[Mudhead]

Is there a billionaire alum, similar to John Arrillaga, who could just endow athletics with enough to replace the TV revenue that we would lose by being independent or playing in a non power-4 conference?  Couldn't we regularly get our old Pac 12 partners and Notre Dame on the football schedule?  And if our coaching and facilities and matchups are as good as any power 4 school, what does it matter?

In short, does Stanford have the resources necessary to buy ourselves out of this mess?  All the coaches and athletic scholarships are payed for out of endowments already, no?  That is more than a start....

Agree 81, I really hope the powers that be are considering throwing money at this problem. To take it a step further, think how millions of dollars could help solve these problems:
- ND buyout
- Reduced revenue share
- In league competitor site/time scheduling
- Lure Top-20 teams for out of league games 
- Flights (private charter everywhere, always)
- Stays (better hotels, no roomates, better food)
- Facilities to practice on east coast
- NIL deals
- Etc. etc.

OK, it's disgusting to think about things like turning the travel hardship into luxury trips. But heck, I'd sign up. When you're facing a tarnished brand and the demise of long standing athletic excellence in all sports, you'd better be open to ideas like this.

The other choice is for Stanford to continue its slide towards being average. weak leadership typically finds that the easiest  path ..and ease is what weak leadership seeks.  Does Stanford still have the fire in the belly to be excellent that moved us in previous decades? Do we still value excellence or are safe spaces and not comfort our new values?  Not just a question about athletics but a question about .Stanford Leadership Beginning with the BOT, running through the President and Prevost offices and especially including a faculty that values conformity over excellence . And yes , student body that can’t spell “fun” if you spot them the f and the u .  

Probably too apocalyptic an outlook; maybe it’s just sports.  But I’ve seen organizations that start settling for being safe rather than being the best.  It doesn’t end well .    No more comments, it’s too dark in here.

[Mudhead]

Is there a billionaire alum, similar to John Arrillaga, who could just endow athletics with enough to replace the TV revenue that we would lose by being independent or playing in a non power-4 conference?  Couldn't we regularly get our old Pac 12 partners and Notre Dame on the football schedule?  And if our coaching and facilities and matchups are as good as any power 4 school, what does it matter?

In short, does Stanford have the resources necessary to buy ourselves out of this mess?  All the coaches and athletic scholarships are payed for out of endowments already, no?  That is more than a start....

Agree 81, I really hope the powers that be are considering throwing money at this problem. To take it a step further, think how millions of dollars could help solve these problems:
- ND buyout
- Reduced revenue share
- In league competitor site/time scheduling
- Lure Top-20 teams for out of league games 
- Flights (private charter everywhere, always)
- Stays (better hotels, no roomates, better food)
- Facilities to practice on east coast
- NIL deals
- Etc. etc.

OK, it's disgusting to think about things like turning the travel hardship into luxury trips. But heck, I'd sign up. When you're facing a tarnished brand and the demise of long standing athletic excellence in all sports, you'd better be open to ideas like this.

The other choice is for Stanford to continue its slide towards being average. weak leadership typically finds that the easiest  path ..and ease is what weak leadership seeks.  Does Stanford still have the fire in the belly to be excellent that moved us in previous decades? Do we still value excellence or are safe spaces and not comfort our new values?  Not just a question about athletics but a question about .Stanford Leadership Beginning with the BOT, running through the President and Prevost offices and especially including a faculty that values conformity over excellence . And yes , student body that can’t spell “fun” if you spot them the f and the u .  

Probably too apocalyptic an outlook; maybe it’s just sports.  But I’ve seen organizations that start settling for being safe rather than being the best.  It doesn’t end well .    No more comments, it’s too dark in here.