Have they reached their first million yet?
It is only a concept at this point in time. There is some interest on the part of some donors but it is a long way from becoming a reality. Big sticking point - donors want a say in AD matters for the money - CU is reluctant to go down that path.
Well, you can't have the inmates running the asylum, so I understand their reluctance. Just the same, I would think there could be a balance struck that would be acceptable to both sides. Long term, $50MM is a drop in the bucket for what this AD needs to compete with the elites of college athletics. If they could work out a deal that would allow access and a certain level of decision making to 50 people who pledge $250K/Year in perpetuity, then I could see that kind of arrangement working out for everybody.
Maybe, but CU's AD budget was/is about $45MM, having an entire year's budget, and then some, fall out of the great blue sky ito your lap, is not something to sneeze at, even if you have to wipe the donor's nose a couple of times....
Well we don't know what kind of influence the 50 are asking for, so it's hard to say. If they are asking for policy making level decisions, then yeah, that could be a problem. But on the other hand, getting 50, or even a majority of 50 to agree on something is hard to do. For instance, I doubt all 50 would have agreed to fire Hawk after this year, and a majority would have only happened during the season (and after CU got embarrassed for the umpteenth time).Of course. But the downshot to that is that if they give decision making authority to those folks, they are not getting solid value. $12.5MM/Year forever is better than $50MM all at once.
Well we don't know what kind of influence the 50 are asking for, so it's hard to say. If they are asking for policy making level decisions, then yeah, that could be a problem. But on the other hand, getting 50, or even a majority of 50 to agree on something is hard to do. For instance, I doubt all 50 would have agreed to fire Hawk after this year, and a majority would have only happened during the season (and after CU got embarrassed for the umpteenth time).
In the end, it's the golden rule, he who has the gold, makes the rules....CU AD may not be in a position to say no much longer...
Absolutely. For an athletic department that is (supposedly) struggling for funds and is losing season ticket holders, this may force their hand. I don't want the $50MM to go to operating costs, though. That has to go to facilities.
my check is in the mail. i just had to post-date it for a little while... i am sure they won't mind a post-dated check (june 1, 2050)... hell, i sent it certified mail so i am good to go.
Of course. But the downshot to that is that if they give decision making authority to those folks, they are not getting solid value. $12.5MM/Year forever is better than $50MM all at once.