Emails detailing Michigan dumping Arkansas for ND

Submitted by Gulo_Gulo on

http://wwmt.com/news/local/emails-detail-michigans-pricey-decision-to-d…

Long and Short: Michigan pays Arkansas $2,000,000 no later than 10 days after scheduled game.  Notre Dame can join a conference to get out of playing Michigan in 2018 scott free.

Thought this was an interesting article, worth a read.

The difference between the contracts Dave Brandon created and Warde Manual's are very telling.  It seems Brandon's $2,000,000 cancelation fee was capricious and arbitrary, and will end up costing Michigan.

I do wonder if there is some back door ear pulling on the side of Michigan to get ND to join the B1G.

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MgoWood

September 7th, 2016 at 12:57 PM ^

that ND goes broke(who knows), they will begging someone to let them join a conference.  If they ask the B1G it's going to take me back to a state of mind when the throw to Gallon happened and then Roundtree for the game winner to end the game.  Bow ND!

Joined: 12/18/2014

MGoPoints: 3156

Blueblood2991

September 7th, 2016 at 2:12 PM ^

That includes basketball and football. A quick google shows that ND gets $5 mil a year from the ACC for basketball and the away games they play against ACC schools. 

It's not even close, but I think it has more to do with the timing of the contracts more than anything.

Joined: 06/11/2015

MGoPoints: 14348

lilpenny1316

September 7th, 2016 at 2:21 PM ^

Their TV deal is less than if they joined a conference, but they're fine.  I think the only way they join a conference is if they have to go 12-0 to make the playoffs.  And I don't think that would be enough.  From a $$$ standpoint, they will always be fine, regardless of CFP appearances.

If you want to guarantee ND joins a conference, the Power 5 conferences and the NY6 games would have to almost collude to shut ND out.  And that will never happen.

Joined: 11/19/2009

MGoPoints: 61859

Blue Durham

September 7th, 2016 at 1:52 PM ^

to both Arkansas and Notre Dame. But to Michigan, I am not so sure. Any added revenues to peripheral business don't bring anything into the athletic department. If the games/seasons are already going to be sold out, the only benefit would be if the AD decides to increase the prices of the game/season package. By a $20/ticket average. I just don't see a big bump in the other stuff like t-shirts and concessions. But then there is the reputation/PR hit that the department takes by bending over to Notre Dame that MGrowOld alludes to below. I just don't think any marginal bump in cash was worth going back on the Arkansas deal in order to appease an institution that has repeated thumbed its nose to Michigan and the Big Ten in the past 40 years. I'm sorry, a couple of games against Notre Dame just isn't worth that.

Joined: 06/30/2008

MGoPoints: 6082

WolvinLA2

September 7th, 2016 at 2:01 PM ^

You don't think we could get $20 extra per ticket for ND over Arkansas? I'm sure we could. Plus, likely more people coming in for the game, people buying apparel, concessions, etc. Plus additional exposure, which doesn't translate directly to money immediately but will eventually. Bigger recruiting weekend, all that stuff.

Joined: 11/13/2009

MGoPoints: 58191

Blue Durham

September 7th, 2016 at 2:10 PM ^

General admission/single game would be a pretty good increase, so maybe. Season tickets would be pushed up to $25 or so per, and that is just noise so probably little problem there. But I also think that the series of fairly serious ticket increases over the years has pushed that envelop pretty much to the limit. But I do think that there is the added novelty to Arkansas that Notre obviously doesn't have that would appeal to the long-time season ticket holders. Again, taking everything into account, financially its probably close to a wash. I would have preferred that Michigan honored its agreement with Arkansas and resume the Notre Dame series, on equal terms, at a later date.

Joined: 06/30/2008

MGoPoints: 6082

RHammer - SNRE 98

September 7th, 2016 at 2:59 PM ^

...while there is certainly value in a shorter travel distance, a longer (and storied) series history, and, let's face it, a bigger-named school being involved in a UM vs. ND matchup, I think there would have been (could be) substantial value in setting up a B1G vs. SEC match-up against a team like Arkansas (obv. Wisconsin likes the outcome of their LSU game)... really would be cool for the fan bases to see each other's stadiums, create a little north vs. south rivalry that has substance to it, help out former athletic dept. member (now a quite highly regarded college football administrator) Jeff Long and perhaps curry a bit of favor that might come in handy when playoff spots are being debated, etc.

all in all, i understand the reasoning for bringing ND in, but as you mention, I wish Manuel and the department would have handled the situation differently as to (a) honor the existing agreement with the hogs, and (b) saved the department an unnecessary (and apparently completely arbitrary - Thanks Brandon) expenditure of $2M

Joined: 06/30/2008

MGoPoints: 1372

Crisler 71

September 7th, 2016 at 3:02 PM ^

Notre Dame plays by its own rules, scheduling who they want when they want, with byes when they want.  As for Joining the B1G, until they become eligible to join the AAU I say to hell with them.  They have received special treatment for decades, let them follow the rules for once and actually meet the B1G requirements for membership.  The B1G is an academic conference, not just an athletic one.  

