I can see how it would be satisfying to be one of the big donors that brought in AJ. We will see how it works out, but if he ends up a big time player in the NBA and helps BYU make a run in the tourney next year, I can definitely see the draw.
Hard thing with football is they can go spend $5M on Lyons, but it doesn't have near the luster of an AJ Dybantsa and the football team could still suck if they don't surround Lyons with good skill players and decent lineman.