1 00:00:00,280 --> 00:00:03,560 Speaker 1: This is the business of sports where in the situation 2 00:00:03,640 --> 00:00:06,400 Speaker 1: that we haven't dealt with in modern times, pandemic here 3 00:00:06,440 --> 00:00:10,479 Speaker 1: has really accelerated the investments that you've been advocating for 4 00:00:10,480 --> 00:00:12,880 Speaker 1: for years. From a Macrow standpoint, I think our sport 5 00:00:12,920 --> 00:00:16,360 Speaker 1: industry is really forced to look at the business a 6 00:00:16,440 --> 00:00:19,639 Speaker 1: little bit differently in depth conversations with the leaders in 7 00:00:19,720 --> 00:00:22,759 Speaker 1: the sports industry. Who wants to be the sacrificial lambs 8 00:00:22,800 --> 00:00:25,599 Speaker 1: that shows up at the first big major sporting event 9 00:00:25,680 --> 00:00:27,640 Speaker 1: were part of something much bigger than the sports right 10 00:00:27,640 --> 00:00:30,080 Speaker 1: now and the health and traptry of our stakeholders that 11 00:00:30,160 --> 00:00:32,839 Speaker 1: looks much important every moment. I think we're all from 12 00:00:32,840 --> 00:00:35,560 Speaker 1: the business respective thinking about the impact that the virus 13 00:00:35,600 --> 00:00:38,960 Speaker 1: is having across the country. In Bloomberg Business of Sports 14 00:00:39,000 --> 00:00:42,639 Speaker 1: from Bloomberg Radio, Hello, I'm Jason Kelly, and I'm Mike 15 00:00:42,760 --> 00:00:45,839 Speaker 1: Lynch and I'm Michael bar Over the next hour, we 16 00:00:45,880 --> 00:00:48,400 Speaker 1: will explore the big money issues in the world of 17 00:00:48,400 --> 00:00:51,000 Speaker 1: sports and talk to some of the biggest players in 18 00:00:51,040 --> 00:00:53,400 Speaker 1: the industry. Today. We're going to talk about the current 19 00:00:53,440 --> 00:00:56,440 Speaker 1: state of college sports up in the air, to say 20 00:00:56,480 --> 00:00:59,560 Speaker 1: the least, as fall approaches, and we even look ahead 21 00:00:59,600 --> 00:01:02,800 Speaker 1: to win turn and Spring sports. We're gonna check in 22 00:01:02,840 --> 00:01:05,760 Speaker 1: with Big East Commissioner Val Ackerman Chiljoin. It's in just 23 00:01:05,800 --> 00:01:07,720 Speaker 1: a bit. But first, guys, let's look at some of 24 00:01:07,720 --> 00:01:09,560 Speaker 1: the top stories of the week. We gotta start with 25 00:01:09,640 --> 00:01:13,920 Speaker 1: baseball opening day. Got some games under our belt. Who 26 00:01:13,959 --> 00:01:18,120 Speaker 1: knows what happens from here, but the tortured process of 27 00:01:18,160 --> 00:01:22,000 Speaker 1: getting baseball on the field came to some sort of fruition. 28 00:01:22,680 --> 00:01:27,160 Speaker 1: Mike Lench, you're a big baseball fan. What do you think, Well, 29 00:01:27,200 --> 00:01:31,120 Speaker 1: it's kind of funny. One of the big issues is 30 00:01:31,200 --> 00:01:33,720 Speaker 1: let's speed up the game of baseball, and boy, we 31 00:01:33,760 --> 00:01:36,720 Speaker 1: wanted to say it's finally here. So I don't think 32 00:01:36,720 --> 00:01:39,200 Speaker 1: you can here too many complaints about that. Let's say 33 00:01:39,200 --> 00:01:42,160 Speaker 1: it's going to be an acquired taste to watch baseball 34 00:01:42,200 --> 00:01:47,000 Speaker 1: games without any fans with piped in crowd noise. Um. 35 00:01:47,040 --> 00:01:49,920 Speaker 1: I watched a couple of games, and I have mixed 36 00:01:49,920 --> 00:01:52,840 Speaker 1: feelings about it. It seems a little bit artificial, like 37 00:01:52,920 --> 00:01:55,920 Speaker 1: trying to get fans to cheer let's go Nix, let's 38 00:01:55,920 --> 00:01:59,880 Speaker 1: go nets um. And it doesn't even look like a 39 00:02:00,000 --> 00:02:02,000 Speaker 1: spring training game because the spring training game you've got 40 00:02:02,040 --> 00:02:04,560 Speaker 1: at least ten thousand people there. So I think this 41 00:02:04,640 --> 00:02:06,640 Speaker 1: is going to be an adjustment period for the fans. 42 00:02:06,680 --> 00:02:10,239 Speaker 1: But I think the fans have been starving for live 43 00:02:10,760 --> 00:02:13,639 Speaker 1: sporting events for so long. They'll take whatever they can 44 00:02:13,639 --> 00:02:18,120 Speaker 1: get in whatever form they get it. And see, when 45 00:02:18,200 --> 00:02:21,920 Speaker 1: you're a Boston Red Sox fan or a New York 46 00:02:22,000 --> 00:02:25,400 Speaker 1: Yankees fan, is like, I don't know about the crowd size. 47 00:02:25,520 --> 00:02:30,160 Speaker 1: When you're a Detroit Tigers fan, this is normal for us. See, 48 00:02:31,280 --> 00:02:35,480 Speaker 1: we we're happy. We listen, we love our Tigers, we 49 00:02:35,639 --> 00:02:39,440 Speaker 1: love our Detroit teams, and we're getting ready, gosh darn 50 00:02:39,440 --> 00:02:44,040 Speaker 1: ittt for another season. But listen, I am glad to 51 00:02:44,080 --> 00:02:46,800 Speaker 1: talk about baseball. I'm glad to talk about my Tigers. 52 00:02:47,240 --> 00:02:51,280 Speaker 1: And I think everybody, especially you guys know me as like, 53 00:02:51,880 --> 00:02:53,800 Speaker 1: I gotta now look at the betting odds for the 54 00:02:53,800 --> 00:02:59,959 Speaker 1: particular game. So the revenue for all the wet betting website, 55 00:03:00,480 --> 00:03:03,960 Speaker 1: they're happy, They're happy to happen well. And speaking of revenue, 56 00:03:04,000 --> 00:03:07,120 Speaker 1: I mean that obviously was one of the big points 57 00:03:07,120 --> 00:03:10,040 Speaker 1: of contention between the players and the owners. Who was 58 00:03:10,080 --> 00:03:13,440 Speaker 1: going to get what, who was going to get paid what. Ultimately, 59 00:03:13,560 --> 00:03:16,360 Speaker 1: revenue is going to be dramatically down from the get go, 60 00:03:17,240 --> 00:03:20,600 Speaker 1: fewer games, no fans, and you're gonna have teams that 61 00:03:20,639 --> 00:03:23,639 Speaker 1: are gonna lose a lot of money. What we don't 62 00:03:23,680 --> 00:03:27,320 Speaker 1: know at this point, Mike Lynch is and we've talked 63 00:03:27,360 --> 00:03:29,680 Speaker 1: to the likes of Rachel Luba and others about this. 64 00:03:30,240 --> 00:03:33,200 Speaker 1: What the mid to long term impact is going to be. 65 00:03:33,600 --> 00:03:35,120 Speaker 1: These guys are gonna have to come to the table 66 00:03:35,200 --> 00:03:39,400 Speaker 1: next year for a collective bargaining agreement and the taste 67 00:03:39,960 --> 00:03:42,160 Speaker 1: is going to be left over. I think of all 68 00:03:42,240 --> 00:03:45,080 Speaker 1: this acrimony just to get baseball in the field this year, 69 00:03:45,120 --> 00:03:47,440 Speaker 1: it's got to be right, absolutely, And I think that 70 00:03:47,520 --> 00:03:50,240 Speaker 1: was part of the posturing between Tony Clark in Major 71 00:03:50,280 --> 00:03:53,240 Speaker 1: League Baseball is that this is how I'm going to 72 00:03:53,320 --> 00:03:56,360 Speaker 1: be when the collective bargaining agreement expires. I'm not just 73 00:03:56,400 --> 00:03:58,520 Speaker 1: gonna cave. I'm not going to be congenial. I'm going 74 00:03:58,560 --> 00:04:01,280 Speaker 1: to be like everything that Marvin Miller laid out in 75 00:04:01,280 --> 00:04:05,000 Speaker 1: the blueprint. Uh in terms of the players Association is 76 00:04:05,000 --> 00:04:07,240 Speaker 1: concerned one guy that did cash in, and I don't 77 00:04:07,240 --> 00:04:09,880 Speaker 1: think he's really gonna care his Mookie Betts, who just 78 00:04:09,960 --> 00:04:13,640 Speaker 1: before the season started twelve years, three hundred sixty five 79 00:04:13,720 --> 00:04:16,600 Speaker 1: million dollar extension. I know, this is the business of sports, 80 00:04:16,600 --> 00:04:19,760 Speaker 1: and that number jumps out at me right there. Twelve years, 81 00:04:19,800 --> 00:04:22,760 Speaker 1: three hundred sixty five million. And you know, people up 82 00:04:22,800 --> 00:04:25,000 Speaker 1: here in Boston are out of their minds because it 83 00:04:25,080 --> 00:04:27,320 Speaker 1: took five years. They couldn't get a deal done with 84 00:04:27,360 --> 00:04:30,400 Speaker 1: Mookie Betts and the Dodgers got it done in five months. Yeah, 85 00:04:30,480 --> 00:04:34,080 Speaker 1: he's a Dodger now and and very publicly happy about it. 86 00:04:34,160 --> 00:04:38,120 Speaker 1: With some not so subtle digs back east, that's for sure. Well, 87 00:04:38,240 --> 00:04:42,440 Speaker 1: also back east east of New York City, we are 88 00:04:42,520 --> 00:04:48,520 Speaker 1: looking at a brand new arena for the Islanders ubs 89 00:04:48,640 --> 00:04:53,200 Speaker 1: coming in paying