Fred Smith Trying To Buy Off BCS Conferences

#1
Burhead

Burhead

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#1
Fred Smith has offered any BCS conference that takes the University of Memphis $10 million a year. Wonder if any league takes the money.
 
#3
#3
If they end up going to a revamped Big-12, that kills Tennessee in recuiting from Nashville to Memphis... not that we had much success there anyways, but still.
 
#6
#6
Shipping exec willing to pay millions to get Memphis into BCS conference - Sporting News staff reports - College Basketball - Sporting News

Sporting News staff reports
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Login or register to post commentsPrinter-friendly versionSaturday, Jun. 12, 2010 - 11:28 p.m. ET
The CEO of FedEx is prepared to pay upwards of $10 million a year to a BCS conference that will add Memphis, according to an online report.

CBSSports.com's Gary Parrish, citing unnamed sources close to the Memphis program, reports Fred Smith is leading the effort to get the Tigers to move up from Conference USA.

"It could be $10 million every year for a conference to use however it sees fit," one of the sources is quoted as saying. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity. "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."

Smith, the source said, could use some of the money he'll save by not sponsoring the Orange Bowl game. SportsBusiness Journal reported last month that FedEx ended its partnership with bowl organizers.

Neither Smith nor Memphis athletic director R.C. Johnson could be reached for comment Saturday. Johnson this week told the (Memphis) Commercial Appeal that he has been actively shopping the school to conferences.

"There can't be a commissioner or league out there that I haven't applied for," Johnson told the newspaper.

FedEx has naming rights deals for the FedEx Forum, home of Memphis' basketball program and the NBA's Grizzlies, and FedEx Field, the Washington Redskins' stadium. Also, Smith's son is a quarterback at Memphis.
 
#7
#7
it would be different if they had a football program that won games. They're called Tiger High for a good reason
 
#17
#17
It would be a bad move geographically. It would be the 3rd SEC school in the same state. and so close to Ole Miss, Vanderbilt, Arkansas, and Alabama.
 
#18
#18
GoVols10 said:
It would be a bad move geographically. It would be the 3rd SEC school in the same state. and so close to Ole Miss, Vanderbilt, Arkansas, and Alabama.
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So being close to other schools is a bad move geographically? :unsure: Travel costs would decrease. Tennessee is close to Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, Vanderbilt and Kentucky. Should they quit playing those schools?
 
#20
#20
GoVols10 said:
It would be a bad move geographically. It would be the 3rd SEC school in the same state. and so close to Ole Miss, Vanderbilt, Arkansas, and Alabama.
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Memphis is probably 200 miles from Jackson, Nashville and Tuscaloosa and closer to 300+ to Fayetteville.
 
#22
#22
hmanvolfan said:
So being close to other schools is a bad move geographically? :unsure: Travel costs would decrease. Tennessee is close to Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, Vanderbilt and Kentucky. Should they quit playing those schools?
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Do you honestly think Memphis can compete in recruiting with any of the sec schools?
 
#24
#24
GoVols10 said:
Do you honestly think Memphis can compete in recruiting with any of the sec schools?
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The problem is that it would legitimize the Memphis program and make it that much harder to recruit West TN in a state that is already short on talent.
 
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