Big Ten in discussions regarding $2 billion private capital investment into conference

84lion

Senior
Oct 7, 2021
529
857
93

PSUFTG

All-Conference
Nov 1, 2021
1,766
2,833
113
Obviously, not a done deal at this point:

But, the potential involvement of the "Venture Capital" group:

Brings zero outside expertise or skillset to the table
Brings zero synergy (hate that word anyway) or any type of intrinsic value to the table
Brings zero capability to generate revenue, beyond what is available without them.
Breaks down no barriers to future growth and "profitability" (possibly quite the opposite)
Straps very significant hobbles to adaptiveness and flexibility for decades to come - in a VERY turbulent and dynamic market.

What it is, of course, is the equivalent of the VC firm buying a share of future revenues..... and unless the VC firm is run by idiots (spoiler: that is unlikely) they will take out far more value than they bring in (basic risk premium principals - with the effect of tax treatment causing further erosion)

This type of "venture capital" move is beyond idiotic - for the "seller", ie the Big Ten in this case (though there is ONE reason that the Big Ten, and maybe some other conferences down the road, may do it - wanna' know why? :) )

It sounds like the folks at OSU and Michigan may be the only ones with clear heads here, but I expect they will eventually be worn down and allow the principle of mob stupidity to take control.

Alas

1759369573110.png
 

BobPSU92

Heisman
Aug 22, 2001
41,069
30,172
113
$1.99 B to be split evenly by um and T™️osu, the rest for the rest.

 
May 11, 2012
347
462
63
Obviously, not a done deal at this point:

But, the potential involvement of the "Venture Capital" group:

Brings zero outside expertise or skillset to the table
Brings zero synergy (hate that word anyway) or any type of intrinsic value to the table
Brings zero capability to generate revenue, beyond what is available without them.
Breaks down no barriers to future growth and "profitability" (possibly quite the opposite)
Straps very significant hobbles to adaptiveness and flexibility for decades to come - in a VERY turbulent and dynamic market.

What it is, of course, is the equivalent of the VC firm buying a share of future revenues..... and unless the VC firm is run by idiots (spoiler: that is unlikely) they will take out far more value than they bring in (basic risk premium principals - with the effect of tax treatment causing further erosion)

This type of "venture capital" move is beyond idiotic - for the "seller", ie the Big Ten in this case (though there is ONE reason that the Big Ten, and maybe some other conferences down the road, may do it - wanna' know why? :) )

It sounds like the folks at OSU and Michigan may be the only ones with clear heads here, but I expect they will eventually be worn down and allow the principle of mob stupidity to take control.

Alas

View attachment 937605
This seems the equivalent of City of Chicago seller their future parking revenue receipts for what appeared to be an enormous amount of immediate revenue....only to learn that "snafu" was a catastrophic financial mistake!
 

PSUFTG

All-Conference
Nov 1, 2021
1,766
2,833
113
This seems the equivalent of City of Chicago seller their future parking revenue receipts for what appeared to be an enormous amount of immediate revenue....only to learn that "snafu" was a catastrophic financial mistake!
Very similar, in many ways.

One way in which it is not similar is that this incredibly stupid concept (I was trying to find the right words to describe it, couldn't, so those will have to do :) ) won't even generate additional revenues for anyone (including the VC firm) meaning the VC firm's "cut" of existing future revenues will have to be even more onerous (and bad for the long-term fiscal health of the Big Ten programs, as a whole).

It is an idea being contemplated - and, I will not be surprised, enacted - because several programs (including several "blue bloods") have engaged in multi-year wasteful spending orgies, and are severely cash-strapped.... and the powers-that-be can now "Rob Peter to pay Paul" and kick the can down the road (until after they have gotten out of Dodge) to where it will hang like a financial "Sword of Damocles" over the heads of the next folks.
Gotta' love it!


PS: This type of stuff has been coming down the pike for a while.
 

NittPicker

Heisman
Jun 30, 2001
5,168
10,506
113
Very similar, in many ways.

One way in which it is not similar is that this incredibly stupid concept (I was trying to find the right words to describe it, couldn't, so those will have to do :) ) won't even generate additional revenues for anyone (including the VC firm) meaning the VC firm's "cut" of existing future revenues will have to be even more onerous (and bad for the long-term fiscal health of the Big Ten programs, as a whole).

It is an idea being contemplated - and, I will not be surprised, enacted - because several programs (including several "blue bloods") have engaged in multi-year wasteful spending orgies, and are severely cash-strapped.... and the powers-that-be can now "Rob Peter to pay Paul" and kick the can down the road (until after they have gotten out of Dodge) to where it will hang like a financial "Sword of Damocles" over the heads of the next folks.
Gotta' love it!


