happen, so we better start getting ready.

Y12 wrote:
"Anyone advocating independence needs to reconcile four major risks that can't be avoided by making such a bold move: finding a home for BYU's other sports, scheduling twelve games every year, losing access to bowl games, and identifying a new television partner. Overcoming these four risks is a daunting task, and the initial reaction is that independence cannot work. However, by thinking outside the box, legitimate solutions can be identified that make succeeding as an independent very feasible."



http://byufootballtalk.blogspot.com/2010/08/how-byu-can-succeed-as-independent.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;



Looks like it is going to happen, so we better start getting ready.

1. All other teams go to WAC. See Carl Benson, WAC Commissioner's "no comment" when asked about it.



2. WAC, in agreement for taking all other teams, requires BYU to schedule between 4 and six WAC teams. As long as we schedule the higher ranked teams, that will not drag the schedule down too much. Army, Navy, Air Force, and the U of U would likely be willing year after year. That only leaves four or five schools to get, which is what we have to get every year anyway. With being able to offer more money since we wouldn't have to share TV revenue with anyone, we could bring in some great names for those games.



3. As independent, we only need ties to one bowl game and guarantees to the BCS if we get a certain ranking (probably in the top 5). Since we always sell out the Vegas Bowl, and they have ties to ESPN, I'm thinking we keep the Vegas bowl. If not, ESPN finds us another home--Holiday or otherwise.



4. As I am alluding, ESPN will likely be the partner in all of this. My guess is that they will want first rights to broadcast our home games, and we get rights to rebroadcast those games on the whatever BYU channel is selected/created. ESPN loves the ratings we bring in. What most people who question BYU's nationwide following seem to forget is that ESPN only cares how many viewers watch the games, not whether or not they are rooting for BYU. My guess is our ratings are so high because people want to tune in and watch us get annihalted. Next to Notre Dame, we are one of the most hated teams--but the beauty in that is that people still tune in to watch the games.



Really I wasn't a big fan of going independent, but if it means we can up our football revenue, and control our football destiny a little more (meaning not having to rely on the dregs of the conference to pick up the slack), I will support it.

finding a home for BYU's other sports,

The WAC will oblige, gladly (they get BYU and they hurt the MWC)

scheduling twelve games every year,

Again the WAC can help fill in the blanks, and ESPN helps leverage the other conferences for home and aways (when the MWC formed, ESPN did not have the power is has now in college football)

losing access to bowl games,

yawn; win 10 games a year and you'll have your choice of bowls; this is the least of my concerns

and identifying a new television partner

ESPN has to pick up the check here; if they don't, we don't leave the MWC til the Big 12 comes a calling.

We have a great deal of leverage til Sept 1. If the deal isnt' right, we stay put.

Cougarfan87 wrote:

"Anyone advocating independence needs to reconcile four major risks that can't be avoided by making such a bold move: finding a home for BYU's other sports, scheduling twelve games every year, losing access to bowl games, and identifying a new television partner. Overcoming these four risks is a daunting task, and the initial reaction is that independence cannot work. However, by thinking outside the box, legitimate solutions can be identified that make succeeding as an independent very feasible."



http://byufootballtalk.blogspot.com/2010/08/how-byu-can-succeed-as-independent.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;



Looks like it is going to happen, so we better start getting ready.

1. All other teams go to WAC. See Carl Benson, WAC Commissioner's "no comment" when asked about it.



2. WAC, in agreement for taking all other teams, requires BYU to schedule between 4 and six WAC teams. As long as we schedule the higher ranked teams, that will not drag the schedule down too much. Army, Navy, Air Force, and the U of U would likely be willing year after year. That only leaves four or five schools to get, which is what we have to get every year anyway. With being able to offer more money since we wouldn't have to share TV revenue with anyone, we could bring in some great names for those games.