somewhere in the area of three hundred million, 90 00:04:53,320 --> 00:04:56,599 Speaker 1: depending on what the incentives are and who makes the 91 00:04:56,640 --> 00:05:00,560 Speaker 1: playoffs and who doesn't and all of that good stuff. Uh. 92 00:05:00,720 --> 00:05:03,240 Speaker 1: Naming rights, they're one of the most fun things to 93 00:05:03,360 --> 00:05:07,480 Speaker 1: track in business, Mike Lynch, absolutely, And it's tough to 94 00:05:07,560 --> 00:05:09,520 Speaker 1: keep track of what the name is of what different 95 00:05:09,560 --> 00:05:11,720 Speaker 1: stadium to say, wait a minute, you know, last time 96 00:05:11,760 --> 00:05:13,800 Speaker 1: I was there it was called the Cap Center. You 97 00:05:13,839 --> 00:05:15,520 Speaker 1: know what's last time I was there it was called 98 00:05:15,520 --> 00:05:18,480 Speaker 1: the Verizon Center, right and um, but yeah, these these 99 00:05:18,480 --> 00:05:21,920 Speaker 1: are numbers. They're big numbers, but this is New York City. 100 00:05:21,920 --> 00:05:24,159 Speaker 1: It's not the biggest number in the biggest city in 101 00:05:24,200 --> 00:05:28,159 Speaker 1: the world. Yeah. Interesting, Michael Barr, And do you think 102 00:05:28,200 --> 00:05:31,040 Speaker 1: that that's just because well, it's the Islanders, it's out 103 00:05:31,040 --> 00:05:34,400 Speaker 1: on Long Island. It's it is literally, in figuratively kind 104 00:05:34,400 --> 00:05:38,240 Speaker 1: of far from Madison Square Garden and even from Brooklyn 105 00:05:38,520 --> 00:05:40,760 Speaker 1: to some extent. Is there sort of a Long Island 106 00:05:40,839 --> 00:05:44,040 Speaker 1: discount going on here? I'm kind of surprised about that 107 00:05:44,080 --> 00:05:48,120 Speaker 1: because the Islanders have had some success in the league. Uh, 108 00:05:48,480 --> 00:05:50,599 Speaker 1: but I think you're right. I think there is a 109 00:05:50,680 --> 00:05:53,560 Speaker 1: Long Island discount. And I was thinking about what Mike 110 00:05:53,680 --> 00:05:55,560 Speaker 1: Lynch said, trying to keep track of all the names. 111 00:05:55,560 --> 00:05:57,720 Speaker 1: It's nothing like the old days where you had the 112 00:05:57,760 --> 00:06:01,160 Speaker 1: old Olympia Stadium for the Detroit in Wings. You knew 113 00:06:01,240 --> 00:06:05,160 Speaker 1: that right away. Now there's so many names, guys, it's 114 00:06:05,240 --> 00:06:08,840 Speaker 1: like for Ubs Arena now and and and go on 115 00:06:08,960 --> 00:06:12,080 Speaker 1: and on. It's it's hard to keep track. Yeah. Well, 116 00:06:12,120 --> 00:06:14,599 Speaker 1: and it'll be interesting to see, you know, sort of 117 00:06:14,680 --> 00:06:19,440 Speaker 1: how this stadium, this arena draws. It's right there in Belmont, 118 00:06:19,680 --> 00:06:23,080 Speaker 1: close to the famous racetrack, part of the Triple Crown, 119 00:06:23,360 --> 00:06:25,760 Speaker 1: and uh, as you guys have alluded to. I mean, 120 00:06:25,760 --> 00:06:29,880 Speaker 1: there is a very dedicated fan base there. Um, we'll 121 00:06:29,880 --> 00:06:32,479 Speaker 1: see whether all those folks used to go to Nassau 122 00:06:32,680 --> 00:06:36,520 Speaker 1: Coliseum and then to Brooklyn now will end up in Belmont. 123 00:06:36,560 --> 00:06:39,320 Speaker 1: And you know, as a guy who's covered Wall Street 124 00:06:39,320 --> 00:06:41,840 Speaker 1: for a long time, interesting to see a big bank, 125 00:06:41,920 --> 00:06:44,640 Speaker 1: and not even a US bank. It Swiss bank that 126 00:06:44,720 --> 00:06:47,560 Speaker 1: has its headquarters, it's US headquarters in New York City 127 00:06:47,600 --> 00:06:51,839 Speaker 1: put its name on this hockey arena. Today we're speaking 128 00:06:52,160 --> 00:06:55,919 Speaker 1: with Big East Commissioner Val Ackerman. Val. Really nice to 129 00:06:55,960 --> 00:06:59,360 Speaker 1: have you with us. It has been an incredibly busy time, 130 00:06:59,400 --> 00:07:01,719 Speaker 1: I know, so we're very grateful to you for carving 131 00:07:01,720 --> 00:07:04,840 Speaker 1: out some time for us. Yeah. Thanks Jason, Michael and 132 00:07:04,920 --> 00:07:09,040 Speaker 1: my great being with you. So let's start with the 133 00:07:09,080 --> 00:07:13,400 Speaker 1: business at hand, which is what's going to happen this fall. 134 00:07:13,520 --> 00:07:17,600 Speaker 1: How did you come to the decision that you did 135 00:07:18,200 --> 00:07:22,840 Speaker 1: and where do we stand right now? Well, and Jason, 136 00:07:22,840 --> 00:07:24,880 Speaker 1: I guess i'd start by saying, Um, it's been a 137 00:07:25,000 --> 00:07:30,480 Speaker 1: very um, difficult, um and uncertain last couple of months. Um. 138 00:07:30,520 --> 00:07:36,280 Speaker 1: Like like all conferences, we've been continuously reviewing the COVID landscape. 139 00:07:36,720 --> 00:07:39,280 Speaker 1: As we tried to figure out the plans around our 140 00:07:39,760 --> 00:07:43,200 Speaker 1: six fall sports. UM in the Big East. We we 141 00:07:43,240 --> 00:07:46,520 Speaker 1: don't sponsor football anymore, but we do sponsor men's and 142 00:07:46,560 --> 00:07:49,960 Speaker 1: women's soccer, men's and women's cross country, field hockey, and volleyball. 143 00:07:50,640 --> 00:07:53,680 Speaker 1: And these actually your sports that we've been very successful in. 144 00:07:53,760 --> 00:07:56,200 Speaker 1: I just sort of note as an aside, UM. Georgetown 145 00:07:56,280 --> 00:08:01,480 Speaker 1: is currently the reigning national champions in men's soccer. UM. Yukon, 146 00:08:01,720 --> 00:08:04,200 Speaker 1: which has just joined our league as an eleventh school, 147 00:08:04,280 --> 00:08:07,640 Speaker 1: has won the national championship in field hockey three of 148 00:08:07,720 --> 00:08:11,760 Speaker 1: the last six years. UM. We've got great volleyball programs, 149 00:08:11,760 --> 00:08:14,320 Speaker 1: particularly in Creighton and Marquette. We've done very well and 150 00:08:14,480 --> 00:08:18,160 Speaker 1: distance running UM by a number of our school So 151 00:08:18,320 --> 00:08:22,400 Speaker 1: these are sports that we take very seriously. UM. We 152 00:08:23,040 --> 00:08:26,840 Speaker 1: have been, like all conferences, trying to figure out, UM 153 00:08:26,840 --> 00:08:29,320 Speaker 1: whether they can be safely played in the fall. We've 154 00:08:29,360 --> 00:08:34,640 Speaker 1: been reviewing guidance issued by various authorities, including the n 155 00:08:34,679 --> 00:08:37,600 Speaker 1: c a A. We're looking closely, as I know you 156 00:08:37,640 --> 00:08:40,880 Speaker 1: all are, tracking what's happening with the pro leagues UM, 157 00:08:40,960 --> 00:08:44,320 Speaker 1: and and we've been part of many, many discussions, many 158 00:08:44,320 --> 00:08:46,320 Speaker 1: times weekly with n c A staff and in my 159 00:08:46,400 --> 00:08:49,839 Speaker 1: case with other commissioners. UM. Last, but not least, we've 160 00:08:49,880 --> 00:08:53,240 Speaker 1: had a medical task force made up of experts within 161 00:08:53,240 --> 00:08:56,920 Speaker 1: our conference just to try to figure out, UM, where 162 00:08:56,960 --> 00:09:00,400 Speaker 1: we are with the crystal ball holds and gam what 163 00:09:00,480 --> 00:09:04,280 Speaker 1: can be done. So UM it's been a laborious process 164 00:09:04,320 --> 00:09:07,240 Speaker 1: that UM last week led to a decision by our 165 00:09:07,280 --> 00:09:13,400 Speaker 1: presidents to hold off on the start of our sports competitions. UM. 166 00:09:13,440 --> 00:09:17,280 Speaker 1: Typically student athletes go back in early August play nonconference 167 00:09:17,440 --> 00:09:20,240 Speaker 1: contests and then they go into the conference play, which 168 00:09:20,280 --> 00:09:23,800 Speaker 1: leads into the national championship competition. So we made the 169 00:09:23,800 --> 00:09:27,000 Speaker 1: decision last week to hold off on the beginning UM. 170 00:09:27,000 --> 00:09:30,200 Speaker 1: The athletes will come back with the regular student body, 171 00:09:31,000 --> 00:09:34,400 Speaker 1: we will not play nonconference games, and then we have 172 00:09:34,600 --> 00:09:37,520 Speaker 1: yet to make a decision about conference play, which would 173 00:09:37,559 --> 00:09:40,880 Speaker 1: start generally end of September beginning of October. We just 174 00:09:40,880 --> 00:09:43,800 Speaker 1: felt like we needed more time. UM. We're in eleven 175 00:09:43,800 --> 00:09:47,880 Speaker 1: different jurisdictions, including d c. UM. We've got actually some 176 00:09:47,960 --> 00:09:51,120 Speaker 1: easing of the virus in the