Follow me in my wild idea for UCF…
Let’s start by looking @ the AAC TV deal…The new contract with ESPN, which will run from the 2020-21 academic year through 2031-32, will pay the conference around $1 billion total for rights to broadcast their games. That money comes out to $83.3 million per year for the conference, which will pay each team around $7 million annually.
To put that into perspective…the ACC payout is around 29 million and the SEC payout will be 55 million in their next deal…
Now, everybody wants to see UCF in a bigger/better conference…more exposure, better opponents, more money.
UCF is in a top 20 market nationally, plush recruiting grounds, one of the biggest alumni bases in the country…there’s not a lot UCF DOESN’T have going for them. Forget about success on the field…just look @ where the program is…conferences should be begging to add UCF…and if they’re not…I have an idea…
GO INDEPENDENT!
You mean to tell me UCF can’t get a TV deal on their own that pays them more than 7 million per year?! Think of the opponents they could fill their schedule with…think of the opportunities to get in the playoff with a better crop of competition…
Plus, it would fit the brand so well for the Knights…this rogue brand that thinks they’re better than everybody.
(For the record: ND payout from NBC- 15 million)
Something to think about. Is it foolish? You tell me...
photo: getty images