To anyone that went last year, was Hardywood open before the official 6pm start? I want to get there a little early if possible, before the toddler becomes a gremlin.
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I was there last year and will be there again this year. You can definitely get there earlier. Pry and Whit arrived shortly after the start time last year, and spoke at the very end. They usually have an auction and some merch tables as well. I am curious to see the turnout. Two years ago, when Pry was new, the attendance was massive. Last year it was good, but nowhere near as many as the year before. With all of the excitement around the team going into this season, I suspect it should be healthy.
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Not sure about Tidewater, but they have done Nova every year. I went in 2022, it was a pretty good event and 2 Silos is a cool spot. Would recommend for folks in the area if getting to Manassas isn't too much of a pain
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Definitely going to try to sneak the question, "What do you think of the new uniforms?" in with anyone even remotely associated with the program tonight.
Follow up question, "how many stripes?"
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Welp, I messed up again. I met Pry walking to the car while he was waiting for his and forgot to ask about the jerseys. He started talking to my toddler and I spaced out. Guess we have to wait a couple more weeks.
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I had not seen anyone post notes from the Richmond Tailgate Tour stop, so I figured I would start. Please feel free to add on or correct me - the sound wasn't great, and while I think I heard most things, I could have missed some parts.
- Whit had some interesting takes on the future of NIL at the Tailgate Tour stop in Richmond Monday. He was given a question by Burnop on the recent Va law allowing schools to pay players NIL directly. He said that this was essentially a stop-gap measure that would allow us to remain competitive until a new revenue sharing model came into play. He indicated that this would happen "in a year or two". I would assume that any model that garnered full approval would have to effectively create some sort of "salary cap" and maybe some transparancy.
- Whit mentioned that "we love the ACC and the ACC has been good to VT" He said the best hing we could do to help the ACC is bring VT back to national prominence in football. That seems to confirm the stories we have heard to the effect of going "all-in on football".
- There were several references to other teams coming for VT players. You have to think this was a nod to the Drones rumors. Pry said that VT would never be the highest bidder to bring a player to VT, but they would always fight to be the highest bidder to keep the right player at VT.
Anybody else have key points they remember and would like to add?
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Were there audible boos when Whit said the ACC has been good to VT? We have been the stepchild since we were forcibly invited by Governor intervention. Tobacco Road had done us almost no favors in terms of scheduling or brand recognition on the East Coast.
Has the ACC been better for VT than remaining in the Big East, yes, but I have no doubts that if the ACC could have had an unequal revenue share back in 2004, we would have been on the bottom while we dominated the conference for nearly a decade.
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Lol see below, like I said I couldn't really hear the Whit part, but I don't recall boos. The crowd was definitely less than enthusiastic about a top 20 team which I found a little odd.
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That was most of what I took away. I couldn't really hear Whit to be honest. Most of Pry's speech included talking points we have heard before. Being proud of the team (players and coaches) last year for not listening to the noise and finishing strong. He did say he wanted the team to continue their effort and looks forward to Tech being a top 20 team again, and he didn't get much applause for that, I guess the crowd is hoping for more with all the preseason hype.
He talked again, about the fact that we want to be competitive in NIL, but we're not looking for anyone to come to or stay at tech just because of their NIL deal. He added a funny sound bite about how if you do the right things in college your NIL deal will be tip money once you enter the league, basically saying come to Tech to work, maybe the modern version of lunch pail mentality.
The event is essentially a pep rally and we aren't likely to get anything too exciting from the Burnop interview. The fun is getting to rub elbows with Pry and friends, but the rain made it more difficult this year.
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Whit mentioned that "we love the ACC and the ACC has been good to VT" He said the best hing we could do to help the ACC is bring VT back to national prominence in football. That seems to confirm the stories we have heard to the effect of going "all-in on football
I have no doubt Whit was just saying all the correct things you want to say in that situation and get it. But realistically, we could win the natty the next three years straight and it's not going to do anything to help the ACC revenue situation. We are locked into the deal we have, and frankly ESPN doesn't have the cash to pay the ACC more even if it wanted to (spoiler - they definitely don't want to) since they have overcommitted on the SEC and NFL/NBA.
