Wolverine Wednesday: Patches For Millions Race

Maybe some of you can relate to this story.  How many of you had to go door to door to sell something to raise money for your football/baseball/basketball/soccer team growing up?  It was mostly magazine subscriptions and that was a tough sell.  Nothing like sending your kids out to cold call so you could play shortstop.   True story, not sure what sport it was but I sold light bulbs door to door and that was the easiest sale I ever did.  I was sold out quick! 

Since athletics departments are now running like semi-pro baseball clubs, the race is on to get jersey patches and big dollars.  Two large brands announced deals yesterday.  OSU with JP Morgan Chase for $17M a year and then followed by Notre Dame and SoFi for somewhere between $18-$20M per year.  I would expect the price tag for Michigan would be $25M per to sew your corporate patch on the most iconic jersey in college sports.  The market has been set and now Michigan needs to break it. 

It would be nice if one of the Michigan Fortune 500 companies would step up! 

• Michigan Basketball was led by "Bigs" last season.  This season the guards will lead the way.  Sure would love a backup point.   

• Brian Kelly gets at gig with CBS.  Please keep him away from Big Ten games please.  I feel like he is a Mountain West or PAC 9 type of guy. 

• LIV Golf cancels its Michigan end of the season Championship in Michigan.  That is probably it for the struggling golf league.  Ironically, this week is also the last PGA event in Michigan for the Rocket Classic.  Thank goodness for Oakland Hills and US Opens.  I hear that clubshouse is back up and completed after that devastating fire.

Michigan Tuesday: Jersey Patches and Big Ten Media Days

The Big Ten Media Days start today which means we will hear nothing but coach speak and how easy Penn State's schedule is this year.  It's also a sign that the Wolverines will be playing ball soon!  

News breaking this morning is that Ohio State has signed a $17M a year deal with JP Morgan Chase to put their logo on OSU uniforms.  I know Michigan fans hate the idea of a corporate logo on a Michigan jersey, but its only a matter of time now.  Some could argue that Jordan, Nike, and Adidas are all corporate logos that have been on the jersey for many years.   The goal will be to do it with class and not make each player look like a Nascar.  

I would like to see the math where Chase can get $17M worth of exposure a year by putting a patch on a jersey.  I think corporate sponsorships of stadiums and patches on jerseys are not the best marketing opportunities.  I also can see the other side of the argument as OSU (like Michigan) is on TV every week and bring a ton of eye balls to each game.   Still $17M for a patch?  Anyone want to sponsor a BHB patch? 😀

I hope Warde is not negotiating the Michigan deal. 

• There is buzz that the Michigan Regents maybe close to finding a new President for U of M.  First thing he or she will need to do is hire an AD.  

• As a reminder, Bryce, Jordan, and Trey Pierce are attending the Big Ten Media Days with Coach Whitt.  Michigan is planned to hit the stage on Thursday. 

• Bryce was on Rich Eisen yesterday, he is working with Jordan Palmer, QB coach this off season on his fundementals:  "Overall, just simplifying everything, making everything as simple as possible, easy as possible. That's a simple way to put it," Underwood said. "Overall, just making the game way easier, not doing too much, just being calm, relaxed in a pocket, just football."  He is also working on the mental side:"I'd say being mentally stronger," Underwood said. "I feel like last year was more of like, OK, see if I'm physically gifted, and now it's about seeing how mentally strong I can be going throughout the season. Of course, the goal is being 1-0 every single week, but no matter what, being mentally strong every game."

Michigan Monday: Wealthy Warde

After a $12M investigation, Michigan is removing Warde in the most gentle way possible.   They are giving him a 4 month vacation, allowing him to retire/quit, giving him $7M as a walking away bonus, plus retiree health benefits, with tickets and golf benefits.  He also can't be an AD at a Big Ten school for the next 2 years.  I don't think they have to worry about that! 

Michigan spending nearly $20M to remove Warde from his position, is a crazy example of cost mismanagement.  I really hope that Open AI IPO goes well.   I also hope this closes the book on the roller coaster ride this department has had since he took over.     I still can't believe he said he planned to stay at Michigan long term and then days later signed his separation agreement.  

Write the check and let's move on.  

• Speaking of moving on, Sherrone's house is for sale.  The quicker he can get out of Ann Arbor the better.  Not sure where he can go, due to his legal issues, but best to be out of Washtenaw County as least. 

• Sounds like the concerts went well this weekend, I now wonder if they should of installed the new turf after this weekend, instead of prior.  

• When I heard the Duke - Michigan game was getting moved to a baseball stadium, I thought that could be a disaster for fans buying tickets.  Glad they killed the game, if it couldn't be played in a real basketball arena. 

Michigan Friday: What Lane Said

There are plenty of good stories in college football as we are just a few weeks away from Fall Camp starting.  One is our Wolverines under Coach Whitt another is Lane Kiffin at LSU after jumping from the CFP Ole Miss program.  

SEC gets out early on their media days and since ESPN owns the contract and should rename their network to ESECPN covered the event like its the Super Bowl.  Lane said as a child he thought there were two people that would never die, his father and Hulk Hogan.  Both legends recently passed away.  

As a kid in the 80's, I have to agree with that statement.  

With Camp right around the corner.  Here are some things I'm excited for next season.  

• A more disciplined better fundamental football team under Coach Whitt. 
• A 19 year-old QB with a year of experience and an off season of working to get better. 
• A new defense with talented transfers and returning players. 
• A new offensive scheme that other Big 10 teams have not seen. 
• A very talented room of RB's
• A very deep true freshmen class

-Duke Michigan Game originally supposed to air on Prime at MSG and then moved to Miami due to Fox saying they own the game, will not be played next season. 

-Enjoy Morgan Wallen at the Big House this weekend.