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Two Interesting Articles - State of College Athletics

Clif

Member
Rare (never?) poster. Came across these two articles today. Interesting to see the worth of each program and also the discussion on bringing private equity into college sports. Even with Colorado down the list in worth, I'd think with CP at the helm CU would be attractive to private equity investors.

https://www.cnbc.com/2024/12/19/college-sports-programs-valuations.html

https://www.cnbc.com/2024/12/19/private-equity-looks-to-buy-in-to-college-sports.html

If I managed to screw up the links you can find the articles at CNBC.com
 
Rare (never?) poster. Came across these two articles today. Interesting to see the worth of each program and also the discussion on bringing private equity into college sports. Even with Colorado down the list in worth, I'd think with CP at the helm CU would be attractive to private equity investors.

https://www.cnbc.com/2024/12/19/college-sports-programs-valuations.html

https://www.cnbc.com/2024/12/19/private-equity-looks-to-buy-in-to-college-sports.html

If I managed to screw up the links you can find the articles at CNBC.com
It’s hard to judge the valuation accuracy without the specifics on the methodology. No data is real time, so if there is some data-driven metrics to the valuation, it would most likely not include the last two years for CU. It would cover the Karl Dorrell era.
 
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It appears to not value the facilities or stadium, and it could be not weighting the need for Football to directly support the other sports, but I am happy to see these numbers exist and back up some of my thoughts
 
I'm very curious how UCLA ended up one spot ahead of CU? (Or, how CU ended up one spot behind UCLA?)

That seems off to me. I would think UCLA would at least be top-30.
 
I'm very curious how UCLA ended up one spot ahead of CU? (Or, how CU ended up one spot behind UCLA?)

That seems off to me. I would think UCLA would at least be top-30.
They do not have or own their own on campus stadium
They have debt and low contributions from the state system and boosters

CU needs to improve and increase the seating at Folsom to at least 65,000

I do not understand the Texas Tech valuation, but it appears they have good Revenues.

I also do not think that these numbers are actually fully PRIME EFFECT calculated.

I think that CU is worth between $750 Million to almost $1 Billion IF IF IF IF Prime is involved or running it.
 
They do not have or own their own on campus stadium
They have debt and low contributions from the state system and boosters

CU needs to improve and increase the seating at Folsom to at least 65,000

I do not understand the Texas Tech valuation, but it appears they have good Revenues.

I also do not think that these numbers are actually fully PRIME EFFECT calculated.

I think that CU is worth between $750 Million to almost $1 Billion IF IF IF IF Prime is involved or running it.
Those kind of valuations will never be based on the presence of one employee. Life is far too perilous for that.
 
Those kind of valuations will never be based on the presence of one employee. Life is far too perilous for that.
What if Prime is the PARTNER with Colorado Football and maybe he coaches for a few more years, but then is an Executive and he helps bring in another popular coach or just a really good coach.

I will scream from the rafters to have Robert Smith and Prime partner up for this deal. Hell, give Prime $50 Million in instant valuation in the PE deal because Robert Smith has the same goal to help young men, especially young Black Men to be successful and Prime is doing that like no other.
 
What if Prime is the PARTNER with Colorado Football and maybe he coaches for a few more years, but then is an Executive and he helps bring in another popular coach or just a really good coach.

I will scream from the rafters to have Robert Smith and Prime partner up for this deal. Hell, give Prime $50 Million in instant valuation in the PE deal because Robert Smith has the same goal to help young men, especially young Black Men to be successful and Prime is doing that like no other.
What if he suffers a heart attack tonight or gets run over the next time he crosses a road?
 
What if he suffers a heart attack tonight or gets run over the next time he crosses a road?
Then cancel the football program and build a new Basketball Arena where Folsom is, because we are inches from being Washington State versus becoming Minnesota per se
 
Then cancel the football program and build a new Basketball Arena where Folsom is, because we are inches from being Washington State versus becoming Minnesota per se
I don’t think that argument is gonna convince anyone to go along with your 750m-1bn USD valuation.
 
