(05-29-2011 10:45 PM)SMUmustangs Wrote:  I think ECU's biggest problem is location. In a small city and a state saturated with BCS teams Makes it hard to build a large TV following.

I get the feelimg the Bigeast is going with the metro schools.....UCF, Houston, SMU or Memphis

Maybe from an outsiders perspective but if you know North Carolina then you know there are really 2 AQ BCS FB teams in the state in UNC and NCST. Wake and Duke have piss poor FB facilities and fan apathy is huge. ECU is always competing against UNC and NCST. We feel very comfortable in the fact that with AQ BCS membership in the Big East that we could easily compete with UNC and NCST in FB if not pass them. The Big East would get the extra enjoyment of knowing they pissed in the ACC cornflakes by parking a AQ BCS program right in the heart of the ACC, the very conference that tried to destroy the Big East with their raid.

I would argue that what builds a tv audience is winning. VT along with countless other small college town BCS schools grew into a National Product by winning. If ECU joins an AQ BCS Conference and starts winning then people will watch us. Same could be said of any school out there. ECU has a built in market in the state of NC because our alumni base is spread out over the entire state with most of our fans coming from outside our tv market boundry on game day. As said a million times it a matter of number of tv sets not viewers right now. Damn sure that if the ECU was in the Big East that every cable company in NC would want to provide the channel that covered ECU FB.

Just need to keep winning games. If we win, expand the stadium, and win more and the BE still passes then it is their loss. All we can control is to win and fill the stadium. If we do that we will always be a strong program AQ or not.

(05-29-2011 04:12 PM)Brick City Pirate Wrote:  Hard to pass up a school that already puts 50k in the seats each saturday with plans to expand to 60k within 5 years. Can any of the other non-bcs candidates besides BYU make that claim?

Combine this with a small TV market, low ratings against other NC and insignificant numbers across the nation.

It is a shame for ECU as the Pirates have a strong program with rabid fans.

(05-30-2011 11:34 AM)West Is the Best Wrote:  Combine this with a small TV market, low ratings against other NC and insignificant numbers across the nation.

If you're going to make that statement, let's at least see a side-by-side comparison of ECU's TV ratings over the last 5 years or so vs. SMU's ratings during the same period.

(05-30-2011 11:34 AM)West Is the Best Wrote:  

(05-29-2011 04:12 PM)Brick City Pirate Wrote:  Hard to pass up a school that already puts 50k in the seats each saturday with plans to expand to 60k within 5 years. Can any of the other non-bcs candidates besides BYU make that claim?

Combine this with a small TV market, low ratings against other NC and insignificant numbers across the nation.

It is a shame for ECU as the Pirates have a strong program with rabid fans.

http://www.ncaabbs.com/showthread.php?ti...pid6547961

(05-29-2011 11:14 PM)animus Wrote:  I'd say Daytona is in the Orlando Media Market... When I lived there, I watched Orlando news all the time.

I would probably agree with this. Although, I generally dismiss market talk. Bring in teams that will raise the overall competitiveness of the conference. If ECU or UCF wins a lot than they will increase their following and more people in the area will follow Big East sports. If markets mattered, Vandy would be the biggest name in the SEC.

Vandy doesn't have to be the biggest name, they bring the their market to the SEC, win or lose, and that is the value that they bring.

(05-30-2011 01:52 PM)CatsClaw Wrote:  Vandy doesn't have to be the biggest name, they bring the their market to the SEC, win or lose, and that is the value that they bring.

Wow. That is a laughable post. This is the reason why I say that this market conversation, at least in the way it is discussed on this board, is a joke. Vandy is no better than 4th in their own market. UT, 'Bama and Kentucky all have more fans in Nashville than Vanderbilt.

(05-30-2011 02:14 PM)NashvillePirate Wrote:  

(05-30-2011 01:52 PM)CatsClaw Wrote:  Vandy doesn't have to be the biggest name, they bring the their market to the SEC, win or lose, and that is the value that they bring.

