Do you think that the UofA will pay Tulsa $1.085 million for today's homecoming game? Well, you're almost there. According to your friendly Statewide Newspaper, the Razorbacks also agreed to pay a $365,000 "scheduling fee," whatever that is, on top of the $1.085 million. For a total of more than $1.4 million. It's the second-largest payout the state's flagship university has ever handed to an opponent.
Our reaction to the news might have been first stated by Gen. Anthony McAuliffe when the Germans called for his surrender during the Battle of the Bulge:
Nuts!
Is it really necessary to pay a large inheritance to a small school just to get a win? Or avoid a loss? Why not schedule games with other Top 5 conference teams instead? If not a Clemson or Ohio State, then how about a Purdue or a Wake Forest? Do you think that nearly $1.5 million could have been put to better use in Arkansas?
We know, we know. Football is a big business these days. And when an AD schedules two or three years out, he's looking for that magic sixth win to get bowl eligible. Which, at some schools, especially in the South, might mean the difference between an AD and coaching staff keeping their jobs and looking for work elsewhere.
And Arkansas won't even play ASU, which would at least keep the money in state.
It's all just . . . .
Nuts!
Editorial on 10/20/2018