(07-21-2016 10:13 PM)k2tigers Wrote: (07-21-2016 09:12 PM)JhanJo Wrote: Certainly it will be the biggest thing to ever happen to the university athletically and academically. What about the city of Memphis? Will this be bigger than landing an NBA team?
good question
I actually think so
If it were the NFL v NBA, then not a chance
This would - without question - be bigger than the Grizzlies. Football - especially college football - is THE sport in the South and by a large, large, large margin. There's a reason the NBA didn't seek out Memphis until this century. I like the NBA and I like the Grizz, but if we get into the Big12 this is much, much bigger. It impacts not only us, but also all the UT fans, Ole Myth fans and Hog fans in the Mid-South. Combined, that is far, far larger than the Grizz fans.
When the Grizz came to town, there was a quiet enthusiasm, almost a disbelief like 'are they really going to come to Memphis?'. On the other hand, if we get into the Big12 it is 'LOOK THE HE!! out, here we come'.
I've always said that Cincy was the 'safe choice'. A very solid school good at pretty much everything with little downside. We are a 'growth stock' and our potential is freaking HUGE. If Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and/or Texas come to the Liberty Bowl for a CONFERENCE game, you can bet at LEAST 55k for every one of those CONFERENCE games.
If we get in and do things right, Ole Myth, Arksansas and UT will be negatively impacted, no doubt about it.