Proposition Joe said:
Some people keep continually mistaking what people think and expect to happen with what they want or think should happen. It's much of the same people that back in April were like "hah college football won't be impacted by this at all"... They don't see the big picture.
Saying it's doubtful Battle 4 Atlantis happens doesn't mean "oooh man I am scared of the virus we should never play basketball again!".
It means look at the obvious:
1) Atlantis is currently closed with no re-open date set.
2) Athletic programs are about to be running at budget deficits they've never before seen. Why would they be flying basketball teams that already mostly operate in the red to the Bahamas?
3) No schools have any firm plan for how football will take place this year, much less basketball... much less NON-CONFERENCE basketball.
4) Nobody knows what travel restrictions might be in place here or there. What if we suddenly have to quarantine our team for 14 days on the backside of the tournament?
5) Are you going to trust quarantine and isolation methods for 8 schools student-athletes and staff by a third world country?
6) Who is going to pay for said quarantine and isolation precautions?
7) Much of the point of trips like these are for the student-athletes to have fun experiences they'd normally not get. What fun activities do you think they'll be enjoying under quarantine?
It's silly to even think that our basketball team is going to be spending Thanksgiving in the Bahamas.
If we had access to the SEC media contracts, we could attempt to assess what the situation means financially. We have every reason to believe the SECN pays half of profits and no guaranteed. The so-called original Tier 1 (ota) and Tier 2 (cable) content probably has an out, but it might have some guaranteed monies.
The scholarship costs are relatively minimal compared to other staff and training costs. And in all honesty those payments have a funny money aspect to it. In addition, the TMF can raise funds. Avoiding expenses is within reach such as canceling more extravagant travel.
The football program funds a significant amount of overall athletic department spend. And I wouldn't be surprised if the conference games are the centerpiece of the revenue.
I understand the desire to get out in front and paint it black. But no one knows what will happen. No one.