Financial Demands Make Home Game Unlikely for Utes
Several readers have asked how the seedings will work in the College Basketball Invitational, and whether the Utes have a chance at playing a home game, should they make a tournament run.
Unfortunately, the best I can answer is that a home game isn't likely unless the Utes reach the three-game championship series, in which each team must host at least one game.
The Utes weren't keen on the financial obligations of hosting a game -- namely, that host teams have to pay the CBI a minimum of $60,000 out of a 50-50 split of gate receipts with the organizers (not the other team, as I'd mistakenly said earlier). That means that even if the Utes sold tickets for an average of $10, they would have to sell 6,000 just to break even (not counting concessions, but also not including overhead such as concession workers). And that seems an iffy proposition, given the attendance during the regular season.
As for the seeding ...
According to the bracket posted on the CBI web site before the field was announced, higher seeded teams would play host to quarterfinal games next week, and the field would be re-seeded for the semifinals. However, once teams were announced, the "at higher seed" notation was dropped from the bracket, and nowhere on the site are seeds listed alongside the teams.
Still, I've found at least a couple of reports that said the Utes are the fourth-seed team in their region (UTEP being the top seed) -- assuring a quarterfinal road game, if those games are indeed to be determined by seeds. But where those reports found that information, I couldn't say. Two officials with the CBI have yet to return messages and explain what's going on, and the UTEP coach has said that the Miners' chances of playing host to a quarterfinal game depend on their attendance for the opening round game against the Utes -- potentially rendering the supposed seeding meaningless.
My guess?
The Gazelle Group that runs the CBI has enough of a challenge getting teams to commit to home games that it was unable to unilaterally say which teams would potentially play home games in the next round, because some still would not want to do so, no matter their supposed seed. So, the organizers were left with just seeing how the opening round proceeded and awarding quarterfinal home games after that (or making sure the teams most willing to entertain home games were the top seeds).
But that's just my guess.
At any rate, the Utes will fare far better financially by going on the road. The CBI picks up travel expenses, according to Utah director of basketball operations Jon Dykema, and provides $3,000 per game for hotel expenses and a $2,200 per diem. That can go a long way, seems to me, in El Paso ...
Unfortunately, the best I can answer is that a home game isn't likely unless the Utes reach the three-game championship series, in which each team must host at least one game.
The Utes weren't keen on the financial obligations of hosting a game -- namely, that host teams have to pay the CBI a minimum of $60,000 out of a 50-50 split of gate receipts with the organizers (not the other team, as I'd mistakenly said earlier). That means that even if the Utes sold tickets for an average of $10, they would have to sell 6,000 just to break even (not counting concessions, but also not including overhead such as concession workers). And that seems an iffy proposition, given the attendance during the regular season.
As for the seeding ...
According to the bracket posted on the CBI web site before the field was announced, higher seeded teams would play host to quarterfinal games next week, and the field would be re-seeded for the semifinals. However, once teams were announced, the "at higher seed" notation was dropped from the bracket, and nowhere on the site are seeds listed alongside the teams.
Still, I've found at least a couple of reports that said the Utes are the fourth-seed team in their region (UTEP being the top seed) -- assuring a quarterfinal road game, if those games are indeed to be determined by seeds. But where those reports found that information, I couldn't say. Two officials with the CBI have yet to return messages and explain what's going on, and the UTEP coach has said that the Miners' chances of playing host to a quarterfinal game depend on their attendance for the opening round game against the Utes -- potentially rendering the supposed seeding meaningless.
My guess?
The Gazelle Group that runs the CBI has enough of a challenge getting teams to commit to home games that it was unable to unilaterally say which teams would potentially play home games in the next round, because some still would not want to do so, no matter their supposed seed. So, the organizers were left with just seeing how the opening round proceeded and awarding quarterfinal home games after that (or making sure the teams most willing to entertain home games were the top seeds).
But that's just my guess.
At any rate, the Utes will fare far better financially by going on the road. The CBI picks up travel expenses, according to Utah director of basketball operations Jon Dykema, and provides $3,000 per game for hotel expenses and a $2,200 per diem. That can go a long way, seems to me, in El Paso ...
posted by www.sltrib.com @ 10:46 AM |
5 Comments:
The CBI gets worse all the time. How much are they kicking back to the teams for their television and web revenue? I say do the road games for some tournament experience and hope we never have to jump at a "chance" like this again.
Here's an interesting bit of info I found on a Cincinnati Enquirer blog. Bill Koch reports that the UC Bearcats (who, I presume, are also a 4-seed, considering their sub-.500 record) will host a second round game should they make it that far.
Good find, Cincy. Thanks!
Mike
P.S. -- Yes, the Bearcats are apparently a fourth seed.
This whole CBI thing sucks altogether!!!!!!!
It does suck, but it's like free practice. A rebuilding program like Utah can use all the free practice time they can get.
I don't think Utah is going to raise a CBI Championship banner to the rafters of the Huntsman Center anytime soon. Too many gymnastics ones. Ha ha.
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