CONNECTICUT
Athletic budget: $71.4 million
Enrollment: 31,119
Market: Greater Hartford’s population is 1.21 million. The state of Connecticut has 3.6 million people.
Football stadium: Rentschler Field opened in 2003 at a cost of $91.2 million; current capacity is 40,642.
Fan base: Depressed. UConn seems to be a place that could ignite an entire state, but the Huskies averaged just 27,460 last season, and even in good seasons rarely approach a sellout.
Television attraction: Minimal. UConn basketball, yes. UConn football, no.
Geography: Interesting. No one ever expected the Big 12 to expand into New England. But the league already is in West Virginia. Plus, the ESPN factor can’t hurt — constant exposure in Bristol, Conn., consistently would plug the Big 12.
Academic standing: Excellent. Ranked 58th nationally and is the only flagship university of a state on this list.
Football prowess: Poor. Division I-A only since 2000. Made the Fiesta Bowl against OU in 2010 but is 15-33 since.
Other sports: National powers in men’s and women’s hoops.
http://m.newsok.com/analyzing-the-s...-expansion-candidates/article/5431792/?page=1
Athletic budget: $71.4 million
Enrollment: 31,119
Market: Greater Hartford’s population is 1.21 million. The state of Connecticut has 3.6 million people.
Football stadium: Rentschler Field opened in 2003 at a cost of $91.2 million; current capacity is 40,642.
Fan base: Depressed. UConn seems to be a place that could ignite an entire state, but the Huskies averaged just 27,460 last season, and even in good seasons rarely approach a sellout.
Television attraction: Minimal. UConn basketball, yes. UConn football, no.
Geography: Interesting. No one ever expected the Big 12 to expand into New England. But the league already is in West Virginia. Plus, the ESPN factor can’t hurt — constant exposure in Bristol, Conn., consistently would plug the Big 12.
Academic standing: Excellent. Ranked 58th nationally and is the only flagship university of a state on this list.
Football prowess: Poor. Division I-A only since 2000. Made the Fiesta Bowl against OU in 2010 but is 15-33 since.
Other sports: National powers in men’s and women’s hoops.
http://m.newsok.com/analyzing-the-s...-expansion-candidates/article/5431792/?page=1