Another Benson FAIL

[Dawg06]

Benson proposed a huge four-conference merger...
http://www.fannation.com/truth_and_rumors/view/332172

The Sun Belt proposed a massive four-conference merger, tried to persuade four current Conference USA members to switch leagues, put a 48-hour deadline on two other prospective schools to join the Sun Belt and even listed 21 schools (including Belmont University) as potential targets in Sun Belt expansion. All these plans unfolded before Benson eventually added Georgia State, Texas State and Texas-Arlington to the Sun Belt membership for 2013.

I betcha Benson gave LaTech and UTSA that 48-hour deadline...

[DONW]

Benson proposed a huge four-conference merger...
http://www.fannation.com/truth_and_rumors/view/332172





I betcha Benson gave LaTech and UTSA that 48-hour deadline...

I bet we were really sweating that one.

[hookdown]

Benson and the Sunbelt, they deserve each other.


Interesting tidbits from the article:


The same presentation included several maps of potential conference mergers – one of which was titled “Makes Too Much Sense” and proposed a 33-school superconference combining the Sun Belt, C-USA, WAC and Mountain West Conference.

“I had very quiet inquiries with (Mountain West commissioner) Craig Thompson and (C-USA commissioner) Britton Banowsky to see if, ‘Hey, would you be interested?’” Benson said. “ But that was dismissed quickly. No interest. - Duh!

****

Once Benson’s merger attempt was squashed, he tried to snag some current C-USA members that might appreciate the Sun Belt’s tightly-knit geographic footprint in the southeast.

Benson contacted UAB, Southern Miss, East Carolina and Marshall in hopes of pulling them away. He pitched his 10 reasons for “southern-based universities (to join) ... a new southeastern focused athletic conference.”

Renaming and rebranding the Sun Belt (which was No. 1 on the list) hinted at the branding study that the Sun Belt will soon undergo, which will examine its conference name, logo and reputation on a national scale.

Nevertheless, the four schools decided to stay in C-USA. - Duh squared!!

****

Benson put a 48-hour deadline on Louisiana Tech and UT-San Antonio to join the Sun Belt, or else the offer might be rescinded.

“Were we bluffing? Perhaps. But we were trying to force the issue,” Benson said. “They passed on it. But we were trying to stay ahead of Conference USA.” - Like he did not know.....



New SBC theme song:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7J5SrhjNQ5g


SBC went 0-8 against CUSA in getting schools they wanted (Tech, UTSA, USM, ECU, UAB, Marshall, Charlotte, ODU)... I am so shocked!


There is no school in the SBC that would decline CUSA if asked. There is no school in CUSA that would accept the SBC if asked.

[detltu]

Benson and the Sunbelt, they deserve each other.


Interesting tidbits from the article:


The same presentation included several maps of potential conference mergers – one of which was titled “Makes Too Much Sense” and proposed a 33-school superconference combining the Sun Belt, C-USA, WAC and Mountain West Conference.

“I had very quiet inquiries with (Mountain West commissioner) Craig Thompson and (C-USA commissioner) Britton Banowsky to see if, ‘Hey, would you be interested?’” Benson said. “ But that was dismissed quickly. No interest. - Duh!

****

Once Benson’s merger attempt was squashed, he tried to snag some current C-USA members that might appreciate the Sun Belt’s tightly-knit geographic footprint in the southeast.

Benson contacted UAB, Southern Miss, East Carolina and Marshall in hopes of pulling them away. He pitched his 10 reasons for “southern-based universities (to join) ... a new southeastern focused athletic conference.”

Renaming and rebranding the Sun Belt (which was No. 1 on the list) hinted at the branding study that the Sun Belt will soon undergo, which will examine its conference name, logo and reputation on a national scale.

Nevertheless, the four schools decided to stay in C-USA. - Duh squared!!

****

Benson put a 48-hour deadline on Louisiana Tech and UT-San Antonio to join the Sun Belt, or else the offer might be rescinded.

“Were we bluffing? Perhaps. But we were trying to force the issue,” Benson said. “They passed on it. But we were trying to stay ahead of Conference USA.” - Like he did not know.....



New SBC theme song:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7J5SrhjNQ5g


SBC went 0-8 against CUSA in getting schools they wanted (Tech, UTSA, USM, ECU, UAB, Marshall, Charlotte, ODU)... I am so shocked!


There is no school in the SBC that would decline CUSA if asked. There is no school in CUSA that would accept the SBC if asked.

How embarassing. I'm so glad we don't have to worry about that goofball any more.

[Dawg06]

Benson and the Sunbelt, they deserve each other.