Northeast where half of 177 00:09:51,120 --> 00:09:54,640 Speaker 1: our schools are competing. UM, but we just wanted to 178 00:09:54,679 --> 00:09:56,920 Speaker 1: take stock a bit more of the landscape and see 179 00:09:56,920 --> 00:09:58,760 Speaker 1: where our schools are going to land at their campus 180 00:09:58,760 --> 00:10:01,880 Speaker 1: reopening plans. So that was our that was our decision 181 00:10:01,960 --> 00:10:04,360 Speaker 1: last week. But we're still monitoring this and I you know, 182 00:10:04,400 --> 00:10:06,520 Speaker 1: to your point, I'm not sure where we're going to 183 00:10:06,679 --> 00:10:08,600 Speaker 1: land in a week or two or three. But it 184 00:10:08,760 --> 00:10:12,520 Speaker 1: is a shifting landscape for sure. One major problem when 185 00:10:12,640 --> 00:10:16,520 Speaker 1: a decision like this comes up, especially in an unforeseen 186 00:10:16,600 --> 00:10:23,320 Speaker 1: COVID nineteen era, when sports are involved, there are a 187 00:10:23,480 --> 00:10:28,920 Speaker 1: number of scholarships for people who got to very university, 188 00:10:29,760 --> 00:10:34,920 Speaker 1: whether it be for soccer or whatever. Are those scholarships 189 00:10:35,040 --> 00:10:39,320 Speaker 1: in danger now because of what's happening with COVID nineteen. 190 00:10:39,600 --> 00:10:43,400 Speaker 1: UH that that kind of determination hasn't been made yet, 191 00:10:43,440 --> 00:10:46,760 Speaker 1: but I suspect many schools will look to honor those 192 00:10:47,280 --> 00:10:50,560 Speaker 1: if fall sports are taken away. UM that that's what 193 00:10:50,679 --> 00:10:53,439 Speaker 1: happened in UH in the springtime when the n c 194 00:10:53,600 --> 00:10:56,280 Speaker 1: A Board of Governors, which is the highest governing body, 195 00:10:56,280 --> 00:11:00,400 Speaker 1: made the decision to cancel spring sports, scholarships were still laundered. 196 00:11:01,120 --> 00:11:04,120 Speaker 1: And I think what you would have to see, UM, 197 00:11:04,200 --> 00:11:08,559 Speaker 1: if that were to happen, and that's that's not been determined. UM, 198 00:11:08,600 --> 00:11:12,119 Speaker 1: likely there would be a move to add an additional 199 00:11:12,200 --> 00:11:16,040 Speaker 1: season of competition. To those athletes to make up for 200 00:11:16,080 --> 00:11:18,719 Speaker 1: the last year. President is already been set for that 201 00:11:18,840 --> 00:11:21,640 Speaker 1: again based on what happened in March. But that's really 202 00:11:21,840 --> 00:11:25,000 Speaker 1: you know, that's certainly one of many issues that would 203 00:11:25,040 --> 00:11:28,280 Speaker 1: have to be tackled depending on what happens or not 204 00:11:28,360 --> 00:11:31,720 Speaker 1: in the coming weeks. Val those six sports that you 205 00:11:31,760 --> 00:11:36,000 Speaker 1: mentioned fall into that dangerous category non revenue sports, and 206 00:11:36,040 --> 00:11:39,120 Speaker 1: we've already seen so many schools, including Stanford, dropped the 207 00:11:39,120 --> 00:11:44,200 Speaker 1: eleven sports. What is your fear level that these some 208 00:11:44,320 --> 00:11:46,680 Speaker 1: of these sports maybe dropped and when they dropped, usually 209 00:11:46,720 --> 00:11:49,720 Speaker 1: they're gone forever. I think that's a that's a certainly 210 00:11:49,800 --> 00:11:52,800 Speaker 1: possibility around the country. UM I don't think in the 211 00:11:52,800 --> 00:11:56,680 Speaker 1: Big East any of these sports at danger. Every school 212 00:11:56,720 --> 00:11:59,480 Speaker 1: is in a different position, and those are institutional decisions. 213 00:11:59,559 --> 00:12:03,680 Speaker 1: It's not the conference deciding which, you know, which sports carry. 214 00:12:03,679 --> 00:12:05,959 Speaker 1: In fact, Yukon, which just joined our league, made the 215 00:12:06,080 --> 00:12:09,560 Speaker 1: very difficult decision to let for sports go as part 216 00:12:09,600 --> 00:12:15,760 Speaker 1: of a holistic review of their athletic commitments. UM they're financing, etcetera. 217 00:12:16,559 --> 00:12:20,760 Speaker 1: UM I will note in college sports, UM Title nine 218 00:12:20,960 --> 00:12:24,800 Speaker 1: provides a safety net for women's sports, so that any 219 00:12:24,800 --> 00:12:29,199 Speaker 1: decision at school would make about UM about pulling a 220 00:12:29,280 --> 00:12:32,160 Speaker 1: sport would be made through that prism. And so that 221 00:12:32,200 --> 00:12:36,760 Speaker 1: does provide again, you know, a level of protection for 222 00:12:36,840 --> 00:12:40,640 Speaker 1: sports looking through a Title nine lens. But there's you know, 223 00:12:40,760 --> 00:12:44,120 Speaker 1: there's just no getting around the fact that athletic programs 224 00:12:44,240 --> 00:12:48,320 Speaker 1: UM costs money. There really are two sports and college 225 00:12:48,559 --> 00:12:52,760 Speaker 1: athletics that generate any significant revenue therese are football and 226 00:12:52,800 --> 00:12:57,960 Speaker 1: men's basketball UM. And and so you know, there is 227 00:12:58,000 --> 00:13:03,400 Speaker 1: a level of precariousness about the finances here that UM, 228 00:13:03,440 --> 00:13:06,880 Speaker 1: that that's very real, and that will be exacerbated by 229 00:13:06,920 --> 00:13:10,160 Speaker 1: the virus UM and that will have to be sort 230 00:13:10,160 --> 00:13:13,040 Speaker 1: of taken into consideration as our school's work through whatever 231 00:13:13,080 --> 00:13:16,760 Speaker 1: happens this year and beyond and vow when you think 232 00:13:16,800 --> 00:13:22,280 Speaker 1: about all those different calculus UH, is there also a 233 00:13:22,360 --> 00:13:28,800 Speaker 1: concern that maybe you know, some Division one UH is 234 00:13:29,320 --> 00:13:32,400 Speaker 1: in danger at some point because of not being able 235 00:13:32,440 --> 00:13:36,000 Speaker 1: to field enough sports. Well sort of, yes, I mean 236 00:13:36,040 --> 00:13:40,320 Speaker 1: anything like that is possible the scheme of things, UM. 237 00:13:40,360 --> 00:13:43,640 Speaker 1: You know, nothing is nothing is certain in life except 238 00:13:43,640 --> 00:13:47,800 Speaker 1: death and taxes, as we all know. UM. But you know, 239 00:13:47,960 --> 00:13:49,800 Speaker 1: at this point, I don't think anybody is sort of 240 00:13:49,840 --> 00:13:53,160 Speaker 1: thinking those doomsday thoughts. UM. As much as they are. 241 00:13:53,320 --> 00:13:56,920 Speaker 1: What's going to happen this fall in our case college sports. 242 00:13:57,559 --> 00:14:00,440 Speaker 1: What that means for the basketball season? Importantly, what where 243 00:14:00,440 --> 00:14:04,880 Speaker 1: we have more time to think out models, um, you 244 00:14:04,920 --> 00:14:07,160 Speaker 1: know what they might look like that season doesn't start 245 00:14:07,200 --> 00:14:10,880 Speaker 1: for some months. What that means for March Madness, which 246 00:14:10,960 --> 00:14:13,959 Speaker 1: is the principal revenue stream for the n c a 247 00:14:13,960 --> 00:14:17,160 Speaker 1: A as an association. And then importantly for those of 248 00:14:17,200 --> 00:14:20,120 Speaker 1: us who have to build multi year budgeting models. I 249 00:14:20,160 --> 00:14:22,480 Speaker 1: mean I always present a five year outlook to my board. 250 00:14:23,120 --> 00:14:25,200 Speaker 1: You know what this is going to do going forward 251 00:14:25,720 --> 00:14:28,880 Speaker 1: is that's just good business practices. So I think it's 252 00:14:29,120 --> 00:14:31,880 Speaker 1: really too early to say like what could happen sort 253 00:14:31,880 --> 00:14:34,960 Speaker 1: of ultimately with sort of the future of college boards. 