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Life goes on, right?
In the wide world of cliches, they don’t get much better than that. The girlfriend dumps you, a parent dies, the cat takes off – you’re bummed. So you cry in your beer for a bit, take stock, suck it up and get your ass back in the game.
That’s pretty much what Star sports scribe Sam Mellinger attempted to do today re the all-but-inevitable departure of Missouri from the Big 12. For weeks, Mellinger wrung his hands and cursed the sky, lamenting how bad it would be for Kansas City. Over and again, like a dude getting dumped. he tried to rationalize and/or guilt trip MU into not leaving.
Like that was going to work.
Having more than exhausted that theme, Man Sam decided today to go from grieving to grooving.
"KC Will Be Just Fine," reads the headline to his column. "Missouri may be leaving, but the area sports scene will continue on stronger than ever before."
Not so fast, Sam I Am...
I agree the time is right to set the hand wringing aside, I’m not so sure about Mellinger’s main premises. The first being that the Big 12 will be just fine with the addition of TCU, West Virginia and whomever else. Because, as pointed out here on KCC and by just about anybody that gives a flip (nod to Roy Williams) about area college sports, the Big 12’s future is about as uncertain as it can be because of Texas and Oklahoma.
The fact that they got shot down by the Pac 12 and crawled back to what actually is the BIg 9 – tails firmly between legs – hardly bodes well for the long term stability of of what’s left of the Big 12. That’s why MU is so anxious to bail.
So there’s that…
Now let’s take a look at Mellinger’s irrational exuberance over us locals catching all those kickass SEC games up close and personal in Columbia. Games like Kentucky basketball (instead of KU) and LSU football (instead of OU).
Unlike Sam and other members of the local sports media who get their expenses paid and free courtside seats and eats, the average local MU fan will have to ante up bigtime for nosebleeds – if they can even get ’em. Especially if those games "matter" and MU is not having its ass handed to them.
In the real world, local MU fans are far more likely to be stuck watching the games on TV.
Either way, how does that help Kansas City again?
More to the point, in a case of the right hand not appearing to know what the left is doing, the headline for the Star‘s front page business section story today reads as follows:
"KC would lose $14 million if Mizzou left Big 12, business group estimates."
That business group being the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce. On closer examination KC’s loss is expected to be "at least" $14 million, the chamber says.
"Departure by MU from the Big 12 would have an adverse impact on Kansas City companies large and small…" chamber head Jim Heeter wrote in a letter to MU chancellor Brady Deaton.
"In 10 years (Kansas City) would be less an MU town and more of a KU town if this decision goes through," adds a board member.
Mellinger on the other hand thinks KC should hold out "hope" that we pick up the SEC basketball tournament.
Sounds like Sam’s been out smoking something with the editor.
Take a gander at the "conference geography" map of Big 12 and SEC schools in today’s Star. It will be a cold day in Hell bfore the SEC hauls its 14 team ass all the way to KC. Which is more than 100 miles east of its closest school. Not to mention north.
The bottom line; You’re right, it’s time to get real, dude. And I know you mean well. KC has to move on but there’s no point in getting delusional. It’s a bitter pill – a $14 million plus bitter pill – that we’re going to have to swallow. And then do our level best to pick up what’s left of the pieces.
Have fun chowing on the free food in your courtside seat at MU-Kentucky.
No but they
might haul their butts to St. Louis which obviously impacts the Missouri economy. Sometimes we need to start think as a we not a us as in Kansas City. Just a thought. And obviously the exact opposite to the way MU is thinking.
Pass that shit this way Sam
Every one says we will lose millions of dollars. Of course no one, naddda, zip, zilch has ever produced hard figures on what money came in vs what money was spent.
The SEC would probably put something together for KC IF the Missouri alumni & boosters want it. But Missouri is run by St Louis and Springfield interests (probably more Springfield than the Lou, witness SW MO State becoming Missouri State despite the howling of MU) and Kansas City is the last place they get a shit about in their world.
IF the Big 12 puts OU & UT in a position where they have to come down with common folk and share revenue equally and commit to 10yrs or longer to the league, it will because Missouri left. Adding the teams they court (outside ND which is really a pipe dream) will not put as many people in front of the tv as they lost.
KU and MU will continue to play if there is enough money.
The best which could come out of this mess is the NCAA is made to go away.
If you think the situation is bitchy here, you should see the pissing and moaning in the Big East.
nice article hearne…
you cut thru the crap…nice writing.
Now…when does glaze get back? We miss his stories.
He should take his time. I’m sure it’ll be some story about a hooker and coffin.
Well, MU has already said they would do a holiday basketball tourney. And perhaps an SEC team or three would chip in. Sam was talking about THE SEC tourney replacing the Big 12. Hard to imagine that happening even one time – look at the map.
Your buddy, the Glaze returns tomorrow
Imagine the SEC Tournament in KC
And imagine the East Side suddenly having houses sell for a million dollars.
KC would have to have an arena to equal what they have in Atlanta or New Orleans. The Sprint Center? Seriously?
St Louis might get one once in a blue moon.
KC will have to get used to the idea the milk train doesn’t stop here anymore.
The question is will the NCAA bypass KC as an opening round location?
Guess again
KC is just waaaaaay too far west for the vast majority of those SEC teams. It makes little to no sense to hold its tourney here. Other than a meaningless holiday bone – which maybe could happen.
Meaningless bone?
Or the start of a new tradition?
Imagine A&M, Missouri, Kentucky & Arkansas extending an invite to KSU, KU, ISU and Missouri State. Could be the start of a new tradition?
To think the SEC is going to fall in love with KC is right up there with knowing Santa Claus will be here soon.
I moved into the country to a farm once. Our neighbors said they were happy because they were no longer the new people. They’d lived there over 20-years…
What will be funny is watching KU/KSU rise up in righteous indignation and refuse to play Mizzou in anything, thereby passing by a payday of a million bucks or more in football alone.