It might be easier to just pay the original contracted fee. But then again, maybe each of the three teams would be content with rescheduling
After the SEC made the decision at the end of July to play a conference-only schedule, one of the first questions that began being asked was, “what happens to the non-conference teams?”
It’s a question that begs to be answered, considering that many second-tier FBS schools and FCS schools rely on the financial revenue from matchups against teams like Alabama.
Alabama had scheduled home games against Georgia State on Sept. 12, Kent State on Sept. 26 and Tennessee-Martin on Nov. 14. Now that all three games have been cancelled, what happens now?
According to a report done by USA Today Sports, “Alabama signed contracts worth $1.3 million for the Georgia State game, $1.75 million for the Kent State game and $500,000 for the Tenn.-Martin game.”
For a school like Alabama, not playing the game doesn’t necessarily matter, but for a program like Kent State, the matchup against Alabama brings in almost 6% of its yearly revenue. When you think about it, that’s a lot.
To teams like the Crimson Tide, it’s normally just a “practice game,” while the smaller programs use the money to fund its athletic department.
Tennessee-Martin athletic Director Kurt McGuffin made the loss of the game clear,
“This news is regrettable but is a new reality. Losing a game of this magnitude is not only a disappointment for our players and fans, but also a reflection of the associated financial implications.”
So, what does Alabama do? Do they pay the contracted fees now, or simply reschedule the game for a later time?
According to Alabama Director of Athletics Greg Byrne, that’s a decision currently being worked through.
“Details regarding the non-conference home games that were on our 2020 football schedule are being worked through,”
It’s all in the contract.
That’s what the decision will come down to.
Each of the three contracts Alabama has with Georgia State, Kent State, and Tennessee- Martin says this: “In the event of … prohibitory or governmental authority, including that of the Southeastern Conference or the National Collegiate Athletic Association, making it impossible or impractical to play the game, both parties shall be relieved of any and all obligations of this agreement.”
But if for some reason the SEC’s decision to cancel the non-conference games meant Alabama’s matchup cancellations were a breach of contract, it could be a hefty punishment for the Tide, including having to pay both Georgia State and Kent State one million dollars each, while also having to pay Tennessee-Martin $500,000.
If Alabama simply reschedules the games, the fees could possibly be avoided. And that’s exactly what Texas A&M athletic director Ross Bjork is hoping for. He has offered to reschedule Texas A&M’s matchups against Abilene Christian, North Texas and Fresno State.
Georgia State athletic director Charlie Cobb said in a statement to The Tuscaloosa News (courtesy of USA Today Sports) that:
“In 2017, the American Athletic Conference made a unilateral decision to cancel our game against Memphis within weeks of its scheduled date for their independent desire to play more conference games. To their credit, the cancellation fee was paid promptly, primarily recognizing the hardship this last-minute decision placed on us.
We expect Alabama to do likewise as they have significantly more resources than Memphis.”
So, what should Alabama do?
At the point, it might be the simpler thing to just pay the original contracted fee. But then again, maybe each of the three teams would be content with rescheduling.
It’s a decision that’s never easy to make.
And for smaller programs, the decision, whatever it may be, could have a huge and immediate impact on their future.
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