PS: This type of stuff has been coming down the pike for a while.
The additional "revenue" will be the money kicked in by the investors. Of course, these investors wouldn't create a partnership if there wasn't something in it for them. Maybe they ran the numbers and a 1/20 share will be profitable for them. I have no idea. Maybe they're expecting significant real revenue coming from the next media deal. I can't see networks paying significantly more for the next deal since some of the match-ups aren't exactly must see, especially for CBS and NBC. If the B1G expands with some name brand schools then maybe there would be something there. Could be the investors know something we don't know.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ChandlerPearce58

PSUFTG

All-Conference
Nov 1, 2021
1,766
2,833
113
Could be the investors know something we don't know.
Of course they do. Or at least one would assume so.
Which would just make it even a worse deal for the Big Ten members. Obviously :)

It would be nice, from the Big Ten side of things, to assume those folks were just "dumb" inadvertent and unintentional philanthropists. But I doubt that's the case.
 

Moogy

All-Conference
Jul 28, 2017
3,084
2,091
113
Very similar, in many ways.

One way in which it is not similar is that this incredibly stupid concept (I was trying to find the right words to describe it, couldn't, so those will have to do :) ) won't even generate additional revenues for anyone (including the VC firm) meaning the VC firm's "cut" of existing future revenues will have to be even more onerous (and bad for the long-term fiscal health of the Big Ten programs, as a whole).

It is an idea being contemplated - and, I will not be surprised, enacted - because several programs (including several "blue bloods") have engaged in multi-year wasteful spending orgies, and are severely cash-strapped.... and the powers-that-be can now "Rob Peter to pay Paul" and kick the can down the road (until after they have gotten out of Dodge) to where it will hang like a financial "Sword of Damocles" over the heads of the next folks.
Gotta' love it!


PS: This type of stuff has been coming down the pike for a while.

Maybe they should have a friend set up a go fund me for them so they can afford the basics of life, for which they didn't properly plan, while they pursue wasteful personal vanity projects?

Could they maybe sell their goodwill from off their balance sheet?

Maybe they can name the new entity Joe Paterno Enterprises, and then everyone would be happy?
 

Moogy

All-Conference
Jul 28, 2017
3,084
2,091
113
Obviously, not a done deal at this point:

But, the potential involvement of the "Venture Capital" group:

Brings zero outside expertise or skillset to the table
Brings zero synergy (hate that word anyway) or any type of intrinsic value to the table
Brings zero capability to generate revenue, beyond what is available without them.
Breaks down no barriers to future growth and "profitability" (possibly quite the opposite)
Straps very significant hobbles to adaptiveness and flexibility for decades to come - in a VERY turbulent and dynamic market.

What it is, of course, is the equivalent of the VC firm buying a share of future revenues..... and unless the VC firm is run by idiots (spoiler: that is unlikely) they will take out far more value than they bring in (basic risk premium principals - with the effect of tax treatment causing further erosion)

This type of "venture capital" move is beyond idiotic - for the "seller", ie the Big Ten in this case (though there is ONE reason that the Big Ten, and maybe some other conferences down the road, may do it - wanna' know why? :) )

It sounds like the folks at OSU and Michigan may be the only ones with clear heads here, but I expect they will eventually be worn down and allow the principle of mob stupidity to take control.

Alas

View attachment 937605
Other than you throwing out incredibly, embarrassingly simplistic characterizations with completely unnecessary negative consequences and ignoring positive results (in patented Barry ways), thereby bringing nothing to the table except your naturally repellent ways, you nailed it.
 

Bwifan

All-Conference
Oct 12, 2021
2,214
3,815
113
Obviously, not a done deal at this point:

But, the potential involvement of the "Venture Capital" group:

Brings zero outside expertise or skillset to the table
Brings zero synergy (hate that word anyway) or any type of intrinsic value to the table
Brings zero capability to generate revenue, beyond what is available without them.
Breaks down no barriers to future growth and "profitability" (possibly quite the opposite)
Straps very significant hobbles to adaptiveness and flexibility for decades to come - in a VERY turbulent and dynamic market.

What it is, of course, is the equivalent of the VC firm buying a share of future revenues..... and unless the VC firm is run by idiots (spoiler: that is unlikely) they will take out far more value than they bring in (basic risk premium principals - with the effect of tax treatment causing further erosion)

This type of "venture capital" move is beyond idiotic - for the "seller", ie the Big Ten in this case (though there is ONE reason that the Big Ten, and maybe some other conferences down the road, may do it - wanna' know why? :) )

It sounds like the folks at OSU and Michigan may be the only ones with clear heads here, but I expect they will eventually be worn down and allow the principle of mob stupidity to take control.

