Realignment News & Reports

[Lehigh Football Nation]

http://texas.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1092612


GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION?

It has been expressed to Orangebloods.com by a top collegiate executive that any movement toward four, 16-team super conferences will be met with resistance by Congress.

The executive said that could be bad news for college athletics because Congress has already taken some cursory looks at the fact athletic departments enjoy a tax-exempt status as part of their universities.

The executive said if it appears the rich are getting richer in college athletics, there will be a hard look at whether to take away the tax exempt status of athletic departments.

"And it won't just be Orin Hatch (a member of the U.S. Senate Finance Committee from Utah and longtime BCS critic) looking into this," the source said.

Stay tuned.

Annie, get your gun.

[superman7515]

Well the latest is that Texas, Texas Tech, Oklahoma, and Oklahoma State will be heading to the Pac-10. Texas A&M will be invited as well, but is "torn" between the Pac-10 and SEC.

Texas, 3 Others to Move to Pac-10 (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/news/story?id=5276668)

[Big Al]

Well the latest is that Texas, Texas Tech, Oklahoma, and Oklahoma State will be heading to the Pac-10. Texas A&M will be invited as well, but is "torn" between the Pac-10 and SEC.

Texas, 3 Others to Move to Pac-10 (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/news/story?id=5276668)

IMHO, A&M is the only school with half a brain in this whole deal. Sending all those schools to the Pac-10 is an even worse fit than the Big XII North/South was. I don't see an expanded Pac-10 surviving for very long.

[TexasTerror]

Reports...

Texas A&M has the votes to go to the SEC
Kansas is favored over Utah for a spot in the Pac-10 if TAMU goes the other way
Officials from the perceived five 'left-over' schools in the Big 12 have had a teleconference (http://www.kansascity.com/2010/06/12/2012536/officials-from-five-big-12-schools.html)
TCU does not want Baylor in MWC (http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/stories/061210dnsporealignmentnotes.20b625e.html)

[TexasTerror]

Reports...

Rivals now reporting that Big 12-Lite still in play (http://texas.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1093803)

Iowa State's head WBB coach making a name through tweets. (http://gazetteonline.com/blogs/the-hlog/2010/06/13/iowa-state-womens-basketball-coach-bill-fennellys-tweets-are-candid)

[TexasTerror]

A few more...

One publication says that Montana will replace Boise State in WAC (http://www.spokesman.com/blogs/hbo/2010/jun/12/montana-replace-boise-state-wac/)

Idaho's coach thinks the "Grizzlies make sense" (http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2010/jun/12/boises-move-costs-rivalry/) for the WAC.

The WAC is upset over Boise State's departure from the league (http://www.idahopress.com/sports/article_590f0af6-75f4-11df-b269-001cc4c002e0.html)

[TexasTerror]

Thanks to whomever moved these posts together in one thread. I'm looking for all sorts of news stories and if others share, the better! These are interesting times and it's great to keep up on the news...

Iowa State is wondering where they fit in (http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20100613/NEWS/6130347/-1/HYVEE_TRIATHLON/Iowa-State-wonders-where-it-fits-in)

The Denver Post calls the shuffle a made for TV event (http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_15286272)

North Texas has improved their resume to move on up (http://www.dentonrc.com/sharedcontent/dws/drc/sports/stories/DRC_UNT_series_part_I.99ce275d.html) after being bypassed in 2004.

[TheValleyRaider]

TCU does not want Baylor in MWC (http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/stories/061210dnsporealignmentnotes.20b625e.html)

You missed an important word there... xscanx xthumbsupx

[TexasTerror]

You missed an important word there... xscanx xthumbsupx

Fixed!

By the way, some more...

Could MWC Merge and save the Big 12 (http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2010/jun/13/could-mountain-west-merger-save-big-12/)

And Baylor's plight...

http://www.theheckler.com/news/articlefiles/3421-scan0004%20copy.jpg

[TexasTerror]

FedEx is willing to help Memphis find a home (http://www.cbssports.com/general/story/13515726/fedex-ceo-could-provide-millions-if-bcsaffiliated-league-takes-memphis?tag=headlines;collegefootball)

This one blog suggests we could be seeing the end of the BCS and not the NCAA (http://gazetteonline.com/blogs/docs-office/2010/06/13/conference-realignment-may-trigger-end-of-current-bcs-not-ncaa)

Associated Press reminds us the NCAA hoops tournament is impacted possibly (http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5i1JqlL8WCZ_OeJqCRtA8Et2B2z2AD9GAGTSO0) amongst other odds and ends.

Oklahoma is who the SEC needs (http://blogs.ajc.com/mark-bradley-blog/2010/06/13/in-this-zero-sum-game-slive-and-the-sec-need-oklahoma/?cxntfid=blogs_mark_bradley_blog) in the Atlanta Journal Constitution blog.

[TexasTerror]

Chip Brown of OrangeBloods, who has broken just about everything is now reporting on Twitter (http://twitter.com/ChipBrownOB/status/16097298273)...

"Texas A&M turned down invite to join P10 in mtg today with P10's Larry Scott and Kevin Weiberg in College Station, a Big 12 AD confirms."

If Texas A&M turned down the Pac-10, that means that they are either going to the SEC by themselves or they'll remain in the reconstituted Big 12.

[TexasTerror]

Latest from Chip Brown...

Tweet #1: (http://twitter.com/ChipBrownOB/status/16100994474) Tx A&M spokesman Jason Cook tells OB: "Texas A&M continues to evaluate its options. At this point, all options continue to be on the table."

Tweet #2 (http://twitter.com/ChipBrownOB/status/16100994474): Cook said A&M has not turned down the Pac-10 and denied Orangebloods.com's report to that effect, citing a Big 12 AD's confirmation.

[ngineer]

When the dust eventually settles, with the few 'mega-conferences' being formed, a quasi- FBS level playoff will have come to fruition as all the megas will have two divisions with each conference having a championship game, in essence constituting the quarterfinals. Then the league champions will meet in some kind of seeded series of games run by the BCS. Not close to a pure playoff system, but a more systemic 'winnowing process'.xsmhx

[Cocky]

When the dust eventually settles, with the few 'mega-conferences' being formed, a quasi- FBS level playoff will have come to fruition as all the megas will have two divisions with each conference having a championship game, in essence constituting the quarterfinals. Then the league champions will meet in some kind of seeded series of games run by the BCS. Not close to a pure playoff system, but a more systemic 'winnowing process'.xsmhx

And control of the money by the BCS not the NCAA.

[TexasTerror]

North Texas has something to sell (http://www.dentonrc.com/sharedcontent/dws/drc/sports/stories/drc_untseriesII_0614.9eedf11e.html) according to the Denton newspaper.

The NCAA is ready to work with leagues (http://content.usatoday.com/communities/campusrivalry/post/2010/06/ncaa-ready-to-work-with-leagues-when-realignment-is-finalized/1) once this whole thing is finalized.

Article from the Sacramento Bee talks about the cash grab in college athletics (http://www.sacbee.com/2010/06/14/2820909/cash-grab-in-college-sports-hits.html).

The Pac 16's size could help with revenue, recruiting (http://www.sacbee.com/2010/06/14/2820341/leading-off-pac-16s-size-could.html).

Indiana columnist says Big 10, Big 12, Big Mess (http://www.thenewsdispatch.com/articles/2010/06/14/sports/columnists/doc4c159ef9812c9201422654.txt)

Houston Chronicle is reporting that Texas A&M's Board of Regents will support a SEC move (http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/college/texasam/7051484.html)

And now Kansas may get its way (http://www2.kusports.com/news/2010/jun/14/kansas-might-get-its-way/).

[TexasTerror]

Hold on just a second...

Texas, according to OrangeBloods will commit to a 10-member Big 12 (http://texas.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1094038).

[Lehigh Football Nation]

Hold on just a second...

Texas, according to OrangeBloods will commit to a 10-member Big 12 (http://texas.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1094038).

This makes the most sense for everyone involved, IMO. What I wrote last Friday: (http://lehighfootballnation.blogspot.com/2010/06/how-will-pac-n-big-ten-plus-and-big.html)


The hot rumor is that Texas will go to the Pac N - with their friends, or not - , but the SEC is trying to put a monkey wrench in the proceedings by pursuing Texas A&M, dangling a check in their faces and giving the Aggies something to think about.

But the Longhorns won't move for just any old reason. Sure, if they can move with all their important rivals from the old Big XII to some other conference - without changing their revenue stream - they'll be fine with that. But they won't move just for the sake of moving.


And it makes no financial sense for Texas to go to the Pac Ten if they don't take along their leaguemates. They won't get the lions' share of the money if they're they and Colorado are the only team that goes, and losing Texas A&M will lose them the biggest rival of all. Losing them will hurt their brand badly, and they know it.

If I'm Texas and I'm faced with "going it alone", why don't I just try to make the Big XII work instead? Grabbing UAB and Southern Miss from Conference USA perhaps isn't the best option, but they at least will make the SEC squirm and bring a championship game back to the discussion. It would hurt to put Oklahoma and Oklahoma State in the North, but a Texas/Oklahoma championship game would be something to behold.

Best of all from Texas' perspective, they would still hold onto all the money. They'd still have Kansas baksetball, "history", and rivalries while they craft their own television network to make even more money.

So the answer to the original question is: The fate of the Big XII is in Texas' hands. Fortunately for the remaining schools of the Big XII, it is not at all clear if moving to the Pac Ten, Big Ten or SEC alone is going to be worth it to Texas.

[Lehigh Football Nation]

Dan Beebe's plan says the Big 12-Lite can get to $17 mil/school in its next TV deal in 2011.
--Beebe has secured information that enough money could be inked in its next TV negotiation (in 2011) that revenues per school would jump from between $7 million and $10 million in the Big 12 currently to $17 million beginning in 2012, which is what the SEC pays out.


--The 10 remaining Big 12 schools would divide up the more than $20 million in buyout penalties that will have to be paid by Colorado and Nebraska for leaving the league early.


--Individal institutions would be allowed to pursue their own networks, which has been a goal of Texas. If the Longhorns went to the Pac-10, they would have to forgo their own distribution platforms, including a network, because the Pac-16 would seek to have a conference network in which all inventory is shared.

So, a "f-you" bonus from Nebraska and Colorado leaving, a TV contract "guaranteed" to be worth double the current contract, and Texas being able to pursue the Longhorn Network in the middle of all this. All this and the ability to be painted as the "good guy", keeping A&M, Baylor in-state rivalries intact, not to mention some gratitude from the remaining Big XII schools, who decidedly do not want to move anywhere. Texas has taken their incredibly strong hand and made it even stronger.

[TexasTerror]

I think the big things here are that Texas (and the other escape artists) avoid the penalty of leaving (since there'd still be schools staying behind), plus the Longhorns can get their own network...

This move keeps Baylor happy and allows the Horns to continue their rivalry with both Oklahoma and Texas A&M...

I figure the Big 12 will expand to 12 at some point - just not sure what teams. Some options figure to include Utah, BYU, New Mexico, TCU and Houston. Of course, would the northern-most schools want an even more Texas influence?

[Lehigh Football Nation]

I don't think Texas wants to add any more Texas schools than necessary, and Utah is an even bigger travel deal than Nebraska/Colorado was. I know UAB and Southern Miss aren't the best options, but it would take zero convincing for a C-USA team to go to a better BCS conference and geographically that puts the Texas schools prime in SEC recruiting territory (Louisiana, Alabama, Miss).

[TexasTerror]

ESPN is putting out a report conflicting to that of Chip Brown.

Says Joe Schad on Twitter (http://twitter.com/schadjoe/status/16150879640), "The departure of Texas, Texas Tech, OU and OSU to Pac-10 is imminent, four Big 12 sources say"

Of course, he followed that with (http://twitter.com/schadjoe/status/16155078661), "@chipbrownob is reporting that Texas has decided to save the Big 12. Certainly possible, though the Big 12 didn't know this earlier today"

I can not keep up!

[Lehigh Football Nation]

ESPN is putting out a report conflicting to that of Chip Brown.

