Running The Big East and The State of College Basketball | A Conversation with Big East Commissioner Val Ackerman
Oct 21, 2024
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Val Ackerman, the Big East Commissioner and former WNBA president, shares her insights into the future of college basketball. She discusses the Big East's focus on basketball amid media changes and the rise of women's sports. Val reveals the financial dynamics of NCAA basketball and how new policies impact player movements. She also reflects on her time with the NBA, including the influence of the Dream Team and her role in founding the WNBA, showcasing the evolution and importance of women's athletics.
The Big East Conference remains focused on basketball, successfully balancing competitive performance with lucrative media rights despite lower revenues compared to football leagues.
The potential extension of NCAA revenue-sharing to women's basketball highlights a significant shift towards equity and recognition of women's sports in college athletics.
Deep dives
The Unique Position of the Big East Conference
The Big East Conference occupies a distinct niche in college sports, primarily focusing on basketball instead of football. This unique positioning stems from a pivotal decision made by the conference presidents to return to a basketball-centric model after facing upheaval over the past decade. While the conference has secured lucrative media rights deals, the revenues generated do not compare to those of major football conferences. Nevertheless, the Big East maintains strong competitive performance, exemplified by winning four of the last eight NCAA men's basketball tournaments, showcasing the league's strength and relevance.
Strategic Media Partnerships and Growth
The Big East has strategically expanded its media partnerships to enhance its visibility and accessibility. In addition to a renewed agreement with Fox Sports, the conference has signed deals with NBC Peacock and Warner Brothers Discovery, allowing games to reach broader audiences through various platforms. This approach reflects a trend in sports where multiple broadcasting partners are utilized to improve viewership and fan engagement. The league recognizes the importance of cross-promotion to inform fans about where to find games across different networks.
The Evolution and Future of Sports Broadcasting
The landscape of sports broadcasting has significantly evolved, especially with the rise of streaming platforms that reflect changing viewing habits among different generations. Traditional cable television was once considered the dominant medium, but streaming has become increasingly essential for reaching younger audiences who prefer watching on mobile devices and apps. As new platforms emerge, the Big East is poised to adapt its broadcasting strategy to capitalize on these developments in the next deal cycle. This flexibility in approach will likely help the conference prepare for the growing importance of digital platforms in sports media.
NCAA Performance and Financial Implications
The NCAA's revenue-sharing model plays a crucial role in the financial health of the Big East, as success in the men’s basketball tournament directly influences revenue streams for member schools. Each tournament bid and subsequent win generates units that translate into future financial payouts for participating schools, which are distributed over a six-year period. As a testament to the conference's strength, the Big East has consistently performed well in tournaments, thereby securing substantial revenue. Additionally, upcoming changes in NCAA policies might extend revenue-sharing to women’s basketball, reflecting a growing acknowledgment of equity in college sports.
Today’s episode is with Big East Commissioner Val Ackerman. Val and I talk about the state of the Big East and college basketball as a whole, the economics of the Big East, the rise of women’s basketball, what it was like to work for former NBA Commissioner David Stern, the USA Olympic Dream Team’s impact on global basketball, how the WNBA was founded, and much more. Enjoy!
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