3. As independent, we only need ties to one bowl game and guarantees to the BCS if we get a certain ranking (probably in the top 5). Since we always sell out the Vegas Bowl, and they have ties to ESPN, I'm thinking we keep the Vegas bowl. If not, ESPN finds us another home--Holiday or otherwise.



4. As I am alluding, ESPN will likely be the partner in all of this. My guess is that they will want first rights to broadcast our home games, and we get rights to rebroadcast those games on the whatever BYU channel is selected/created. ESPN loves the ratings we bring in. What most people who question BYU's nationwide following seem to forget is that ESPN only cares how many viewers watch the games, not whether or not they are rooting for BYU. My guess is our ratings are so high because people want to tune in and watch us get annihalted. Next to Notre Dame, we are one of the most hated teams--but the beauty in that is that people still tune in to watch the games.



And ESPN doesnt even need to own the rights for all games. They can defer rights in the contract that if they dont want the game BYU reserves the right to broadcast--not just rebroadcast and then via KBYU and on-line, byu picks up a bunch more revenue through ads.

I have been nervous about going Indy, but these prospects are compelling.

I see scheduling as a non issue. I guarantee that WAC and MWC teams would just love home and homes with us. Hawaii would jump at it again and would Fresno State. AFA would play us, as would Wyoming and SDSU. We fill their stadiums more than any other. Also opens up other possibilities--like eastern teams because of added flexibility in schedules. Utah and USU are set yearly if we want them, too. The trick is getting 3 really tough games a year, which the MWC would offer with TCU and BSU each year, plus Utah. A watered down Boise type schedule could help get us a BCS game, though.

What's curious here is that Boise leaves the WAC and seems to join BYU and Utah, but Utah is already gone, and now BYU leaves too? I'm wondering if BSU will re-think their decision, if they can.



What BYU gets by going independent:

1) complete control over their scheduling

2) all the revenue from home games and bowl games, no sharing.

3) freedom to market and televise it's games (honestly, I think BYU got disgusted with the MTN and their lame coverage). The MWC television coverage has been pathetic, and BYU can clearly do better on its own, cutting its own deal.

4) they can ignore Utah or play them when they want to. They don't have to go to Laramie, or Las Vegas.

5) they don't have their BCS ratings dragged down by the "weak" MWC teams (Wyoming, SDSU, UNLV, CSU, NM).

6) they can televise every game if they choose, maybe ESPN does some, but BYU TV can do the rest.



There are probably more pluses, but I think the pluses out weigh the negatives. I really think BYU got tired of all the cr@p they had to put up with the other conference schools, the lousy TV deal, the MTN, etc. This is probably the only way BYU can shed all that stuff, and just chart their own course and be the captain of their own ship.

Scheduling has never been a problem. QUALITY scheduling is the key. I hate the idea of filling with WAC teams. Much prefer the 3-3-3-3 breakdown in the link, and I can't see why it would not work.



Don't like the other teams going to the WAC so much, especially if that obligates BYU to play 4-6 WAC teams. Why not go WCC with Gonzaga, since that conference has no FBS football.



Of course one bowl is all it takes, but it would be nice to have two for a change of pace. Many bowl contracts allow bowls to select from another confrence once or twice in a 4 year time frame.

2011-12 with the Holiday Bowl,

2013-14 with the Vegas Bowl,

2015-16 with the Holiday Bowl, etc.

I do like the prospects of having 7 home games, 5 roadies, like others do it. I wonder why BYU has not tried to do this, personally. Now the incentive might finally be there,especially if ESPN picks up home games. I'd love an extra home game every year, or every 2 years. 7-5, then 6-6, etc. Would be sweet.

Lawboy wrote:
I do like the prospects of having 7 home games, 5 roadies, like others do it. I wonder why BYU has not tried to do this, personally. Now the incentive might finally be there,especially if ESPN picks up home games. I'd love an extra home game every year, or every 2 years. 7-5, then 6-6, etc. Would be sweet.

I hadn't thought of that. One extra home game is probably enough to justify independent status, from a financial standpoint.