Interesting tidbits from the article:


The same presentation included several maps of potential conference mergers – one of which was titled “Makes Too Much Sense” and proposed a 33-school superconference combining the Sun Belt, C-USA, WAC and Mountain West Conference.

“I had very quiet inquiries with (Mountain West commissioner) Craig Thompson and (C-USA commissioner) Britton Banowsky to see if, ‘Hey, would you be interested?’” Benson said. “ But that was dismissed quickly. No interest. - Duh!

****

Once Benson’s merger attempt was squashed, he tried to snag some current C-USA members that might appreciate the Sun Belt’s tightly-knit geographic footprint in the southeast.

Benson contacted UAB, Southern Miss, East Carolina and Marshall in hopes of pulling them away. He pitched his 10 reasons for “southern-based universities (to join) ... a new southeastern focused athletic conference.”

Renaming and rebranding the Sun Belt (which was No. 1 on the list) hinted at the branding study that the Sun Belt will soon undergo, which will examine its conference name, logo and reputation on a national scale.

Nevertheless, the four schools decided to stay in C-USA. - Duh squared!!

****

Benson put a 48-hour deadline on Louisiana Tech and UT-San Antonio to join the Sun Belt, or else the offer might be rescinded.

“Were we bluffing? Perhaps. But we were trying to force the issue,” Benson said. “They passed on it. But we were trying to stay ahead of Conference USA.” - Like he did not know.....



New SBC theme song:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7J5SrhjNQ5g


SBC went 0-8 against CUSA in getting schools they wanted (Tech, UTSA, USM, ECU, UAB, Marshall, Charlotte, ODU)... I am so shocked!


There is no school in the SBC that would decline CUSA if asked. There is no school in CUSA that would accept the SBC if asked.

Haha!! Thanks. I didn't see the link to The Tennesseean article. I knew Tech and UTSA had to be the 2 teams given the 48-hour ultimatum. Benson should just get an "L" tatooed on his forehead.

[qng001]

He's smoking crack, bath salts, meth, etc...if he thinks he can reel in UAB, ECU, USM, Marshall to the Sun Belt.

[olddog75]

He's smoking crack, bath salts, meth, etc...if he thinks he can reel in UAB, ECU, USM, Marshall to the Sun Belt.

No harm no foul. From his position it was worth a try.

[HogDawg]

How embarassing. I'm so glad we don't have to worry about that goofball any more.

This^^^^^^^







HD

[Dawgmatic]

He is, always has been, and continues to be an EPIC idiot. So glad to be out of that moron's clutches.

[WWDog]

48 hour ultimatum is laughable. I'm so glad we are not associated with the SBC and even more so after reading all this. This is an epic fail that probably has many in the SBC wondering how soon they can re-brand the SBC and even if a re-brand is enough.

[arkansasbob]

come on, guys, he was just doing what he had to do. he had no leverage; no bargaining power. he was standing in the rubble of his old conference that had just collapsed and trying to keep his new conference from following suit. he had to try everything so that he wouldn't be accused of killing a second conference like he did the wac. the 48-hour ultimatum was wise because he knew the answer was no and just wanted to get it over with.

[WWDog]

What he effectively did was transfer the desperation of the final days of the WAC to the SBC IMHO. One of the few things the SBC had going for it was the fact that they were safe with options even if raided. These failed attempts puts an exclamation mark on the status of the SBC among the conferences.

[hookdown]

the 48-hour ultimatum was wise because he knew the answer was no and just wanted to get it over with.

Actually, he could have provided a 48 minute (or second) ultimatum and still have plenty of time to spare....


I agree that he was doing his job as commish, and looking into every angle. But it makes him look like an idiot, especially after the WAC fiasco. Why did he even waste time contacting us about it. Of all people outside of Tech, he should have known our feelings about it. Not like we have kept them hidden for the past 6-7 years...

I agree with WWDog, he has transferred the desperation from the WAC to the SBC. Why in the world did they hire him? Do they have a death wish? Plenty of evidence on his effectiveness if they wanted to look at it. I guess they are giving him some credit for Boise's rise and want to recreate that in the SBC.

[TechAlum05]

I agree with WWDog, he has transferred the desperation from the WAC to the SBC. Why in the world did they hire him? Do they have a death wish?

If the Sun Belt Conference is a medical patient, then Karl Benson is Dr. Jack Kevorkian. Maybe the Sun Belt subconsciously wants to be put out of its misery.

[HogDawg]

If the Sun Belt Conference is a medical patient, then Karl Benson is Dr. Jack Kevorkian.

HAHA.....that's a classic line. And so true....




HD