254 00:14:35,000 --> 00:14:37,840 Speaker 1: But I yeah, back to my point, I don't think 255 00:14:37,880 --> 00:14:41,880 Speaker 1: anyone can, um I can go into this without recognizing 256 00:14:42,080 --> 00:14:45,440 Speaker 1: that there will be repercussions going forward about what's going 257 00:14:45,440 --> 00:14:47,880 Speaker 1: on with what's going on now. Well, now, at the 258 00:14:48,000 --> 00:14:50,840 Speaker 1: end of the last segment, you went exactly where we 259 00:14:50,880 --> 00:14:52,840 Speaker 1: wanted to go, certainly where I want to go as 260 00:14:52,880 --> 00:14:57,080 Speaker 1: a Georgetown a lum hoop basketball. Uh, what are you 261 00:14:57,160 --> 00:15:00,600 Speaker 1: thinking about right now? What plans are being made aid 262 00:15:01,000 --> 00:15:03,440 Speaker 1: as much as you can to ensure that we will 263 00:15:03,480 --> 00:15:06,840 Speaker 1: see a Big East basketball season. Well at this point, Jason, 264 00:15:06,840 --> 00:15:11,320 Speaker 1: are our plans for our winner and spring sports? UM 265 00:15:11,480 --> 00:15:15,960 Speaker 1: are continuing as planned. UM basketball seasons, as you would 266 00:15:16,000 --> 00:15:20,040 Speaker 1: know as a fan, starts UM in middle November, practices 267 00:15:20,120 --> 00:15:22,960 Speaker 1: start earlier, continues through March. Got the Big East Tournament 268 00:15:23,000 --> 00:15:25,760 Speaker 1: of course on the books UH for mid March at 269 00:15:25,760 --> 00:15:29,360 Speaker 1: Madison Square Garden. We have other sports we run in 270 00:15:29,400 --> 00:15:31,760 Speaker 1: the winter and spring, so right now it's it's full 271 00:15:31,760 --> 00:15:36,840 Speaker 1: scheme ahead. We've got UM two nonconference challenges on the 272 00:15:36,840 --> 00:15:38,960 Speaker 1: men's side with the Big Ten in the Big Twelve 273 00:15:39,120 --> 00:15:42,240 Speaker 1: or working on those, and then we handle the conference 274 00:15:42,440 --> 00:15:46,000 Speaker 1: schedule for our eleven teams, so we're working on that. 275 00:15:46,320 --> 00:15:48,160 Speaker 1: I can't say, though the back of our minds, there 276 00:15:48,200 --> 00:15:50,560 Speaker 1: isn't a need to think out some alternative models. I 277 00:15:50,640 --> 00:15:53,320 Speaker 1: think it's just a reality going into this, so we're 278 00:15:53,320 --> 00:15:56,080 Speaker 1: working on on that as well. I can't tell you 279 00:15:56,120 --> 00:15:58,440 Speaker 1: today where any of us are going to land, whether 280 00:15:58,480 --> 00:16:01,920 Speaker 1: the season starts on time, what there's a truncated season, etcetera. 281 00:16:02,160 --> 00:16:04,880 Speaker 1: I think we've got to be prepared for anything, UM, 282 00:16:04,920 --> 00:16:09,640 Speaker 1: but we're hopeful that we can pull it off. Whether 283 00:16:09,680 --> 00:16:12,400 Speaker 1: it's with fans or not, I can't tell you whether 284 00:16:12,440 --> 00:16:15,600 Speaker 1: it's an alternative venues. Sure that might happen as well. 285 00:16:16,080 --> 00:16:17,920 Speaker 1: It's probably a little bit too early to say. I 286 00:16:17,960 --> 00:16:20,520 Speaker 1: guess I would sort of project that it would be 287 00:16:22,080 --> 00:16:26,640 Speaker 1: call it early to mid September, that we would have 288 00:16:26,680 --> 00:16:30,160 Speaker 1: a better idea probably of where the season will stand. 289 00:16:30,920 --> 00:16:32,920 Speaker 1: Of to say, I don't think we've spent enough time 290 00:16:32,960 --> 00:16:36,360 Speaker 1: as an association that is nt membership at large thinking 291 00:16:36,400 --> 00:16:39,720 Speaker 1: about basketball. Focus right now so intently on football for 292 00:16:39,840 --> 00:16:42,400 Speaker 1: many conferences that we're not thinking as much about basketball 293 00:16:42,440 --> 00:16:44,400 Speaker 1: we need to. I would just say, on behalf of 294 00:16:44,440 --> 00:16:46,600 Speaker 1: our enterprise, we've got to step up and really think 295 00:16:46,640 --> 00:16:50,040 Speaker 1: about what we're gonna do with In many respects are 296 00:16:50,760 --> 00:16:53,160 Speaker 1: our most important sport because it's the one that funds 297 00:16:53,160 --> 00:16:57,400 Speaker 1: the association. This mass march madness, gone betting revenue, gone 298 00:16:57,520 --> 00:17:02,840 Speaker 1: revenue for biggie schools really disrupted. Can you give us 299 00:17:02,880 --> 00:17:07,359 Speaker 1: an estimate of how much money was just taken away 300 00:17:07,440 --> 00:17:11,760 Speaker 1: because of the cancelation of this past march madness? Yeah, my, 301 00:17:12,119 --> 00:17:17,679 Speaker 1: many millions, many millions um. It had massive financial implications, 302 00:17:18,400 --> 00:17:22,360 Speaker 1: particularly for conferences that don't have football revenue streams. UM. 303 00:17:22,400 --> 00:17:24,439 Speaker 1: You know, we don't. We don't have that. Our budget 304 00:17:24,480 --> 00:17:27,800 Speaker 1: is really built around basketball. UM. I would say the 305 00:17:27,840 --> 00:17:30,640 Speaker 1: good news for our league is that we did have 306 00:17:30,720 --> 00:17:34,160 Speaker 1: insurance UM that covered the cancelation of the Big East 307 00:17:34,200 --> 00:17:38,000 Speaker 1: tournament UM, so we were protected there. We've got a 308 00:17:38,040 --> 00:17:41,240 Speaker 1: really strong policy that's in effect for the next two years. 309 00:17:41,840 --> 00:17:43,840 Speaker 1: That coverage is really hard to find, but we had 310 00:17:43,920 --> 00:17:49,320 Speaker 1: it UM. And then we have UM. We've been carefully 311 00:17:49,400 --> 00:17:52,439 Speaker 1: nurturing a reserve fund that was set up in the 312 00:17:52,440 --> 00:17:57,280 Speaker 1: conference we configured in and with the approval of our board, 313 00:17:57,320 --> 00:18:00,119 Speaker 1: we were able to access funds from our reserves that 314 00:18:00,160 --> 00:18:05,720 Speaker 1: helped mitigate some of the loss. But it was painful UM. Nonetheless, 315 00:18:05,840 --> 00:18:08,920 Speaker 1: and so budget models that we've built for this year 316 00:18:09,400 --> 00:18:13,479 Speaker 1: have been very much impacted UM. And you know, certainly 317 00:18:13,480 --> 00:18:17,160 Speaker 1: has a business matter for us that basketball is disrupted 318 00:18:17,200 --> 00:18:20,120 Speaker 1: for us in any serious way this year, that would 319 00:18:20,160 --> 00:18:24,680 Speaker 1: certainly impact us UM. But if basketball is can be conducted, 320 00:18:25,240 --> 00:18:28,879 Speaker 1: you know, relatively disruption free, then I would say that 321 00:18:28,880 --> 00:18:32,240 Speaker 1: we'd be in pretty good shape. So so well, just 322 00:18:32,240 --> 00:18:36,159 Speaker 1: just to clarify, let's just say basketball season has wiped 323 00:18:36,160 --> 00:18:38,280 Speaker 1: out in your Big East and any much madness has 324 00:18:38,280 --> 00:18:41,679 Speaker 1: wiped out. Can the Big East survive with this insurance 325 00:18:42,119 --> 00:18:46,080 Speaker 1: and the reserves that you have built up? But we 326 00:18:46,119 --> 00:18:49,760 Speaker 1: survived absolutely, I mean the Big East. You know, I 327 00:18:49,760 --> 00:18:53,320 Speaker 1: think I would call it an austerity year, and that 328 00:18:53,480 --> 00:18:55,640 Speaker 1: word would probably be used by many of my colleagues 329 00:18:55,640 --> 00:19:00,560 Speaker 1: as well. It would be roughier, for sure, But you know, 330 00:19:00,600 --> 00:19:03,880 Speaker 1: I would assume that we'd be a temporary setback. I mean, 331 00:19:04,119 --> 00:19:05,840 Speaker 1: you know, as I read t leaves, if we can 332 00:19:05,880 --> 00:19:11,240 Speaker 1: get a vaccine, then I would see the academic year 333 00:19:11,280 --> 00:19:16,199 Speaker 1: and sport year is being restored. Um And you know, 334 00:19:16,600 --> 00:19:19,800 Speaker 1: I'm a believer in the power of sports. I I 335 00:19:19,840 --> 00:19:22,239 Speaker 1: think when it comes back in our country, it's going 336 00:19:22,280 --> 00:19:24,879 Speaker 1: to come back big. I think there's a tremendous appetite 337 00:19:24,920 --> 00:19:28,119 Speaker 1: for particular and television if we can't deliver the in 338 00:19:28,240 --> 00:19:31,600 Speaker 1: person experience. So I you know, my view is that 339 00:19:31,840 --> 00:19:35,320 Speaker 1: this time next year, hopefully we're in a much better position. 