Around the Big Ten

[Mike]

I'd be fine with bringing UNC and Duke as a package deal to get to 16. The conference would be murder for bball but it would sell big time. Hell, it might surpass football as the biggest TV draw. NCSU is the red-headed step-child of the Research Triangle anyway - nobody will cry over them being left out. UNC and Duke could still play them every year OOC.

[iam416]

Mike:

NCAA rules still apply to football teams, though. The schools can host their own "playoff" and keep all the money, but they're still submitting to NCAA jurisdiction. Hence, no stipends.

More:

He thinks the P12 can get away without expanding. But, if the P12 does expand, the B12 is toast. He also thinks that the only way the B10 doesn't get Texas is if the P12 does. The P12 wants Texas and will take Oklahoma to get them. However, they won't take TTU and OkST, and that's why it hasn't happened yet. If Scott changes his mind, then it's done.

[iam416]

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

Yes.

[hack]

This is both totally shitty and totally fascinating.

[Mike]

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

Not necessarily. The superconferences could work amateur status into the bylaws of the new organization. The SEC probably would like it that way so they can continue to gain an unfair advantage through extra benefits. If the new system allows for paying players then everyone would be on an equal playing field and some schools would hate that. Plus, the whole point of this reorganizing is to maximize profit. Why would they want to increase labor costs?

[Rocky Bleier]

Gee, Gordon, that doesn't sound right:

http://espn.go.com/blog/bigten/post/_/id/67335/gees-logic-flawed-on-osu-bowl-ban

[iam416]

Taking care of NCST presumably means bringing them along.

That won't happen. But, NCS could go to the SEC. However, he also said that UNC won't go down with the ship. As he said, he thinks GT, UVa and Kansas would sign up yesterday. That leaves 3 spots. The B10 would push Missouri hard and he thinks Missouri would sign up. That leaves 2. This would be ND's last opportunity. And there's also the outside shot at Texas. The point being that seats on the lifeboat -- fuck, it's not a lifeboat, it's a goddamn carnival cruise ship -- those seats will be filling up quick when the B10 gets around to moving. And UNC can't really wait around if they want in. He also suggested that if they play the political game, the B10 will move on to Duke.

[iam416]

This is both totally shitty and totally fascinating.

Yes. I hate it, but I'm quasi-addicted to it. I want it all to happen NOW! My guess is that it will take some time to sort itself out. Everyone is still waiting on Maryland. However, if FSU gets antsy and finally makes its move, then shit gets real. The ACC is one domino away from totally crumbling.

I have to say, I find myself intrigued by the possibility of adding Missouri, Kansas, North Carolina, Virginia, Georgia Tech and Notre Dame/Duke.

[Mike]

I have to say, I find myself intrigued by the possibility of adding Missouri, Kansas, North Carolina, Virginia, Georgia Tech and Notre Dame/Duke.

Me too. Not so much for Mizzou and Kansas but for the ACC schools. The Big Ten would be the premier bball conference in the country hands down and GTU would deliver the Atlanta market for the BTN. The new conference would be a behemoth.

The Big Ten has lost it's identity so as long as that ship has sailed, we might as well become the most dominate conference we can be.

[Da Geezer]

excellent analysis of the TV rights. NBC married ND. Let them both sink.

No B1G team should ever play ND again. PERIOD. Then NBC is screwed, and the Texas network should be treated the same way. If Texas and ND can be forced to join the superconference that would be the ultimate goal.

[iam416]

Not so much for Mizzou and Kansas but for the ACC schools. The Big Ten would be the premier bball conference in the country hands down and GTU would deliver the Atlanta market for the BTN. The new conference would be a behemoth.

Heh. Well, Kansas wouldn't hurt on the hoops front either. LOL. And, TBH, Missouri is a decent hoops program, too. Also, WRT Kansas, apparently the way the cable providers are situation, they could deliver a sizable part of the Denver market. I don't fully understand it, but apparently Denver cable companies service Western Kansas and all 3,500 households with cable there. Heh.

The Big Ten has lost it's identity so as long as that ship has sailed, we might as well become the most dominate conference we can be

Yep. They had the chance to retain it, but the Leaders/Legends bullshit and splitting M/OSU put that identity on life support and Maryland and Rutgers killed it.

There's absolutely zero doubt the B10 isn't done expanding. And after today, there's zero doubt in my mind that they really want to go to 20. I also think they have enough clout to make their wants a reality, but on that I'm far less certain.

[hack]

1. Why is Missouri on the table if they just moved?

2. I don't care if I'm the only one saying it, I'll never believe UNC and Duke in separate conferences.

3. Yes -- the Big Ten is dead, so time to stop lamenting it and to look at what's to come, for better or worse.

4. Mike I see your point in particular about cutting student athletes in and the extra cost involved. And agree the SEC's motivation, though were I the Big Ten that's a negotiating point and a very major one. I'm just saying that when you open the door to some changes, it leaves room for unplanned ones to squeeze through that opening as well. There are definitely going to be at least some unintended consquences, and that's a potential one.

[WM Wolverine]

Missouri really wanted in the B10, they had an offer (before Nebraska) and backed out as they didn't like the 'buy-in' to the BTN equity. They still prefer the B10 as they don't have any true rivalries in the SEC. Illini, Nebraska and Iowa would immediately give them rivals they don't have in the SEC. Are they in the SEC East or West?

[Da Geezer]

Mike: as to post 4010, labor costs are minimal. The MARGINAL COST of adding 85 more students to a 30,000 student body is very close to zero. The facilities cost, but actually giving the education, books, food etc, at the margin, is free.

I've always favored stipends, coupled with severe punishments for the cheaters. I further think that the stipends for the players should be negociated with the NFL's input. I'm thinking $ 2,000 for each player. But once a player is NFL ready, the stipend should go up to reflect what his salary could be, and the B1G superconference should have a blanket policy of "career insurace" for stars like Taylor Lewan who return to college in case they have a career-ending injury. Lewan can't afford to come back even though he sounds like he would like to.

And, by all means, tap into the NFL for financial payments toward the B1G. About time they didn't get a free ride for a farm system

[iam416]

Missouri really wanted in the B10, they had an offer (before Nebraska) and backed out as they didn't like the 'buy-in' to the BTN equity

Missouri, from what I've read, never had an offer. Ever. The B10 wanted a 12th team. They chose Nebraska. Missouri fans were devastated. Delaney may have used Mizzou as a stalking horse to shake free UNL, but if the B10 had offered, they would have said "YES!" in two seconds. At least based on what I've read.