Wow. That is a laughable post. This is the reason why I say that this market conversation, at least in the way it is discussed on this board, is a joke. Vandy is no better than 4th in their own market. UT, 'Bama and Kentucky all have more fans in Nashville than Vanderbilt.

Don't waste your breath. He only believes what he wants to believe and anything else is not even debatable. Proof that market is over rated runs counter to his world-view (which is formed by sunshine and lollipops coming from Providence) so its useless to debate otherwise.

(05-30-2011 02:23 PM)Nola Gator Wrote:  

(05-30-2011 02:14 PM)NashvillePirate Wrote:  

(05-30-2011 01:52 PM)CatsClaw Wrote:  Vandy doesn't have to be the biggest name, they bring the their market to the SEC, win or lose, and that is the value that they bring.

Wow. That is a laughable post. This is the reason why I say that this market conversation, at least in the way it is discussed on this board, is a joke. Vandy is no better than 4th in their own market. UT, 'Bama and Kentucky all have more fans in Nashville than Vanderbilt.

Don't waste your breath. He only believes what he wants to believe and anything else is not even debatable. Proof that market is over rated runs counter to his world-view (which is formed by sunshine and lollipops coming from Providence) so its useless to debate otherwise.

While I agree that market is sometimes overrated, TV networks may not look at it the same way. They may see that Vandy adds great value. The other thing market does is give you more $$$ so you can compete with other conferences.

What is the point of fielding football teams when, whenever we get a great team that coach heads for more money even if it is a horrible career choice. Then that school has to start over and hope to find a good young coach only for him to bolt for a higher paying job (see Charlie Strong).

(05-30-2011 02:23 PM)Nola Gator Wrote:  

(05-30-2011 02:14 PM)NashvillePirate Wrote:  

(05-30-2011 01:52 PM)CatsClaw Wrote:  Vandy doesn't have to be the biggest name, they bring the their market to the SEC, win or lose, and that is the value that they bring.

Wow. That is a laughable post. This is the reason why I say that this market conversation, at least in the way it is discussed on this board, is a joke. Vandy is no better than 4th in their own market. UT, 'Bama and Kentucky all have more fans in Nashville than Vanderbilt.

Don't waste your breath. He only believes what he wants to believe and anything else is not even debatable. Proof that market is over rated runs counter to his world-view (which is formed by sunshine and lollipops coming from Providence) so its useless to debate otherwise.

NP is right about Tennessee and Alabama having more fans around Nashville than Vandy. Go to a UT-Vandy game on the Vandy campus if you doubt it. Tennessee fans outnumber Vandy fans in their own stadium. Same with Alabama...

Kentucky I'll debate...

(05-30-2011 03:52 PM)bitcruncher Wrote:  

(05-30-2011 02:23 PM)Nola Gator Wrote:  

(05-30-2011 02:14 PM)NashvillePirate Wrote:  

(05-30-2011 01:52 PM)CatsClaw Wrote:  Vandy doesn't have to be the biggest name, they bring the their market to the SEC, win or lose, and that is the value that they bring.

Wow. That is a laughable post. This is the reason why I say that this market conversation, at least in the way it is discussed on this board, is a joke. Vandy is no better than 4th in their own market. UT, 'Bama and Kentucky all have more fans in Nashville than Vanderbilt.

Don't waste your breath. He only believes what he wants to believe and anything else is not even debatable. Proof that market is over rated runs counter to his world-view (which is formed by sunshine and lollipops coming from Providence) so its useless to debate otherwise.

NP is right about Tennessee and Alabama having more fans around Nashville than Vandy. Go to a UT-Vandy game on the Vandy campus if you doubt it. Tennessee fans outnumber Vandy fans in their own stadium. Same with Alabama...

Kentucky I'll debate...

I don't know Bit; he may actually have a legit point about UK's support in Nashville.

(05-29-2011 07:45 PM)CatsClaw Wrote:  No, save for possibly Houston who could be improving their facilities and maybe expanding their stadium. Hey I have an idea, why not bring in BYU, Houston and ECU!!!

