[BostonCard]

It seems that they are still contending that this was a financial decision.  It also seems that they are moving the goal posts here, claiming that $580 million must be raised to save the 11 sports.  If they make it just about money, I like 36SportsStrong's chances of prevailing.

I read this a little bit differently than you, though I am still skeptical about the "financial decision" aspect of this.  Basically, as I read it, and consistent with points that other people have made on this board, the AD is about to embark on a fundraising drive.  In order to meet its goals of the drive, it needs to raise $380 million.  Were the 11 sports to continue, it would need to raise an additional $580 million, which the department doesn't think it can do.  So, I interpret the quote as saying that they would need to raise the $200 million for the other 11 sports without it impacting the ability to raise the other $380 million, for which the department is skeptical.

I don't know how the math works out. Certainly there are some people who will give only to support the 11 discontinued sports, and there are others who will give to support the AD's fundraising drive, but could be convinced to give more to save the other 11 sports.  And there will be some people who are pissed about dropping the 11 sports and as a result will not give at all.  But surely there are people who will give a fixed amount regardless of whether the 11 sports are continued or dropped, and others whose donations might have gone to the 11 sports but which can be redirected to support the $380 million AD endowment.

I think to win the argument, the 36sportstrong group is going to have to convince the powers that be that they can raise $200 million or something like that to support the 11 sports being cut and that the AD will still be able to fulfill its $380 million fundraising goal (not that they will be able to raise it).

PS. Re-reading my earlier post, it probably came as too dismissive of what John A can do.  Obviously, he is very relevant, but if donors who the school counts on for other fundraising drives start speaking out, it will carry more heft

BC

[BostonCard]

It seems that they are still contending that this was a financial decision.  It also seems that they are moving the goal posts here, claiming that $580 million must be raised to save the 11 sports.  If they make it just about money, I like 36SportsStrong's chances of prevailing.

I read this a little bit differently than you, though I am still skeptical about the "financial decision" aspect of this.  Basically, as I read it, and consistent with points that other people have made on this board, the AD is about to embark on a fundraising drive.  In order to meet its goals of the drive, it needs to raise $380 million.  Were the 11 sports to continue, it would need to raise an additional $580 million, which the department doesn't think it can do.  So, I interpret the quote as saying that they would need to raise the $200 million for the other 11 sports without it impacting the ability to raise the other $380 million, for which the department is skeptical.

I don't know how the math works out. Certainly there are some people who will give only to support the 11 discontinued sports, and there are others who will give to support the AD's fundraising drive, but could be convinced to give more to save the other 11 sports.  And there will be some people who are pissed about dropping the 11 sports and as a result will not give at all.  But surely there are people who will give a fixed amount regardless of whether the 11 sports are continued or dropped, and others whose donations might have gone to the 11 sports but which can be redirected to support the $380 million AD endowment.

I think to win the argument, the 36sportstrong group is going to have to convince the powers that be that they can raise $200 million or something like that to support the 11 sports being cut and that the AD will still be able to fulfill its $380 million fundraising goal (not that they will be able to raise it).

PS. Re-reading my earlier post, it probably came as too dismissive of what John A can do.  Obviously, he is very relevant, but if donors who the school counts on for other fundraising drives start speaking out, it will carry more heft

BC