Saturday, January 30, 2010

The College Football Business Had a Good Year

BCS Group Releases 2009-10 Revenue Distribution Data

Courtesy of the BCS

The conferences and institutions participating in the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) today released unofficial and estimated data of the net revenue from the 2010 games. For the first time, two conferences that have not earned annual automatic qualification for their champions (the Mountain West and the Western Athletic) played in the BCS games in the same year, which will lead to a record-breaking distribution to non-AQ conferences, estimated to be $24 million.

As a result of a decision made by the five non-AQ conferences in 2004, that estimated $24 million will be allocated among those conferences, instead of remaining within the two conferences whose teams played in BCS bowl games.

The five non-AQ conferences decided to distribute the $24 million as follows:

Mountain West $9.8 million Western Athletic $7.8million Conference USA $2.8 million Mid-American $2.1 million Sun Belt $1.5 million

In addition to the estimated $24 million that these conferences are expected to receive from the appearances of TCU of the Mountain West and Boise State of the WAC in the BCS games, the following distributions are expected to be made to the six AQ conferences:

Atlantic Coast, Big East, Big 12, Pac-10 -- $17.7 million each Big Ten, Southeastern -- $22.2 million each (Note: These two conferences each had two teams in the BCS bowls, which is why their expected distributions are higher than those of the other AQ conferences.)

“Because of the BCS, all 11 conferences have more access, more revenue and more opportunity from post-season football than before the creation of the BCS, and we’re very proud of that record,” said Bill Hancock, BCS Executive Director. “In addition, the non-AQ conferences decide what to do with the money earned by their teams that qualify for the BCS bowl games. It’s theirs to keep or divide as they see fit. The expected allocation is a result of their decision.”

Monday, January 18, 2010

Statement from Concerned Retired NFL Players after meeting Friday in Washington

"Individual owners and teams have spent exactly nothing on retired player benefits. In fact, until the NFLPA and the Retired Players Association pushed them this year, they have even denied the long term consequences of concussions suffered while playing football. We have asked George Martin to ask the NFL, "Why?" The elected representatives of the retired players have asked George by letter and invited him to this retired players meeting today. He has refused to answer and refused to attend. We want to know why the teams contribute nothing to retired players and why $31 million profit per club isn't enough. The simple fact is the teams sell the legacy of retired players, but pay nothing for it. Every fan should know that as they look at their stadiums ring of fame, none of those players have received a dime from the teams since their last play. George Martin knows that better than anyone.

Jean Fugett, Chair

NFLPA Retired Players Steering Committee and former Dallas Cowboy and Washington Redskin

Nolan Harrison, Steering Committee

Former Pittsburgh Steeler, Former Oakland Raider, Former Washington Redskin

Mike McBath, Orlando Chapter President

Former Buffalo Bill

Isiah Robertson, Dallas Chapter President

Former Buffalo Bill

Charles Mann,

Former Washington Redskin and Superbowl Player

Brig Owens,

Former Washington Redskin

Ray Schoenke,

Former Washington Redskin

Ken Valdisserri,

Gridiron Greats

Don Jackson, Sports Agent

Clark Gaines, Assistant Executive Director,

Former New York Jet, Former Kansas City Chief

Andre Collins, NFLPA Retired Players,

Former Washington Redskin, Former Detroit Lion, Cincinnati Bengal, Chicago Bear

DeMaurice F. Smith, Executive Director

NFL Players Association