Says Joe Schad on Twitter (http://twitter.com/schadjoe/status/16150879640), "The departure of Texas, Texas Tech, OU and OSU to Pac-10 is imminent, four Big 12 sources say"

Of course, he followed that with (http://twitter.com/schadjoe/status/16155078661), "@chipbrownob is reporting that Texas has decided to save the Big 12. Certainly possible, though the Big 12 didn't know this earlier today"

I can not keep up!

LMFAO!!!! Looks to me like: TTU, OU, OSU and TAMU are floating the rumor that Texas will move, while Texas itself is saying they're keeping the Big XII together!

For the record, I don't know who to believe either. There appears to be a battle royale happening behind closed doors in the Big XII, that's the only thing for certain.

[bkrownd]

shouldn't listen to these professional buzzmeisters. they're just yapping randomly to keep the clicks coming.

[Lehigh Football Nation]

Chip Brown tweet: This train to save the Big 12 is rolling folks. ...

[TexasTerror]

Joe Schad (http://twitter.com/schadjoe/status/16166777825): @chipbrownob is correct. Beebe's proposal, one source said, is "gaining traction."

[TexasTerror]

Texas calls Tuesday morning press conference...the Big 12 will now be 10 - for the time being.

Figure Utah will get the invite from the Pac-10. What a mess for that league. They opened their presents a little too early and got Colorado!

Realignment may not be that much more exciting...

[Big Al]

Utah was always a solid fallback for the Pac-10. I think you'll find the Pac-10 will be very happy to have a representative in one of the fastest growing states in the west.

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Maybe TCU and Arkansas will join the Big 12 in a couple years? Both have connections with the old SWC teams.

[superman7515]

Of course everything is changing from one minute to the next, but even the reports that said they were leaving said that if Texas stayed, they would vehemently oppose TCU, North Texas, or any additional Texas schools coming into the Big 12 as there are already four in the conference.

[TokyoGriz]

Texas cashes in!

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/news/story?id=5286672

"Texas stands to earn between $20 million and $25 million annually in television revenue in the reworked deal, including money from its own network, according to Orangebloods.com" (espn website)

Not a bad paycheck imo. Will it last?


And how will this affect the re-alignment in both FBS and FCS?

[BearsFan52]

ESPN just reported Texas is staying in Big 12 and that will hold the conference together. All about the money.

Why would Arkansas move from SEC? They get a huge load of dough from SEC each year that is bigger than many AD total budgets. They were the BIG winners from the move from SWC to SEC in early 90s and would be foolish to leave. They already recruit Texas heavily.

What about Big 12 adding Memphis and Houston? Both in big TV markets and travel makes much more sense for all.

[PaladinFan]

ESPN just reported Texas is staying in Big 12 and that will hold the conference together. All about the money.

Why would Arkansas move from SEC? They get a huge load of dough from SEC each year that is bigger than many AD total budgets. They were the BIG winners from the move from SWC to SEC in early 90s and would be foolish to leave. They already recruit Texas heavily.

What about Big 12 adding Memphis and Houston? Both in big TV markets and travel makes much more sense for all.

There are not a lot of good "fits" for the Big 12. Texas does have a few other FBS programs in state (UTEP, Rice, Houston, North Texas). Of that group maybe only Houston fits the mold.

I suppose, in the midwest, there is also Tulsa.

[PaladinFan]

Seems to work out well for Texas. Probably not what the Pac 10 wanted as they were on the brink of becoming a mega-football power and now just got left with mediocre Colorado who, arguably, doesn't really make them any better.

[Big Al]

I could see the Big XII inviting Memphis. UAB & Southern Miss could provide some opportunity, as well.

[Cocky]

UAB? This is about football not basketball.

[Lehigh Football Nation]

I could see the Big XII inviting Memphis. UAB & Southern Miss could provide some opportunity, as well.

I agree with you - I think we're on the same page. Three new markets to expand the Big XII footprint - none are ideal, but most are close by and would jump at the chance at improving football. Even more importantly, though, C-USA loses all its basketball cachet (with Memphis & UAB) and the Big XII shores up b-ball immensely.

[UNH_Alum_In_CT]

So far, the Big XII doesn't seem real interested in a conference championship game. We'll see how long that lasts! If they do return to a championship game, I think they'll want Oklahoma in the North. With Memphis/UAB/Southern Miss that could be achieved.

Does Beebe get that lucrative a TV contract in this economy? How much has the exit penalty for Nebraska and Colorado been factored into the new payout for the ten remaining schools?

[Lehigh Football Nation]

How much has the exit penalty for Nebraska and Colorado been factored into the new payout for the ten remaining schools?

That part of the puzzle has been solved. The exit fees will be divvied up and doled out in a one-time payment to the remaining Big XII schools.

[Big Al]

Maybe the Big XII is looking at the Big Ten -- they've done quite well in the BCS without a championship game. You could make the argument that a championship game actually hurts a conference more than it helps when it comes to the BCS.

[Big Al]

UAB? This is about football not basketball.

Right, but adding UAB opens up markets and recruiting territory. I don't think Texas is above adding a football patsy if it means they can get more $$$ and better recruits in the process.

[bkrownd]

You could make the argument that a championship game actually hurts a conference more than it helps when it comes to the BCS.

it was often a disaster

[TexasTerror]

The latest on the Twitter-sphere is that Utah has informed the Mountain West of their intentions to leave...

Article from Utah's Rivals site - http://utah.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1094386

And then there's this intriguing document...a "confidential Big 12" letter...

http://ht.cdn.turner.com/si/images/2010/06/14/colorado.pdf

[Lehigh Football Nation]

http://lehighfootballnation.blogspot.com/2010/06/was-conference-realignment-all-about.html


After shrieking announcements that the Pac N was going to swoop in and poach five different football teams from the Big XII, the Big East might take all the rest and college football would be forever changed, it seems like, according to Andy Staples' Sports Illustrated article talking about the proceedings that "powerful outsiders, concerned that the Pac-10's plan to supersize to 16 by pillaging the Big 12 would set off an unstoppable chain of events, helped broker the deal, which may have saved college sports as currently constituted."

Staples stopped short of saying it, but it could very well be one of the "powerful outsiders" that saved the Big XII may have been one of the forces that seemed to be driving it to destruction: Fox.

[JMUNJ08]

The latest on the Twitter-sphere is that Utah has informed the Mountain West of their intentions to leave...

Article from Utah's Rivals site - http://utah.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1094386

And then there's this intriguing document...a "confidential Big 12" letter...

http://ht.cdn.turner.com/si/images/2010/06/14/colorado.pdf

Utah is the obvious choice. Does the Mountain West look for another team to sure up their BCS auto bid? Utah takes a few good years/BCS crashing away from the conference. Is there a likely replacement that fits geographically?

[TexasTerror]

Sources at Colorado have spilled the beans (http://cbs4denver.com/sports/university.of.colorado.2.1751602.html) on the divisions for the Pac-10 (12). Colorado joins Utah, the two Arizona schools, USC and UCLA in a Pac-12 South.

Dan BeBeebe says the Big 12 landscape wasn't clear until Monday (http://www.newsok.com/dan-beebe-big-12-landscape-wasnt-clear-until-monday/article/3468717)

Just follow the money in conference musical chairs (http://www.suntimes.com/sports/telander/2393768,CST-SPT-rick15.article) says this article from the Chicago Sun-Times.

Could Missouri be the biggest loser in the realignment saga (http://www.kansascitykansan.com/blogs/nick-sloan/missouri-biggest-loser-realignment-saga/7517)?


Utah is the obvious choice. Does the Mountain West look for another team to sure up their BCS auto bid? Utah takes a few good years/BCS crashing away from the conference. Is there a likely replacement that fits geographically?

Top choices for the Mountain West...

Fresno State
Hawaii
Houston
Nevada

Not sure there are

[MorgantonAPPAlum]

I don't see how these mega-conferences avoid a championship game-they'll have to have divisions and who would get the "conference champion" bowl bid if the division champs end up tied without having played each other. Also, I know that the PAC-10 can just change its name to the PAC-12, but what does the Big Ten (Twelve) do? Remaining as the Big Ten seems foolish.

I want to echo those that think that Memphis and USM would make good additions to the Big XII. Memphis pulls in a big part of the market in Arkansas and USM has a good fan base, a decent facility and is arguably a better program-right now-that Miss. St. so a move to the Big XII would probably give it more cachet in the state and help that program grow so that it fits a conference like the Big XII. I'm a little surprised that no one has mentioned TCU being a possible replacement though.

[TexasTerror]

Oklahoma eyes a network of their own (http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/college/7054954.html) and has already invested several million in the possibility.

Richard Justice of the Houston Chronicle and America rejoice of the championship road for the Longhorns getting shorter (http://blogs.chron.com/sportsjustice/archives/2010/06/longhorns_road.html)

A little history on OrangeBloods getting put on the map (http://www.cnbc.com/id/37705120) from CNBC.

[bkrownd]

This is the most interesting nugget from the Big 12 implosion, indicating part of the reason Nebraska left:

""The Big 12 expects Colorado and Nebraska to pay millions of dollars in penalties for leaving, and the money normally would be split among the remaining conference members.

But the two Kansas schools, Missouri, Iowa State and Baylor agreed to forgo their payments, with their shares split among Texas, Texas A&M University and Oklahoma.""

Talk about twisting arms... Word is Nebraska may challenge the "penalties" in court, since they depend on financial damages but the only schools that would receiving the penalties are already talking about being better off than before.

[TexasTerror]

Utah is a done deal...

WALNUT CREEK, Calif. -- The Pacific-10 has extended an invitation to the University of Utah to join the Conference. A press conference will take place in the Rice-Eccles Stadium tower at the University of Utah tomorrow at 1 p.m. MT/12 p.m. PT.

http://www.pac-10.org/genrel/061610aaa.html

[GeauxLions94]

Utah is a done deal...

WALNUT CREEK, Calif. -- The Pacific-10 has extended an invitation to the University of Utah to join the Conference. A press conference will take place in the Rice-Eccles Stadium tower at the University of Utah tomorrow at 1 p.m. MT/12 p.m. PT.

http://www.pac-10.org/genrel/061610aaa.html


So, guess that means they're becoming the 12-Pac xbeerchugx xbeerchugx

http://www.sixpackrings.com/images/Quck-Pak_12-Pack_b.jpg

[TheValleyRaider]

Adding Boise now becomes a necessary move for the Mountain West rather than the next step to the BCS....

[TexasTerror]

Lots of message board buzz regarding a Memphis, UCF invite from the Big East. Where'd it start from?

http://ucf.rivals.com/

[Lehigh Football Nation]

Lots of message board buzz regarding a Memphis, UCF invite from the Big East. Where'd it start from?

http://ucf.rivals.com/

Orangebloods! :p

[TexasTerror]

Arkansas is putting out feelers for a Big 12 spot (http://twitter.com/ChipBrownOB/status/16393266405) per OrangeBloods.

[Big Al]

That is surprising. I think Arkansas is sitting in a pretty good spot in the SEC right now, especially with all the upheaval at Tennessee.

[TexasTerror]

FanHouse reporting that the Big East speculation is FALSE.


ig East commissioner John Marinatto and other league officials told FanHouse that an Orlando TV report claiming the University of Central Florida and Memphis would be invited to join the Big East as soon as next week is inaccurate.

"Those reports are not true," Marinatto (right) told FanHouse Thursday.

Orlando's WKMG sports director David Pingalore reported Wednesday night that "multiple college football sources" indicated UCF and Memphis could receive an invitation as early as next week. Pingalore reported the invitation is "highly likely."

http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2010/06/17/big-east-dismisses-ucf-memphis-expansion-report/

And Jerry wants Arkansas, Notre Dame to join the Big 12 (http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2010/jun/16/notre-dame-arkansas-come-down/).

[gokats85]

Arkansas is putting out feelers for a Big 12 spot (http://twitter.com/ChipBrownOB/status/16393266405) per OrangeBloods.

Won't happen. Period.

[TexasTerror]

The political pundits making UH to Big 12 (http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/college/houston/7058391.html) push in Austin.

