I know this is old news for a lot of UNLV fans, but it’s nice to hear someone finally admit that talks did happen.
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Didn’t watch the whole thing, but one thing they’re missing on is that, at least in the first 15 minutes, they keep talking about UNLV signing the GOR to stay in the MW, as if it impacts any decision to leave in the future.
It does not impact UNLVs decision to leave to a P4, which should have more bearing on the conversation surrounding the decision making, and significantly so.
Even though those conversations with the Big 12 didn’t produce an immediate jump, there was probably at least SOMETHING in them to reinforce the belief that it could be a very real possibility in the not too distant future.
Retaining that flexibility was key.
It does not impact UNLVs decision to leave to a P4, which should have more bearing on the conversation surrounding the decision making, and significantly so.
Even though those conversations with the Big 12 didn’t produce an immediate jump, there was probably at least SOMETHING in them to reinforce the belief that it could be a very real possibility in the not too distant future.
Retaining that flexibility was key.
I agree, that wasn’t missed on me either. The fact that multiple meetings with the B12 took place prior to UNLV signing the GOR and having verbiage included stating there would be no exit fees if UNLV left for a P4 conference prior to 2032, is telling.
I think it’s longer than that, but I absolutely agree it is/will be on the table. I don’t know that it will happen though. My hopes are there … I think the only thing fans would have to worry about is winning enough, not if we have enough money, not if the competition is good enough, not if we will lose our programs. That conference move offers the ultimate stability and it’s long term.
BYU is UNLV’s biggest supporter for the move. There are some dead set against it.
What this interview misses is that we've been talking to them since 2016. We were told back then bluntly without a meeting that we would not be considered for expansion. However a lot has changed since then. Its good that they considered us important enough to be worth the time to have a few days worth of talks with us. In my opinion, we aren't quite there yet; but we're trending in the right direction. The next 5 years are crucial for the program.
I personally don't believe we need to spend big12 athletics money until we're ready to move up. The more important number is NiL. That will allow us to stay competitive and to keep these big win years going.
As @Bullmastiff 1 has mentioned, Harper could have easily taken a Rolovich at significant discount. I wouldn't have bat an eye if Rolovich became the coach. That would have been enough to show that Harper was "trying."
But Harper instead brought on Mullen, is paying Mullen well (its not too far below Big12 money, and Harper has demonstrated that he will give raises for performance), increased staff budgets, increased NiL, and began laying down the foundations for continuing to make UNLV successful.
I personally don't believe we need to spend big12 athletics money until we're ready to move up. The more important number is NiL. That will allow us to stay competitive and to keep these big win years going.
As @Bullmastiff 1 has mentioned, Harper could have easily taken a Rolovich at significant discount. I wouldn't have bat an eye if Rolovich became the coach. That would have been enough to show that Harper was "trying."
But Harper instead brought on Mullen, is paying Mullen well (its not too far below Big12 money, and Harper has demonstrated that he will give raises for performance), increased staff budgets, increased NiL, and began laying down the foundations for continuing to make UNLV successful.
If BYU is for us, no reason to think Utah, ASU and U of A wouldn't be for us. At the very least, we'd be an easy travel partner.
Mullen makes more than the coach at UCLA $3,250,000, Vandy $3,189,744 and Arizona $3,100,000
I agree, and am not counting on anything… but while I agree with anyone who would say that we’re not ready (for the jump), all of that could change rather quickly and we might be the prettiest girl at the dance when the music stops.
It may be of interest that UNLV would have the largest football stadium and basketball arena if in the Big 12. UNLV T&M listed at 18,500 while BYU arena list at 17,978. Interesting that no 2 for both football and basketball would be byu.
I just listened to the beginning UNLV section.
I agree that it is a good thing that UNLV has been in discussions with the BIg 12. We all knew that they have happened in the past, but I don't know if it was reported that they have done so again in the past few months, that is encouraging.
I think they are way off with a few other things.
As mentioned above no mention of the free pass. For sure with the MW and it has at least been reported that the PAC is offering the same. They talked like the Bi12 door was essentially closed for now when it certainly is not.
Also as mentioned before they talked about a financial commitment. The highest paid coach in all of G5 and many P4's isn't a commitment? The Fertitta complex wasn't a commitment? It has been reported that UNLV has really upped their NIL efforts for football, that isn't a commitment???
I think signing the GOR when we did was a huge mistake. They mentioned keeping the options open, but signing GOR when they did essentially does the opposite. The PAC didn't have a TV contract, since the GOR signing it was reported that the PAC essentially has a contract ready to go, just waiting on the 8th (or more) schools before finalizing. We know they have added partners for this upcoming year, not a stretch to assume that some or all of those same partners are on board for 2026 and beyond.
If UNLV were "uncommited" right now in writing, the PAC could likely have a realistic offer of what UNLV could get with them as a part of the PAC. Much less concrete when UNLV signed when they did. The PAC will still probably try once the mediation is settled.
Like I have mentioned before, I don't think the expense for leaving for either conference would be that high. I think they could convince the PAC to pay their exit fees, and their would be no expense for the Big 12. So yes, superficially it looks like UNLV would have upfront costs, but in reality probably not that much.
I agree that it is a good thing that UNLV has been in discussions with the BIg 12. We all knew that they have happened in the past, but I don't know if it was reported that they have done so again in the past few months, that is encouraging.
I think they are way off with a few other things.
As mentioned above no mention of the free pass. For sure with the MW and it has at least been reported that the PAC is offering the same. They talked like the Bi12 door was essentially closed for now when it certainly is not.
Also as mentioned before they talked about a financial commitment. The highest paid coach in all of G5 and many P4's isn't a commitment? The Fertitta complex wasn't a commitment? It has been reported that UNLV has really upped their NIL efforts for football, that isn't a commitment???
I think signing the GOR when we did was a huge mistake. They mentioned keeping the options open, but signing GOR when they did essentially does the opposite. The PAC didn't have a TV contract, since the GOR signing it was reported that the PAC essentially has a contract ready to go, just waiting on the 8th (or more) schools before finalizing. We know they have added partners for this upcoming year, not a stretch to assume that some or all of those same partners are on board for 2026 and beyond.
If UNLV were "uncommited" right now in writing, the PAC could likely have a realistic offer of what UNLV could get with them as a part of the PAC. Much less concrete when UNLV signed when they did. The PAC will still probably try once the mediation is settled.
Like I have mentioned before, I don't think the expense for leaving for either conference would be that high. I think they could convince the PAC to pay their exit fees, and their would be no expense for the Big 12. So yes, superficially it looks like UNLV would have upfront costs, but in reality probably not that much.
I would have batted all three eyes if Rolovich became the coach.
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