340 00:19:35,880 --> 00:19:38,800 Speaker 1: But I think all of us accept that this year 341 00:19:40,040 --> 00:19:43,679 Speaker 1: could be a rocky road for variety of reasons. But 342 00:19:43,840 --> 00:19:45,479 Speaker 1: as it relates to the Big East, I know our 343 00:19:45,520 --> 00:19:49,199 Speaker 1: schools remained very, very committed to their athletic programs and 344 00:19:49,320 --> 00:19:52,760 Speaker 1: once we kind of get the coast clear again on 345 00:19:52,960 --> 00:19:57,719 Speaker 1: the again, the safety, the assurance of safety that I 346 00:19:57,720 --> 00:20:00,960 Speaker 1: think would be made made fusible by a vaccine, I 347 00:20:00,960 --> 00:20:02,679 Speaker 1: think we'll be in fine shape. It's just kind of 348 00:20:02,680 --> 00:20:04,400 Speaker 1: what we would have to go through between now and then. 349 00:20:04,840 --> 00:20:08,399 Speaker 1: As a Georgetown a lum and Georgetown fan, I love 350 00:20:08,560 --> 00:20:10,960 Speaker 1: the fact that Yukon is coming back. Some of my 351 00:20:11,080 --> 00:20:14,520 Speaker 1: fondest memories, some of my most painful memories as a 352 00:20:14,560 --> 00:20:17,560 Speaker 1: student as a fan have been Georgetown Yukon games. How 353 00:20:17,600 --> 00:20:21,280 Speaker 1: important is it for the league and candidly the business 354 00:20:21,320 --> 00:20:23,040 Speaker 1: of the league to have Yukon back in the mix. 355 00:20:24,600 --> 00:20:28,560 Speaker 1: But we're really excited about the reentry of the Huskies 356 00:20:28,600 --> 00:20:32,040 Speaker 1: back into into our league. You know, probably know they 357 00:20:32,040 --> 00:20:34,720 Speaker 1: were charter member when the league was formed in nine 358 00:20:36,119 --> 00:20:39,960 Speaker 1: and I think it was thirty five years something close 359 00:20:40,000 --> 00:20:42,520 Speaker 1: to that in the Big East before the events of 360 00:20:44,760 --> 00:20:48,840 Speaker 1: when we parted ways. Um. We think they'll bring, um, 361 00:20:49,320 --> 00:20:53,320 Speaker 1: you know, a tremendous amount ranging from good geography, um, 362 00:20:53,480 --> 00:20:56,120 Speaker 1: great rivalries that are already in place, like the one 363 00:20:56,119 --> 00:21:00,760 Speaker 1: with Georgetown St. John's VA and others. Certainly you know, 364 00:21:00,920 --> 00:21:04,000 Speaker 1: great rivalrylooming relooming with Providence just down the road. They 365 00:21:04,040 --> 00:21:07,240 Speaker 1: are less than sixty miles apart, and then the prospect 366 00:21:07,280 --> 00:21:10,879 Speaker 1: of some exciting new rivalries with our Midwest schools. Um 367 00:21:10,920 --> 00:21:14,760 Speaker 1: of this note, Yukon played Xavier in a men's basketball 368 00:21:15,000 --> 00:21:18,920 Speaker 1: MTE in South Carolina this year, went into double overtime. 369 00:21:18,920 --> 00:21:22,280 Speaker 1: It was just it was a war, so there was 370 00:21:22,400 --> 00:21:24,520 Speaker 1: you know, maybe a taste of what's to come there. 371 00:21:24,880 --> 00:21:28,240 Speaker 1: So we think it will be good for everyone. Obviously 372 00:21:28,320 --> 00:21:31,760 Speaker 1: with great respects for our coach hurling coach Oriana women's basketball. 373 00:21:32,560 --> 00:21:34,800 Speaker 1: You know, you're dealing with the greatest program of all time, 374 00:21:34,960 --> 00:21:39,960 Speaker 1: caliber um program. And then they mentioned earlier they've got 375 00:21:40,000 --> 00:21:43,080 Speaker 1: great sports um in some other areas as well, including 376 00:21:43,119 --> 00:21:46,800 Speaker 1: field hockey and other sports, so um, they'll add a lot. 377 00:21:46,880 --> 00:21:50,239 Speaker 1: And having their fans back at Madison Square Garden for 378 00:21:50,320 --> 00:21:52,520 Speaker 1: their h for you know, for a return to the 379 00:21:52,560 --> 00:21:55,240 Speaker 1: Big East Tournament, we think will also be very very exciting. 380 00:21:55,320 --> 00:21:59,240 Speaker 1: So I think great near term possibilities, but also to 381 00:21:59,280 --> 00:22:01,680 Speaker 1: your point, we think it will help as well fortify 382 00:22:01,760 --> 00:22:04,359 Speaker 1: our position, particularly when we go back out to the 383 00:22:04,400 --> 00:22:06,920 Speaker 1: media rights market in a few years time. We think 384 00:22:06,960 --> 00:22:10,159 Speaker 1: they will only strengthen our hands. A tip of the 385 00:22:10,200 --> 00:22:13,400 Speaker 1: cap to you because the Big East conference. You guys 386 00:22:13,480 --> 00:22:17,359 Speaker 1: have partnered with an organization called RISE. It aims to 387 00:22:17,400 --> 00:22:21,600 Speaker 1: equip sports leaders to create positive change on matters of racism, 388 00:22:21,680 --> 00:22:25,280 Speaker 1: social justice, and equality. Can you expand more on that 389 00:22:25,400 --> 00:22:30,600 Speaker 1: about RISE and this partnership. Sure, Rises, UH and some 390 00:22:30,680 --> 00:22:34,440 Speaker 1: of your listeners, they know their national organization that has 391 00:22:34,480 --> 00:22:38,199 Speaker 1: long been in the business of providing sports organizations with 392 00:22:38,400 --> 00:22:43,119 Speaker 1: programming UM designed to help their coaches and their athletes 393 00:22:43,119 --> 00:22:47,840 Speaker 1: and their staffs UM fight the fight against racial discrimination 394 00:22:48,600 --> 00:22:53,000 Speaker 1: UM and to improve race relations. So they are known UM. 395 00:22:53,320 --> 00:22:56,040 Speaker 1: There are known organization to us. One of our A D. 396 00:22:56,200 --> 00:23:00,119 Speaker 1: S Lee read UM. Jason, the athletics director Georgetown, is 397 00:23:00,160 --> 00:23:04,040 Speaker 1: on their board former commission NFL Commissioner Paul Tagley about 398 00:23:04,119 --> 00:23:07,040 Speaker 1: their current board chair and so we have great respect 399 00:23:07,080 --> 00:23:08,720 Speaker 1: for RIDES. We've been talking with them for a few 400 00:23:08,760 --> 00:23:12,680 Speaker 1: months and we UM just announced a league wide partnership 401 00:23:12,800 --> 00:23:15,320 Speaker 1: that will allow our athletes and coaches and staff to 402 00:23:15,400 --> 00:23:19,520 Speaker 1: benefit from their programs UM and importantly, they have a 403 00:23:19,640 --> 00:23:24,320 Speaker 1: non partizan civic engagement initiative. Many many people in our league, 404 00:23:24,520 --> 00:23:28,840 Speaker 1: in response to UM George Floyd's murder and related events, 405 00:23:29,119 --> 00:23:34,920 Speaker 1: have expressed an interest in voter registration education, election day 406 00:23:34,960 --> 00:23:39,080 Speaker 1: initiatives and so forth, and RISE does that too, So 407 00:23:39,280 --> 00:23:41,639 Speaker 1: we have a kind of a you know, able to 408 00:23:41,640 --> 00:23:44,240 Speaker 1: get it. Two birds with a stone, one stone with 409 00:23:44,280 --> 00:23:47,400 Speaker 1: our partnership. So we're excited by what they'll bring to us, 410 00:23:47,400 --> 00:23:50,160 Speaker 1: and we think our student athletes in particular will benefit 411 00:23:50,240 --> 00:23:53,760 Speaker 1: from these offerings they have and walk away feeling like 412 00:23:53,800 --> 00:23:56,399 Speaker 1: they can make a difference, which is kind of what 413 00:23:56,440 --> 00:23:59,920 Speaker 1: matters most. And to me, it appears you have a 414 00:24:00,040 --> 00:24:02,080 Speaker 1: little bit of an edge here because almost every one 415 00:24:02,119 --> 00:24:05,560 Speaker 1: of your schools is in an urban setting, uh, in 416 00:24:05,640 --> 00:24:08,160 Speaker 1: cities where voices need to be heard. And I think 417 00:24:08,160 --> 00:24:11,480 Speaker 1: that the timing and it's it's just the perfect storm 418 00:24:11,480 --> 00:24:14,760 Speaker 1: here for for Rise and the time to to rise 419 00:24:14,840 --> 00:24:18,520 Speaker 1: up and to be heard and to be seen. Yeah, 420 00:24:18,560 --> 00:24:21,040 Speaker 1: that's that's very much how we how we look at it. 421 00:24:21,160 --> 00:24:24,359 Speaker 1: So UM they you know, we're already in discussions with 422 00:24:24,440 --> 00:24:26,560 Speaker 1: them about how to roll this out all add this 423 00:24:26,720 --> 00:24:31,440 Speaker 1: was this relationship was also inspired by UM an internal 424 00:24:31,480 --> 00:24:33,760 Speaker 1: working group we have. We have a diversity, Equity and 425 00:24:33,840 --> 00:24:36,760 Speaker 1: Inclusion working group within the Big East that's been up 426 00:24:36,760 --> 00:24:41,000 Speaker 1: and running for about eighteen months UM, and so they 427 00:24:41,200 --> 00:24:43,560 Speaker 1: very much advocated this sort of an arrangement with an 428 00:24:43,560 --> 00:24:46,600 Speaker 1: outside partner just to help them with what they're already 429 00:24:46,600 --> 00:24:48,800 Speaker 1: doing on campuses. And none of our schools have these 430 00:24:48,800 --> 00:24:52,359 Speaker 1: sorts of programs, but they thought they could always use 431 00:24:52,400 --> 00:24:56,400 Speaker 1: more help. Some schools um need to get going um 432 00:24:56,440 --> 00:24:58,760 Speaker 1: in ways where other schools are a bit further ahead. 433 00:24:59,160 --> 00:25:00,760 Speaker 1: So I think this will help. That's all the way around. 