The Wolverine

September 2017

The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports

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20 THE WOLVERINE SEPTEMBER 2017 from a Big Ten Conference distribu- tion, following a new television deal. The conference paid out $36.3 million per school during the present year. "For many, many years, at least two decades, the support from the Big Ten and the NCAA has helped us fund thousands of student-athletes," Man- uel said. "This continues with the new contract to add value to all we do on behalf of our student-athletes, coaches and fans. "It's with that in mind that I'm very appreciative of the effort [Big Ten commissioner] Jim Delany led to make sure we can continue to sup- port our student-athletes at the high- est level." In July, the conference officially an- nounced a six-year agreement with ESPN and FOX Sports worth a re- ported $2.64 billion. FOX will telecast both the Ohio State-Michigan contest and the conference championship game in 2017. The Big Ten Network also remains a broadcast partner. Manuel stands solidly behind the deal that substantially boosts the bot- tom line. "There are really no reservations, at this point," Manuel said. "The con- tract is new. Obviously, you add a new partner in FOX, with the broad- casts. I look forward to seeing that. They've had a great history of doing sports and presenting sports well at the highest level. "With that breadth of FOX, ESPN and the channels they control, it gives us the opportunity to be seen on mul- tiple platforms. That will add a lot of value. As we go into it, that's what I'm looking at. "I don't have any concerns, except as I always have — and it has noth- ing to do with the new contract. It's game times and what that will do for our fans in the stadium, in the arena. Other than that, it's all positive from my perspective." The Big Ten gave up some control over game times in the new deal. Tele- vision can now dictate night contests in a limited fashion, rather than in- dividual schools determining when they'll play at night. Manuel conceded the new reality, to some degree, reflects the cost of doing business. "Within any negotiation, there is give and take," he said. "Part of the conversation that began four years ago was the idea that we may have to give a little more, in terms of our abil- ity to control prime-time games. "It's a new day for us, in Michigan athletics and in the Big Ten. It's not a new day nationally, as it relates to prime-time games. We are one of the last leagues to really move in this di- rection. "I'm glad my predecessors' conver- sations about this limited us to the possibility of only two in one season, and three within a two-year span, in terms of night games." A night contest for 2017 has yet to be determined, Manuel advised, but the two possibilities for going un- der the lights are the Michigan State game Oct. 7 and the Minnesota con- test Nov. 4. In the past, Michigan has down- played talk of an MSU night game, due to the ferocity of the rivalry. Now it's a definite possibility for 2017, a thought that excites some and has oth- ers pining for the days of Bo Schem- bechler and a "toe meets leather at 1 o'clock" tradition. Manuel understands both camps. "I've heard from some of our fans who are excited about a night game opportunity," he assured. "There are some fans who have expressed concern. It will be my first time here, whenever we have a night game, to have a night game experience in Michigan Stadium. "I understand both sides — those who are excited about it, and those who have some reservations." Michigan fans apparently agree on one aspect of the football process — they love the return of Nike as an ap- parel provider, along with the Jordan "Jumpman" brand. Royalties from licensing made a one-year Michael Jordan-like jump from $8.4 million in 2016 to a new high-water mark of $10.8 million in 2017. "It's the highest we've ever had," Manuel said. "We have a great part- nership with Nike and with Jordan. It's really resonated well with our fan base. "Obviously, Nike is a great com- pany. Jordan is a great brand of Nike. That combination of us going back to Nike and the Jordan brand being a part of that relationship for the first time ever is excellent. "Our fans responded by purchasing a great deal of Nike and Jordan brand apparel. Our partners received that well, whether it's M-Den or Dick's Sporting Goods, or other partners we have in the retail space that are sell- ing. "It was just a great response to com- ing back to Nike. I was very happy to see the end result from a licensing perspective." FACILITIES CONTINUE GROWING Nobody headed toward the Michi- gan athletic campus from the south can miss its latest massive addition. The Athletics South Competition and Performance Project dominates the landscape to the west of State Street. The project will supply some 280,000 square feet of space for the following sports: men's and women's track, soccer, lacrosse, cross country and women's rowing. It includes out- door and indoor tracks, accommodat- ing 500 and 2,000 spectators, respec- tively, and a lacrosse stadium that can play host to as many as 2,000 fans. The rowing team gets an indoor rowing tank for training purposes, and a variety of sports will benefit from the Performance and Team Cen- ter. The center will feature individual areas for squads, as well as strength and conditioning facilities and space for athletic medicine headquarters. Michigan remains proud of the fact that tax and tuition dollars aren't in- volved in the major undertaking. Ste- T h e $ 1 6 8 - m i l l i o n A t h l e t i c s S o u t h Competition and Performance Project — which will eventually house more than half of U-M's student-athletes — is expected to open by the end of the year. PHOTO BY PER KJELDSEN

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