BANOWSKY STEPS ASIDE
As news began to trickle out yesterday that Conference USA Commissioner Britton Banowsky was stepping down after 13 years at the helm, fans of the conference began to speculate what Banowsky's departure might mean for the 20 year old league. If one is reading the signs carefully, Banowsky's departure looks like it is a big loss for Conference USA. Here is why:
1. Banowsky has announced his departure in the midst of ongoing negotiations for a new tv contract for the league. Conference USA's current contract with Fox and CBS expires at the end of this season and as we have discussed on this blog, the new contract will be the most important in Conference USA history.(Conf USA tv contract link) Contracts are built around good will, trust and strong relationships. Make no mistake, Britton Banowsky is well respected in the world of sports tv. He is someone that networks want to do business with. Banowsky's leaving sends a clear message that he will not be around to implement or carry out the contracts details. Lack of stability makes tv people nervous.
2. As the new Director of the College Football Playoff Foundation he will never have to worry about tv contracts and sports realignment again. Nor will he have to worry about University Presidents begging for more money, or fans publicly calling him out for things that he has not control over.
3. Conference Commissioners are the miner birds of sports. They see and understand trends before the average sports fan does. Was Banowsky seeing a trend that he did not like? Banowsky for example has guided Conference USA for the majority of his 13 years with schools that although not flashy, were known commodities. ECU, Houston, UCF, SMU and Memphis provided Conference USA with some clout in the world of tv and tv money. It is unclear if the new schools that have joined Conference USA in the last two years carry this same cache. It seems entirely possible that the current market will not be as friendly to the new configuration of Conference USA as the old one.
FINALLY
Britton Banowsky has been the face of Conference USA for the past 13 years. He is highly regarded in the sports world and has fought for and won respect for Conference USA, something he should be commended for. Banowsky's exit is going to be a big loss for Conference USA. In many ways Britton Banowsky has become the most recognizable and important brand marker Conference USA has left .
It is unclear what his loss will mean to the current contract negotiations. One thing is certain however, it will not be easy to replace his experience and the many relationships he has cultivated during his tenure as leader of the conference. At the very least his leaving raises more questions than it provides answers. The conference must now find someone who understands current market trends ,can lead the geographically diverse league into an unknown and uncertain future and can help provide stability to a group of schools who have seen their fair share of change during the the last 3 years. Conference USA must now add a search for a new commissioner to its growing list of important things to do. Stay tuned
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