10 Reasons Your School Wasn't Invited (http://espn.go.com/espn/page2/index?id=5296828) on ESPN's Page 2.

This columnist speaks highly of Texas football program (http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/stories/061810dnspocolumnutfanhouse.b0566497.html), calling them cowards.

[TexasTerror]

More from Orangebloods.com...what's stopping them now?


Orangebloods.com heard from two sources over the weekend Arkansas had put out feelers about possibly joining the Big 12. But OB decided not to report it at that time because events in the Big 12 were moving so fast, we wanted to get more confirmation because the news was so potentially explosive for Arkansas in its relationship with the SEC.

Plus, Orangebloods.com wanted to make sure the information wasn't being used as an emotional chess piece with regard to how things would play out in the Big 12.

But OB went back to its two sources and even added corroboration from a third and fourth source Thursday that Arkansas had definitely inquired about possibly moving to the Big 12.


http://texas.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1095242

[TexasTerror]

Utah has reached the grown up's table (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/andy_staples/06/18/utah-pac-10/)

Winners and losers (http://www.kvos.com/sports/story/Conference-Realignment-Winners-and-Losers/gJdj15gVUUyd80CGlOV0og.cspx), another opinion piece.

Boise's move could cost the WAC money (http://voices.idahostatesman.com/2010/06/18/ccripe/boise_states_move_could_cost_wac_money) per this article.

Pat Forde tabs the Horns as one that came out (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/columns/story?columnist=forde_pat&id=5291319) of realignment in a very positive way.

Utah won't immediately see the windfall (http://espn.go.com/blog/ncfnation/post/_/id/23327/utah-wont-immediately-see-a-windfall) of their move.

[TexasTerror]

College Realignment Song (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUyb8ArNb14) done by 1560 the Game in Houston...

[TexasTerror]

Texas comes through for Iowa State (http://wcfcourier.com/news/opinion/editorial/article_6ede97fe-7a43-11df-afd6-001cc4c002e0.html)

A Laramie paper claims that nine is fine for Mountain West (http://www.laramieboomerang.com/articles/2010/06/20/sports/doc4c1d8122d5c02797245406.txt)

The Boise State move (http://www.idahostatesman.com/2010/06/20/1238314/breaking-down-boise-states-big.html) is broken down by the Idaho Statesman.

Football fuels run for pay dirt (http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/college/houston/7062510.html)

[PaladinFan]

It really makes me appreciate FCS football sometimes. I realize college football is a business (even at the FCS football), but I like thinking that our schools aren't in this solely for the money. FBS football has gotten out of control.

[TexasTerror]

Seems that Fresno State wants out (http://www.fresnobee.com/2010/06/19/1977111/boeh-needs-to-channel-the-duke.html) of the WAC...

Just not sure any school like a North Texas would join the WAC, especially if it were to be in a league with schools like those currently in the league and the potential of schools like TXST and UTSA, that they have looked down upon...or schools like Cal Poly, UC-Davis and Sacramento State - who their fans have never heard of!

North Texas is on the doorstep of the C-USA and will be let in if more than one team were to leave that conference, which is likely in the next five years. The Sun Belt is not the greatest place to be, but NT has found success in the league and will be an even more attractive option for C-USA when an opening develops over the next few years...

I figure that the administrators of both TXST and UTSA are not too thrilled with the idea of the WAC due to travel costs, games in four different time zones, no current members that they have history with, etc.

However, both schools are desperate to accept the first FBS invite they get. Especially UTSA - who wants to play football at FBS as quickly as humanly possible, more so in the light that they want to maintain those great football schedules they have put in place.

[Lehigh Football Nation]

If Fresno State leaves the WAC... I think they may have to drop to FCS or have their hand forced by the NCAA at some point.

[TexasTerror]

Texas A&M fans still optimistic about SEC spot (http://tamu.scout.com/2/978071.html) being theirs.

[Cocky]

Texas A&M fans still optimistic about SEC spot (http://tamu.scout.com/2/978071.html) being theirs.

Looks like UT-Austin may have lost some power in the latest soap opera.

[TexasTerror]

Some NT news...


WAC commissioner Karl Benson said the league would expand to fill the void left by Boise State and spoke highly of UNT in general.

“When the WAC evaluated North Texas, it was on the basis of what it had in place,” Benson said. “As they have added facilities and added to their assets, one would think they are a stronger program than they were in 2004. We have not done any real assessment and evaluation, but I am aware of their stadium project. They are making improvements.”

Rawlins and other UNT officials said the school has yet to be contacted by the WAC or Benson, who said last week the league was still early in the process of determining whom it might pursue.

http://www.dentonrc.com/sharedcontent/dws/drc/sports/stories/DRC_UNT-WAC_0622.c8321c44.html

[PaladinFan]

Texas A&M fans still optimistic about SEC spot (http://tamu.scout.com/2/978071.html) being theirs.

Is there an SEC spot? It seems the SEC was interested in cherry picking a team or two if the Big 12 broke apart. Doesn't seem terribly likely that the Conference would add a 13th team and break up what has been one of the most evenly divided conferences in the NCAA.

[TexasTerror]

Several expansion options (http://www.tulsaworld.com/sportsextra/article.aspx?subjectid=203&articleid=20100622_203_B1_THEDOW457041&rss_lnk=93) out there for the Big 12.

Or what about a Big 12-Big East alliance for a championship game? (http://blog.newsok.com/berrytramel/2010/06/21/big-12-how-about-a-big-east-alliance/)

Iowa State is looking forward to a tougher Big 12 slate (http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20100621/SPORTS020602/6220362/1094/)

[Lehigh Football Nation]

No, really, New Mexico and UNLV in the Big XII? And putting a bid out to LSU is just flat-out silly. No way they are leaving the SEC.

A Big XII/Big East championship alliance would never work - first of all, because Fox owns the Big XII broadcast rights and ESPN the Big East's, and second of all the money being shared between two conferences is a non-starter.

[TexasTerror]

This just came up on the Twittersphere...

RT @BrandonRaweKLBK: OU President confirms OU and A&M were officially invited by SEC http://bit.ly/cTrQLu @chipbrownOB still batting 1.000

[Cocky]

I thought he said that UT-Austin, Okla, Okla State, and Tx Tech were going to the PAC 10 at one time?

[TexasTerror]

I thought he said that UT-Austin, Okla, Okla State, and Tx Tech were going to the PAC 10 at one time?

He did...which was accurate, but he also stayed on top of the other information out there and as the schools changed their thought process, he was on top of that.

[TexasTerror]

CNNSI story on how Chip Brown owned the college realignment (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/richard_deitsch/06/23/media.brown/index.html) story from the get go.

[TexasTerror]

The Big East is strong according to the USF athletic director (http://www.bradenton.com/2010/06/26/2391530/usf-ad-says-big-east-is-strong.html)

Realignment was not as exciting for hoops (http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2010/jun/25/no-whoops-in-hoops-for-realignment/) as it was for football.

And our politician story of the day - the Iowa senators want answers (http://www.dailyiowan.com/2010/06/25/Sports/17692.html) about realignment.

[TexasTerror]

Could Hawaii leave the WAC? This article suggests the possibility if schools like Fresno State and Nevada were to do so as well...guess adding all these FCS schools (TXST, UTSA, UC-Davis, etc.) are not appealing to some...


When the University of Hawaii pounced upon an invitation to join the Western Athletic Conference in 1978, the jubilation was half in where UH was going and half in what it was leaving behind.

Gone forever, then-athletic director Ray Nagel and others said, were the days of struggling to get by as an independent 2,500 miles off the beaten path.

But now, as UH waits to see what might become of the WAC—its home for going on 32 years—in the fast-changing college landscape, there has been a growing willingness to at least ponder whether returning to independent status could be a future option if the WAC withers.

http://www.staradvertiser.com/sports/sportsnews/20100627_Leaving_the_WAC.html

[TokyoGriz]

WAC is going hold off on expansion for the 2011-2112 Season.


http://www.spokesman.com/blogs/sportslink/2010/jun/29/wac-sticking-8-teams-now/ (Source Spokesman Review, june 29th 2010)

An additional article that outlines the WAC thinking atm.

http://voices.idahostatesman.com/2010/06/29/bmurphy/wac_will_not_expand_until_2012_%E2%80%94_earliest
(IdahoStatesman.com)

[GeauxLions94]

WAC is going hold off on expansion for the 2011-2112 Season.


http://www.spokesman.com/blogs/sportslink/2010/jun/29/wac-sticking-8-teams-now/ (Source Spokesman Review, june 29th 2010)

An additional article that outlines the WAC thinking atm.

http://voices.idahostatesman.com/2010/06/29/bmurphy/wac_will_not_expand_until_2012_%E2%80%94_earliest
(IdahoStatesman.com)

xeyebrowx


"This is just Phase One of conference expansion, the tip of the iceberg," Utah football coach Kyle Whittingham said last week at the Associated Press Sports Editors convention in Salt Lake City. "In the next two, three, five years, we're going to get to the point where there are four or five super conferences and if you’re on the wrong side of the line in the sand, it’s not going to be good."

Read more: http://voices.idahostatesman.com/2010/06/29/bmurphy/wac_will_not_expand_until_2012_%E2%80%94_earliest# ixzz0sHuxwLyi

[TexasTerror]

Realignment talks have died down for the time being, but I guess you can look at the aftermath of it all now in this thread as we continue forward...

The Big 12 basketball coaches were frustrated (http://www.star-telegram.com/2010/06/28/2299733/big-12-coaches-felt-frustration.html) during realignment.

A bidding war over the Pac-10 television rights is developing (http://www.sportingnews.com/college-football/article/2010-06-30/sbj-bidding-war-over-pac-10-s-tv-rights-already-developing) with

[Lehigh Football Nation]

Delany has been trying to drum up some rumbling about poaching Big East teams again:

http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/college/football/big_ten_might_pick_big_apple_NXp9sYH28Xs3nYo8058CG K


Delaney would not talk specifically about expansion, but he reiterated the league's initial stance in December 2009 of studying the issue over a 12-to-18 month period. A college football presence in the metropolitan area remains very high.

"For us it's important," Delany said. "We haven't been there except through Penn State. Our teams play in the Garden. They play in the Meadowlands. They play teams out East. They play in the NIT. They play in the ACC.

"I consider the East Coast to be as important to us as the West Coast is even though the West Coast has got the Rose Bowl and the Big Ten-Pac-10 relationship," Delany added. "And it's so because of the recruitment of students, the recruitment of athletes, the size and scope of the markets. I hope it becomes more important."

[Lehigh Football Nation]

Crain's Business took a tackle of the Big Ten Network's financials - and found them as opaque, and less profitable, than originallty thought.

http://www.chicagobusiness.com/cgi-bin/article.pl?articleId=33627


Mr. Silverman says the Big Ten Network's profit more than doubled this year over 2009; ad revenue rose 30% as the audience expanded to 40 million homes. He wouldn't provide specific numbers, but the conference's IRS filing for the year ended June 2009 — the most recent data available — showed the network paid the conference $72 million.

...

The Big Ten Network is 51% owned by the conference and 49% owned by News Corp.'s Fox unit. It delivered about $8 million to each school this year for the right to broadcast some games, while other national networks, including ABC and ESPN, pay the schools nearly $14 million each for the biggest games, says Ron Guenther, athletic director at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Why don't they provide financials? Because the whole network is propped up by payments from Fox to the Big Ten Network. Fox's payments go away, the whole enterprise collapses. Shhh....

Also: What happened to that supposed $121 million dollar payout for all the Big Ten member schools, and the $11 million they supposedly made last year, which were the numbers thrown around in the middle of "realignment frenzy"? Oh, wait - it was actually $8 million per school, easily eclipsed by the ABC/ESPN deal, and the actual number was actually $88 million?

And this matters:


Iowa Sens. Charles Grassley and Tom Harkin, whose Iowa State University was left behind in the smaller Big 12 when Nebraska bolted, sent letters last month to the six major conferences, questioning their non-profit, tax-exempt status and requesting a slew of financial documents.

