Both of UConn's basketball programs would likely benefit from the school's move back to the Big EastGETTY IMAGES
UConn's projected move back to the Big East Conference for basketball will force the school to "work on future details related to their football program," currently a member of the AAC where they went 0-8 last season, according to Terry Lyons of DIGITAL SPORTS DESK. Other collegiate sports plans and schedules are "also being juggled with plans for the change to take place before" the '20-21 basketball season. The re-addition of UConn to the Big East, where it had been a member from '79-'13, would "bring the conference team count to 11" (DIGITALSPORTSDESK.com, 6/21). USA TODAY's Schad & Wolken cited sources as saying that UConn is "expected to join the Big East in all sports except football." Many details of UConn's planned departure from the AAC "remain unclear." The AAC is "unlikely to allow the Huskies to remain in the league as a football-only member" (USATODAY.com, 6/22). In N.Y., Zach Braziller wrote UConn's move back to its former conference "makes sense for both parties." A source said that the AAC's exit fee is $10M, and schools are "required to give 27 months notice before departing the league." It appears there will be "negotiations ahead about the price tag" (N.Y. POST, 6/23).
ALMOST A DONE DEAL: CBSSPORTS.com's Silverstein & Dodd cited a source as saying that a formal announcement of the Big East "approving the return of UConn to the conference is planned for Thursday" at MSG. Meanwhile, the AAC's newly signed $1B TV deal with ESPN "would not be negated by UConn's planned departure" (CBSSPORTS.com, 6/22). In N.Y., Billy Witz wrote a "floundering football program, difficult travel schedules and the disappearance of traditional rivalries for its flagship men's and women's basketball teams have UConn on the verge of returning to the Big East." The Big East university presidents are "expected to convene on a conference call in the next few days to vote on UConn to rejoin the conference." UConn has a BOT meeting on Wednesday, when it "could vote on accepting an invitation" (N.Y. TIMES, 6/23). The AP's Pat Eaton-Robb noted UConn is "changing presidents and had not been expected to finalize any move until Thomas Katsouleas takes over from Susan Herbst in August" (AP, 6/22).
FOOTBALL PROGRAM IN LIMBO: USA TODAY's Dan Wolken wrote UConn's return to the Big East will be a "big plus in recruiting" for men's basketball coach Dan Hurley. It will also make UConn women's basketball coach Geno Auriemma "very happy." But it will be a "disaster for UConn football." The school most likely will "have to follow the UMass path as an independent, a dreary football existence that will leave them playing awful opponents in front of a few thousand people at home and collecting seven-figure checks for lopsided beatdowns on the road against schools they once dreamed of actually competing against" (USATODAY.com, 6/22). ESPN’s Bob Wischusen said, “This is an admission on the part of UConn that ‘our college program and the conference that we chose to play college football (in) is a failure.'" ESPN's Jason Fitz: "Know your audience and if your audience really isn't into it, then why pretend it’s anything other than what it is? Basketball does matter in this area so be a basketball school” (“Golic & Wingo,” ESPN Radio, 6/24). YAHOO SPORTS' Pete Thamel cited sources as saying that the AAC will not take UConn as a football-only member because it has been "historically bad on the field and holds little resonance off of it." Independence would "likely end up as UConn's best option." To those in the AAC, UConn's move "comes as little surprise" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 6/22).
RETURNING TO THEIR ROOTS: Syracuse men's basketball coach Jim Boeheim said UConn's return to the Big East is "great for the school." Boeheim: "It's a strong league and all their traditional rivals (are in the league). It's a great move, couldn't be better" (FORBES.com, 6/22). In Hartford, Mike Anthony wrote UConn is a "basketball school and always was." The school was "out of place in the AAC." UConn is "going to lose money on this deal -- at least initially." The Big East's TV deal with Fox is for "exactly half" of the AAC's $1B deal with ESPN, so there "will be a shortfall there." Add in the fact that UConn "won't earn a full share of the conference distribution money until year six, and there is another shortfall." There will also be an "entry fee" for UConn to return to the Big East (HARTFORD COURANT, 6/23). THE ATHLETIC's Dana O'Neil wrote in the Big East, UConn remains a "formidable piece of basketball branding, and they will seamlessly reconnect the Northeast Corridor dots while simultaneously conjuring up the old-school nostalgic feel the league already encourages." This is "as much a win for the Big East as the university" (THEATHLETIC.com, 6/22). In Connecticut, Borges & Jacobs wrote the UConn fan base "never fully embraced" the AAC, a conference with "no geographic or historical rivals" (NEW HAVEN REGISTER, 6/23).
WHO BENEFITS? THE ATHLETIC's Vannini & Fortuna wrote with its ESPN TV deal in place, there is "finally some security" for the AAC. The conference "will withstand the loss of UConn, and it may even become an opportunity for growth if the league wants a replacement" (THEATHLETIC.com, 6/23). Meanwhile, in Hartford, Alex Putterman writes among those who "might suffer" from UConn's move back to the Big East is the AAC, as UConn "remains the only school to win a national championship as a member of the AAC, and its departure clearly represents a loss for the league." ESPN also might not benefit, as losing UConn prior to the start of its TV deal with the AAC "means losing thousands of potential ESPN+ customers" (HARTFORD COURANT, 6/24).
NO LOVE LOST: The COURANT's Anthony writes the AAC was "blindsided by UConn's departure." AAC Commissioner Mike Aresco is "apparently fuming" and the "entire conference leadership is emotional." Anthony: "I'm sure they can't wait to tell UConn to get lost" (HARTFORD COURANT, 6/24). In Hartford, Dan Brechlin in a front-page piece writes UConn's decision to leave has the "feel that the AAC TV deal was the last straw" for the school and AD David Benedict. He was "critical," as was Herbst (HARTFORD COURANT, 6/24).
