ECU Chancellor on Conference Expansion

[tinleypark]

Interesting Quote on Conference Realignment

I found this quote with regard to expansion from ECU's Chancellor to be very enlightening. It confirms that expansion is motivated by tv markets.

Ballard: "The bad news is there is no question in my mind that TV revenues control everything. All the things that we can control, the eight or nine variables from facilities to performance to integrity and all those things, may account for 10 to 15 percent of any conference realignment.

If you can't bring new revenues to whoever might be looking at you, and unfortunately that has an awful lot to do with the number of TV sets and a little bit to do with the perceived recruiting area that you're in, then you're not going to be considered like univeristies in the bigger cities unfortunately. That does not ever help Greenville."

[Dawgpix]

The part the academician failed to point out is who's gonna watch his beloved ECU play on TV? A lesser known commodity like one of the Florida minor schools or a name school like LA TECH with a long tradition and name recognition? That's what drives ratings. i.e. see Hawaii Red-Out game, Boise @ Tech, Tech @ Boise, IBowl.

[Cool Hand Clyde]

The part the academician failed to point out is who's gonna watch his beloved ECU play on TV? A lesser known commodity like one of the Florida minor schools or a name school like LA TECH with a long tradition and name recognition? That's what drives ratings. i.e. see Hawaii Red-Out game, Boise @ Tech, Tech @ Boise, IBowl.

Unfortunately, our television line up this year is not as good as last seasons. How am I supposed to plan game watching parties??

[PawDawg]

Unfortunately, our television line up this year is not as good as last seasons. How am I supposed to plan game watching parties??

Get with the technology thing! ESPN 3 from your laptop to your 52" LCD. ATM and San Jose look like the only away games in question right now.