The Joe Pomp Show
Running The Big East and The State of College Basketball | A Conversation with Big East Commissioner Val Ackerman
Oct 21, 2024
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.
41:11
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Quick takeaways
- 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.
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