"The invitations to join the Big Ten seem to be extended for the sole purpose of enhancing the financial bottom line that television contracts, marketing and promotional activities will bring member institutions," the senators said in a June 10 letter to Big Ten Commissioner James Delany.

The senators' next steps depend on the conferences' response, a Grassley spokeswoman says. Mr. Delany declines to comment.

It's going to be a very interesting ride. The Big Ten might be up to its knees in deep, deep trouble.

[Lehigh Football Nation]

Oh yeah, I can't resist a "greatest hits" of what I said at the time about conference realignment that seem to be eerily prescient:

http://lehighfootballnation.blogspot.com/2010/05/myths-of-big-ten-expansion.html


What if some new legislation comes out in congress that bans the tightly-coupled relationship that Fox and the Big Ten currently are consummating? If it troubles me that a media giant and a conference can be so closely tied together in what seems to be an open-ended agreement without significant oversight from the NCAA, surely there are not a few congressfolk that might agree with that as well?

http://lehighfootballnation.blogspot.com/2010/06/was-conference-realignment-all-about.html


The second part mentioned in the white paper mentions that a "blatant cash grab" would have invited more "governmental, legal and public scrutiny" of intercollegiate athletics. This choice of words was fascinating.

...

If key elements of the Big XII were set adrift by Texas, it would have been a political slam dunk to see senators from Kansas, Missouri (freshly spurned by the Big Ten), Iowa, and even Baylor grads from Texas take up the fight to break up the superconferences. That's an awful lot of senators to go with the ones from Utah, and potential others.

But Beebe's statement that superconferences would "invite more public scrutiny" implies that all is currently not well in the land of BCS, either.

That they don't want the public looking into things like, say, the undue influence that Fox may have had in all of these proceedings. They don't want people following the money in any way - Fox's, ESPN's, CBS's, NBC's - anybody. They like things the way they are - fans shelling out the money for their product, and the athletic directors cashing the checks (out of their tax-exempt offices), no questions asked.

I think what the upshot of all of this conference realignment talk ought to be to cast a shining light on everything in FBS athletics. A crystal-clear look at the finances of the BCS, Fox's broadcast entities within athletics, the ESPN contracts, CBS, NBC, everything. Right now, the conferences look ever more like pawns on the Fox and ESPN chessboards and the movements have everything to do with TV households and nothing to do with college football. The sooner everyone realizes this, the sooner collegiate athletics will be cleaned up.

[doolittledog]

I've heard all along that the Big Ten schools each got $22 million from TV money. If you count $8 million to each school from the Big Ten Network and $14 million to each school from other networks and that becomes $22 million each. Which is more than other conferences get per team. What am I missing here from your comments?

[Lehigh Football Nation]

I've heard all along that the Big Ten schools each got $22 million from TV money. If you count $8 million to each school from the Big Ten Network and $14 million to each school from other networks and that becomes $22 million each. Which is more than other conferences get per team. What am I missing here from your comments?

The difference is that other conferences have the same type of revenue stream when you're talking about the ABC/ESPN deal - or if they don't, they can renegotiate to get a better deal. The hype was about the type of money a conference can get by creating their own "Big Ten"-like network to make lots of money - some reports had that network making $22 million on its own! The reality is that it's a huge number less - and that's on top of the fact that the finances of the BTN are very, very shady anyway (and Fox won't release them). That Congress is looking for some sunlight on this information is real interesting - and had buttressed my argument that numbers have been fudged so that the BTN looks more profitable than it really is. (Of course, the worse perpetrators of making the BTN look super-profitable are lazy reporters xrolleyesx ).

[Big Al]

I'm not sure why the BTN wouldn't be profitable, though -- it's not like they're reinventing the wheel with the network. Ad rates will be set on viewership which, in my limited experience, is pretty solid. Second, they know what fees the cable companies are paying to carry the network. Frankly, I'd be surprised if the BTN wasn't making money.

If I were Fox or the Big Ten, I wouldn't want to share those numbers because that would allow their competition (ESPN, CBS, etc. on the media end and the other conferences on the college end) free help on how they can structure a competing network.

[Lehigh Football Nation]

I'm not sure why the BTN wouldn't be profitable, though -- it's not like they're reinventing the wheel with the network. Ad rates will be set on viewership which, in my limited experience, is pretty solid. Second, they know what fees the cable companies are paying to carry the network. Frankly, I'd be surprised if the BTN wasn't making money.

If I were Fox or the Big Ten, I wouldn't want to share those numbers because that would allow their competition (ESPN, CBS, etc. on the media end and the other conferences on the college end) free help on how they can structure a competing network.

I'm certain it's profitable for Fox - at the moment. They are in this game to make money. They're taking over a popular product, "creating" a network, signing up the Big Ten as "owners", and then forcing their way onto cable systems by charging exorbitant rates to get on the basic tier. I'm guessing that the Big Ten itself didn't come up with that strategy on their own?

What I'm less certain about is the long-term profitability for the Big Ten. Those payouts are tied to the overall health of Fox, management of Fox, and Fox is in control of that spigot of money. Fox is in control, no matter what reports you read that the Big Ten is 51/49 in control. Whomever has the money makes the rules. Fox pays the Big Ten money because they choose to.

And those BTN payouts were Reason Number One that schools are/were thinking about joining the Big Ten. Not ABC/ESPN contracts. But how much due is the success of the BTN, and how much is the success of Fox? Only congress can hope to get some sort of answer... I hope.

The conferences and Fox don't want to share the numbers publicly because they demonstrate that Fox really is in direct control of BTN, basically, and show that the conferences themselves are really in the TV business (and cash-grabbing business), not the education business. BTN is a step beyond "we'll pay you to have the rights to broadcast the games". The Big Ten and Fox are really in bed together, not just business partners.

This whole thing, like mold, grows best in darkness. Sunlight is sorely needed.

[doolittledog]

You sound like you should be wearing tin foil on your head. Everything I have read said Big Ten teams made $22million per team. The report you mention says the BTN pays out $8million per team and ABC/ESPN pays out $14million per team. That comes up to $22million and that is more than what teams from other conferences bring in in TV revenue. What is being hidden here other than BTN/Fox doesn't want to hand over their books?

[TexasTerror]

Texas A&M wants to make sure they get their $$$...


For its part A&M said it wants to make sure it gets the $20 million - in ensuring the league lives up to its promise. No harm in that, right? A&M president R. Bowen Loftin also released this statement on Wednesday, further clearing the air following Beebe's remarks:

"A key part of Texas A&M's decision to remain in the Big 12 earlier this summer was the commissioner's commitment that Texas A&M would receive a minimum of $20 million annually in future conference distributions. We remain committed to the conference and fully anticipate that the Big 12 will honor its commitment to Texas A&M."

http://blogs.chron.com/aggies/2010/07/aggies_to_big_12_honor_your_pr.html

[Big Al]

I'm certain it's profitable for Fox - at the moment. They are in this game to make money. They're taking over a popular product, "creating" a network, signing up the Big Ten as "owners", and then forcing their way onto cable systems by charging exorbitant rates to get on the basic tier. I'm guessing that the Big Ten itself didn't come up with that strategy on their own?

No, they most certainly didn't. In fact, they weren't even the first conference to do so. Look at the Mountain West Conference's "the mtn" network. Same idea, same structure, but with CBS/Collegesports instead of Fox. The fact is, Fox needs the Big Ten just as much as vice versa. You seem to imply that the moment they can, they will bleed the Big Ten dry and keep the $$$ for themselves. I don't see that happening, simply because, ultimately, the members of the Big Ten own the content that Fox needs to make a viable network. Fox needs to keep the Big Ten fat & happy because they could always find another dance partner in CBS, ESPN or Comcast.

You're right that it's a parasitic relationship -- just not between Fox and the Big Ten. Rather, both entities are leeching off the public by pushing fees onto the cable/satellite providers (which simply gets passed on to the subscribers). Want to do something about it? Drop your cable TV. That's what I do.

[Lehigh Football Nation]

You sound like you should be wearing tin foil on your head. Everything I have read said Big Ten teams made $22million per team. The report you mention says the BTN pays out $8million per team and ABC/ESPN pays out $14million per team. That comes up to $22million and that is more than what teams from other conferences bring in in TV revenue. What is being hidden here other than BTN/Fox doesn't want to hand over their books?

You're missing something here. Take the Big XII - they, like the Big Ten, had a TV deal from their ESPN/ABC contract that was worth - I don't know - $5 million apiece. This was probably negotiated a long time (relatively) ago. If they were to renegotiate today, they'd still get probably around $14 million per school - matter of fact, Fox has guaranteed this, and this is an undocumented, but widely opined reason as to why the Big XII did not blow apart.

The only material difference between the Big Ten and Big XII's TV contract is the amount of money the BTN pays out - which is $8 million, but once again dependent on Media Corp's stock price and other things. The press said that this was a difference between $5 million and $22 million as far as the eye can see. That's not the case at all.

[Lehigh Football Nation]

No, they most certainly didn't. In fact, they weren't even the first conference to do so. Look at the Mountain West Conference's "the mtn" network. Same idea, same structure, but with CBS/Collegesports instead of Fox. The fact is, Fox needs the Big Ten just as much as vice versa. You seem to imply that the moment they can, they will bleed the Big Ten dry and keep the $$$ for themselves. I don't see that happening, simply because, ultimately, the members of the Big Ten own the content that Fox needs to make a viable network. Fox needs to keep the Big Ten fat & happy because they could always find another dance partner in CBS, ESPN or Comcast.

You're right that it's a parasitic relationship -- just not between Fox and the Big Ten. Rather, both entities are leeching off the public by pushing fees onto the cable/satellite providers (which simply gets passed on to the subscribers). Want to do something about it? Drop your cable TV. That's what I do.

This is true that it is a parasitic relationship, but you underweigh the importance growth and penetration into new markets is a part of the Media Corp. business plan. Like Wall Street earnings estimates, they need to grow to make the numbers. Don't you find it interesting that as soon as the BTN's penetration numbers plateaued in the markets where Big Ten schools exist today, the Big Ten all of a sudden decided that large media markets were the place to try to expand their conference? There's not a lot of growth in getting 100% of Pennsylvania to get the BTN on their basic tier. There is, however, in the New York and Texas media markets (and the Notre Dame "market", which is the closest thing to a national college football team).

[Big Al]

This is true that it is a parasitic relationship, but you underweigh the importance growth and penetration into new markets is a part of the Media Corp. business plan.

Well, that's just basic business strategy. What I find most interesting is not that Fox is doing this, but rather that we, the public are letting them get away with repackaging a product we used to get for free and willingly paying them for the privilige.


Don't you find it interesting that as soon as the BTN's penetration numbers plateaued in the markets where Big Ten schools exist today, the Big Ten all of a sudden decided that large media markets were the place to try to expand their conference?

Yes, but why did they select Nebraska? If it was solely $$$, then Rutgers (or pretty much any east coast team) is the better play.

The key to all of this is getting your channel on basic cable. Doesn't matter if we're talking about Fox, ESPN, CBS or any other media distributor. When you're on the basic tier, then they can charge a higher rate to the cable company. Here's the real key: cable is immensely profitable, but it won't be forever. In fact, I foresee the day where cable TV will fall under the wheels of internet TV. Cell companies already did it to landline phone operators, it will happen to cable as well.

[Lehigh Football Nation]

Yes, but why did they select Nebraska? If it was solely $$$, then Rutgers (or pretty much any east coast team) is the better play.

True. But it's easy to connect the dots there. First, the Big Ten wanted Notre Dame, which could make a cable play on any system in the country. That failed. They then tried to look East Coast, but Rutgers can't deliver NYC, nobody really cares about Syracuse's upstate NY TV market, and the ACC's renegotiation of their contract locked out Boston College or any other lucrative East Coast market down through North Carolina. With their Plan A and Plan B spurned, basically, they needed to expand with somebody - anybody. They looked at Missouri, Utah, and Nebraska, and Nebraska was the only one that came close to fitting the bill (with their rabid fan base, not their tiny Cable TV situation).

Even with a tiny win on Cable - with their Plan C team- the Big Ten got what they wanted really - a lucrative championship game. That should satisfy the hounds until the next round of expansion talks, probably slated to happen in two or four years.