I don’t think that argument is gonna convince anyone to go along with your 750m-1bn USD valuation.
The Valuation are based on revenues and the Big12 is low compared to the others and if you do not shoot for the moon, get promoted because of Prime, because of the investment, and because we are and should be a top 25 team historically and today.

We have to go all in because the Value is there in that investment in Prime and in pushing for a move to the P2
 
The Valuation are based on revenues and the Big12 is low compared to the others and if you do not shoot for the moon, get promoted because of Prime, because of the investment, and because we are and should be a top 25 team historically and today.

We have to go all in because the Value is there in that investment in Prime and in pushing for a move to the P2
You just don’t get my point.
 
You just don’t get my point.
Describe the Colorado Football Program pathway for the next 5 years?

I also think that this PE thing is being mischaracterized because there is bad PE and then there is focused PE, and that is why the only option would be someone like Robert Smith who wanted to buy the Broncos, and was the one that helped provide his fishing lodge to the team earlier and who is inspired by Prime.

If Prime leaves or dies or whatever, we are in a terrible place to be honest.
 
I'm very curious how UCLA ended up one spot ahead of CU? (Or, how CU ended up one spot behind UCLA?)

That seems off to me. I would think UCLA would at least be top-30.

They do not have or own their own on campus stadium
They have debt and low contributions from the state system and boosters

CU needs to improve and increase the seating at Folsom to at least 65,000

I do not understand the Texas Tech valuation, but it appears they have good Revenues.

I also do not think that these numbers are actually fully PRIME EFFECT calculated.

I think that CU is worth between $750 Million to almost $1 Billion IF IF IF IF Prime is involved or running it.

I don't think the methodology is anything except elevating certain conferences, TV footprint, # of sports sponsored, and maybe then revenue or US NEWS rankings...

UCLA's athletic department is financially upside down even when the full B1G share arrives. They will be paying off debt, not expanding. Aside from UoA (accounting blunder) I cannot think of an AD in the P-4 that is worse off. Even Cal owns their stadium. Stanford has the rich boosters and huge endowments.
 
Describe the Colorado Football Program pathway for the next 5 years?

I also think that this PE thing is being mischaracterized because there is bad PE and then there is focused PE, and that is why the only option would be someone like Robert Smith who wanted to buy the Broncos, and was the one that helped provide his fishing lodge to the team earlier and who is inspired by Prime.

If Prime leaves or dies or whatever, we are in a terrible place to be honest.
I agree with you. There is clearly good PE. I’ve seen it. I’ve been a part of it, both ways. One where PE buys a distressed asset, strips it, redirects it, flips it (horribly oversimplified). Two where a PE gets involved with an emerging asset where capital and expertise can create a rocket and all win. Each team, each conference will have its own unique set of needs and might or might not fit one of these models.
 
I don't think the methodology is anything except elevating certain conferences, TV footprint, # of sports sponsored, and maybe then revenue or US NEWS rankings...

UCLA's athletic department is financially upside down even when the full B1G share arrives. They will be paying off debt, not expanding. Aside from UoA (accounting blunder) I cannot think of an AD in the P-4 that is worse off. Even Cal owns their stadium. Stanford has the rich boosters and huge endowments.
There are proven valuation methodologies, even for sports teams, that can guide investment and deal details. PE and investment banks know how to do this. A writer likely uses something more simple like a multiple of revenues. These valuations are wrong. They are likely directionally correct, or at least a place to start.
 
I agree with you. There is clearly good PE. I’ve seen it. I’ve been a part of it, both ways. One where PE buys a distressed asset, strips it, redirects it, flips it (horribly oversimplified). Two where a PE gets involved with an emerging asset where capital and expertise can create a rocket and all win. Each team, each conference will have its own unique set of needs and might or might not fit one of these models.
I like the idea of a Robert Smith who could own/participate in perpetuity. Expertise, methodology, strength, and a specific mission towards empowerment. He could also buy the Rockies and get rid of Monfort
 
I like the idea of a Robert Smith who could own/participate in perpetuity. Expertise, methodology, strength, and a specific mission towards empowerment. He could also buy the Rockies and get rid of Monfort
The Montforts are never selling. Owning the Rockies is a license to print money as long as people in Colorado continue to like sitting outside in nice weather and drink beer. Their actual baseball performance is way down their list of priorities compared to concession and alcohol sales,
 
They do not have or own their own on campus stadium
They have debt and low contributions from the state system and boosters

CU needs to improve and increase the seating at Folsom to at least 65,000

I do not understand the Texas Tech valuation, but it appears they have good Revenues.

