(02-12-2012 01:03 PM)3601 Wrote: FedEx is specifially mentioned by name in the Memphis-Big East contract. I specifically remember UL 07 (and rath) saying that the idea that FedEx would or could be influential in the Big East expansion decision was absurd. I guess they were wrong.
Here is a thread detailing one of the original discussions for anyone who is interested (
http://ncaabbs.com/showthread.php?tid=439271&page=3). If you read it, please pay attention to
when the discussions occurred and the circumstances at the time (e.g. it was 2010, Pitt/Cuse/WVU were all still firmly in the conference, the Big 12 had not lost TAMU or Mizzou yet, etc).
Now to address your post. First off, my comments regarding the importance of FedEX negotiations to Big East memberships were made at a time when the Big East was in a much stronger position (i.e. it still had Pitt/Cuse/WVU). The conference had gotten back optimistic numbers for a new future TV contract and it still had the pick of the litter when it came to non-BCS schools if it decided to expand (TCU, Boise St, etc were still available). It didn't look like the conference was going to be raided and that it would expand to 9/10 teams and get a huge TV deal in the coming years. At that point in time, the FedEx deal was not an influential decision maker because the Big East had better options (e.g. TCU) and good forecast for revenues.
A lot has changed since my original comments were made. The conference lost three long-time members (Pitt/Cuse/WVU) and one of schools it recruited (TCU). The conference's TV contract forecast has taken a big hit and the league's revenue projections aren't nearly as rosy as they once were. Considering all of the things that have changed since my original statement, Ill say that the FedEx deal probably helped get Memphis into the conference. However, there are a few addition points you should consider as well:
1) Memphis was the 8th invitee to the Big East behind TCU, Boise St, SDSU, Houston, UCF, Navy, and SMU. That's not even considering the teams that rejected potential Big East membership (Army, Air Force, BYU) before Memphis was extended an invite. The fact that all of those schools were taken ahead of or pursued prior to the Tigers tells me that the FedEx deal might have helped, but that it was at best a minor factor in the decision making process. After all, if FedEx funding was a major deal-breaker, then the Tigers should have been one of the first teams called or they should have been announced with the other C-USA schools.
2) The Big East had 11 teams signed up and wanted to move to 12 (i.e. 12 teams and a championship game makes more financial sense than 11 teams and no championship team). Many of the previously non-BCS schools were already either off the board (Utah, TCU) or already signed up to join the Big East (Houston, Boise St, Navy, SDSU, UCF, SMU). Now ask yourself this question: who Memphis was competing against for the 12th spot in the Big East?
Temple - Already kicked out of the Big East once and at least one school would have very strong objections to their inclusion (Nova). Plus, it is rumored that Louisville was against adding Temple as it would have likely shoved the Cards to the Western division (they still might end up there). Would bring in top hoops school on the plus side.
USM - Great football program, but lacks a big market, athletic funding, etc.
Marshall - see USM
ECU - Great football program, but the Big East has dismissed them almost immediately in every conference expansion.
UMass - Won't be fully FBS until 2013 and has no history of football at the FBS level (UConn didn't either but they were already a member of the conference which makes their situation unique).
Buffalo - basically no history at FBS level and no tangible success in either major sport.
Air Force - The Big East pursued the Falcons rather intensely but they ended up turning the Big East down for the present time.
UNLV/Fresno St - both would have to be football-onlys and neither brings much to the table in terms of pigskin.
BYU - see Air Force
Army - See Air Force
So three of Memphis' potential competitors had already said no (AF, Army, BYU), two of the candidates have never been considered seriously by the conference (USM, ECU), and two have no history in FBS football (UMass, Buffalo). Fresno and UNLV don't offer enough to warrant a football only invite and their addition would not help restore the basketball prowess of the conference. The only real competitor Memphis had for spot #12 was Temple and as I point out above, the Owls already faced an uphill battle at garnering an invite from the Big East. So once again, the FedEx deal probably made Memphis a more attractive candidate for spot #12, but it was probably a forgone conclusion that the Tigers were the #12 team based on the fact that they helped restore some of the lost basketball credibility and that there was really no one else left to consider.
So I would still argue the same thing that I have been arguing since 2010. The FedEx sponsorship was a feather in Memphis' cap, but it was a minor perk rather than a deal breaker. It wasn't enough to get Memphis into the conference before the massive realignment occurred. It wasn't enough to put Memphis in the conference ahead of TCU, Boise St, SDSU, Houston, UCF, SMU, or Navy. It wasn't enough to keep the Big East from actively pursuing Army, Air Force, or BYU. What it probably did do is help solidify the Tigers as #12 over Temple (their only real competition for the slot). The Big East needed a 12th team and Memphis brought hoops, fewer objections than the other main candidate, and ad money (a bonus for a conference looking at diminished TV revenue projections).
I'll end by asking you a simple question. If the FedEx connection was nearly as important as you like to imply, why did it take the Big East losing four members, issuing invites to 7 other schools, and aggressively pursuing three other schools (BYU, Air Force, Army) before Memphis was invited to the conference?
Note: This is not an anti-Memphis post nor am I intending to slam the UofM with my comments. I think Memphis is a fine school and I think that if the administrators put forth the effort, Tiger football will improve to a much better level than it has been. This post was only intended to highlight why I don't believe the FedEx connection is nearly as important as the OP makes it out to be.