[TexasTerror]

Been awhile since I contributed to this thread. Here's some recent reads...

Idaho Statesman asks what's next (http://www.idahostatesman.com/2010/08/01/1287807/whats-next.html) with Boise State leaving the WAC.

And the Pac-10's Scott blames Texas for the plan (http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/story/13681330/pac10s-scott-blames-texas-for-his-plans-demise) falling part.

[Lehigh Football Nation]

Been awhile since I contributed to this thread. Here's some recent reads...

Idaho Statesman asks what's next (http://www.idahostatesman.com/2010/08/01/1287807/whats-next.html) with Boise State leaving the WAC.

And the Pac-10's Scott blames Texas for the plan (http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/story/13681330/pac10s-scott-blames-texas-for-his-plans-demise) falling part.

Am I only the only one who just rolls his eyes about a guy flying in a private jet to the East Coast, to spashily unveil a new logo for the Pac Twelve, calling himself some sort of "fugitive"? Honestly, it's so preposterous that you can't make this stuff up. Is it possible to take anything else the guy says as truth after that?

If you think the Texas Legislature was behind the decision to save the Big XII, I think Larry Scott has a bridge to sell you.

No, really, could this be a more clear indication as to what's wrong with college sports today?

[CollegeSportsInfo]

You sound like you should be wearing tin foil on your head. Everything I have read said Big Ten teams made $22million per team. The report you mention says the BTN pays out $8million per team and ABC/ESPN pays out $14million per team. That comes up to $22million and that is more than what teams from other conferences bring in in TV revenue. What is being hidden here other than BTN/Fox doesn't want to hand over their books? LOL, that's funny doolittle. Since you're relatively new here, I'll recommend a few other threads on this topic that will seem much more sane. You'll find plenty on the other FCS forum, on CSI.com (links in sig) and the NCAAbbs Big East forum. There will always be some solid FCS related realignment threads on AGS like the Summit League, Great West, and especially all the great ones started by TexasTerror like on Southland happenings. But the "general realignment" threads seem to get hijacked (or originated) with the notion of conspiracy theories on AGS.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uQMacmrsRNA/TFb4g02zv5I/AAAAAAAAAsI/cvcXlcf5WfM/s1600/conspiracy.jpg

[Lehigh Football Nation]

LOL, that's funny doolittle. Since you're relatively new here, I'll recommend a few other threads on this topic that will seem much more sane. You'll find plenty on the other FCS forum, on CSI.com (links in sig) and the NCAAbbs Big East forum. There will always be some solid FCS related realignment threads on AGS like the Summit League, Great West, and especially all the great ones started by TexasTerror like on Southland happenings. But the "general realignment" threads seem to get hijacked (or originated) with the notion of conspiracy theories on AGS.

This coming from the guy who said....


And Lehigh, you are likely the only person who thinks the Big Ten has a "weaker hand" since it's already know that the majority of the schools the Big Ten is considering have already indicated that they would accept an invitation. It would take some serious semantic play to find a way to consider that a "weak hand".

And...


And it's not a matter of being psychic, it's a matter of just listening to the administrators I've spoke with, listening to the coaches and admins who have made public comments, and reading the quotes of others. We know that Missouri WANTS an invite. We know that the 4 Big East schools WOULD accept invitations based on their comments due to A) their fear of being left behind and B) the revenue boost from $8 million to over $20 million. And we even have Osbourne saying that Nebraska would listen is approached...not a denial that they would stay. Only Notre Dame has gone on the record as being in favor of staying put. But guess what...remove ND and Nebraska from the group of 7 schools, and you still have 5 that want a Big Ten invite...and that's a majority.

I'm still waiting for those for Big East schools bolt to the Big Ten, never mind Texas, TAMU and all the "remnants" of the Big XII. Still willing to stake your credibility on that one?

As for the tin-foil hat thing, well, perhaps you'd like to direct your questions to the two Iowa senators who wrote a letter to the Big Ten to "clarify" their finances and motivations for expansion. Iowa fans are unsurprisingly still not happy about Fox's *I mean, the Big Ten Networks' methods for trying to get on the basic tier there. You may believe that my position is a one-man crusade, but obviously members of Congress agree with me on this one.

Also, you and Doolittle can maybe read some of the other posts on this thread, where I answer why it does matter that the BTN's financial workings are so opaque and that the lies and (not always intentional) misrepresentations of the BTN's percentage of the TV deal money matters so much. I won't bother wasting the energy to retype them here.

[TexasTerror]

Here we go again...

A Kentucky radio station is reporting Big East to add Memphis (http://www.sbnation.com/2010/8/1/1600412/memphis-big-east-conference-join-conference-usa-tigers-fedex-kentucky-radio-sports) on Tuesday. Fun times...

[CollegeSportsInfo]

For those reading this thread that haven't read any conference realignment posts I've made in other threads, I'll clarify a few things:

1) My post above was in reference to what I found to be a funny comment by Doolittle. I was not responding to LFN, who chose to take my post as an invitation to start a dialog.

2) The reason for not responding to LFN is because I've made my stance clear in other posts: I'm done responding to the conspiracy theory/thread hijacking.
Frankly, I feel he is very off-base when it comes to conference realignment discussion. And one of the things he continues to post about every month is what some would consider a conspiracy theory, harping over a non-issue: Fox & BTN. Apparently, he does not believe all the Big Ten school admins who publicly report the revenue the schools brought in.

3) Because of this broken record, it just got to the point where people who want to offer logical information were constantly having to deal with thread hijacking about this Fox/BTN issue. The only way to contribute to these threads was to ignore LFNs posts about the topic, which I have chosen to do. He is welcome to PM me at any time for a discussion, but has opted not to.


If any of the posters here need an example, look no further than his post above. I'll answer him this one time. You can just scroll above to see his exact questions and selective wordplay:

Q: "I'm still waiting for those for Big East schools bolt to the Big Ten, never mind Texas, TAMU and all the "remnants" of the Big XII. Still willing to stake your credibility on that one?"

My answer: The Big Ten has not extended ANY invitations at this time to any Big East schools. So the reason you haven't seen any Big East schools join the Big Ten, is because they have not been asked to join.

The referenced Big East schools (Syracuse, Rutgers, Pitt, UConn), and all Big East schools have still indicated that they would accept invitations to the Big Ten if extended. The reasons why a Big East school would leave for the Big Ten should be fairly straight forward. But if you need a primary reason, then that reason would be to make a good business decision. Big Ten schools make $22 million per year. Big East football schools make $4 million on average each year. If your boss was paying you $25,000 a year salary, and another company right next door offered you $130,000 a year...you'd take the new job.

For LFN to suggest that the reason the Big Ten hasn't invited any Big East schools is because they would not accept is as far a stretch as you can get.

So yes, I'd be willing to stake my "credibility" as would an estimated 99% of people asked (including Big East officials) by saying that if Big East schools are invited to the Big Ten, where there revenue would jump from $4 million a year to $22 million...that the Big East schools would accept any extended invitations.



Comment: "perhaps you'd like to direct your questions to the two Iowa senators who wrote a letter to the Big Ten to 'clarify' their finances and motivations for expansion."

Response: The dead story about the Iowa senators looking into the Big Ten expansion process was obviously in regards to a time when Iowa St. was being left out of the Pac-16 scenario and not on the radar for the Big Ten. It's a dead story since the Big 12-2 decided to stay together. Period. It's important to note that the public motivation by Iowa senators Chuck Grassley and Tom Harkin was to protect the segment of their constituents that would be affected (Iowa St). Both gentlemen were looking into making public the reasons for the Big Ten's choices...because the state was about to lose all association with the Big 12. The defecting Big 12 schools obviously would have been the target of the debate had 1 of them been in the state of Iowa. But the University of Iowa is in the Big Ten, hence Grassley and Harkin taking aim at that conference...so the voters would know why Iowa St. was being left out and to remove any blame them or other state officials would take for ISU being forced to a lesser conference.

Much more importantly, is that Senators Grassley and Harkin made reference to the Big Ten television revenue in the sense that they think it's TOO much money for a non-profit organization. In their letter, they used language like "Big Ten's possible expansion appears to be designed not to further the charitable operation of the Big Ten." Their concerns (ulterior motive to protect Iowa St/clarify with voters) were that the US should remove the tax-exempt factor of conferences that were making so much profit. This hardly has anything to do with congress questioning that the Big Ten is making less money via the BTN then on the record.





So LFN, we dont' need you to retype your whole Big Ten Network / Fox conspiracy theory, and thank you for not retyping it. We get it. You don't want to accept that the numbers are real. Perhaps you think Nebraska joined because they wanted to be with midwest schools, not because they wanted to make more money. We get it.

It's just a shame because conference realignment is a topic that many people on this forum enjoy discussing. And you find a way to constantly turn any realignment threads into a platform for your conspiracy theories. Save that for your blog, because you're single handedly driving people interested in this topic to CS.com threads and other sites on the topic.

[Cocky]

Does it matter who is right or wrong when everyone is guessing anyway?

[Lehigh Football Nation]

For those reading this thread that haven't read any conference realignment posts I've made in other threads, I'll clarify a few things:

1) My post above was in reference to what I found to be a funny comment by Doolittle. I was not responding to LFN, who chose to take my post as an invitation to start a dialog.

Translation: I, CSI, am innocent. However...


2) Frankly, I feel he is very off-base when it comes to conference realignment discussion. And one of the things he continues to post about every month is what some would consider a conspiracy theory, harping over a non-issue: Fox & BTN. Apparently, he does not believe all the Big Ten school admins who publicly report the revenue the schools brought in.

OK. So, in summary, you were not referring to my comments... but, oh yeah, you actually were reacting to my comments. Next...


Q: "I'm still waiting for those for Big East schools bolt to the Big Ten, never mind Texas, TAMU and all the "remnants" of the Big XII. Still willing to stake your credibility on that one?"

My answer: The Big Ten has not extended ANY invitations at this time to any Big East schools. So the reason you haven't seen any Big East schools join the Big Ten, is because they have not been asked to join.

Including Notre Dame? Come on, you've been peddling that crap since June and even you know that's not true. If there's one thing that I think every so-called expert can agree upon is that if Notre Dame had shown a modicum of interest through some sort of back channel they've have been "offered" an invite. I have to believe the same applies to Rutgers, UConn or anyone else.


The referenced Big East schools (Syracuse, Rutgers, Pitt, UConn), and all Big East schools have still indicated that they would accept invitations to the Big Ten if extended. The reasons why a Big East school would leave for the Big Ten should be fairly straight forward. But if you need a primary reason, then that reason would be to make a good business decision. Big Ten schools make $22 million per year. Big East football schools make $4 million on average each year. If your boss was paying you $25,000 a year salary, and another company right next door offered you $130,000 a year...you'd take the new job.

But like choosing a new job, it ain't always all about the money. And it obviously wasn't. In your world, every school in America should have been at the doors of the Big Ten meetings, begging, pleading to get in, because today's contract gives Big Ten schools more money right now.

Next...


Comment: "perhaps you'd like to direct your questions to the two Iowa senators who wrote a letter to the Big Ten to 'clarify' their finances and motivations for expansion."

Response: The dead story about the Iowa senators looking into the Big Ten expansion process was obviously in regards to a time when Iowa St. was being left out of the Pac-16 scenario and not on the radar for the Big Ten. It's a dead story since the Big 12-2 decided to stay together. Period. It's important to note that the public motivation by Iowa senators Chuck Grassley and Tom Harkin was to protect the segment of their constituents that would be affected (Iowa St). Both gentlemen were looking into making public the reasons for the Big Ten's choices...because the state was about to lose all association with the Big 12. The defecting Big 12 schools obviously would have been the target of the debate had 1 of them been in the state of Iowa. But the University of Iowa is in the Big Ten, hence Grassley and Harkin taking aim at that conference...so the voters would know why Iowa St. was being left out and to remove any blame them or other state officials would take for ISU being forced to a lesser conference.

That fits the facts, but it's not as dead a story as you think it is. That remains a stick that can be brought out at any time to bludgeon the Big Ten. Next...