Us winning the next couple of years only helps us in future realignment, but it certainly won't help the ACC. That goose is cooked.
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I view what ESPN has done to the ACC as akin to a hedge fund. Deliberate campaign to devalue the ACC/portray it as a second-tier league just so they can keep it locked up on the cheap. Would love to know how much ESPN actually makes from ACC properties versus what they pay us. If the conference was truly worthless and a drain on resources, wouldn't they just want to dump it? They're just hedging their bet that the ACC will never get its crap together in football by downplaying the league as much as possible. They know they couldn't afford to pay the ACC comparable P2 money even if they wanted to.
This renewal decision that's coming up in Feb 2025 will be telling. If ESPN dumps the ACC, then we know the ACC is likely done. But I'm willing to bet they renew because no one knows exactly how much revenue ESPN is getting relative to what they tell the ACC it's worth and pay them.
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You nailed it. This is 100% intentional too. They know that you can not compete for top talent when you have 40 mil less per year to spend on football per school. They know this for a fact. So when the top talent goes to the highest paid coaches, best facilities, etc- no shit the "product" is not as good in the ACC. They have a vested interest in airing FSU football on the cheap when they go undefeated and draw fans. They also get 5 ND road games on the cheap too. you bet your ass it's intentional
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I'd be willing to bet ESPN has a pretty small profit margin on the SEC. They make a lot of revenue from them, but they are also paying them top dollar - and they have to or else they risk losing the farm. I'd also be willing to bet that, relatively speaking, ESPN is making a very nice margin on the ACC. It may bring in significantly less money than the SEC properties, but ESPN gets to keep a far bigger chunk and pay the ACC peanuts.
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They are a publicly traded company that is losing its ass quarter over quarter. YOu are damn right they aren't making high margins on college football.
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Comments
To anyone that went last year, was Hardywood open before the official 6pm start? I want to get there a little early if possible, before the toddler becomes a gremlin.
I'm bumping this since we're a week away and I really wanna know if I can crack a beer at 530.
Will not be there, but have to give you a leg up for Ben Stein.
I was there last year and will be there again this year. You can definitely get there earlier. Pry and Whit arrived shortly after the start time last year, and spoke at the very end. They usually have an auction and some merch tables as well. I am curious to see the turnout. Two years ago, when Pry was new, the attendance was massive. Last year it was good, but nowhere near as many as the year before. With all of the excitement around the team going into this season, I suspect it should be healthy.
i find it curious that there is no event in the tidewater area
I thought so too. Did they do 4 last year or swap nova for tidewater?
Not sure about Tidewater, but they have done Nova every year. I went in 2022, it was a pretty good event and 2 Silos is a cool spot. Would recommend for folks in the area if getting to Manassas isn't too much of a pain
Definitely going to try to sneak the question, "What do you think of the new uniforms?" in with anyone even remotely associated with the program tonight.
Follow up question, "how many stripes?"
Anything greater than zero is the wrong answer.
I don't know, I've kind of been convinced that as long as the numbers are on top stripes are okay.
Welp, I messed up again. I met Pry walking to the car while he was waiting for his and forgot to ask about the jerseys. He started talking to my toddler and I spaced out. Guess we have to wait a couple more weeks.
Well did anyone say anything notable? Give us some deets!
I had not seen anyone post notes from the Richmond Tailgate Tour stop, so I figured I would start. Please feel free to add on or correct me - the sound wasn't great, and while I think I heard most things, I could have missed some parts.
- Whit had some interesting takes on the future of NIL at the Tailgate Tour stop in Richmond Monday. He was given a question by Burnop on the recent Va law allowing schools to pay players NIL directly. He said that this was essentially a stop-gap measure that would allow us to remain competitive until a new revenue sharing model came into play. He indicated that this would happen "in a year or two". I would assume that any model that garnered full approval would have to effectively create some sort of "salary cap" and maybe some transparancy.