Alas

View attachment 937605
Exactly bring nothing to the table other than to cover their investment we are going to jack up the rates to carry the games which of course will be passed onto the end users. Soon it will be just as expensive to sit at home and watch the game versus being there in person... ;)
 

BobPSU92

Heisman
Aug 22, 2001
41,069
30,172
113
Exactly bring nothing to the table other than to cover their investment we are going to jack up the rates to carry the games which of course will be passed onto the end users. Soon it will be just as expensive to sit at home and watch the game versus being there in person... ;)

At least with all that cash money coming in (and going out), PSU will be more competitive.

😞
 
  • Like
  • Haha
Reactions: ApexLion and Bwifan

SleepyLion

All-Conference
Sep 1, 2022
2,043
2,795
113
Other than you throwing out incredibly, embarrassingly simplistic characterizations with completely unnecessary negative consequences and ignoring positive results (in patented Barry ways), thereby bringing nothing to the table except your naturally repellent ways, you nailed it.
What are the positive results that are being ignored?
Especially if the VC does not bring any additional expertise to the Big 10, or do they?
If I buy 10% of a company and add no value other than cash now, what was the advantage to the seller?

I am sincerely curious.
 

BobPSU92

Heisman
Aug 22, 2001
41,069
30,172
113
What are the positive results that are being ignored?
Especially if the VC does not bring any additional expertise to the Big 10, or do they?
If I buy 10% of a company and add no value other than cash now, what was the advantage to the seller?

I am sincerely curious.

Could there be a hostile takeover of the b1g?
 

PSUFTG

All-Conference
Nov 1, 2021
1,766
2,833
113
What are the positive results that are being ignored?
Especially if the VC does not bring any additional expertise to the Big 10, or do they?
If I buy 10% of a company and add no value other than cash now, what was the advantage to the seller?

I am sincerely curious.
There are situations - business enterprises of certain types at certain stages - where VC can be advantageous to both sides.

To say that this situation is one of them would be one of the "dumbest" claims of all time.
Honestly, if one were looking for a business situation where a deal like this would be the worst possible consideration - this (mature "college" sports league) would be a candidate to win the gold medal.
C'est la vie


There are two reasons it is being considered. It doesn't take a savant.

(A "VC" firm buying a revenue share? LOL. It really isn't even a "VC" type transaction that is being negotiated.... but enough about that)
 

84lion

Senior
Oct 7, 2021
529
857
93
As I see it, it's not "VC" but rather a loan (putting up future earnings as collateral/payment for getting funds today).

Most people take out loans for something they need now - a car, house, etc., that they can't save up for but need shelter, transportation, etc. today.

So what is it the B1G needs today that it needs money for that it needs to put up future earnings as collateral/payment?
 

SleepyLion

All-Conference
Sep 1, 2022
2,043
2,795
113
As I see it, it's not "VC" but rather a loan (putting up future earnings as collateral/payment for getting funds today).

Most people take out loans for something they need now - a car, house, etc., that they can't save up for but need shelter, transportation, etc. today.

So what is it the B1G needs today that it needs money for that it needs to put up future earnings as collateral/payment?
But it is a loan that appears to give up equity as well. Maybe not, but that is how it is being explained.

If you take out a loan, just pay it off. Don't give up something in perpetuity.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 84lion

BobPSU92

Heisman
Aug 22, 2001
41,069
30,172
113

😞

“The exact equity amounts per school in Big Ten Enterprises is still being negotiated. There is expected to be a small gap in equity percentage between the biggest brands and others, however it is likely to be less than a percentage point.”

😞😞
 

cjrugger

All-Conference
Dec 13, 2017
2,432
4,917
113
If there’s a huge amount of money en route to Penn State, it’s guaranteed that Barry is going to be upset about it. And then he’ll continue bitching that the school doesn’t have enough money. Rinse and repeat
 

cjrugger

All-Conference
Dec 13, 2017
2,432
4,917
113
As I see it, it's not "VC" but rather a loan (putting up future earnings as collateral/payment for getting funds today).

Most people take out loans for something they need now - a car, house, etc., that they can't save up for but need shelter, transportation, etc. today.

So what is it the B1G needs today that it needs money for that it needs to put up future earnings as collateral/payment?
It’s not a loan. They’re buying an equity stake in a new company
 

84lion

Senior
Oct 7, 2021
529
857
93
This article explains it a bit better:

https://sports.yahoo.com/college-fo...-move-within-college-athletics-170051033.html

It’s not a loan. They’re buying an equity stake in a new company
From the article linked to above:

What's in it for UC Investments?