Much more importantly, is that Senators Grassley and Harkin made reference to the Big Ten television revenue in the sense that they think it's TOO much money for a non-profit organization. In their letter, they used language like "Big Ten's possible expansion appears to be designed not to further the charitable operation of the Big Ten." Their concerns (ulterior motive to protect Iowa St/clarify with voters) were that the US should remove the tax-exempt factor of conferences that were making so much profit. This hardly has anything to do with congress questioning that the Big Ten is making less money via the BTN then on the record.

You obviously are blind to the facts that I have exhaustively detailed tying Big Ten expansion into new cable markets rather than rivalries that make any geographic or logical sense. And - oh wait - Sens. Grassley and Harkin happened to mention this in their letter (http://www.dailyiowan.com/2010/06/25/Photo/letter.pdf). And - interesting! - it comes exactly one sentence after the part you selectively cherry-picked:


Moreover, most of the discussions surrounding the potential realignment of member institutions from one league to another seem designed not to further the charitable operation of the Big Ten. Rather, it appears that invitations are being extended because of the major media markets in which they are situated.

Come on, even you aren't so dim as to see that this "non-story" will be the starting point of opposition of any further foray into super-conferences.


It's just a shame because conference realignment is a topic that many people on this forum enjoy discussing. And you find a way to constantly turn any realignment threads into a platform for your conspiracy theories. Save that for your blog, because you're single handedly driving people interested in this topic to CS.com threads and other sites on the topic.

I think I'm driving you away because it must be difficult for you when people disagree with you - though name-calling, not-so-clever graphics and calling my stuff "conspiracy theories" really has to be plumbing some sort of new low. But I think you overestimate me, really. I think most people are man and woman enough to read my stuff and agree or disagree, on my blog or on AGS. No person is leaving here to go to some other site or message board because of me, except perhaps yourself.

[dakotadan]

So have there been any more rumors reported about Memphis today? Or any credible news sources that have any information yet?

[Lehigh Football Nation]

http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2010/aug/04/big-east-tigers-arent-on-agenda/


"If it's to our advantage to do something like that, everything's on the table," Marinatto told reporters at Tuesday's Big East media day. "We decided that we want to look at and study everything. And we try and do things in a quiet way behind the scenes."

The comments came as no surprise to UofM athletic director R.C. Johnson, who said he received numerous messages after Sunday's erroneous report from the Kentucky Sports Radio website that Memphis was going to be invited to the Big East on Tuesday.

"I don't know how many people have called, people saying there was going to be a big announcement," Johnson said. "There's nothing to it. There's nothing going on."

An end, for now, to the Memphis rumors. FWIW what I heard was that Memphis isn't on the Big East's short list of expansion candidates.

[TexasTerror]

BYU wants to become the "Notre Dame of the West"...


Rival Utah's move to the Pac-10 has given BYU the impetus to seriously explore the possibility of leaving the Mountain West, going independent in football and re-joining the WAC in all other sports, multiple sources told ESPN.com Tuesday.

BYU, according to sources, was stunned that an invitation didn't come its way as the Pac-10 first invited the Big 12's Colorado and then turned to Utah to become the Pac-12 earlier this summer. The Big 12, which lost Nebraska to the Big Ten as well, decided to stay with 10 members for 2012 and beyond after Texas decided to stay put instead of going to the Pac-10.

According to sources, BYU wants to differentiate itself from Utah, and by making itself the Notre Dame of the West, it could become a national power. Notre Dame is a football independent and in the Big East for all other sports.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=5472642

[TexasTerror]

This all comes from the Colorado State twitter...


BYU to go independent in football in 2011. Cougars will join the WAC for all other sports. Press conference scheduled for Thursday.


BYU and ESPN to hold join news conference Thursday morning to discuss BYU going independent from the MWC conference. Possible 2011 football


schedule could include Notre Dame, Navy, Army, Utah in addition to already scheduled games vs. Texas, Oregon State, Utah State.


BYU will likely enter the WAC for all other sports but football, at least for 2011.

http://twitter.com/CSUFootball

[TexasTerror]

Seems more and more likely...if ESPN is on board, really makes this thing work for BYU...


According to independent multiple sources, BYU is in discussion with ESPN for its football rights. ESPN already has an agreement with the WAC to televise football and basketball.

BYU has its own national television network, BYU-TV, which is available on major satellite networks. BYU-TV is going HD and with the wide reach of the Mormon church the Cougars could build national appeal, as Catholic-based Notre Dame has had over the years.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=5473151

And of note, CSU Football took down those tweets...

[Lehigh Football Nation]

This BYU talk is fascinating. I will say, however, their claim to be the "Notre Dame of the West" seems overblown at best. While BYU does hold some level of national cachet, it is nothing like the cachet of Notre Dame, which aside from its Catholic roots also has roots in Golden Era football. People talk about Notre Dame football in a way that will never be mentioned about BYU football and Steve Young, Ty Detmer and Jim McMahon.

What's also interesting about this is a thought of BYU going to the WAC in hoops. The MWC was the sixth-toughest conference by RPI last year (vs. the WAC, which was 10th behind the Missouri Valley), but they're already losing Utah and gaining Boise State, which would make them significantly weaker. BYU may have done the math here and said: "As an independent in football, we'll get games with Utah we wouldn't ordinarily get, and we'd get games with cash cows Notre Dame, Army and Navy. In basketball in the new MWC, our RPI might actually go up by jumping to the WAC."

Finally, with BYU's own TV network, what exactly does the Mountain West do for them anyway? Coverage on the Mtn. won't do it. This move appears to make a boatload of sense for them.

[TexasTerror]

DONE DEAL says Salt Lake Tribune...


Brigham Young University will leave the Mountain West Conference, go independent in football and rejoin the Western Athletic Conference in all non-football sports beginning in the fall of 2011, The Salt Lake Tribune confirmed Wednesday morning.

According to a source in the WAC office, BYU will seek final approval for the moves from its owner, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, either today or Thursday. Pending approval, a press conference is planned for early next week. But because of media reports that broke late Tuesday night, that timetable may change.

http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/cougars/50131959-88/byu-football-television-conference.html.csp

[I Bleed Purple]

Pretty big stuff.

BYU and Utah love to stuff it to their conference mates, I tell you what.

[TexasTerror]

It continues, though I think this was already relatively official - just saying it publicly...


COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - The Mountain West Conference has extended an offer of membership to California State University, Fresno and the University of Nevada, Reno.

http://www.themwc.com/genrel/081810aab.html

[JMUNJ08]

Apparently the dust hasn't settled yet:
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/news/story?id=5474774

No word on if they accepted or not but would be interesting with the pending move by BYU too. I think one of these conferences is in big trouble and will have to look at adding football members. Could this be the move up for some FCS teams???

[I Bleed Purple]

Ah, the MWC and WAC. Hating each other since the MWC formed.

[TheValleyRaider]

TCU gets hung out to dry again. Well, at least this time they have Boise...

BYU is kidding themselves if they think this will really work. The FBS world is moving towards superconferences, to the point where even Notre Dame had to at least consider the possibility of a Big 10 move. Maybe this sets the Cougars up better when the eventual large re-shuffling comes about, but to try and start a national tradition more or less from scratch, or at least without the national cache of the other traditional independents, seems a difficult proposition to me xtwocentsx

I look forward to TCU stomping them into the ground for a 3rd year running xasswhipx

[TexasTerror]

Things have picked up in the last 15 minutes or so...


5:40 p.m.: Fresno State officials have scheduled a news conference for 7:30 tonight to announce the school's expected move to the Mountain West Conference.

The Reno Gazette-Journal is reporting that Nevada did not sign a reported $5 million buyout clause to get out of the Western Athletic Conference.

ESPN reported today that both Nevada and Fresno State had signed such a clause. No one at Fresno State has been willing to discuss the report with The Bee.

The Reno newspaper cited multiple sources with knowledge of the situation in rebuking the ESPN report.

Read more: http://www.fresnobee.com/2010/08/18/2045731/fresno-state-to-join-mwc.html#ixzz0x0aXwkO6

[TexasTerror]

Nevada a done deal?


The University of Nevada will leave the WAC and join the Mountain West Conference in 2011, several sources have told the RGJ.

President Milt Glick and Director of Athletics Cary Groth will hold a news conference at 7:30 p.m. tonight to discuss the move. Check back here later for video from the conference.

Nevada will join in-state rival UNLV and current WAC foe Boise State in the MWC, which also invited Fresno State to join the conference in 2011. The Fresno Bee has reported Fresno State has accepted the invitation.

http://www.rgj.com/section/blogs16?plckController=Blog&plckBlogPage=BlogViewPost&U=cf54a7c3-6850-4148-9710-effa04ad5005&plckPostId=Blog%3acf54a7c3-6850-4148-9710-effa04ad5005Post%3a8bd15f20-b941-4521-8422-0012994b5bca&plckScript=blogScript&plckElementId=blogDest

The more I think about it...was BYU the carrot used by the MWC to get Nevada and Fresno State to leave the WAC for the MWC in an effort to put an end to the WAC? If so, mission accomplished...

[I Bleed Purple]

As I posted elsewhere.



It's like the little kid (WAC) upset at big brother bully (MWC) planned this elaborate scheme to get big brother's X-Box 360 and right before that plan is set in motion, big brother comes to little brother and shoots him in the head.

[Lehigh Football Nation]

Uh-oh.

http://www.collegesportingnews.com/content.php?204-BCS-Conference-Changes-and-the-FCS-(Part-II)



That is, of course, if the NCAA doesn’t choose to reclassify the WAC as an FCS conference in the wake of such a move.

The NCAA has had a rule on the books saying in order for a team to remain FBS, it needs to average an attendance of more than 15,000 during a rolling two-year period.

Last year, three members of the WAC didn't even average this modest goal: Idaho (11,479 per game), Utah State (13,131) and New Mexico State (14,412). And excluding Fresno State, Hawai’i and Boise State, the rest of the WAC averaged well less than 20,000 fans per game.

If the Mountain West decided to take all three WAC schools that average more than 30,000 in attendance and the WAC replaces them with Cal Poly, UC Davis and Sacramento State, it could easily have a conference that averages less than 20,000 fans per football game.

Two of these three attendance leaders for the WAC are now gone, and #4 - Nevada - also appears out the door. I wonder... might we be seeing the end of WAC football at the FBS level?

[I Bleed Purple]

This now puts BYU in a pickle. Nevada and Fresno gone, the WAC doesn't have much to stand on. I doubt BYU goes to that sinking ship.

[doolittledog]

Uh-oh.

http://www.collegesportingnews.com/content.php?204-BCS-Conference-Changes-and-the-FCS-(Part-II)




Two of these three attendance leaders for the WAC are now gone, and #4 - Nevada - also appears out the door. I wonder... might we be seeing the end of WAC football at the FBS level?

Pretty much the entire MAC averages less than what is supposedly needed to remain FBS. And nothing is ever done about it. I don't see the NCAA doing anything about the WAC either. I can't imagine the Sun Belt does any better with their attendance.

[Jackman]

The WAC would likely get an exception on the conference membership minimum for a year or even two so long as they've set things in motion for new members to join at a later date. I think that was done for the Big East.

The attendance requirement is over a rolling two year period, so one bad year isn't necessarily a problem, and then if you still don't make it you get two years probation to make it, and then if you don't make that you get two more years of double probation, and all you have to do is hit the average once to reset the clock. As others have said, this rule has never been enforced, most likely out of fear of the potential legal ramifications if they try to do it.

[TexasTerror]

Rivals' Houston site reports a super conference of 20 teams may be formed among the best of the Mountain West and C-USA. (courtesy Rivals/Yahoo writer Tom Dienhart - http://twitter.com/TomDienhart/status/21594982597)

[Lehigh Football Nation]

The WAC would likely get an exception on the conference membership minimum for a year or even two so long as they've set things in motion for new members to join at a later date. I think that was done for the Big East.

