SALT LAKE CITY — For anyone who can’t figure out the nuances of the new Pac-12 revenue-sharing policy, Utah athletic director Chris Hill has a suggestion.
He has two working titles for books to explain the formula in easy-to-understand terms: “Idiot’s Guide to Revenue Sharing” or “Revenue Sharing for Dummies.”
Some might question Hill’s wisdom after he decided to leave a guaranteed $1.8 million to $2 million check from the Mountain West each year for no payout next year in the Pac-12, and partial shares for the two years after that (50 percent in 2012 and 75 percent in 2013).
“We agreed to it because we wanted in right away,” Hill said Friday. When he and Utah president Michael Young did the math last summer, it made even more sense to go in next season rather than wait until 2012.
“I figured we’d be sacrificing some money but moving in the right direction, to make maybe $8 million the next,” Hill said.
To offset the lack of conference money from the Pac-12, the Utes could get a local TV package (now barred by the MWC TV contract) and push for more donations and marketing initiatives. Loans could also float the budget for a year.
Unlike fellow new Pac-12 member Colorado, Utah does not have to pay a fee to get out of its current league.
It’s all a matter of thinking long-term. When CU was announced as a member, ostensibly for 2012, initial discussions also had Utah joining the Pac-12 in 2012.
However, the wait concerned the Utah contingent. The conversation with Pac-10 commissioner Larry Scott continued about going in earlier. According to Hill, it went: “Larry, I get it. I don’t want to be sitting at the table with all those ADs and me coming in is costing them more money.”
There was another fear that a long wait might involve some legislative repercussions involving intrastate rival BYU. As it turned out, BYU stormed off to independent status, sacrificing non-football programs to the West Coast Conference.
Although Utes football coach Kyle Whittingham and players talked about the Pac-12 during MWC media day this summer, a gag order is now in effect on the topic of the Pac-12.
Sometimes Hill even follows his own mandate. When the prospect of Utah winning the Pac-12 South next year was raised, Hill said: “Slow down. The only thing we’ve got this week is Colorado State.”
The Rams and Utes play today for the 79th time in the series, which could go dormant for a long while.
Hill agrees with CU athletic director Mike Bohn that a big upshot in making the switch is the alumni presence on the West Coast. As well, Hill is looking forward to “grow(ing) our relationship with CU.”
“We need to put our heads together, but also our marketing people’s heads together,” Hill said. “It takes awhile to build a rivalry. Maybe we can come up with a rivalry name, some sponsorship, build some things around it. Who knows where it can go. We want to start at it and build something, but we know it’s going to take time.”
Utah had the combination of success and circumstances to rise above the MWC contenders. Hill said his MWC counterparts have been understanding.
“The reality of the league is ‘Chris, we understand what happened. The reality of the position is we would do the same thing too.’ “
Natalie Meisler: 303 954-1295 or nmeisler@denverpost.com
Remembering Utah
Oct. 22, 1994: No. 18 Utah 45, CSU 31
With Utah leaving the Mountain West after this season, The Denver Post looks at the Utes’ history with the Rams.It was the biggest crowd Hughes Stadium would ever see for a football game. A stadium record 39,107 shoehorned into a facility built to seat 30,000. Former CSU athletic director Tom Jurich wasn’t going to turn anyone away. Many stood. Others sat in the aisles.
Both teams were undefeated going in. ABC televised it, Sports Illustrated was in the press box and players shook down freshmen in the hallway for extra tickets. The premise: Defense had come to the pass-happy Western Athletic Conference, thanks to coaches Sonny Lubick and Ron McBride.
Tied 31-all, Utah took a 38-31 lead with ample time left for CSU to march right back down the field. In the era before overtime, the CSU staff was discussing whether to go for two. Fans were looking to storm the field.
Then fate, in the form of Utah defensive back Harold Lusk, intervened. He picked off an Anthoney Hill pass at the goal line, returning it 100 yards for the final 45-31 score.
Current CSU offensive coordinator Pat Meyer was an all-WAC guard on the team. “It was a big-time college atmosphere,” he said this week. “The only bad thing is we lost the game.”
All was not lost, however. After routing UTEP the next week, the Utes fell to New Mexico and Air Force. CSU won out to claim its first WAC crown.
THE SERIES
Overall: Utah leads 54-22-2. In Salt Lake City: Utah leads 30-8-2. In Fort Collins: Utah leads 24-14
