If money’s the driving force in the conference realignment, then why isn’t Memphis the belle of the ball?
This story from CBS Sports.com indicates FedEx CEO Fred Smith is willing to have his company pay handsomely to a BCS league willing to offer an invitation to the Tigers. Actually, handsomely probably undersells it.
“It could be $10 million every year for a conference to use however it sees fit,” said one of the sources, who spoke on the condition of anonymity. “When you think of the big picture, it could be the equivalent of a five-year, $50 million contract or a 10-year, $100-million contract. Fred is talking about a massive amount of money.”
So let me get this straight. Everyone’s after a bigger slice of revenue, but they’re all focused on expanding TV markets or adding a conference championship game in football. But here’s a school willing to fork over money just to join and they’re not part of the discussion? Hmm.
Either the $10 million is overstated (possibly) or this is the first time’s anyone heard of this. Or Memphis simply doesn’t appeal to any of these conferences.
But if you’re going for a money grab, I’d say this is worth checking into.
Mike Miller’s also on Twitter, usually talkin’ hoops.