I could see the NCAA making an exception for the Big East - who had some historic programs, like BC, Syracuse and West Virginia, they were trying to preserve FBS football for. But why should they make any special favors for the WAC? There is no history there to protect - certainly not in football. Two are former FCS schools (Idaho and Louisiana Tech), and two more that should be (San Jose State and New Mexico State). Even the basketball isn't anything to write home about.

The WAC was living on the fact that they could deliver some California TV markets, they had a foothold in Nevada and Hawai'i, and they had Boise State, the poster child for little guys breaking into the BCS monopoly. Now? Their California TV market is severely damaged, they just lost Nevada, and they lost their poster child. To top it off, with the exception of Hawai'i all their schools attendance is easily below 30,000 a game.

How do you make a case with anyone that this conference is equal in any way with the Pac-Twelve? Or even the MAC?

The NCAA will either need to make some sort of exception to keep the WAC alive - or make a stand against these puny FBS conferences in name only, saying "if you really, really want to run with conferences like the Pac Twelve, you'll have to do better than 15K per game and six members that belong in FCS". People seem to underestimate the NCAA's will to make an example of these schools - who are all "losing money".

[TexasTerror]

A merged title game between the MWC and C-USA?

http://www.star-telegram.com/2010/08/19/2414774/mwc-c-usa-talking-about-merged.html#ixzz0x7Q0bIFT
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/college/os-college-football-expansion-20100819,0,4134695.story

[EPJr]

http://www.utahsportsportal.com/images/utahstate.jpeg

Utah St. Athletic Director, Scott Barnes. Apparently, before Fresno St. and Nevada received invitations from the Mountain West, Utah St. got the first and quickly rejected it. In their eyes, they assumed they'd be strong with 8 members and BYU joining for non-football sports. Utah St. never considered that other WAC schools would take the invitation.

Ouch.

http://www.utahstateaggies.com/genrel/081910aab.html

[TokyoGriz]

Pretty humorous really.

But as far as I know theres nothing stopping Utah St. from changing their minds in the near future before MWC invites someone else. They just have to pay the $5 million penalty all the Wac teams agreed to if they bailed on the conference last week.

[Lehigh Football Nation]

If Hawai'i leaves the WAC and goes independent - that would truly be the death knell of the WAC, since they'd not only lose the school but also their most lucrative bowl tie-in. Their whole revenue structure is based on the fact that their league members sponsor bowls (and their ESPN agreement). That's why losing Fresno and Nevada is such an awful blow for them - they're not only losing solid teams, they're also losing a ton of bowl revenue.

ESPN will make or break the WAC. If they decide that they want to remain a part of San Jose State and Idaho football (and the Humanitarian/Kraft Bowls), they'll create a rescue package to keep them afloat. If not... sayonara.

This also shows how risky the BYU gambit actually was for the WAC in retrospect. For BYU, it was a clear win, but for the WAC it was only a win if they kept all their original members. Now, the WAC loses two crucial members and millions in bowl revenue. They went all-in, and lost.

[TokyoGriz]

Out of curiosity what is the requirment for an FBS team to HOST a bowl game? Stadium size etc.

[TexasTerror]

The MWC confirmed their discussions with the C-USA...


Followed up on various media reports regarding a potential Mountain West Conference-Conference USA merger, and confirmed that representatives of both leagues did indeed meet yesterday in Colorado Springs. Included were Commissioner Craig Thompson, Commissioner Britton Banowsky (who have a long-standing personal and professional relationship), and a couple MWC Athletics Directors.

http://www.themwc.com/blog/2010/08/mountain-west-strategizes-with-conference-usa.html

[Lehigh Football Nation]

Yet another example of the Mountain West's ongoing strategic thinking on a number of fronts, as the league continues to position itself in the national landscape.

Translation: Yet another example of the Mountain West's ongoing screwing over the WAC on a number of fronts, as the league continues to position itself to finish them off.

[Big Al]

The funny thing is this is all driven by BYU's desire to be bigger than Utah. I can't even begin to describe how much BYU fans hate the fact that Utah got invited to the Pac-12 and they didn't.

[EPJr]

http://www.collegehoopsnet.com/new-mwc.jpg
http://www.collegehoopsnet.com/new-cusa.jpg
The latest development involving the non-BcS leagues started this morning with a report from the Austin American-Statesman. According to the paper, the Mountain West and what was later confirmed to be Conference USA discussed during a previously scheduled meeting the possibility of the champions from the two leagues meeting in a title game, with the winner gaining an automatic BcS berth.

This so-called play-in game idea has since been confirmed by Dennis Dodd of CBS Sports.com, with part of the thought behind this concept being, obviously, to potentially grab a guaranteed BcS berth while also serving as an attempt to coax BYU into remaining in the MWC

http://collegefootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/08/20/mwc-c-usa-discussing-play-in-game-for-bcs-spot/?related=1

[TexasTerror]

Thought La Tech or Hawaii would be the first school to make their move, but there is activity at Utah State...


But that show of honor, integrity and loyalty is no longer needed. Every school remaining in the WAC should be worried about one thing -- itself.

Utah State, which according to sources at the university and from around the WAC and MWC is again working toward a spot in the Mountain West.

The door that was flung open with a big welcome sign just a few days ago was not slammed entirely shut, two sources at USU -- calling it 'ajar' and 'very complex' --told me on Thursday.

http://www.deseretnews.com/blog/25/10009816/USU-Aggies-Crossroads-for-the-Aggies.html

Here's the Twitter feed for the writer...

http://twitter.com/DesNewsEborn

[I Bleed Purple]

USU would poorly replace Utah in football, but, given the last few years, improve the league's basketball.

That would be twelve teams, right?

Division wise...

East:

TCU
UNM
Air Force
Wyoming
CSU
USU

West:

SDSU
Fresno
Boise
UNLV
UN-R
BYU

Have to cut Utah in half to get the divisions, but there's no big rivalry between the two, so it'd work fine.

[Lehigh Football Nation]

WAC commish calls latest departures ‘selfish’

http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/news?slug=ap-depletedwac


Fresno State and Nevada should not expect any parting gifts from the other members of the Western Athletic Conference when the Bulldogs and Wolf Pack leave for the Mountain West.

WAC commissioner Karl Benson said on Thursday the departing schools will have to pay $5 million to his league and wait until 2012 to move after accepting the MWC’s invitation and dismantling an agreement the WAC was on the verge of completing with BYU.

The Cougars were in line to rejoin the WAC in all sports other than football, in which BYU would have become an independent.

Benson called Fresno State and Nevada’s decision “selfish.”

“In a 12-hour period, the WAC went from having a secure and prosperous future to once again not knowing what the future will hold,” Benson said in a conference call.

Also...


Nevada athletic director Cary Groth said Wednesday night that the move made sense for the Wolf Pack in enough ways to jump despite the potential buyout and negative feelings from the rest of the league. The Reno school expects to be able to cut travel expenses now that Hawaii and Louisiana Tech will no longer be on upcoming schedules.

“The exposure of the Mountain West also has been a little stronger than the WAC,” Groth told The Associated Press. “I’d say those two factors particularly played a role.”

So part of this for Nevada was cost-cutting. Something for those NDSU folks to think about when they think the WAC will be calling them.

[TexasTerror]

The best timeline yet on the WAC's demise? Maybe...

http://www.staradvertiser.com/sports/sportsnews/20100830_Fleeing_members_foiled_conferences_big_pl ans.html#axzz0y0vVlEif

[I Bleed Purple]

The Salt Lake Tribune has a similar story.

http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/sports/50175456-77/wac-byu-albrecht-benson.html.csp

[JMUNJ08]

The best timeline yet on the WAC's demise? Maybe...

http://www.staradvertiser.com/sports/sportsnews/20100830_Fleeing_members_foiled_conferences_big_pl ans.html#axzz0y0vVlEif


The Salt Lake Tribune has a similar story.

http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/sports/50175456-77/wac-byu-albrecht-benson.html.csp

Crazy to think how everything could have really been tossed around even worse than it might be with what did occur. The WAC could have been a really decent bball conference and remain above the likes of the Sun Belt but now who knows...

[TokyoGriz]

This is a good article on the Montana view currently.

http://helenair.com/sports/article_91a74d18-b336-11df-b7d6-001cc4c002e0.html


Highlights



“I’ve always been a proponent of the championship format,” O’Day said. “But as I watch the wear and tear on our student-athletes, I start to look at it differently. Our kids are exhausted. We’ve taken finals (exams) on the airplane, at the site and when we got back home.”

“Our fans pay a lot and they don’t want us to be playing a bunch of Division II schools,” O’Day said.

“Our fans have felt those were good competitors (boise and Idaho),” Montana athletic director Jim O’Day said. “So sometimes we are judged by how those schools have done.”

O’Day pointed out that it is has become increasingly difficult to schedule nonconference home football games. For the second straight season, the Grizzlies will open the season against a Division II opponent – Western State – at home, simply because an FCS foe couldn’t be found.

and the laugh of the day..... nothing like giving money away


UM netted about $30,000 for each of three home football playoff games, while sending more than $1 million back to the NCAA, which runs the tournament.

[T-Dog]

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/news/story?id=5517305

BYU to go indy in football in 2011, WCC in all other sports. The WAC is on it's deathbed.

[TexasTerror]

BYU is moving along with their scheduling...


Holmoe said that for the 2011 season, 10 of the 12 games are set. BYU can play 13 games in 2011 and 2013 if it elects to use an NCAA exemption that allows for an extra game when a school travels to Hawaii. Holmoe said BYU hasn’t decided if it will do that.

For now, the Cougars in 2011 are scheduled to play at Oregon State, Texas, Hawaii and Louisiana Tech and at home against Utah, Utah State, Central Florida, New Mexico State, Idaho and San Jose State. Obviously, the scheduling deal with the Western Athletic Conference to which BYU agreed that provides games against four WAC teams in 2011 and three in 2012 was extremely helpful, Holmoe said. Deals with WAC schools Hawaii and Utah State already were in the works before the Cougars declared independence, and are not part of the 2011/2012 deal with the WAC.

A four-game agreement to play Boise State beginning in 2012 was contracted two years ago and is still in play, despite BSU’s move to the Mountain West Conference next year.

http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/home/50327462-76/holmoe-2011-state-byu.html.csp

[TexasTerror]

Big 12 and Nebraska reach settlement...


The Big 12 announced it has reached an agreement with the University of Nebraska regarding its withdrawal from the Conference effective June 30, 2011, subject to final approval from the member institutions’ respective governing boards.

The Conference will withhold $9.255 million from the revenues otherwise distributable to the University. Nebraska will receive an additional $500,000 if it is one of two Big 12 teams to play in a BCS game this season.

Big 12 Conference Commissioner Dan Beebe stated, “This agreement was accomplished through a collegial, respectful process among the Conference, its institutions, and the University of Nebraska that led to a resolution that all parties believe is fair. I appreciate the cooperation of Chancellor Harvey Perlman and Nebraska staff. The Big 12 has enjoyed its relationship with Nebraska and wishes it well in the future.”

http://www.big12sports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=10410&ATCLID=204998498

[TexasTerror]

May know a little more about the plans and ambitions of North Texas shortly...


UNT officials still have to make the final plans, but early word is Chuck Neinas' report on the state of the school's athletic department will come out Thursday afternoon.

There is a lot of interest in what Neinas will have to say. The guy knows what he's talking about after having been in the world of college athletics for years.

Neinas has helped conduct searches for coaches and athletic directors and has helped conferences with their realignment plans. He is still working with Conference USA.

http://meangreenblog.dentonrc.com/archives/2010/09/looks-like-neinas-report-will.html

[superman7515]

Is Big Ten Expansion Over? (http://www.freep.com/article/20100921/SPORTS08/100921067/1054/SPORTS06/Is-Big-Ten-expansion-over?)

Ohio State - Michigan Rivalry Faces Uncertain Future (http://www.thelantern.com/sports/smith-osu-michigan-rivalry-faces-uncertain-future-past-12-1.1607700#4)

Sounds like the Big Ten won't be raiding the Big East after all....


It seems that the growth will not occur through further conference expansion.

"We're finished (with expansion)," Smith said. "The only thing that would cause us to look at it further is if someone contacted us."