Joined: 05/23/2011

MGoPoints: 964

Brandywine

September 7th, 2016 at 7:26 PM ^

I think you're vastly overstating this "reputation/PR hit" angle. The only group that is sensitive to the terms of the agreement are fans like you that are plugged in enough to even know this. Sure, this makes Michigan look bad if you're afraid your ND buddy is going to heckle you. Beyond that, none of this matters to anyone outside this bubble. It's being thin-skinned. To who exactly does this make Michigan look like a wuss?

People around the college football landscape aren't paying attention to this stuff.  All they will know is that a big game is back on the schedule, and the hype and anticipation will be a massive net positive for the program.

For example, does anyone outside ND or UT's circle know what the terms were of their agreement to play? No. Did Texas get the short end of the stick by visiting South Bend first? Maybe. Did anyone care?

Joined: 01/30/2015

MGoPoints: 434

Sac Fly

September 7th, 2016 at 1:46 PM ^

Notre Dame joining the Big Ten has to do with more than athletics. If Notre Dame were to join the Big Ten, they would have to beef up some of their grad level programs to apply for AAU membership.

I believe at one point it was in play and the staff turned it down.

Joined: 04/03/2010

MGoPoints: 5981

Mr. Yost

September 7th, 2016 at 5:28 PM ^

It's not chump change whatsoever. At the same time, it's certainly not going to break Michigan in any way.

But it wouldn't shock me at all if Manuel works something out with Jeff Long...a "Michigan Man."

Michigan may pay it in full, but it wouldn't shock me if it's over a period of time or via another contract of some sort.

 

Joined: 07/25/2011

MGoPoints: -9898220

Tater

September 7th, 2016 at 7:54 PM ^

I agree that ND will "never join the Big Ten," but for a different reason.  They have been allowed to cherry-pick their schedule for years.  They don't want the grind or the familiarity of joining a conference, especially the Big Ten.  

What's really funny is that they haven't figured out it isn't working for them in this era and hasn't actually worked for them since 1993.  

Basically, ND has found a way to be both cowards and idiots.

Joined: 08/13/2008

MGoPoints: 30584

kevin holt

September 7th, 2016 at 12:52 PM ^

A penalty clause for cancelling a contract is generally void. But a judge should also realize that football is worth a lotta money and ND already cost us by fucking us over. Surprised that wouldn't be a valid cancellation policy.

Joined: 03/16/2010

MGoPoints: 17447

LJ

September 7th, 2016 at 1:15 PM ^

Cut him some slack, Fuzzy.  1L only started like a week ago.

Also, looking at the emails themselves, it doesn't even look like there was a liquidated damages clause in the original contract.  They just made a separate, second agreement to cancel in exchange for a $2 million payment to Arkansas.

Joined: 07/05/2008

MGoPoints: 18306

Hab

September 7th, 2016 at 1:31 PM ^

Sweetie... can we talk?  I wanted to say thank you for how awesome you've been lately.  I've been really looking forward to our life together for the next couple of years, and getting together next fall.  But you see... god, how do I say this... my ex-girlfriend, whom I really hate, and who screwed me over hard, well, she said she wants to get back together.  You see, I really think we can make it work this time.  Can you see your way towards understanding where I'm coming from?  I know we could have been something special.  But we don't have history.  I mean, we have history, but not history, you know?  You understand don't you?  It's not you, it's me.  No, no, no... don't start crying.  Damnit.  I said it was my fault.  Please stop crying, you know this tears me up too.  Just... what is going to take to move past this?  I want to be friends going forward, maybe get together over the holidays sometime for old time's sake.  WTF?!?  $10 mil?  Are you out of your ever-loving mind?  No, stop, I'm sorry I lost my cool you're right.  Yes, I know I'm an idiot, but ... but... but...  fine.  $2 mil?

From one professional in the business, I am guessing that's what the negotiations looked like.

Joined: 01/02/2015

MGoPoints: 39676

MGB

September 7th, 2016 at 12:53 PM ^

can't wait to play them again. That last 31-0 beat down they gave us makes me sick. Now we not only have a chance to avenge it, but Kelly who struggled against RR and Hoke, will have to face the one they call Harbaugh!

Joined: 11/29/2015

MGoPoints: 888