- Whit mentioned that "we love the ACC and the ACC has been good to VT" He said the best hing we could do to help the ACC is bring VT back to national prominence in football. That seems to confirm the stories we have heard to the effect of going "all-in on football".
- There were several references to other teams coming for VT players. You have to think this was a nod to the Drones rumors. Pry said that VT would never be the highest bidder to bring a player to VT, but they would always fight to be the highest bidder to keep the right player at VT.
Anybody else have key points they remember and would like to add?
Were there audible boos when Whit said the ACC has been good to VT? We have been the stepchild since we were forcibly invited by Governor intervention. Tobacco Road had done us almost no favors in terms of scheduling or brand recognition on the East Coast.
Has the ACC been better for VT than remaining in the Big East, yes, but I have no doubts that if the ACC could have had an unequal revenue share back in 2004, we would have been on the bottom while we dominated the conference for nearly a decade.
Lol see below, like I said I couldn't really hear the Whit part, but I don't recall boos. The crowd was definitely less than enthusiastic about a top 20 team which I found a little odd.
That was most of what I took away. I couldn't really hear Whit to be honest. Most of Pry's speech included talking points we have heard before. Being proud of the team (players and coaches) last year for not listening to the noise and finishing strong. He did say he wanted the team to continue their effort and looks forward to Tech being a top 20 team again, and he didn't get much applause for that, I guess the crowd is hoping for more with all the preseason hype.
He talked again, about the fact that we want to be competitive in NIL, but we're not looking for anyone to come to or stay at tech just because of their NIL deal. He added a funny sound bite about how if you do the right things in college your NIL deal will be tip money once you enter the league, basically saying come to Tech to work, maybe the modern version of lunch pail mentality.
The event is essentially a pep rally and we aren't likely to get anything too exciting from the Burnop interview. The fun is getting to rub elbows with Pry and friends, but the rain made it more difficult this year.
I have no doubt Whit was just saying all the correct things you want to say in that situation and get it. But realistically, we could win the natty the next three years straight and it's not going to do anything to help the ACC revenue situation. We are locked into the deal we have, and frankly ESPN doesn't have the cash to pay the ACC more even if it wanted to (spoiler - they definitely don't want to) since they have overcommitted on the SEC and NFL/NBA.
Us winning the next couple of years only helps us in future realignment, but it certainly won't help the ACC. That goose is cooked.
Whit also says Nike has been great to VT as they pay us less than everyone else in the P5.
I view what ESPN has done to the ACC as akin to a hedge fund. Deliberate campaign to devalue the ACC/portray it as a second-tier league just so they can keep it locked up on the cheap. Would love to know how much ESPN actually makes from ACC properties versus what they pay us. If the conference was truly worthless and a drain on resources, wouldn't they just want to dump it? They're just hedging their bet that the ACC will never get its crap together in football by downplaying the league as much as possible. They know they couldn't afford to pay the ACC comparable P2 money even if they wanted to.
This renewal decision that's coming up in Feb 2025 will be telling. If ESPN dumps the ACC, then we know the ACC is likely done. But I'm willing to bet they renew because no one knows exactly how much revenue ESPN is getting relative to what they tell the ACC it's worth and pay them.
You nailed it. This is 100% intentional too. They know that you can not compete for top talent when you have 40 mil less per year to spend on football per school. They know this for a fact. So when the top talent goes to the highest paid coaches, best facilities, etc- no shit the "product" is not as good in the ACC. They have a vested interest in airing FSU football on the cheap when they go undefeated and draw fans. They also get 5 ND road games on the cheap too. you bet your ass it's intentional
I'd be willing to bet ESPN has a pretty small profit margin on the SEC. They make a lot of revenue from them, but they are also paying them top dollar - and they have to or else they risk losing the farm. I'd also be willing to bet that, relatively speaking, ESPN is making a very nice margin on the ACC. It may bring in significantly less money than the SEC properties, but ESPN gets to keep a far bigger chunk and pay the ACC peanuts.
They are a publicly traded company that is losing its ass quarter over quarter. YOu are damn right they aren't making high margins on college football.