Now the Exit Fee
Looks like I can’t let this go after all. Sorry, for yet another rant, but I saw this in the Baltimore Sun and thought it was mighty interesting. As we are all painfully aware, the ACC is charging Maryland $52 Million to leave the ACC. And as we are all aware, Wallace Loh does not think the ACC has a case against Maryland because the $52 Million he views as a penalty.
I don’t know how this is going to shake out, but I do applaud the ACC for trying to stick it to us. I mean we basically shook the foundation of every program in the conference, and if the league agreed to creating a buyout to strength the stability of the conference, then so be it. Even if Loh voted against it (makes sense now doesn’t it).
Anyway, today a Maryland politican stepped up to the mike to express his views on the move, and I certainly agreed with what he said. Keeping in mind this isn’t about politics, I don’t know this guy from Adam and for all I do know (or don’t know) he could be proposing a 100% tax on Marylanders who are named Bob and watch over 100 Orioles games a year. It isn’t the point, just what his message is, and it’s nice to see someone who has a pulpit speak what I feel. So here are Pat McDonough had to say:
First of all, he questioned why a move that is so great for the University was done behind closed doors, then he added that if this is going to be a windfall for all involved SHOW US!
He then said he would file legislation preventing tax payer money to go towards any buyout the University would have to pay. Including any improvements to facilities that need to be made to be considered kept up with “Big 10″ standards.
McDonough added ““I sincerely hope this new move by the University of MD is a big success, however, the deal was made in secret, the numbers were never publicly crunched, and the fans were left out in the cold. This legislation will guarantee that the taxpayers will not pay for this decision with new money that is not already in the University of Maryland’s current budget.”
It is yet to be determined if Maryland will indeed have to pay the exit fee, and Loh has expressed that the University will pay for the move by itself if necessary, most likely through fund raising. So again, who will be paying for this move? Those who didn’t vote for it, and never wanted it in the first place.
Hmmm, sound like a great idea, can’t wait to get my request for funds in the mail.
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December 7th, 2012 at 1:09 pm
Lets see the ACC has raided the Big East twice but you don’t see anything wrong with that? If Maryland doesn’t join the Big Ten what sports are you willing to do away with now? Don’t forget that Rugters is now a member of the Big Ten if some how Maryland does back out what do you think the Big Ten will do? You guessed right they will target another ACC team, then where will Maryland be? I think it’s call a sinking ship with no where to go.
December 7th, 2012 at 4:42 pm
I have been against any change to the ACC post FSU joining. This very well may be the case of a sinking ship, but I don’t want to be the one contributing to that considering we are a founding ACC School. The Big 10 would have taken us anytime we wanted considering we have the DC market they so covet, so why should we torpedo the rest of the ACC schools? We wouldn’t be left high and dry.
Why threaten the livelihood of every other ACC school because our Athletic Department is inept? Giving more money to those who have shown they can’t handle it, never solves the problem. And you can blame Yow all you want for putting us in this mess, but who allowed that to happen. No one stood up and fired Yow, she left.
So Yow wasn’t fired, Friedgen was because he couldn’t fill seats, then Edsall was hired to “energize the fan base” I mean what move as the Athletic Department made that gives anyone any faith? And now the same people who tought Edsall would fill Byrd are making this decision. That doesn’t help me sleep at night. This is far better for the Big 10 than it is for Maryland.
December 7th, 2012 at 9:43 pm
Well put, Bob. One quibble: The Turgeon hire was a great move on the AD’s part, though with so many other poor decisions I’m inclined to go with the “a-blind-squirrel-finds-a-nut-every-once-in-a-while” maxim as an explanation there.
December 7th, 2012 at 10:50 pm
So what you are saying is that you will be the last one to depart the ship? Do you really think that is a good postion to be in? There are only so many life boats and if Maryland isn’t on one of the first one to leave they might be lift behind, but they you can say at least we weren’t the first ones to leave but the problem with that is the other univ. have a safe landing where is Maryland safe landing the MWC?
December 7th, 2012 at 11:11 pm
Bob comments are mine not the real Bod sorry about that.
December 9th, 2012 at 6:38 am
Not last, but not first. With the TV Market we bring, were aren’t exactly the ugliest girl at the ball. We’d find a home. Mostly I’m just going to miss the road trips. In fact we were in the middle of planning the next Blacksburg trip when the news broke.
Basically I think this move hurts us in Football and is a push in basketball. And in the meantime makes all road trips besides PSU and OSU all but impossible to do without flying or taking off a work day here and there. And I DESPISE the “Home” games played off campus, and I worry that is where we are headed.