Report: FedEx may pay BCS league $10M to add Memphis

[ericdickerson4life]

From foxsports.com:

"FedEx reportedly is prepared to deliver big bucks to any BCS conference willing to add the University of Memphis.

FedEx's chief executive, Fred Smith, has told conferences his company would pay one of them up to $10 million a year if they invite Memphis, CBSSports.com reported Saturday.

An anonymous source described as close to the Memphis athletic program told CBSSports.com: "It could be $10 million every year for a conference to use however it sees fit. When you think of the big picture, it could be the equivalent of a five-year, $50 million contract or a 10-year, $100-million contract. Fred is talking about a massive amount of money."

FedEx is based in Memphis. Cannon Smith, son of the company's CEO, is a quarterback for Memphis. He sat out last season after transferring from Miami.

FedEx recently severed its ties after 21 years as a sponsor of the Orange Bowl. That could have freed up the money FedEx is talking about spending as an incentive to get a BCS conference to take Memphis, a source told CBSSports.com.

Memphis is a member of Conference USA. Last season, the Tigers went 2-10 and finished at the bottom of Conference USA's East Division."


Time to to call the circle of champions.

[davidpaul123]

WOW! They are bringing out the big guns.

[Pony_Fan]

interesting, haven't they always s ucked in football?

[Hoop Fan]

$10 milllion? thats it? i would have thought it would take 25 mil at least.

[SMU89]

Interesting to see how they justify that to shareholders

[davidpaul123]

Interesting to see how they justify that to shareholders

I think it will be "scholarship/advertising" money like what they were spending on the orangebowl.

[smupony94]

Not even close to UH's $150,000,000 stadium

[Ponyx2]

Interesting to see how they justify that to shareholders

I think it will be "scholarship/advertising" money like what they were spending on the orangebowl.

The Big East brought to you by FedEX

[Hoop Fan]

i hate to say it but Kansas will look very favorably at being part of a western division of the Big East group:

Louisville
Cincinnatti
Pittsburgh
Kansas
Missouri
Memphis
Kansas State

This is a heck of a basketball group which Kansas will see as a huge plus. As for the exit fees from the defectors, i assume they will wait to collect the fees and then turn around and dissolve the Big 12 once money is in hand. Leaves us looking toward Mountain West with Houston and Baylor depending on if they go to 12 or 14 and lose Utah or not.

[mr. pony]

$10 milllion? thats it? i would have thought it would take 25 mil at least.

Don't forget, they're also including free barbecue at The Rendevous.

[Charleston Pony]

i hate to say it but Kansas will look very favorably at being part of a western division of the Big East group:

Louisville
Cincinnatti
Pittsburgh
Kansas
Missouri
Memphis
Kansas State

This is a heck of a basketball group which Kansas will see as a huge plus. As for the exit fees from the defectors, i assume they will wait to collect the fees and then turn around and dissolve the Big 12 once money is in hand. Leaves us looking toward Mountain West with Houston and Baylor depending on if they go to 12 or 14 and lose Utah or not.

One big question is whether the Big East will expand to 20 members to safeguard against future expansion killing their league; next question is whether Iowa State would be invited.

I could see Big East football looking like this:

West: KU, KSU, Missou, Memphis, Louisville and Cincy
East: Pitt, W. Va, Syracuse, UConn, S. Fla, Rutgers

Basketball may have to get creative and go to 4 five team divisions. Not sure how best to sort that out. Lots of possibilities

[Samurai Stang]

i hate to say it but Kansas will look very favorably at being part of a western division of the Big East group:

Louisville
Cincinnatti
Pittsburgh
Kansas
Missouri
Memphis
Kansas State

This is a heck of a basketball group which Kansas will see as a huge plus. As for the exit fees from the defectors, i assume they will wait to collect the fees and then turn around and dissolve the Big 12 once money is in hand. Leaves us looking toward Mountain West with Houston and Baylor depending on if they go to 12 or 14 and lose Utah or not.

The Big East will be decimated by the coming Big 10 and SEC expansion. Even if the ACC does not go to 16, they may need to take schools in order to replace those that the SEC may take. Only Louisville and S. Florida may be left in the Big East. Given the frightened attitude of the Big 12 schools, they appear to be recognize that the Big East will not a viable option in the coming weeks.