434 00:25:00,760 --> 00:25:04,560 Speaker 1: Certainly very topical area. And again we think it can 435 00:25:04,680 --> 00:25:08,680 Speaker 1: pay some great dividends to to our stakeholders. And now 436 00:25:08,800 --> 00:25:10,639 Speaker 1: to that end, I mean we've talked a lot on 437 00:25:10,680 --> 00:25:13,480 Speaker 1: this show, and I'm sure is not lost on you 438 00:25:13,560 --> 00:25:15,919 Speaker 1: and your colleagues across the Big East, especially when it 439 00:25:15,960 --> 00:25:21,920 Speaker 1: comes to basketball, that some of the most vivid examples 440 00:25:21,920 --> 00:25:26,000 Speaker 1: of player empowerment have come from the professional basketball league's, 441 00:25:26,000 --> 00:25:28,359 Speaker 1: both both the NBA and the w n b A. 442 00:25:28,840 --> 00:25:31,879 Speaker 1: How does that translate through to men's and women's basketball 443 00:25:32,440 --> 00:25:35,000 Speaker 1: at the Big East. How does it influence the way 444 00:25:35,200 --> 00:25:37,960 Speaker 1: the league and the coaches and maybe even some of 445 00:25:38,320 --> 00:25:42,920 Speaker 1: the individual schools and school presidents both encourage and and 446 00:25:43,000 --> 00:25:47,159 Speaker 1: sort of channel the right sort of player empowerment, especially 447 00:25:47,240 --> 00:25:51,280 Speaker 1: in basketball. Well, it relates to the NBA, it's certainly 448 00:25:51,280 --> 00:25:54,480 Speaker 1: been a leader for many many years on matters relating 449 00:25:54,520 --> 00:25:57,600 Speaker 1: to the role of sport and society. UM. I worked 450 00:25:57,600 --> 00:26:00,600 Speaker 1: for sixteen years for the NBA. David Stern was my mentor, 451 00:26:01,200 --> 00:26:05,200 Speaker 1: and so I was a witness firsthand his belief and 452 00:26:05,240 --> 00:26:08,320 Speaker 1: what sports leagues not only could do but needed to 453 00:26:08,359 --> 00:26:14,600 Speaker 1: do UM as socially responsible corporate citizens. So that influence 454 00:26:14,760 --> 00:26:18,720 Speaker 1: has very much, you know, resonated with me. UM. Adam 455 00:26:18,800 --> 00:26:22,080 Speaker 1: Silver has certainly carried this fourth in uh, you know, 456 00:26:22,119 --> 00:26:25,520 Speaker 1: in his role as David's successor. And so yes, I 457 00:26:25,520 --> 00:26:27,199 Speaker 1: think you it's safe to say we look to the 458 00:26:27,320 --> 00:26:30,960 Speaker 1: NBA and all all pro leagues really for their leadership 459 00:26:31,000 --> 00:26:33,480 Speaker 1: on this sort of topic. So what's happening now with 460 00:26:33,600 --> 00:26:36,760 Speaker 1: the restarted pro league certainly not lost on us as 461 00:26:36,800 --> 00:26:40,240 Speaker 1: it relates to basketball. UM. You know, we have u 462 00:26:41,280 --> 00:26:43,720 Speaker 1: of the of the student athletes and men basketball, the 463 00:26:43,720 --> 00:26:47,960 Speaker 1: baby star black student athletes. UM. We have five out 464 00:26:48,000 --> 00:26:51,240 Speaker 1: of our eleven head coaches are are black coaches. We 465 00:26:51,359 --> 00:26:55,640 Speaker 1: have a very robust and UM a very impressive group 466 00:26:55,640 --> 00:26:58,320 Speaker 1: of assistant coaches which have come together to form their 467 00:26:58,320 --> 00:27:02,040 Speaker 1: own coalition coaches for act and to try to inspire change. 468 00:27:02,520 --> 00:27:05,920 Speaker 1: So UM, we we think we expect that the Big 469 00:27:05,920 --> 00:27:09,320 Speaker 1: East will take a leadership position on matters relating to 470 00:27:10,280 --> 00:27:15,399 Speaker 1: race and basketball. UM. You know, our stakeholders UM internally 471 00:27:15,400 --> 00:27:17,879 Speaker 1: are very eager to do their part. We know, we're 472 00:27:17,920 --> 00:27:19,720 Speaker 1: you know, we're a college conference. We don't have the 473 00:27:19,720 --> 00:27:23,080 Speaker 1: resources of a pro league or a major corporation, but 474 00:27:23,200 --> 00:27:25,920 Speaker 1: we do think we have a responsibility to do our part. 475 00:27:26,000 --> 00:27:28,800 Speaker 1: So I think you can expect to see in the 476 00:27:28,840 --> 00:27:32,639 Speaker 1: coming months more from us UM as it relates to 477 00:27:33,280 --> 00:27:37,879 Speaker 1: UM you know, you know, the effort to combat bigotry 478 00:27:38,040 --> 00:27:40,800 Speaker 1: and uh, you know, and empower our athletes to do 479 00:27:40,880 --> 00:27:43,879 Speaker 1: their parts as well as leaders on their campuses to 480 00:27:44,000 --> 00:27:46,760 Speaker 1: really stand up in this fight. So they're they're important 481 00:27:46,760 --> 00:27:48,120 Speaker 1: to us. And again, I think you're going to see 482 00:27:48,119 --> 00:27:50,000 Speaker 1: more coming from us in the weeks to come out 483 00:27:50,000 --> 00:27:52,040 Speaker 1: of the three. You can count on me to ask 484 00:27:52,080 --> 00:27:54,640 Speaker 1: the goof of you this question. So I'm going to 485 00:27:54,680 --> 00:27:56,920 Speaker 1: hold up my end of the bargain and ask this. 486 00:27:57,119 --> 00:28:00,119 Speaker 1: So my question to you is when it comes was 487 00:28:00,160 --> 00:28:05,600 Speaker 1: the Big East sports, what is your favorite sport? And 488 00:28:05,680 --> 00:28:09,240 Speaker 1: I know you love basketball, but in times of soccer 489 00:28:09,400 --> 00:28:12,240 Speaker 1: and and all the other sports, what is your favorite 490 00:28:12,240 --> 00:28:14,879 Speaker 1: of all time? Well? Basketball, you know, yeah, I'd be 491 00:28:15,040 --> 00:28:17,960 Speaker 1: I'm a little biased because I've been in basketball for 492 00:28:18,080 --> 00:28:20,560 Speaker 1: my whole career and that's one of the best parts 493 00:28:20,560 --> 00:28:23,359 Speaker 1: of my job, UM is being able to be involved 494 00:28:23,359 --> 00:28:26,240 Speaker 1: in both men's winns basketball. UM. You know, I will 495 00:28:26,280 --> 00:28:30,080 Speaker 1: say I was at the Georgetown National championship soccer game 496 00:28:30,200 --> 00:28:34,520 Speaker 1: back in December. They were actually, um crazily enough, playing 497 00:28:34,560 --> 00:28:36,680 Speaker 1: my alma water, I went to the University of Virginia. 498 00:28:36,800 --> 00:28:39,800 Speaker 1: So there I was watching a Georgetown University of Virginia 499 00:28:39,880 --> 00:28:44,040 Speaker 1: men's soccer national championship game. UM. So that was that 500 00:28:44,120 --> 00:28:48,680 Speaker 1: was interesting and and and fun to see. UM my 501 00:28:48,760 --> 00:28:52,840 Speaker 1: current school, Georgetown, end up on top. So that was terrific. 502 00:28:53,240 --> 00:28:56,800 Speaker 1: I played field hockey in high school and so that's 503 00:28:56,800 --> 00:29:00,440 Speaker 1: a great interest to me. It's a change game since 504 00:29:00,480 --> 00:29:03,080 Speaker 1: my playing days many years ago. But I love going 505 00:29:03,120 --> 00:29:06,160 Speaker 1: to field hockey games UM and and seeing that. And 506 00:29:06,320 --> 00:29:09,160 Speaker 1: I'll land another one. UM. I swam as a competitive 507 00:29:09,160 --> 00:29:12,560 Speaker 1: swimmer UM for many years before I went to high 508 00:29:12,600 --> 00:29:15,640 Speaker 1: school and had to drop it. But UM, every year 509 00:29:15,680 --> 00:29:18,360 Speaker 1: I make the Biggie Swimming and Diving Meet. This past 510 00:29:18,440 --> 00:29:21,880 Speaker 1: year it was on Long Island in the Nassau Aquatic Center, 511 00:29:21,960 --> 00:29:25,000 Speaker 1: and it's just always makes me want to jump in 512 00:29:25,040 --> 00:29:27,640 Speaker 1: the pool whenever I go with swim me. So there's 513 00:29:27,640 --> 00:29:29,600 Speaker 1: a few for you, Michael. I probably can go on 514 00:29:29,640 --> 00:29:32,800 Speaker 1: and on, but i'll top of mine. I'll offer up 515 00:29:32,800 --> 00:29:35,360 Speaker 1: those I should add before we move on. You are 516 00:29:35,400 --> 00:29:38,680 Speaker 1: in the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame, and that has 517 00:29:38,720 --> 00:29:42,800 Speaker 1: always been a big feat. Yeah, thank them, and I'm 518 00:29:42,840 --> 00:29:46,040 Speaker 1: on their board. UM. You know this is a separate 519 00:29:46,040 --> 00:29:49,320 Speaker 1: hall of Fame from Nay Smith where I'm a lifetime trustee. 520 00:29:49,920 --> 00:29:53,440 Speaker 1: But UM, the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame really, UM 521 00:29:53,560 --> 00:29:56,200 Speaker 1: is a special place that is working hard to make 522 00:29:56,240 --> 00:30:00,280 Speaker 1: sure that women's basketball UM is honored. Past president future 523 00:30:00,840 --> 00:30:03,360 Speaker 1: on their Knoxville if anybody gets a chance to get 524 00:30:03,400 --> 00:30:06,480 Speaker 1: down there, they've got a nice property not far from 525 00:30:06,520 --> 00:30:10,200 Speaker 1: the UT campus. And if you're a women's basketball buff, 526 00:30:10,400 --> 00:30:14,680 Speaker 1: and some amazing memorabilia about the women's game going back 527 00:30:14,720 --> 00:30:16,800 Speaker 1: to the early days when it was a a U 528 00:30:17,240 --> 00:30:19,719 Speaker 1: that was carrying it back in the thirties and the forties. 