How the pension fund receives a return on its seed capital is clear. UC Investments earns the annual cut of distribution plus an ability to sell its portion of the league after a 15-year “hold,” when it is prohibited to sell. Any sale must be approved by league members.

The distributions for UC Investments could be significant and benefit hundreds of thousands of former state public university employees as part of the pension fund. This year, Big Ten’s 12 legacy schools are expected to earn about $75 million each in conference payouts, a number that could rise as high as $90 million under the current TV contract. The league is likely to renegotiate its media rights deal as many as three times during the 20-year length of the deal.


It is true that they are buying an "equity stake," as you put it, however, the distribution cut is the big driver. Again from the article:

In what is described as a minority investment, UC Investments will provide an infusion of roughly $2.4 billion in a one-time equity distribution to the conference to own a 10% stake in Big Ten Enterprises and receive a cut of the league’s annual distribution.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Catch1lion

Nittering Nabob

All-Conference
Sep 17, 2024
1,792
1,495
113
Maybe they should have a friend set up a go fund me for them so they can afford the basics of life, for which they didn't properly plan, while they pursue wasteful personal vanity projects?

Could they maybe sell their goodwill from off their balance sheet?

Maybe they can name the new entity Joe Paterno Enterprises, and then everyone would be happy?
As the owner of Payday Loans of Boston, I was hoping you might be able to provide some savvy financial insight as to why VC professionals might want to invest $2 Billion in the B2 conference.
 

cjrugger

All-Conference
Dec 13, 2017
2,432
4,917
113
This article explains it a bit better:

https://sports.yahoo.com/college-fo...-move-within-college-athletics-170051033.html


From the article linked to above:

What's in it for UC Investments?

How the pension fund receives a return on its seed capital is clear. UC Investments earns the annual cut of distribution plus an ability to sell its portion of the league after a 15-year “hold,” when it is prohibited to sell. Any sale must be approved by league members.

The distributions for UC Investments could be significant and benefit hundreds of thousands of former state public university employees as part of the pension fund. This year, Big Ten’s 12 legacy schools are expected to earn about $75 million each in conference payouts, a number that could rise as high as $90 million under the current TV contract. The league is likely to renegotiate its media rights deal as many as three times during the 20-year length of the deal.


It is true that they are buying an "equity stake," as you put it, however, the distribution cut is the big driver. Again from the article:

In what is described as a minority investment, UC Investments will provide an infusion of roughly $2.4 billion in a one-time equity distribution to the conference to own a 10% stake in Big Ten Enterprises and receive a cut of the league’s annual distribution.
Yeah, that’s what I said
 

PSU4U

All-American
Aug 6, 2019
6,234
6,574
113
Obviously, not a done deal at this point:

But, the potential involvement of the "Venture Capital" group:

Brings zero outside expertise or skillset to the table
Brings zero synergy (hate that word anyway) or any type of intrinsic value to the table
Brings zero capability to generate revenue, beyond what is available without them.
Breaks down no barriers to future growth and "profitability" (possibly quite the opposite)
Straps very significant hobbles to adaptiveness and flexibility for decades to come - in a VERY turbulent and dynamic market.

What it is, of course, is the equivalent of the VC firm buying a share of future revenues..... and unless the VC firm is run by idiots (spoiler: that is unlikely) they will take out far more value than they bring in (basic risk premium principals - with the effect of tax treatment causing further erosion)

This type of "venture capital" move is beyond idiotic - for the "seller", ie the Big Ten in this case (though there is ONE reason that the Big Ten, and maybe some other conferences down the road, may do it - wanna' know why? :) )

It sounds like the folks at OSU and Michigan may be the only ones with clear heads here, but I expect they will eventually be worn down and allow the principle of mob stupidity to take control.

Alas

View attachment 937605
It's only a 10% interest/stake.
 

PSUFTG

All-Conference
Nov 1, 2021
1,766
2,833
113
There really isn't even any interesting conversation to be had as to whether or not such a transaction is in the best long-term financial (or other) interests of the Conference [It is not]

The interesting conversations start with, that being the case: why is such a deal being considered - and potentially adopted? That is where the "fun stuff" starts.
A LOT of interesting topic areas in that question.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Bison13 and 84lion

PSU4U

All-American
Aug 6, 2019
6,234
6,574
113
https://sports.yahoo.com/college-fo...tal-investment-into-conference-205711352.html

Per Yahoo Sports’ Ross Dellenger, the conference has been in talks “for months” about private capital investments worth at least $2 billion.

According to ESPN, the investment would also come with a 10-year extension of the conference’s media rights deal through the 2046 season. The Big Ten has one of the most lucrative media rights deals in college sports with CBS, Fox and NBC.
Up or Down Vote scheduled today. It may have taken place already?