I'd think conference tv contracts would more than make up for empty stadiums for power 5 teams. Idk about teams below that level though.
So much of what makes college football great comes from the energy and atmosphere a crowd creates. I'd still watch and love it(I think), but a silent stadium for a huge rivalry game would be beyond weird.
For them yes probably but they would still have to start cutting corners somewhere. But the rest of D1 and D2 might as well just fold up the programs. A lot of them, if not nearly all, probably wouldn’t even be able to fundraise enough money to pay for the coaching staff and team administrative staff salaries.
The tv money would certainly help but it'd still destroy the overall athletic budget even for SEC schools. Not to worry I'm sure the coaches will be open to taking a one year paycut to help out others
Shhhh. They don't need to know that. Besides the Walton's don't contribute to athletics as much since Bud died. Now academic side....that's their tax write off.
Imagine thinking this one is ok • Universities determine that students may not return to campus in the fall and must take online classes, but allow an exception for student-athletes to return to campus to compete in athletics. This is easily the most polarizing — and controversial — option. Several ADs believe it could happen under the right circumstances, while several others say there’s absolutely no way it could. In this scenario, the student-athletes — only if cleared by health and safety officials — would be allowed on campus to take online classes and, yes, compete in athletics. They could be tested daily to guarantee they don’t have the virus (if we’re still at that point) and would play their games in empty stadiums. “We’ve actually had discussions about this possibility,” a Power Five AD said. My own two cents here: If this happens and no fans can attend games, ADs should move matchups to be played every day of the week. The TV ratings would be insane. Instead of 90 percent of the games being played on Saturday, spread out the games and have quadruple-headers every day of the week. It would be one way to recoup the television revenue, and perhaps the media rights holders could compensate the schools an additional amount for moving game dates around. Now that I’m off my soapbox, here’s some of the ADs who think this is a viable option: “As long as there’s no health or safety issues, I would have no problem with student-athletes taking online courses on campus and being able to practice and play games with no fans,” a Power Five AD said. “The university presidents would have to sign off on this — and a number of factors would have to be determined — but I think when the university presidents realize the financial impact that would come without having a football season, I think they would be more receptive.” Another Power Five AD: “I believe it would work. Campuses have to stay open for essential services and some housing for those who need it. We have to believe this containment will work and we can get back to normal — which means we play football.” “The (university) president that truly understands the value of athletics would be okay with that,” added a Power Five AD, “but there would be others that would not want to see athletes get an advantage other students don’t get.” And there are those that don’t see this as a realistic option: “I would be hard-pressed to see that happen,” a Power Five AD said. “That could never happen. I think people would really question that (thinking), even considering the huge financial impact.” A Power Five AD: “There is absolutely no way my president would allow something like that to occur. I don’t see that being permitted. I also find it hard to believe our conference would allow that to happen.” “I can’t believe a (university) president would assume the risk of bringing back only student-athletes without cover from a medical professional,” a Group of Five AD said. “Best shot at a season would be we contain the virus enough that medical professionals deem it clear to continue large group gatherings.”
I think we'll have a season - maybe even a 12-game season. But it won't start till October 1 at the earliest. Here's an idea - Conference championship games on NYD
There's a shitload of unknowns yet and these ADs don't know anything more than anybody else. This is no different than CEO X claiming that they are hoping to be returning to full capacity by (citation needed). Also quite like how nobody bats an eye at the fact that the reason we need to make sure there's a season is that the ADs (schools) can't afford losing the revenue. Lol good system. U-S-A! U-S-A!
It’s pretty ridiculous to say that we could go from games with no fans to games with fans in only a few months. Whatever you commit to when the season starts (fans or no fans) is going to last the entire season. Of course, unless they do a truncated season in the spring of 2021, there won’t be a season and this is all moot.
Would you personally go to a football game this fall? I’m a no and it’s something that I very much look forward to. I cannot rationalize the risk.
Only if I've had the virus by that point and am full of antibodies. I don't see myself attending any type of relatively large public function until either that has happened or we have a reliable vaccine. This shit isn't just going away.
I would not go to a game I can't really see a time table for this fall where I want to be out in public like that without some massive unforseen breakthrough
Can confirm. I plan to attend zero games in 2020. I will watch every game I can and have no dog in the hunt on when, JUST GET THEM ON MY TVs
As someone who loves the hell out of sports, I'm having a real hard time giving a shit about them right now. I'm much more interested in being able to go out in public without thinking I'm going to die.
I have a good friend who is AD at a big ten school. He says that football happening in the fall is 50/50 at this point. He thinks playing the season next spring has a good shot
I have no science to base this off of or anything besides how "I feel" i don't really want to go to a game until like decemberish? I say this as someone who attends probably 10-12 games a year between cfb and NFL. Feels weird and like 6 months from now is even scary
It makes sense to have it at some point. You grant everyone an extra year of eligibility like they did in the spring sports and you have a real shit storm brewing with all the scholarships that are involved.
The universities, conferences, and networks all have too much to lose. They will to find a way to make this happen, even if it kills their fans.