- Joined
- Aug 31, 2011
- Messages
- 700
- Reaction Score
- 996
One of the interesting side notes to all this talk of expansion is the fact that the State of CT has invested or committed to invest $2B into the university of CT. That includes $90M for the football facility. The state also recently gave ESPN a $25M tax break to bring in 600 jobs. ESPN emplys 3,400 people in CT and has a multi-billion campus in Bristol. They are a profitable business for sure, generating roughly $700M in pre-tax profits (not sure how much of that is domiciled in CT), but they are not in the top 30 in terms of employers in the state. Yet, they were given one of the first big tax breaks of new incentive program Malloy has initiated. Interesting?
Well, we all think that ESPN is driving the conference realignment, at least when it comes to the conferences they are invested in, ie the ACC. I find it hard to imagine that the governor of the state will not try to exert influence on ESPN to help find Uconn a good home. He has too much invested in the state school and what it means to the state in terms of future employers and employees. Also, ESPN is not really in position to up and leave Bristol given the unique location and capital equipment they have there. the costs would be prohibitive and moving to NY or NJ is actually more expensive tax-wise for the business. Maybe promises will be made. Maybe the tax break was part of a deal to help Uconn and the state itself. Who knows, but if there is one thing Uconn might have going for it, it is this.
Well, we all think that ESPN is driving the conference realignment, at least when it comes to the conferences they are invested in, ie the ACC. I find it hard to imagine that the governor of the state will not try to exert influence on ESPN to help find Uconn a good home. He has too much invested in the state school and what it means to the state in terms of future employers and employees. Also, ESPN is not really in position to up and leave Bristol given the unique location and capital equipment they have there. the costs would be prohibitive and moving to NY or NJ is actually more expensive tax-wise for the business. Maybe promises will be made. Maybe the tax break was part of a deal to help Uconn and the state itself. Who knows, but if there is one thing Uconn might have going for it, it is this.