Utah athletics are at an NIL crossroad and it is revealing itself in almost every sport. Utah Football lost veteran starters (some of that was clearly the result of KW and others going to UM, but we also lost guys to UCLA and Penn State), Utah MBB lost the entire roster with players leaving for Kansas, UNC, Miss St. and WVU), Women’s BBall lost the entire freshman class and a 2 year starter, Softball has seen freshman AA and two other all Big XII players enter portal and soccer lost its three best players. Most of the incoming portal transfers are from lower level schools and while some will prove themselves, chances are those that do will look for $$$ and the ability to compete for championships elsewhere. Unfortunately, I do not see this changing.
I know this PE stuff isn’t going to be used for NIL, but IMO we don’t need facility upgrades as much as increased NIL.
I’ve read or heard Harlan or Randall say it would be used for NIL in some way. It makes no sense that it wouldn’t be used to develop an ecosystem that funds NIL at least. This isn’t going to work if the product doesn’t attract subscribers and advertisers. There’s no question about that. They have to have a plan for raising funds to attract talent because that’s what the business is. Or there’s no point in having facilities. They know this. They’re not stupid. On the contrary. If private equity finances veterinary hospitals it has to prioritize retaining veterinarians. The same is true here.
The recruitment has been good enough to build competitive teams, with the right coaches. My primary concern is coaching. We have two coaches who are understandably loved by Ute fans but have no track record winning in college sports.
Posting this here since it is Athletics money related. Unsurprisingly, Utah has chosen not to renew with UA. I keep seeing that Adidas is the likely choice. Don’t really care who the new partner is as long as Utah gets the best deal possible.
What I don’t get is how some people have to be sure they’re wearing the same brand as the team. I actually got asked last night if I’ll be throwing away my UA shirts. Why? I’m not on the team or paid to wear anyone’s stuff.
Interesting article about the U’s athletic operations in today’s Trib.
The inconsistency between various sports finding is interesting, and disturbing. I know operations is separate from athletics, but they sure shouldn’t be siloed like this implies.
My biggest concern after reading this is they will make the JMHC even more of a non-stop barrage of 95db (I’ve measured it -I’m a nerd) DJ-selected mashups and light shows to, “enhance the game day experience.” Also, if they are giving away enough tickets to fill the lower bowl, where are those people? They sure aren’t at the game.
I have a really nice heavy Ute Football hooded winter coat. It’s red and white with Ute logos, which I bought on the order of 30 years ago and have only ever worn for really cold snowy Utah Football games, (maybe 2 or 3 times a year). I have no idea what brand it is, but I’ll be wearing that at all future cold snowy Ute Football games.
My son, a life long Ute fan, and an Adidas employee (as is his girlfriend of many years) have both mentioned recently they were hearing such rumors… I have a half a closet full of discounted Adidas gear, this could be fun
If they do more of that, they will see less of me at the Huntsman. I’m one of those that likes to talk about the game during timeouts with the people I’m sitting with. All that 95db noise makes it so you can’t even hear the person sitting next to you.
The most annoying and aggravating people during a basketball game at the HC is the MC Hosts. I just cringe and get irritated every time I hear the screams of “Come on Ute fans! Lets make some noise!!!”, which occurs at every time out and half time with whatever promotional game they are playing with selected fans. I just want to yell back “Simmer down Beavis!!” I get they are trying to get the small crowd fired up, but it come across as obnoxious rather then crowd pleasing. Not my drink of choice.
The bits about opportunities for revenue growth and the room for sponsorships, naming, ticketing, etc were the parts that popped out for me. This is stuff I have been saying for years. This is where the Otro deal can provide opportunities. Using some of the cash to hire experts in these areas could provide a large amount of revenue growth.
I also thought it was interesting to see the idea of turning the current press area at the JMHC into loge type seating and using some of the floor area for hospitality. I can definitely see some opportunities there. When the news came out that they were looking to renovate the arena I had a chat with my son, who is an engineer, about some of the things they could do. Plenty could be done with some of the space that is currently offices. But one idea we discussed was taking out a few of the bottom rows of fixed lower bowl seats to make a complete circle all the way around then use the space below for luxury seating with food & beverage or something.
That is just one idea of many that could be explored.
So much of the current athletic sponsorship has been siphoned from a few wealthy sources…Eccles, Huntsman, Garff, etc. I think they need to broaden this base and expand beyond the Salt Lake Valley.
Unfortunately most of the new and start up funding is tied up with a specific religiously affiliated entity in Utah County. Perhaps Otro can bring in some new regional or national partnering opportunities that the U just wasn’t equiped to pursue.
I know a few people in the tech space here in Utah. When you bring up the possibility of doing something with the U some of them said “we’ve never been asked”. They are open to a pitch but they often don’t know what options are available.
As far as I can tell there’s no one doing much in the way of corporate sales for sports tickets or events or lower level partnerships. A lot of small and medium sized or even big companies would be interested in spending some money at the U but it’s a bit of a pain at times to try and chase down what’s available. It’s often much easier to have a sales guy reach out and make a pitch.
