When the Big 12 is ready to expand, UCF will be ready

UCF has made its case for the latest round of expansion as the Big 12 met last week. The conference may not be ready to expand, but when it is UCF is there.

By Jason Renaud -
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UCF wants to play with the big boys in college sports.

In order for that to happen, UCF has to go from being in the Group of Five to the Power Five of college athletic conferences.

Currently, UCF is in the American Athletic Conference, the best of the Group of Five conferences, that also includes Conference USA, Mid-American Conference, Mountain West, and the Sun Belt conferences. Schools in the Group of Five are considered the smaller and weaker conferences for college sports.

The Power Five schools are known as the powerhouse college athletic conferences, such as the Big 12, SEC, ACC, Big Ten, and the Pac-12.

There are many benefits to joining a Power Five conference. More revenue. More exposure to a national audience. Better college athletes. Better college teams. Better facilities.

Not to mention better access to the College Football Playoff.

UCF wants to have those advantages. To do that the team needs to join a Power Five conference. The Knights’ best chance is seemingly to join the Big 12, which is potentially looking towards expansion.

Money has a huge impact on every school in a Power Five conference. Money is the drive for all these expansion moves in the constant arms race between schools and conferences for influence and championships. The Big 12 is now third among the Power Five conferences in source of revenue.

To put that in perspective, Conference USA, which is a Group of Five conference just like the American Athletic Conference, made drastically less in regards to total revenue compared to a Power Five conference.

That is the low end of the spectrum though. The American Conference is in much better shape. But constantly fending off the advances from the Big 12 thinking about expansion.

But, regardless of the American’s health, it pays dividends to be a part of a Power Five conference in more ways than one.

Having that type of guaranteed revenue, with the potential for more if the conference ever decided to start its own network, would be a game changer for UCF. There would be limitless possibilities on what to do with the money. As the second largest university in the country, UCF continues to grow every year.

Last week, the Big 12 held its conference meetings in Irving, Texas and discussed several topics. On the agenda was, a conference championship game, a conference network, and possible expansion.

UCF was following the Big 12 meetings closely.

During the meetings, several announcements were made that impacts UCF moving forward.

The Big 12 elected expansion of a sorts, adding a conference championship game. For now, talks are dead for a conference network and possible conference expansion is still on the table this summer.

The significance of this news is the Big 12 is the only Power Five conference without a championship game, one of two Power Five conferences without a TV network.

UCF now has a better idea and a clearer picture on potentially joining the Big 12. The possibility of Big 12 expansion exists. A vote will happen in the near future, with a long-awaited answer on the horizon.

Big 12 Commissioner Bob Bowlsby shared his thoughts about the idea. University of Oklahoma President David Boren echoed that notion.

That is a step toward the right direction for UCF and the sort of good news the program wants to hear.

UCF is doing its part to convince Big 12 officials that not only is conference expansion a great idea, but UCF is the perfect candidate if it chooses to do so.

It has been discovered UCF President John Hitt sent a 13-page letter on May 17 to Oklahoma State president Burns Hargis, stating its case of why UCF should join the Big 12.

What is interesting is UCF took aim at rival American Athletic Conference members UConn and Cincinnati, who are also Big 12 expansion candidates, to compare why UCF was the better option between those markets.

Among the categories UCF pointed out to be in their favor were population and economic growth.

The report stated Orlando’s population growth is expected to be six times greater than Cincinnati’s and 500 times greater than the region of Hartford, Connecticut in the next 10 years. It also stated Orlando has “proven that it is capable of attracting and sustaining economic growth, making it an ideal candidate for joining the Big 12 Conference.”

Orlando’s market size and presence within Florida would certainly be attractive should the Big 12 decide to make a television network and even just for overall notoriety and physical presence in such a talent-rich state.

UCF pointed out in its letter how fast Orlando is growing. Orlando is the fastest-growing of the country’s 30 largest regions according to the U.S. Census Bureau (March 2016). Also, Florida does well in recruiting.

UCF last month, already announced the school would make significant upgrades to Bright House Networks Stadium with the addition of new video boards. They are prepared to make additional changes if necessary when it comes to seating capacity.

With the estimated figure of 65,000 seats, that would near the total of UCF’s school enrollment, having a seat for every student who wishes to come watch the Knights play college football. That obviously would not be how tickets are distributed, but with such a large alumni base, UCF would seem to be a natural fit.

According to the full letter, obtained by SBNation.com, UCF is the “most considered” university in the Southeast among high school seniors.

That helps settle the debate why UCF is the second largest university in the nation and continues to grow. School population is an advantage UCF has over all other Big 12 expansion candidates.

Academics are important, as UCF highlights it is a top research institution and considered an innovative school. Also how UCF is the number one public university in graduation rate for college athletes.

In comparison to competitors UConn and Cincinnati, UCF claims to have a stronger athletic department by mentioning the new athletic director, and the new high-profile college athletic coaches for football and basketball.

But UCF is focused mainly on the media market in their pitch. Because the Big 12 ended its pursuit of creating a conference TV network, that could hurt UCF’s stock in a case for expansion. Market size is not as important in this argument. Nevertheless, UCF has plenty to offer to the Big 12, which was brought to the spotlight by the public from the letter showcasing the university.

There are other candidates. They have their own reasons and advantages when expansion talk picks up again. It is all about what the Big 12 wants and the path it decides to take forward.

All these schools, including UCF, are now playing a waiting game. The Big 12 is now on the clock, with a decision on expansion possibly occurring by the end of the summer.

Only time will tell what happens. UCF though is positioned well and has made its case to be part of this next round.

Orlando Magic release shirt celebrating Gay Pride

By Philip Rossman-Reich

All 30 NBA teams now come in rainbow colors.

With Gay Pride Month coming up, the league continues its inclusive effort with the LGBTQ community with the release of t-shirts for every team in the ubiquitous rainbow colors that has become a symbol of the movement.

“We are so thankful for all of the support we receive from all of our fans,” said Joel Glass, chief communications officer for The Orlando Magic told Alex Storer of Watermark Online. “The Magic is truly committed to creating an inclusive environment in which fans, community partners and employees feel welcome, valued and appreciated.”

This is an incredibly great movement from the NBA to promote inclusivity within the NBA community. The league continues to make some strong efforts to be inclusive with the LGBTQ community.

It is something small, but not something that should be looked over as the NBA has taken the lead among many sports leagues in civil rights issues.

Brek Shea hoping to bounce back

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Brek Shea has been the center of criticism for Orlando City fans, among many other players who have faced criticism for the team’s somewhat uneven start.

Shea has looked a little out of sorts at left back this year, especially with Antonio Nocerino’s struggles in front of him in the midfield. The connection has not been there and Shea, not a natural defender anyway, has struggled some on defense.

The Copa America break has given him plenty of time to think. And he is eager to get back to action and straighten his season out.

“In general, things have frustrated me,” Shea told Alicia Delgallo of the Orlando Sentinel. “Just trying to go out and play tough, and try to make a statement. I took some time with friends and family, it was good to get away for a while. Now, getting back to work.”

Shea would have loved to be playing right now in the Copa America for the United States. His form has not been at the top and that has left him out of the national team picture at the moment.

He still has his moments of brilliance though. He should continue to get opportunities. The moments of brilliance have to come through more though.

Perhaps the break will give him that opportunity.

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