Cincinnati Enquirer: Big 12 money would be nice for UC
The University of Cincinnati didn’t want The Enquirer to see how hard its high-ups have been working to get the school into the Big 12 conference. Participants in this high-stakes game of musical chairs don’t want to be seen as needy or pleading or actively seeking an exit from their current leagues. Even if all the above are true.
UC shouldn’t have sweated the paper’s prying. All the documents obtained from a public records request – everything from e-mails to dinner receipts over the last 16 months – make UC look good. They show a university proactively chasing a spot in a league that would eventually pay the athletic department some $20 million more a year than it takes in now.
The math is as simple as the courtship is complex: The 10 members of the Big 12 made $26 million apiece last year, from TV money, NCAA tournament proceeds and bowl-game payouts. Each member of the American Athletic conference made $6 million.
Think of the lipstick that could buy for Ol’ Lady Nippert Stadium. The obsolete Fifth Third Arena might even add backs to all those upper-level seats.
When UC was wooing the Big East, the emphasis was on academics. Look, we’re going to be in the same classroom as Georgetown! It’s no different now: We’re going to ride same steer as the University of Texas! This is nice and high-sounding and, yes, it’s possible that UC’s academic reputation would be enhanced by the association.     Perception is reality and perception is a powerful thing.
But it’s mostly about sports and getting paid.
Read the rest at http://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/columnists/paul-daugherty/2016/02/13/doc-big-12-money-would-nice-uc/80341284/