529 00:30:19,760 --> 00:30:23,200 Speaker 1: So exciting trip for anybody in the Smoking Map who 530 00:30:23,240 --> 00:30:26,120 Speaker 1: makes happen to make it to the Smoky Mountains. I'll 531 00:30:26,120 --> 00:30:27,920 Speaker 1: tell you how far back I go. Val when I 532 00:30:27,920 --> 00:30:30,560 Speaker 1: was in high school girls basketball only three girls in 533 00:30:30,560 --> 00:30:32,640 Speaker 1: the front court, three in the backcourt, and you can 534 00:30:32,640 --> 00:30:35,000 Speaker 1: only dribble the ball three times before you had to pass. 535 00:30:35,480 --> 00:30:37,240 Speaker 1: You've come a long way, baby. I can tell you 536 00:30:37,280 --> 00:30:40,120 Speaker 1: I have three daughters. I coached them in the middle school, 537 00:30:40,160 --> 00:30:43,440 Speaker 1: and uh, of all the all the sports, I think 538 00:30:43,440 --> 00:30:48,160 Speaker 1: that women's basketball has has made the most gigantic leap 539 00:30:48,240 --> 00:30:51,960 Speaker 1: of all. Would you agree? Yeah, I think so. I mean, 540 00:30:52,080 --> 00:30:55,320 Speaker 1: I played in Virginia in the early days of Title nine. 541 00:30:55,800 --> 00:30:58,480 Speaker 1: UM was on the front lines. Of course with the 542 00:30:58,560 --> 00:31:01,040 Speaker 1: start of the w n b A almost twenty five 543 00:31:01,120 --> 00:31:05,400 Speaker 1: years ago, UM, And so to see how far it's coming, 544 00:31:05,440 --> 00:31:07,600 Speaker 1: how big of a sport it is. At the collegiate level, 545 00:31:07,640 --> 00:31:09,880 Speaker 1: We're very proud of our women's basketball programs in the 546 00:31:09,920 --> 00:31:13,040 Speaker 1: Big East. De Paul has been our raging champion the 547 00:31:13,120 --> 00:31:15,760 Speaker 1: last few years. But again with Yukon coming in, expect 548 00:31:15,760 --> 00:31:19,760 Speaker 1: our level of play will really elevate. And of course, 549 00:31:19,920 --> 00:31:22,160 Speaker 1: you know follow closely what happens with the w n 550 00:31:22,200 --> 00:31:25,480 Speaker 1: b A and the great athletes UM there and everything 551 00:31:25,480 --> 00:31:28,760 Speaker 1: they're doing as role models and women's team sports. So 552 00:31:29,040 --> 00:31:31,280 Speaker 1: I'm with you. It's a sport that has been leading 553 00:31:31,320 --> 00:31:33,960 Speaker 1: and I think we'll continue to lead well into the future. 554 00:31:34,880 --> 00:31:37,280 Speaker 1: And now on that note, as we wrap up, I 555 00:31:37,360 --> 00:31:39,920 Speaker 1: do wonder, you know, if we go back at a 556 00:31:40,040 --> 00:31:43,720 Speaker 1: year or so ago, UM, and a year ago feels 557 00:31:43,800 --> 00:31:46,320 Speaker 1: like twenty years ago at this point given everything that's 558 00:31:46,320 --> 00:31:49,720 Speaker 1: happened in But there were there were some huge debates, 559 00:31:50,800 --> 00:31:54,280 Speaker 1: overdue debates led by the U S women's national team 560 00:31:54,320 --> 00:31:57,920 Speaker 1: on the soccer side, about equal pay and a number 561 00:31:57,920 --> 00:32:00,600 Speaker 1: of issues. How much progress has been and made? Do 562 00:32:00,640 --> 00:32:05,120 Speaker 1: you think when it comes to equality, especially when it 563 00:32:05,120 --> 00:32:08,160 Speaker 1: comes to compensation, how much further do we have to go? 564 00:32:08,680 --> 00:32:13,800 Speaker 1: And what happens next? Well on the pro level, UM, 565 00:32:13,800 --> 00:32:16,959 Speaker 1: it's a it's a tricky conversation because in pro sports, 566 00:32:17,040 --> 00:32:19,560 Speaker 1: unlike college sports where you have, as mentioned early the 567 00:32:19,560 --> 00:32:24,920 Speaker 1: title nine safety nets, in pro sports, salaries are revenue driven. UM. 568 00:32:24,920 --> 00:32:26,800 Speaker 1: I was part of the NBA in the early years 569 00:32:26,800 --> 00:32:31,080 Speaker 1: when salaries escalated because TV revenues went up dramatically, just 570 00:32:31,200 --> 00:32:34,440 Speaker 1: in leaps and bounds, UM. Ticket sales revenue went up 571 00:32:34,440 --> 00:32:37,280 Speaker 1: and leaps and bounds. Sponsors got more energized and started 572 00:32:37,280 --> 00:32:39,760 Speaker 1: paying more for the right to associate with the league, 573 00:32:40,040 --> 00:32:43,239 Speaker 1: and that in turn fuel player salaries. I think for 574 00:32:43,320 --> 00:32:48,000 Speaker 1: women's pro sports that part of the equation can't be lost, 575 00:32:48,760 --> 00:32:50,960 Speaker 1: and so for me, it kind of comes down for 576 00:32:51,120 --> 00:32:53,480 Speaker 1: the future of women's pro sports in the salary area. 577 00:32:53,520 --> 00:32:56,239 Speaker 1: For me comes down to fan supports. If fans are 578 00:32:56,240 --> 00:32:59,040 Speaker 1: coming out in big numbers, UM, if they're buying tickets 579 00:32:59,160 --> 00:33:05,000 Speaker 1: at high prices, UM. If sponsors are UM paying high 580 00:33:05,000 --> 00:33:08,000 Speaker 1: dollars for advertising revenue because the ratings are going up 581 00:33:08,280 --> 00:33:11,200 Speaker 1: for the games on television, because fans are interested in 582 00:33:11,240 --> 00:33:15,600 Speaker 1: consuming it in that way, then if history is any guide, 583 00:33:16,160 --> 00:33:18,640 Speaker 1: revenues will go up and those moneys in turn will 584 00:33:18,680 --> 00:33:21,920 Speaker 1: flow at least in parts of the players. UM. That's 585 00:33:21,960 --> 00:33:24,760 Speaker 1: where the disparity has been. W NBA doesn't bring in 586 00:33:24,760 --> 00:33:27,640 Speaker 1: the revenues that the NBA brings in. UM. I can't 587 00:33:27,680 --> 00:33:32,120 Speaker 1: speak to the revenue UM the revenue um similarities or 588 00:33:32,160 --> 00:33:35,120 Speaker 1: differences in soccer, but I certainly lived it in the 589 00:33:35,160 --> 00:33:38,120 Speaker 1: basketball side. So I think that's what has to happen. 590 00:33:38,360 --> 00:33:40,840 Speaker 1: And that's all you know. Could be Uh, something could 591 00:33:40,880 --> 00:33:44,360 Speaker 1: ignite that like Larry and Magic and Michael did in 592 00:33:44,400 --> 00:33:47,840 Speaker 1: the NBA when I was a non executive there, UM 593 00:33:47,920 --> 00:33:50,200 Speaker 1: could happen in the w n B a sooner rather 594 00:33:50,240 --> 00:33:52,280 Speaker 1: than later. I hope it does. But I think that's 595 00:33:52,320 --> 00:33:55,960 Speaker 1: really the part that business people have to kind of recognize, 596 00:33:56,040 --> 00:33:58,920 Speaker 1: is that correlation between salaries and revenues. And if the 597 00:33:58,960 --> 00:34:01,080 Speaker 1: fans are coming out and be numbers and dipping into 598 00:34:01,120 --> 00:34:04,280 Speaker 1: their wallets as an expression of their support, then I 599 00:34:04,320 --> 00:34:07,600 Speaker 1: think that's that's a good sign um and for the players, 600 00:34:07,640 --> 00:34:11,719 Speaker 1: good things happen if that happens. Well, Val Ackerman, thank 601 00:34:11,760 --> 00:34:13,839 Speaker 1: you so much. We know it's an incredibly busy time. 602 00:34:13,840 --> 00:34:17,960 Speaker 1: A lot of big decisions still ahead. Uh. Fingers crossed, 603 00:34:17,960 --> 00:34:21,840 Speaker 1: both for fall sports and selfishly uh for college basketball 604 00:34:21,920 --> 00:34:25,239 Speaker 1: as well, because we know both from the business side 605 00:34:25,280 --> 00:34:27,440 Speaker 1: and the fan side that is a big deal. We 606 00:34:27,480 --> 00:34:30,040 Speaker 1: really appreciate the time. Thank you, great guys. Thanks so 607 00:34:30,080 --> 00:34:32,880 Speaker 1: much for having me stay well. So, guys, it's interesting, 608 00:34:32,920 --> 00:34:35,080 Speaker 1: you know, to wrap up that conversation with Val Ackerman, 609 00:34:35,160 --> 00:34:37,280 Speaker 1: and I think especially to pair it with the conversation 610 00:34:37,320 --> 00:34:39,799 Speaker 1: we had earlier in the week with Joe D'Antonio of 611 00:34:39,840 --> 00:34:43,759 Speaker 1: The Colonial Man. These commissioner jobs that they're always tough, 612 00:34:43,800 --> 00:34:47,880 Speaker 1: you're always balancing a lot of stakeholders. But in these days, 613 00:34:47,960 --> 00:34:53,200 Speaker 1: the moving targets of students safety, all the different constituencies, 614 00:34:53,239 --> 00:34:57,400 Speaker 1: the stakeholders at the public private level. I mean, Michael Barr, 615 00:34:57,440 --> 00:35:01,440 Speaker 1: it's insane. Oh my goodness, the stuff you have to balance. 