If this email is legit (it appears to be) then it seals the deal as far as O'Day is concerned. Unfortunately virtually all of the "Money Questions" remain unanswered. O'Day said "With state funding flat and student athletic fees holding tight, and with expenses growing year-by-year at a steady pace... we find ourselves at a cross roads." Obviously O'Day has decided the Grizzlies will move, he is just struggling to find the reasons to rationalize it.
Expenses: The Title 9 issues are only compounded with a move to FBS. Adding new sports to compete in FBS is more dollars for coaching, athletes, equipment and facilities. Expense also takes a big jump with all the extra scholarships required (and yet more due to higher % of out of state athletes). Teams want more to come to Missoula to play, yet even in FBS teams will still want more $$ to come to Missoula. Travel costs are up, yet WAC entails even more travel expense.
Revenue: With a home/away deal we may get the Univ. of Texas in Missoula. Yet the Longhorns coming to town still generates the same revenue as Western St coming into Missoula (a sell out is a sell out).
WAC TV revenue is higher than current pay. Yet WAC TV revenue will drop dramatically with Boise St, Nevada, and Fresno St. all leaving. Higher WAC payments than Big Sky payments, yet how much does that confernece payment also drop with the loss of their three premiere teams? Home playoffs sent $1,000,000 to NCAA and left just $100M here. Yet no home playoff leaves $0 here.
So in essence here is the deal;
Staying put means steadily increased expenses with flat revenue. Moving on means significantly higher expenses with slightly higher revenue. Bottom line, if we move on, the GSA's annual $1,500,000 gift needs to increase about 300% to 400% every year. Does O'Day have any other solution? :ugeek: