Around the Big Ten

[hack]

Sure, re the academics. But if you're following the money, it doesn't lead there, right?

[iam416]

Well, Entropy, here's a quote from an apparently well-connected OSU guy:

3) If Delaney had known the type dominO effect he would set off, he WOULD have
added Mizzou and Kansas at the same time.

Not exactly sure why he didn't anticipate the domino effect. I guess aTm and Mizzou wasn't necessarily something that would have been anticipated, but regardless.

Also:

5) My best guess based on what B1G and Presidents want

15. Kansas
16. Missouri
17. UVA
18. UNC
19. Ga Tech
20. Notre Dame(but this could be Texas)---or ND and Texas could join based upon how quickly they move

[WM Wolverine]

Kansas has signed a GOR (all TV revenue) with the Big XII. If they joined the B10, all their tv/media revenue would go to the Big XII...

I see realistic targets for #15/#16 as Missouri, VT, Virginia, NC. I'd be content with almost any two of those. GT, FSU, Miami feel out of place being so southern. Texas and ND are always welcome.

[iam416]

19)-Someone asked how much I know and how much is speculation: this is all from what the B1G wants, I don't have a crystal ball, but this what they want in Chicago.

So, that's the backdrop on the guy's comments. I'll post more in a bit.

[Hannibal]

At this point, I don't give a shit anymore. Expansion jumped the shark with Rutgers and Maryland. The Big Ten is now tacitly admitting that they are no longer a sports conference. They are a media conglomerate like Viacom, News Corp, or Disney. The flag of the Big Ten no longer means anything, which means that being in the same conference as them no longer means anything either. When all of this TV money ends up increasing our athletic department revenue by 1%, it will just lead to bigger salaries for administrators and us being able to afford yet another non revenue sport that nobody gives a shit about.

Incidentally, this is the exact reason why corporations have mission statements.

[iam416]

Other tidbits:

1. FSU won't happen. Period. B10 has no interest. They're going to B12 with Clemson. Other schools with NO chance: Tennessee, UK, Pitt, UC, UofL, Oklahoma, OkSt, VT, NCSU, UCONN, Syracuse, BC.

2. B10 has a master plan but no timetable. As of now, they're waiting on Maryland lawsuit/$50M buyout. But, if Delaney wants to go tomorrow, they'll do it tomorrow. Just need everything in place by 2017 (first year of new TV contract).

3. Speaking of TV, TV negotiations will likely be NBC, ABC, FOX to go with BigTen. They're getting sick of ESPN, so ABC will likely have to make concessions to get the new contract. They are committed to improving the quality of production on B1G and make it like NFLNet and show more premium content there. Eventually, they hope to have OSU v. UM on BTN.

4. Likely see 4 divisions of 5. OSU and Michigan will likely be in the same division. Probably with IU and Purdue, but no one knows for sure. Conference semi-finals followed by B1GCG the next week. Rotating basis (St. Louis, Minneapolis, Chicago, New York, Washington, Atlanta, etc.)

5. Grant of Rights isn't worth the paper it's printed on. Much like buyout numbers, their importance is overrated.

6. UNC wants in badly. GT, UVa and Kansas would come tomorrow if asked. But, NC still has internal things to get worked out before they go. But they want in.

7. Eventually the 3 or 4 superconferences WILL leave the NCAA.

Finally, in a non-expansion note, Bielema was running from Wisconsin as much as he was running toward Arkansas. He was told he should look at other options cause his days at UW might be numbered.

[iam416]

One more thing -- Delaney wants an expenditure floor for football. They have money, so start putting it toward football.

[iam416]

Assuming that this guys has a good idea of what the B10 "wants" -- and I think he does -- one big takeaway is that the B10 could bust ESPN's college sports monopoly. If a 20-team superconference with a lot of huge brand names goes elsewhere, and I think they will, ESPN's monopoly is broken.

#SilverLining

[Hannibal]

Like I said -- we're Viacom/News Corp now.

[hack]

1. After Hannibal's post #3995, I conjured up a future in which the word ``football'' is replace with the word ``content''. And then it happened in post #3996...

2. UNC badly wants in? What do they have to work out first? And, again, what about basketball and Duke?

3. Eventually the 3 or 4 superconferences WILL leave the NCAA. -- ramifications? New oversight body? End of amateurism leading to salary caps? Can it stay alive to host March Madness? The end of the NCAA surely can't come without the preservation of the tournament. The NCAA must have some sort of intellectual-property rights to it, no?

[iam416]

2. UNC badly wants in? What do they have to work out first? And, again, what about basketball and Duke?

UNC has to work out (a) making sure NCS is taken care of and (b) modestly placating its fanbase. Duke may actually be leverage against NC -- i.e., if UNC balks, the B10 will move on to Duke.

3. Eventually the 3 or 4 superconferences WILL leave the NCAA. -- ramifications? New oversight body? End of amateurism leading to salary caps? Can it stay alive to host March Madness? The end of the NCAA surely can't come without the preservation of the tournament...

All good questions. None of which were asked. The format was posters submit questions then this guy answers them all at once. Then it's over. So no follow-up. I'm not sure if they mean taking football out of the NCAA or what. I think the issue that really drive a split with the NCAA is stipends.

[iam416]

Hanni:

When the superconferences come about, I think you should take to referring them as Oceania, Eurasia and Eastasia.

[Mike]

I don't see why the 3-4 superconferences couldn't break away from the NCAA for football only. The current BCS system is run outside the NCAA. The only difference would be for the big boys to cut out the mid-major conferences and spare the world NIU in the Orange Bowl.

[hack]

Format understood.

What am I missing with this UNC business? Taking care of NCST presumably means bringing them along. Is the Big Ten really going to play hardball with UNC? And does the Big Ten really think they can divide and conquer and in the process destroy the best rivalry in college basketball? Surely the Big Ten, if it wants to successfully negotiate this, gets that. Nobody would ever get anywhere trying to poach one of Michigan or Ohio State were the shoe on the other foot. You know going in that you have to account for The Game. If the Big Ten thinks it has the leverage to destroy that down there, then it must be asked how the hell the SEC is so weak. Were I Slive and Co. I wrap up UNC and Duke now, right? Or is basketball just not that important?

[hack]

I don't see why the 3-4 superconferences couldn't break away from the NCAA for football only. The current BCS system is run outside the NCAA. The only difference would be for the big boys to cut out the mid-major conferences and spare the world NIU in the Orange Bowl.

I am only guessing, but breaking away from the NCAA surely means at the very least thinking about ending amateur status, doesn't it?