ESPN's exclusive window with the AAC to negotiate a new TV contract expires at the end of February. A few tidbits of info has leaked out like having a GOR signed to ensure the top schools continue their AAC membership. Of course that is not going to fly with a school like UCF or UH who are likely expansion candidates in the next round. Another take is to keep these schools on board is to pay them more than the other schools. I don't see that being conducive to promoting conference harmony although the MWC seems to make it work with Boise getting more than their MW mates.
Regardless of the above this is the very last year for football under the old contract. Basketball continues into the 2019/2020 season. But after this year football is done. I would have thought that ESPN would have tried to lock down at least a portion of our inventory by now. They still have February before other suitors can jump into the negotiations.
To review, Aresco has maintained that the AAC will be paid in "the range of" what the P5 conferences are getting. He said we won't get what they are being paid but our contract will be in the range of theirs whatever that means. Many believe that means around 8 million for each school. If that is the case that amount will not be enough to keep a school like UH in the fold when even the Big 12 schools are getting 33 million. Even if UT/OU bail the remaining Big 12 schools plus a couple of call ups like UH/UCF would command at least in the mid twenties. So no reason to hang around the AAC if that is going to be the case, especially with way better bowls in the Big 12.
February will be here and gone before we know it. UH should get an inkling as to what our future might look like after that real soon.
Regardless of the above this is the very last year for football under the old contract. Basketball continues into the 2019/2020 season. But after this year football is done. I would have thought that ESPN would have tried to lock down at least a portion of our inventory by now. They still have February before other suitors can jump into the negotiations.
To review, Aresco has maintained that the AAC will be paid in "the range of" what the P5 conferences are getting. He said we won't get what they are being paid but our contract will be in the range of theirs whatever that means. Many believe that means around 8 million for each school. If that is the case that amount will not be enough to keep a school like UH in the fold when even the Big 12 schools are getting 33 million. Even if UT/OU bail the remaining Big 12 schools plus a couple of call ups like UH/UCF would command at least in the mid twenties. So no reason to hang around the AAC if that is going to be the case, especially with way better bowls in the Big 12.
February will be here and gone before we know it. UH should get an inkling as to what our future might look like after that real soon.
