A canceled season would be devastating
As Texas Tech goes to strictly online classes for at least the first summer session, it’s worth considering the possibility that the fall 2020 semester will take place with no students on campus. Should that happen, how could we expect there to be a college football season?
"“With school not in session, I don’t believe it is practical or proper to have intercollegiate athletics,” Clemson athletic director Dan Radakovich said in an article by Pete Thamel of Yahoo Sports. “Much like we are experiencing on campus right now.”"
It goes without saying that an entire 2020-21 school year without football would be devastating to not only Wells but the entire athletic department. That’s because the money the football program brings in from its television partners makes up the overwhelming majority of the entire athletic department’s revenue.
Even with the success of the Texas Tech basketball and baseball programs, the revenue they generate is a pittance when compared to what the Tech football program generates. Thus, if there is no football until the fall of 2021, it’s hard to imagine how the athletic department will be able to operate.
Some schools have already started to cut non-revenue programs. For instance, Cincinnati has cut its men’s soccer program.
If there is no season, it will also put Wells’ program back several years in terms of the much-needed updates to facilities like the football training facility and the east side renovations at Jones Stadium. The later of those projects is the precursor to being able to begin the renovations to the south endzone of the stadium.
But more importantly, think of how much damage it would do to Wells for his program to be out of mind for two years. Already relegated to third-fiddle in the minds of many Texas Tech fans, consider the apathy there would be towards the football program if fans have nothing but a 4-8 season to chew on for two years.
What’s more, Tech basketball and baseball could both compete for national titles again next year meaning that those programs might give us two more magical seasons to further our love for them while we grow even less excited about where the football program stands. Being out of mind for what would be nearly two years would be the worst-case scenario for Wells, who needs to have an opportunity to start to win back the Red Raider fans in 2020.