What will be the fallout for WSU if/when football season is canceled?

[PeteTheChop]

Heard a guy on Sports Radio say he thinks this is going to level the playing field between the "Haves" and the "Have-Nots" as they're known.

He said big-budget schools like Alabama, Notre Dame, Texas and USC would be reeling from the loss of ticket revenue and big donations because they're used to spending money like "drunken sailors" for so many years.

He mentioned "bare-bones" programs like New Mexico, Wake Forest, Temple and Oregon State could make up ground because they are accustomed to doing more with less. No mention of WSU, guessing because the facilities upgrades that have moved the program up a couple notches.

No football would be a tough pill to swallow, but a more even playing field would be great to see when the games resume.

Is anyone else as optimistic as the radio guy seemed to be?

 

[BleedCrimsonandGray]

nothing is going to change. The "haves" will use their money, power, and influence to ensure that it doesn't because the current system is weighted in their favor.

 

[kayak15]

Heard a guy on Sports Radio say he thinks this is going to level the playing field between the "Haves" and the "Have-Nots" as they're known.

He said big-budget schools like Alabama, Notre Dame, Texas and USC would be reeling from the loss of ticket revenue and big donations because they're used to spending money like "drunken sailors" for so many years.

He mentioned "bare-bones" programs like New Mexico, Wake Forest, Temple and Oregon State could make up ground because they are accustomed to doing more with less. No mention of WSU, guessing because the facilities upgrades that have moved the program up a couple notches.

No football would be a tough pill to swallow, but a more even playing field would be great to see when the games resume.

Is anyone else as optimistic as the radio guy seemed to be?

Not me. The radio guy is wrong. 180 degrees wrong. The haves have more money than the rest of us and will be better able to weather the financial storm. Some of the little guys may have to throw in the towel.

 

[OrangeGravy]

I'm hoping this is the catalyst that forces the "haves" to break away from college football/NCAA and the rest of the programs go back to the old bowl system with conference alliances (My personal hope) or adopt the DII model of an actual NCAA playoff. The "haves" can go about their business of turning college football into a pure business. They can deal with re-tooling the scholarship model and paying players and all that jazz.

 

[BleedCrimsonandGray]

I'm hoping this is the catalyst that forces the "haves" to break away from college football/NCAA and the rest of the programs go back to the old bowl system with conference alliances (My personal hope) or adopt the DII model of an actual NCAA playoff. The "haves" can go about their business of turning college football into a pure business. They can deal with re-tooling the scholarship model and paying players and all that jazz.

And what is WSU in that scenario?

 

[425cougfan]

No, I am not as optimistic as the radio guy. Too many holes in the reasoning to count.

 

[OrangeGravy]

And what is WSU in that scenario?

Obviously not a have. Do you expect a school like ours to value football (in the form of spending as the other "haves") at the level of the other Power 5 "haves"? I don't and I don't think they'll ever be able to

 

[PeteTheChop]

WSU didn't raise and spend all that money for a top-notch stadium and FOB (and don't forget the new IPF) to compete outside the top tier. These facilities are a double-down move if ever there was one.

I'm excited to see what RoLo has in store for next season and beyond.

Let's keep the faith.

 

[kougkurt]

It’s going to be hard for some of these coaches to justify salaries

 

[COCoug]

It’s going to be hard for some of these coaches to justify salaries

Yes- this is a very good point. Honestly, you could take a zero off of every head coach's salary, and I bet 98% of them would stay on the job. It would still be at where an average doctor or lawyer is, and honestly, what else are they going to go do? That might be enough to keep players on scholarship.

 

[PINGDUDE4]

It’s going to be hard for some of these coaches to justify salaries

Interesting question will be if the Pac12 and Big Ten do not play at all this full school year ( which seems likely as the spring deal sounds crazy), do all of the coaches still receive their full contracted salary ?

I know a few have already accepted nominal cuts, but those are peanuts relative to their full multi-million dollar salaries.

It will be interesting to watch.

 

[FnuLnu]

Interesting question will be if the Pac12 and Big Ten do not play at all this full school year ( which seems likely as the spring deal sounds crazy), do all of the coaches still receive their full contracted salary ?

I know a few have already accepted nominal cuts, but those are peanuts relative to their full multi-million dollar salaries.

It will be interesting to watch.

Spring football ain't happening.

The Big 10 Commissioner's kid just started fall football practice at Mississippi State.

 

[PINGDUDE4]

Spring football ain't happening.

The Big 10 Commissioner's kid just started fall football practice at Mississippi State.

That's what I said about Spring. So you basically go the full school year without playing, do you still keep coaches at their full salary ?

 

[425cougfan]

That's what I said about Spring. So you basically go the full school year without playing, do you still keep coaches at their full salary ?

They'll probably voluntarily take some kind of hit for optics (e.g., an additional 5 or 10%, on top of the cut they announced earlier). Doubt there will be other cuts, per se. That's not me saying what I think is fair or think should happen. Just what is likely, IMO.

 

[COCoug]

I guess if you are thinking about an enormous cut to the athletic department budget, where does it come from?
Drop sports
Cut scholarships
Reduce staff
Cut salaries
All of the above.....

One would hope that a head coach committed to their program would be willing to take a serious haircut to reduce the number of coaches and scholarships lost. Its more than just a PR stunt. It might be the difference between being competitive for the next few years, or not. The flip-side being a coach demanding his full contract but losing half his staff and 30 or so scholarships. Thats not too inspiring when you are starting as one of the least resourced team in the conference.

 

[Wazzubrooz]

I'll say it ! Coaches should be paid way less, given they are not working as much as if football were going on..... C'mon.... this isn't even difficult.... It's the real world.