What does USC athletic director Pat Haden do when he’s not taking down Reggie Bush jerseys in Heritage Hall or closely monitoring Lane Kiffin? Contemplating football independence, of course.
“I think you always have to look at every opportunity,” Haden said from Hawaii. “We’re a happy member of the Pac-10. I don’t have any ulterior motives or plans to advance the ball on this. I think the Pac-10 with a new commissioner and new opportunities has some growth built in already.”
Just one day after shunning the Mountain West for good, BYU inked an eight-year deal with ESPN to help firm its independent footing. Certainly USC has the alumni base, national interest and media market to make a move towards independence, but a new Pac-12 television deal on the horizon could temper such bold thoughts.
Either way, Haden is keeping the door open.
“I think you have to (consider independence). As an athletic director in today’s environment, you have to consider every alternative.”
Won’t we eventually run out of TV Networks for Indy teams to sign contracts?
Can’t imagine too many Networks would be lining to pay one team, while there are conference deals out there.
But if BYU can pull it off, I guess USC can too.
BYU has the Mormon following which has nation wide appeal.
ND has the Catholic following which has nation wide appeal.
Army and Navy have the veteran following which has nation wide appeal.
Does the USC brand, currently on probation with an obnoxious arse of a coach, have nation wide appeal?
I don’t see them being able to pull this off and make money, therefore it will not happen. It is likely a ploy to sweeten their financial deal within the conference a la Texas.
ESPN has been the downfall of college and pro athletics in the US. Now they are setting their saites on High Scholl ball. Pathetic, all in the name of money. I feel really scuzzy as I sit and watch them ALL WEEKEND!
My grass needs to be cut
I saw it coming. First UT considered independence (they still are considering it), then BYU, now USC. UT makes future schedules with Notre Dame, BYU, and USC. There’s a larger scheme at work here, that’s going to have some football superpowers forming their own independent coalition, and getting sweetheart deals with the BCS and their own TV networks. Not long before a Florida or Ohio St. jumps ship (at least in football).
“Nationalwide fan base” has little to do with it. Hawaii is thinking of going independent. Utah State was independent for crying out loud. And BYU isn’t even in the top 25 in terms of fan base numbers nationally. Any team can get some kind of deal with ESPN to broadcast some games. BYU’s deal only guarantees 4 games a year, and they may well be on ESPN’s secondary networks on off nights. Army has its own ESPN deal and Army is practically a non-entity football wise. I am no USC fan, but USC is a football powerhouse and would have a much easier time going independent than any of the above-named teams. Bottom line is that national appeal doesn’t determine whether you can get an ESPN deal. Anyone can get a deal of some kind. The question is whether it pays more or less than being in a conference. BYU’s deal likely will not yield as much money as membership in a big conference would. I predict USC stays put.
I don’t see USC going independent nor Florida or Ohio St. NBC overpaid for Notre Dame & when that contract comes up again we will see what Notre Dame decides to do.
I fully expect the SEC or Big 10 or other big time conference to put some stringent rules in place to stop this madness.
If conferences enact bylaws that state that ALL members must play in the conference in ALL sports that each school fields a team. This would hurt all other sports. Why should these schools be allowed to pick & choose how they use the conference for their convenience? This would give all schools pause for concern because students, alumni & school admin would not be happy if all other schools sports, male & female suffered because of the football program…….
I am a long suffering Irish alum (I was there during the Faust years) and a long time Trojan hater. Having said that, I think it would be a brilliant move. All of the talk of Super Conferences and consolidation doesn’t seem to really benefit the Texas’, Alabama, SC and other powerhouses as much as it helps the also rans in the major conferences who get a share of revenue regardless of whether Gameday pulls into town or they get invited to the Weedeater bowl.
SC is a rare college football machine who has the ability to draw share and advertisers every weekend, year after year. Being independent would boost their strength of schedule, garner a bigger share of TV and bowl revenue, and allow them to drive more ticket sales than they can if they are forced to travel to Pullmam, Corvallis, or Salt Lake. If the Yankees have the YES network what is stopping SC from having the SC network located in the capital of television and the largest media market without an NFL franchise. I can hear it now ….”Mr. Hayden, Ari Gold hoding for you …..”
Make everyone independant and let the NCAA make the schedule! USC at Florida, Tennessee at Penn State, Michigan at Boston College, Texas @ anywhere but the state of Texas!