Smith acknowledged that few Big Ten representatives have closed the door to further expansion.

"The reason most of us say it's not done is because we think there are some schools that are going to try to talk to some conferences. But we're not actively out looking at expansion," Smith said.

"After our October meetings, that's going to be the last we talk about it."

From ESPN Insider...


So it sounds as if all the rumored Big East possibilities are nonstarters unless one or more of the schools convince Delany & Co. that the Big Ten just has to have them, which seems unlikely. Jahnke's take is that the conference is simply twiddling its thumbs while waiting to see if Notre Dame and/or Texas changes its mind.

[TexasTerror]

TCU to the Big East? Would not have been the first school mentioned for the league. That would create some sort of shake-up because you can not have the Big East taking just one Texas team or can you? Figure for non-revenue sports, you'd want to at least bring in a Houston?


Having survived the most recent wave of expansion intact, the Big East Conference is studying ways to bolster its position and has targeted TCU as very attractive candidate to help strengthen its football league, The Post has learned.

“We are in a situation that requires us to evaluate and analyze all our options including expansion and television," said a source close to the league who requested anonymity. “There are a dozen or so schools that we’re looking at."

Two sources said the TCU discussion developed recently. The school’s tradition, academics and recent success have lifted the university’s profile. TCU (4-0) is ranked fifth in the polls and many believe it is currently the best team in Texas.


Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/college/football/big_east_has_interest_in_tcu_6GTZTxC9I2fssdAib7x6K K#ixzz10sXEGZP6

[superman7515]

You cannot be serious... Haha. UConn to TCU for volleyball. That's cost effective.

[TexasTerror]

You cannot be serious... Haha. UConn to TCU for volleyball. That's cost effective.

A move by TCU to the Big East could start some other dominoes, especially since I can't imagine just TCU joining the Big East, but perhaps Memphis or Central Florida - probably forcing C-USA to add two teams to maintain a FB title game.

Teams to join C-USA could come from WAC (La Tech) or Sun Belt (Middle Tennessee, Western Kentucky, South Alabama, North Texas). Depending on the damage to the Sun Belt, perhaps they look at La Tech, New Mexico State and a few stragglers in the SLC who want to move up at some point (i.e. Lamar, Sam Houston State)?

[superman7515]

That would probably accelerate the basketball school split. There's no way Memphis, UCF, TCU, etc come as football only schools. Memphis has a great basketball program, but they're not adding anything to Big East basketball, it's already top heavy with talented teams. But if the split occurs and 'Nova moves up, it becomes a more compact but just as heavily talented conference.

[TexasTerror]

More on TCU...


TCU and Big East officials have discussed the Horned Frogs joining the conference, according to several sources close to the situation.

TCU has met with Big East officials within the past 30 days to discus the logistics of a move by TCU in either the 2011 or 2012 seasons, according to a source with knowledge of the situation.

TCU Athletic director Chris Del Conte has been unavailable for comment while on business in New York and Philadelphia the past few days.

Del Conte, TCU's sports information department said, was in Philadelphia for meetings about Mountain West Conference television contracts with MWC commissioner Craig Thompson.

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/colleges/tcu/stories/093010dnspocolltcu.141d1eebc.html

[TexasTerror]

Big news today is that the Pac-10 (12) has worked itself out...


SAN FRANCISCO -- The new Pac-12 conference approved football divisions that will split the California schools and adopted an equal revenue-sharing plan Thursday as the conference presidents and chancellors hashed out the important issues that arose because of recent expansion.

Colorado and Utah recently accepted invitations to join the Pac-10 in the conference's first expansion since 1978, necessitating many changes for when the league becomes a 12-team conference next July 1.

The most anticipated decision was the division alignment. The league decided to split the California schools, with Stanford and Cal playing in the North Division with Oregon, Oregon State, Washington and Washington State. UCLA and Southern California will be in the South with Arizona, Arizona State, Utah and Colorado.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=5711336

[TexasTerror]

WAC has not cashed in as negotiations continue with Nevada and Fresno State...


The Western Athletic Conference and departing members Fresno State and Nevada continue to negotiate an exit agreement, thus keeping the schools' date to join the Mountain West Conference on hold.

Representatives from the WAC and the two universities said Tuesday that no deal has been finalized, though they remain hopeful a resolution will be reached.

"Negotiations are not complete, though they are moving along," Fresno State spokeswoman Shirley Armbruster said. "We are hopeful a resolution can be reached soon. Until negotiations are complete, we will refrain from further commenting."


Read more: http://www.fresnobee.com/2010/10/26/2134024/fresno-state-nevada-ironing-out.html#ixzz13bhG2ujb

[TexasTerror]

Univ of Houston president via Twitter... probably eluding to discussion the school presidents are having related to other conferences. Not specifically her school or C-USA...


At Conference USA Board meeting..conferences are still shifting...

http://twitter.com/UHpres/status/28701059678

[TexasTerror]

Coaches scrambling to fill slate in wake of Fresno State, Nevada agreements...


The agreement reached Thursday that keeps Fresno State and Nevada in the Western Athletic Conference through the 2011-12 academic year has CSU athletic director Paul Kowalczyk and his coaches scrambling to find replacement games and could cost the Mountain West Conference its automatic bid to the NCAA Championships in softball, baseball and women's soccer.

Boise State, which notified the WAC prior to its July 1 deadline of its intention to leave, still will come to the MWC next fall. But the MWC, which is losing Brigham Young and Utah, will be down to just eight members next year, leaving Colorado State University and the rest of the conference schools with just seven conference games and racing to secure a fifth nonconference contest. UNLV already announced it would fill the vacancy on its schedule with Southern Utah.

http://www.coloradoan.com/article/20101029/SPORTS/10290330

[TexasTerror]

Word to FCS schools...


Waters said that if Denver does indeed leave, the league will put no pressure on itself to immediately add a member. If Denver does in fact leave, the league will feature 11 teams rather than 12 for men’s and women’s basketball.

“I think you’ll hear a lot of speculation about what we should do, but the reality is that 11 is a number that works,” he said. “The Big Ten was 11 for a long time, the ACC was nine for a long time. We’ll go very slow and because of the things we did in 2000, 2004 and that time period – we will be able to go slow and look for somebody who does bring incredible value to the league.”

http://ncaabbs.com/showthread.php?tid=459646&pid=5851513#pid5851513

[TexasTerror]

Update on Big East...


In what several sources around the Big East described as a pivotal meeting, Big East presidents and athletic directors will meet tomorrow in Philadelphia to discuss probable expansion plans, The Post has learned.

The regularly-scheduled meeting of the presidents and athletic directors figures to be intense as the BCS-football playing members of the league intend on pressing their agenda to add teams to the eight-team football conference.

"The goal is to get the presidents' blessing to seriously pursue teams," said one Big East athletic director. "I don't think we're going to get pushback on that."

Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/college/football/big_east_looks_to_expand_bVIhWzOrP6cZkQQWeyjmWM#ix zz144PRWpgJ

[TexasTerror]

UALR, Nebraska-Omaha under consideration for the Summit League? UALR originally talked to Summit League in March re: contingency plans if their stay in SBC is limited per Argus Leader...


Summit League commissioner Tom Douple told us on the WDAY Saturday Morning Sports Show that he’s had several conversations with Nebraska-Omaha A.D. Trev Alberts about the Mavericks moving up to Division I and it appears UNO could be farther along than most people think. He said he’s also had a preliminary conversation with St. Cloud State recently, that same St. Cloud State team that was said to be considering dropping football. The Summit has also had conversation with Arkansas-Little Rock.

http://bisonmedia.areavoices.com/2010/11/07/a-good-recruiting-visit-the-stache-out-committee/

[TexasTerror]

All or nothing...


TCU athletic director Chris Del Conte said Sunday he has little interest in placing his football program in one conference and the school’s other varsity sports in another.

“We’re an athletic department,” he said in a telephone interview with Sporting News. “Whatever endeavor we do, you’re united as one. That’s who we are. That’s how we always compete. We compete as one unit.”

Recent reports have linked the Horned Frogs to the Big East’s plans to expand from eight football-playing schools to 10. Citing sources, some of the reports suggested the conference would want TCU as a football-only member.

Read more: http://www.sportingnews.com/ncaa-football/feed/2010-11/big-east-expansion/story/tcu-ad-university-will-not-move-individual-programs#ixzz14jooSOHK

[TexasTerror]

What's the thinking behind this Big West deal? Big West for all sports sans football for Hawaii? Not sure who else they'd be going after... is there anyone else out there?


The Big West Conference Board of Directors today announced that it has voted to lift the membership moratorium, which has been in place since July 2005. The Board's action was taken following the development of a process for assessing possible new members.

"This action by the Board of Directors positions the Big West Conference in this time of dynamic conference realignment to assess expansion if presented with candidates that fit the current membership's profile and share their intercollegiate athletic values and goals," said Commissioner Dennis Farrell. "It is important to note that there is no commitment or time table established for expanding beyond the current membership of the Big West."

http://www.bigwest.org//story.asp?story_id=14233

[jcf5445]

What's the thinking behind this Big West deal? Big West for all sports sans football for Hawaii? Not sure who else they'd be going after... is there anyone else out there?



http://www.bigwest.org//story.asp?story_id=14233

Cal State-Bakersfield and Seattle

[TexasTerror]

Cal State-Bakersfield and Seattle

Hawaii's beat writer chimed in response to an inquiry into his blog that Hawaii is likely going to the Big West for all sports and the administration wants to know for certain that the school can make football independence work... interesting.

Hawaii's problem is going to be scheduling teams in the middle of the season (they always do fine early and late) because teams do not want to head to Hawaii mid-conference season.

[TexasTerror]

TCU message board reporting that they are heading to the Big East... and that it's a done deal...

http://www.killerfrogs.com/msgboard/index.php?showtopic=126017

[TexasTerror]

ESPN is in court with Texas... intriguing!


(CN) - ESPN says the University of Texas is playing games with sports station's FOIA request about plans to move the Longhorns out of the Big 12 Conference. Possible realignment of the Big 12, PAC 10 and Big 10 is big news, and the public is entitled to it, ESPN says, despite the UT's claim that the documents are protected from disclosure by attorney-client privilege.

ESPN and its reporter Paula Lavigne sued the University of Texas System, seeking declaratory judgment in Travis County Court, Austin.

Lavigne submitted a FOIA request on June 22, seeking any documents generated since May 1, including emails, fax, or telephone notes from UT officials, regarding membership realignment of the Big 12, Big 10 and PAC 10 conferences.

http://www.courthousenews.com/2010/12/06/32323.htm

[TexasTerror]

How crazy is the WAC...?? They reached out to the Big 12 North schools! LOL!


Hawaii's move to the Big West for all sports except football looks imminent.

UC San Diego is close to making a decision to go Division I. The process thereafter is approval by the NCAA, a conditional period as a Division I independent, and then a conditional period as a conference member, probably of the Big West.

WAC officials approached select teams in the Big 12 (which is down to 10 teams for next year) about joining forces but were politely rebuffed. Several of those same Big 12 teams are now being courted by the Big East (Missouri, Kansas, Kansas State), which apparently wants to become the first 24-team conference in collegiate history. San Jose State is waiting to see what happens with the WAC before making any moves. And Bakersfield is not an option for Big West expansion.

http://www.presstelegram.com/moresports/ci_16803796

[TexasTerror]

Message board chatter at a fever pitch... several media tweets...

San Jose State and Utah State to the MWC?

UTEP turned down MWC. Comcast wanted a Utah school to get that market...

[superman7515]

http://the-upset.blogspot.com/2011/01/report-utah-state-and-san-jose-state-to.html


Jared Eborn, friend of The Upset and former Deseret News employee is reporting that Utah State will be invited to the Mountain West Conference.

[superman7515]

http://www.spokesman.com/blogs/sportslink/2011/jan/24/reports-utah-state-sjsu-join-mwc/


Last week Idaho athletic director Rob Spear acknowledged the Vandals were pursuing a Mountain West invite. But according to multiple Twitter reports, Utah State and San Jose State are set to join what will become a 12-team MWC, leaving UI on the outside of another round of conference restructuring.