I also do not think that these numbers are actually fully PRIME EFFECT calculated.

I think that CU is worth between $750 Million to almost $1 Billion IF IF IF IF Prime is involved or running it.
I always forget that they don't have their own stadium.

Outside of that though, of all the UC schools, wouldn't you agree that UCLA is the most recognizable brand from that system? I would figure the brand value alone is worth quite a bit.
 
If any team or conference is getting involved with PE, I would much rather have it be an ongoing partnership with short/medium term contracts, than a one time cash infusion with a long term contract. Getting locked into a long term, major revenue share with a PE company feels a lot like the ACC being locked into a ****ty media rights deal with ESPN for another 12 years.

I'm also not really fond of the idea of PE investing in the Big 12 as a conference, unless it's for the sole purpose of breaking up the ACC and collecting the top 6-8 properties from that conference.
 
I always forget that they don't have their own stadium.

Outside of that though, of all the UC schools, wouldn't you agree that UCLA is the most recognizable brand from that system? I would figure the brand value alone is worth quite a bit.

IMO, in the UC system, UCLA is definitely the CA flagship and the most recognizable brand. Great in hoops, Olympic sports, and generally decent in CFB, but not elite in a long time. Berkley compares academically but nowhere close in athletics. Those are the two toughest schools to get into. USC goes in peaks and valleys all dependent on whether the football team is elite, however their football attendance averages 15-25K more--now I do not know if that is cooking the books, better stadium access, visiting fans, or truly more fans. The thing with CA is that it is so big, all the teams get diluted somewhat. Only so many places for the HS Seniors to go.

From a PE standpoint, given the AD's financial hurdles UCLA would be a huge risk requiring massive up-front investment, as they need completely revamp their revenue model via either building their own infrastructure or renegotiating facilities deals to capture much more revenue. From a location standpoint, Westwood is landlocked with few options (where do you build a stadium or sports complex??), and whatever options there are would be very expensive.

I agree with @The Alabaster Yak thoughts on private equity . . . once they are involved in a deal agreeing to make an investment the school has to cede some control, they become a huge partner (i.e. they probably control the purse strings on certain things), and it will probably have a longer team so they can reap enough profit. If it does not go well, a program could get stuck.
 
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IMO, in the UC system, UCLA is definitely the CA flagship and the most recognizable brand. Great in hoops, Olympic sports, and generally decent in CFB, but not elite in a long time. Berkley compares academically but nowhere close in athletics. Those are the two toughest schools to get into. USC goes in peaks and valleys all dependent on whether the football team is elite, however their football attendance averages 15-25K more--now I do not know if that is cooking the books, better stadium access, visiting fans, or truly more fans. The thing with CA is that it is so big, all the teams get diluted somewhat. Only so many places for the HS Seniors to go.

From a PE standpoint, given the AD's financial hurdles UCLA would be a huge risk requiring massive up-front investment, as they need completely revamp their revenue model via either building their own infrastructure or renegotiating facilities deals to capture much more revenue. From a location standpoint, Westwood is landlocked with few options (where do you build a stadium or sports complex??), and whatever options there are would be very expensive.

I agree with @The Alabaster Yak thoughts on private equity . . . once they are involved in a deal agreeing to make an investment the school has to cede some control, they become a huge partner (i.e. they probably control the purse strings on certain things), and it will probably have a longer team so they can reap enough profit. If it does not go well, a program could get stuck.
You do know that USC is a private school, not a UC school, right?
 
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