This MUST happen! We can trade Houston for SMU if anyone wants and it'd still sound like the best expansion scenario brought to these here boards.

(05-29-2011 10:45 PM)SMUmustangs Wrote:  I think ECU's biggest problem is location. In a small city and a state saturated with BCS teams Makes it hard to build a large TV following.

I get the feelimg the Bigeast is going with the metro schools.....UCF, Houston, SMU or Memphis

I disagree especially with CBS and ESPN suddenly pumping up ECU as to why they would be a good add to BE so I get the feeling that ECU is now tops on the list. Reporters of those stations are the ones including the Raleigh market for ECU along with Luck and BE Commish saying it is important to expand into new states and have strong fan bases. So the concern of these should be taken up with them as they are the ones making those public statements.

(05-30-2011 03:52 PM)bitcruncher Wrote:  

(05-30-2011 02:23 PM)Nola Gator Wrote:  

(05-30-2011 02:14 PM)NashvillePirate Wrote:  

(05-30-2011 01:52 PM)CatsClaw Wrote:  Vandy doesn't have to be the biggest name, they bring the their market to the SEC, win or lose, and that is the value that they bring.

Wow. That is a laughable post. This is the reason why I say that this market conversation, at least in the way it is discussed on this board, is a joke. Vandy is no better than 4th in their own market. UT, 'Bama and Kentucky all have more fans in Nashville than Vanderbilt.

Don't waste your breath. He only believes what he wants to believe and anything else is not even debatable. Proof that market is over rated runs counter to his world-view (which is formed by sunshine and lollipops coming from Providence) so its useless to debate otherwise.

NP is right about Tennessee and Alabama having more fans around Nashville than Vandy. Go to a UT-Vandy game on the Vandy campus if you doubt it. Tennessee fans outnumber Vandy fans in their own stadium. Same with Alabama...

Kentucky I'll debate...

I don't even think it's close w/ Kentucky....Nashville is a huge destination town for UK grads plus we're only about a 30 min drive from the KY state border.

(05-30-2011 11:34 AM)West Is the Best Wrote:  

(05-29-2011 04:12 PM)Brick City Pirate Wrote:  Hard to pass up a school that already puts 50k in the seats each saturday with plans to expand to 60k within 5 years. Can any of the other non-bcs candidates besides BYU make that claim?

Combine this with a small TV market, low ratings against other NC and insignificant numbers across the nation.

It is a shame for ECU as the Pirates have a strong program with rabid fans.

Copied my post from another thread as it appears appropriate here as well:


Do you have any proof to support your TV ratings statement????? I would love to have a link to these TV ratings so I could see for myself!!!! I suspect as usual you are just making assumptions and have no proof or data to back this statement. Also even if it were the case how would that be any different than Houston
and SMU in the state if Texas???? How would it be any different from UCF in Florida???? I suspect but
have no proof that ECU performs just as well if not better in TV ratings against the BCS programs in our state as SMU, Houston, and UCF. I am not sure why you love to try and discredit ECU in the subtle way that you do but it gets a little annoying. While you have a right to your opinion on matters I do not understand why in the world you have to try and act like you actually know something for fact when all you are doing is giving people your opinion. You spent all last year on the CUSA board making statements saying that the Big East was not going to expand and if they did it would not include any CUSA teams. Now when it
appears your team may have a chance to move on to the Big East your attitude on the subject has really
changed. Quit trying to act like you know things as fact and just admit anything you post is your opinion or just rumor you made up in your own mind.

(05-30-2011 06:03 PM)NashvillePirate Wrote:  

(05-30-2011 03:52 PM)bitcruncher Wrote:  

(05-30-2011 02:23 PM)Nola Gator Wrote:  

(05-30-2011 02:14 PM)NashvillePirate Wrote:  

(05-30-2011 01:52 PM)CatsClaw Wrote:  Vandy doesn't have to be the biggest name, they bring the their market to the SEC, win or lose, and that is the value that they bring.

Wow. That is a laughable post. This is the reason why I say that this market conversation, at least in the way it is discussed on this board, is a joke. Vandy is no better than 4th in their own market. UT, 'Bama and Kentucky all have more fans in Nashville than Vanderbilt.

