on 1/14/2025, 11:18 am
Today I saw an interview where a head of a venture capital firm was talking about buying an athletic department brand. That there are a few brands that you could invest in, in essence run as a business because the department generates $100-$200 mil a year in revenue, clears a decent percentage, and with EBITDA calculations could leverage the income/land/facilities to make it even greater. That there would be a few blue blood programs that make this possible, but any brand that shows earnings was in play.
I also saw an article that highlighted how Notre Dame as an independent has set itself up to clean up after their national game appearance, taking what normally is a conference payout of $15 mil for appearance in final and getting all of it, versus Big Ten team who will split it 18 ways. That Oregon State/Washington State will clear $50-$100 mil these next two years just from the Rose Bowl. That UCLA coach complained about the travel setup for their basketball team (no sh%t).
From talking to some normal students, that their classroom/learning experience is not what I went through, not as rigorous. I understand some degrees have always been tougher, but multiple times I've heard they just did away with final exams, or open book all year, to just giving grades during covid, which isn't showing knowledge gained but ability to quickly research or just show up. With AI/computer knowledge maybe this is fine, but seems a lot to pay for no real education.
Part of me knows that not being part of NCAA top tier would mean the end of athletics, and part of me also doesn't like where the top tier of athletics is going. Or that we will even be considered top tier with the FBS current trajectory.
But if I win the lottery I'd do what I could to raise up our department, beyond what I am doing now, to help current athletes in "lesser" sports, in spite of my displeasure. I'm proud of my time there, in spite of what I consider unwise changes since, and hope future generations can have my experience, if not a greater one.
Go Beach!
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