Around the Big Ten

[hack]

You could be right about a minimal cost, and were I the Big Ten I might think that getting this institutionalized narrows the football gap with the SEC and makes TV rights even more lucrative. Though the SEC will still find a way to cheat.

But maybe overall it depends on whether the Big Ten IPOs and has a fiduciary duty to maximize profits or not...

[hack]

Thanks the Mizzou clarification. Wouldn't the SEC have been smart to negotiate a penalty for leaving? How embarrassing for them if it happens...

[WM Wolverine]

NBA has something similar where they get injured but opt to stay in college.

[iam416]

Wouldn't the SEC have been smart to negotiate a penalty for leaving? How embarrassing for them if it happens...

The SEC assumes that no one in their right mind will leave.

It may be embarrassing, but I also think they really won't care that much. Mizzou was only taken to get aTm. I'm sure Slive wouldn't mind cutting them loose and picking up 3 others schools he likes better to get to 16.

[hack]

ok but presumably they're gonna go to 20 too? I'm unclear about their thinking, is anyone clearer? I mean, were I them I'd have UNC and Duke done yesterday, right? Or do they have motivation to do something else?

[Mike]

If what Talent said is true, they are waiting to see how Maryland's buyout is handled. That will set the precedent for UNC, Duke, and GTU.

[hack]

ah yes, point taken.

[iam416]

ok but presumably they're gonna go to 20 too? I'm unclear about their thinking, is anyone clearer? I mean, were I them I'd have UNC and Duke done yesterday, right? Or do they have motivation to do something else?

I don't think it makes sense for the SEC to go to 20. I think they want 16. They focus on new territory and quality of football program. Virginia Tech and UNC would be ideal. But I don't think they have the option of adding UNC, tbh. I think they will default to NCS.

[Hannibal]

Hanni:

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

Very fitting, since this entire process is riddled with leaps of logic and groupthink. 2+2=5 is, in fact, a perfect metaphor for how everyone sees TV revenue magically multiplying in the future.

[DennisT]

Extend the Mason Dixon line west, use the Mississippi River north south, there are the four super conferences.

[Hannibal]

Better yet, go to one superconference and call it the Big Ten. It will be awesome. We'll win the national championship in every sport, every year.

[hack]

If it's heading to superconferences and footprints and TV revenue are the thing, the SEC will go to 20, no?

[Hannibal]

If it's heading to superconferences and footprints and TV revenue are the thing, the SEC will go to 20, no?

I'll be swelling with pride if North Carolina beats Kentucky in basketball, because UNC will be part of "us" now.

[WM Wolverine]

There has to be 'markets' to expand to. To the west they have Texas, Big XII (which is Texas, Oklahoma and filler), north they have the B10. Everyone will be battling for the assets of the ACC. We're on our way to 4 super conferences.

[hack]

Precisely. Geography and competition leave there few really enticing options. If footprints really and truly are the rage, the SEC has to be lining up UNC and presumably Duke now. Or, maybe there's a different model that's a little smaller. I don't know the SEC's vision, just Delaney's (which is impossible to not know, at this point...).