Don't waste your breath. He only believes what he wants to believe and anything else is not even debatable. Proof that market is over rated runs counter to his world-view (which is formed by sunshine and lollipops coming from Providence) so its useless to debate otherwise.

NP is right about Tennessee and Alabama having more fans around Nashville than Vandy. Go to a UT-Vandy game on the Vandy campus if you doubt it. Tennessee fans outnumber Vandy fans in their own stadium. Same with Alabama...

Kentucky I'll debate...

I don't even think it's close w/ Kentucky....Nashville is a huge destination town for UK grads plus we're only about a 30 min drive from the KY state border.

That may be true. But IMO there are as many Gator fans in Nashville as there are UK fans...

(05-29-2011 11:11 PM)KnightTower Wrote:  

(05-29-2011 10:55 PM)PirateMarv Wrote:  

(05-29-2011 10:45 PM)SMUmustangs Wrote:  I think ECU's biggest problem is location. In a small city and a state saturated with BCS teams Makes it hard to build a large TV following.

I get the feelimg the Bigeast is going with the metro schools.....UCF, Houston, SMU or Memphis

Here is a quote from a recent CBS article addressing some issues that you spoke of. If you haven't read this article already, then you should read it:

"East Carolina, whose TV market (ranked No. 25) is surprisingly close to UCF's No. 19 Orlando TV market, has led C-USA in attendance the past three seasons and had the second-highest non-AQ home attendance average last season (49,665)."

http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball...a_txt_0001

So if you guys can claim the Raleigh market (#25), can we claim Titusville and Daytona, too? How about Lakeland? They're JUST on the fringes of our ACTUAL market. And if that's how the CBSSports guy tabulates markets, its only fair.

I think it boils down to some other key details. What percentage of your living alumni are in the Orlando market? Do those other markets contain the same percentage of living alumni that the Orlando market does? Pitt and Wake counties contain just about the same number of living Pirate alumni. That's huge. If you guys tote those same numbers in those other markets then you'd have the same argument we use and I'd see no reason you couldn't claim a share of those markets. But it isn't flawed reasoning and if our alumni bases are spread/concentrated differently it surely isn't unfair that it can be applied in one situation but not another. As for Charlotte, Greensboro, or Winston-Salem versus some of your outlying markets across the state...what's your draw there when it comes to TV numbers? I'm sure that's hard information for people to come by, but it seems quite clear when a team draws well in other areas people find out about it. It's awfully clear that it isn't just the Pirate Nation that believes East Carolina draws well across the State of North Carolina.

(05-29-2011 08:57 PM)Theodoresdaddy Wrote:  I think ECU should worry more about winning than expanding their stadium; it doesn't matter how many butts they can put in the stadium if the team doesn't win

Theodoresdaddy, You need to look no further than one state to our south. The University of South Carolina averaged over 85K for each home game and until last season, they had never won the East Division. They couldn't over take Florida, Tenn. or Georgia but those fans showed up in droves.

It's called Southern Football. Southern fans love college football and show up. That to is how we are able to fill out stadium.

(05-31-2011 07:11 AM)Smokin Pirate Wrote:  

(05-29-2011 08:57 PM)Theodoresdaddy Wrote:  I think ECU should worry more about winning than expanding their stadium; it doesn't matter how many butts they can put in the stadium if the team doesn't win

Theodoresdaddy, You need to look no further than one state to our south. The University of South Carolina averaged over 85K for each home game and until last season, they had never won the East Division. They couldn't over take Florida, Tenn. or Georgia but those fans showed up in droves.

It's called Southern Football. Southern fans love college football and show up. That to is how we are able to fill out stadium.

I'd be more worried by the small privates like TCU when it comes to filling up the stadium. TCU doesn't have ECU's fan support and they are at the top. What happens to TCU's attendance when they lose a few games. I'm pretty sure they will not be getting a whole lot of visiting fans from the other Big East schools. Same goes for SMU.