616 00:35:02,000 --> 00:35:04,160 Speaker 1: I don't see how they keep all the plates spinning 617 00:35:04,200 --> 00:35:07,840 Speaker 1: at the same time. It's something else and and something 618 00:35:07,840 --> 00:35:11,480 Speaker 1: else that I was really impressed with, uh, the Big 619 00:35:11,480 --> 00:35:16,560 Speaker 1: East partnering with Rise and all of their efforts about 620 00:35:16,920 --> 00:35:22,000 Speaker 1: equality and racial injustice and and it's good to see 621 00:35:22,680 --> 00:35:25,839 Speaker 1: that in these times now that we're starting to see 622 00:35:25,840 --> 00:35:29,799 Speaker 1: more of an awareness of that in sports, and there 623 00:35:29,920 --> 00:35:33,680 Speaker 1: is some progress in that. Mike Lynch, absolutely, I couldn't 624 00:35:33,719 --> 00:35:35,759 Speaker 1: agree with you more. Mike. You stole my thunder, as 625 00:35:35,800 --> 00:35:39,040 Speaker 1: you always do, because you bet. You bet number two 626 00:35:39,040 --> 00:35:41,239 Speaker 1: in the lineup and I bet number three, so you 627 00:35:41,239 --> 00:35:47,560 Speaker 1: always see a much better pictures than I see. Um um, 628 00:35:47,640 --> 00:35:50,080 Speaker 1: I agree with you on that. And also what kind 629 00:35:50,080 --> 00:35:52,000 Speaker 1: of floored me and surprised me a little bit was 630 00:35:52,520 --> 00:35:55,239 Speaker 1: Val told us she had an insurance policy for the 631 00:35:55,239 --> 00:35:59,120 Speaker 1: Big East Tournament, which wasn't hard. It was not easy 632 00:35:59,160 --> 00:36:01,279 Speaker 1: to come by, and it's going to continue for the 633 00:36:01,320 --> 00:36:03,920 Speaker 1: next two years. I mean, who thinks of an insurance 634 00:36:03,960 --> 00:36:08,840 Speaker 1: policy for a pandemic? Nobody? So you know she's sharp. 635 00:36:08,880 --> 00:36:11,520 Speaker 1: I mean, anyone that's read her resume. There's there is 636 00:36:11,680 --> 00:36:14,359 Speaker 1: anything that she hasn't put her finger in for at 637 00:36:14,440 --> 00:36:16,520 Speaker 1: least a year or two. She is just one of 638 00:36:16,560 --> 00:36:19,520 Speaker 1: the most impressive resumes I've ever read. Yeah, it's and 639 00:36:19,560 --> 00:36:22,120 Speaker 1: it's a big job in many ways, in very high profile. 640 00:36:22,239 --> 00:36:25,000 Speaker 1: I mean my last takeaway was, I think it's hard 641 00:36:25,080 --> 00:36:27,319 Speaker 1: to and and again I say this in part as 642 00:36:27,320 --> 00:36:30,279 Speaker 1: a fan, but but also as someone who I would 643 00:36:30,320 --> 00:36:32,600 Speaker 1: like to think knows a little bit about the economics 644 00:36:32,760 --> 00:36:35,520 Speaker 1: of college basketball. Yukon coming back to the Big East 645 00:36:35,560 --> 00:36:38,720 Speaker 1: really is a big deal, I think for for fans 646 00:36:39,320 --> 00:36:42,960 Speaker 1: and alum of those Big East schools. When you come left, 647 00:36:43,000 --> 00:36:46,120 Speaker 1: I mean, it was really deflating in many ways, and 648 00:36:46,280 --> 00:36:50,920 Speaker 1: I think it really does ensure the future of the 649 00:36:51,000 --> 00:36:54,799 Speaker 1: league in in a pretty meaningful way. And as she said, 650 00:36:54,840 --> 00:36:57,600 Speaker 1: and I was glad she pointed this out, that will 651 00:36:57,680 --> 00:37:00,560 Speaker 1: help a lot when they go back to negotiate media rights, 652 00:37:00,600 --> 00:37:03,080 Speaker 1: because you need those big schools, you need those like 653 00:37:03,200 --> 00:37:08,360 Speaker 1: decades old rivalries to really get people fired up. Don't 654 00:37:08,360 --> 00:37:11,920 Speaker 1: want it feels better to be number one than number 655 00:37:11,920 --> 00:37:14,080 Speaker 1: five a number because of mine, we have a chance 656 00:37:14,120 --> 00:37:15,719 Speaker 1: to go for three in a row. Good numbers are 657 00:37:15,640 --> 00:37:17,800 Speaker 1: a good time. And let's first started wearing the number. 658 00:37:17,880 --> 00:37:21,319 Speaker 1: I would just have the Bloomberg business of sports, the 659 00:37:21,520 --> 00:37:25,240 Speaker 1: number of the week, Right, everybody huddle around the radio, 660 00:37:25,760 --> 00:37:30,200 Speaker 1: Ladies and gentlemen. I know everybody's been waiting for this time. 661 00:37:30,239 --> 00:37:33,880 Speaker 1: Now for the number of the week. Please play along 662 00:37:34,040 --> 00:37:37,360 Speaker 1: at home, guys. The rules of this is gonna be 663 00:37:37,360 --> 00:37:39,560 Speaker 1: a little different. It's gonna be the person who is 664 00:37:39,600 --> 00:37:45,040 Speaker 1: the closest to is the winner. So that said, just 665 00:37:45,120 --> 00:37:49,799 Speaker 1: like in card Sharks, here's the question. Colorado released its 666 00:37:50,160 --> 00:37:54,440 Speaker 1: State Department of Revenue concerning sports betting in the state. 667 00:37:55,680 --> 00:37:58,480 Speaker 1: Uh and let's say it's been a small ball affair, 668 00:37:59,760 --> 00:38:04,160 Speaker 1: but with table tennis, how much do you think it 669 00:38:04,400 --> 00:38:09,240 Speaker 1: generated in wagers in May, the first month of legal 670 00:38:09,239 --> 00:38:13,280 Speaker 1: sports betting in the state. Oh boy, all right, Lynchy, 671 00:38:13,520 --> 00:38:15,920 Speaker 1: I'm deferring to you on this. I have I have 672 00:38:16,080 --> 00:38:21,320 Speaker 1: no idea. Okay, I'm gonna say table tennis one month 673 00:38:22,239 --> 00:38:24,640 Speaker 1: wag drinking just in the state of Colorado. Correct, this 674 00:38:24,719 --> 00:38:27,880 Speaker 1: is just in the state of Colorado. Okay, I'm gonna 675 00:38:27,960 --> 00:38:35,200 Speaker 1: go with John haveltcheck number seventeen seventeen million, seventeen million. 676 00:38:37,040 --> 00:38:38,600 Speaker 1: I should do it. I don't want to do this 677 00:38:38,880 --> 00:38:41,280 Speaker 1: card sharks. Wait, let's see, do you think it's higher 678 00:38:41,440 --> 00:38:46,439 Speaker 1: or lower? Jason, I think it's higher. And you would 679 00:38:46,440 --> 00:38:50,680 Speaker 1: say you got to give a number number. Oh, um, 680 00:38:51,400 --> 00:38:57,759 Speaker 1: I would say. So. I'll say, now, first of all, 681 00:38:58,000 --> 00:39:01,080 Speaker 1: I guess the closest is going to be for Lynchy. 682 00:39:01,239 --> 00:39:03,880 Speaker 1: It is six point six million in wagers. But you 683 00:39:03,880 --> 00:39:11,040 Speaker 1: were the closest of millions of wagers twenty five points 684 00:39:11,040 --> 00:39:15,719 Speaker 1: six million in the entire month of May. So but 685 00:39:15,760 --> 00:39:18,879 Speaker 1: the key here is that when you when you get 686 00:39:18,960 --> 00:39:22,840 Speaker 1: the first time to beta table tennis, all of a sudden, 687 00:39:22,880 --> 00:39:25,040 Speaker 1: it's like, you know what, let me do my homework, 688 00:39:26,120 --> 00:39:27,920 Speaker 1: let me see what I can do here. It's like 689 00:39:28,120 --> 00:39:30,680 Speaker 1: it's not marble racing, man, you know, it's like you're 690 00:39:30,680 --> 00:39:34,040 Speaker 1: not doing homework on that. But when it's your first 691 00:39:34,120 --> 00:39:37,200 Speaker 1: month out of the blocks, Yeah, you're gonna on anything. 692 00:39:37,880 --> 00:39:41,480 Speaker 1: Come on, right, that's amazing. Well, I mean, as we 693 00:39:41,520 --> 00:39:43,839 Speaker 1: talked with Paul Rabel about a couple of weeks ago, 694 00:39:43,840 --> 00:39:46,320 Speaker 1: I mean, they're gonna people are gonna betting on lacrosse 695 00:39:46,360 --> 00:39:48,960 Speaker 1: this weekend, this upcoming weekend, I believe when they kick 696 00:39:49,040 --> 00:39:53,160 Speaker 1: off the bet on anything. But that's not news to 697 00:39:53,200 --> 00:39:57,040 Speaker 1: Michael Barr and you've been listening to Blueberg Businesses Sports. 698 00:39:57,080 --> 00:39:58,640 Speaker 1: We're here each and every week at the same time, 699 00:39:58,680 --> 00:40:01,840 Speaker 1: plus online wherever you at your podcast. Catch those Mondays, 700 00:40:01,840 --> 00:40:05,520 Speaker 1: Wednesdays and Thursdays. I'm Jason Kelly on Twitter at Jason 701 00:40:05,600 --> 00:40:07,640 Speaker 1: Kelly News Mike Lynch. You can find me at Lynch 702 00:40:07,640 --> 00:40:10,200 Speaker 1: e w CBB. By the way, a tip guys, the 703 00:40:10,239 --> 00:40:12,680 Speaker 1: Blue Marble. They're on P E D S. I'm Michael 704 00:40:12,680 --> 00:40:16,000 Speaker 1: Barr on Twitter at Big Bar Sports. You're listening to 705 00:40:16,000 --> 00:40:19,480 Speaker 1: Bloomberg Business of Sports and Bloomberg Radio around the world.