Around the Big Ten

[iam416]

From "insider" on OSU Scout forums who had Maryland and Rutgers move called awhile ago...

...UNC and Texas....

...and if that happens, I'll fly Wizard to Columbus for the OSU-M game and kick him in the nadlets. Just relaying shit...as inconceivable as it sounds.

That said, I'd consider that a net win.

[iam416]

Apparently: two stumbling blocks remain:

1. the contiguous state by- law(all BIG members need to be in continguous states)--and yes, this is a big deal--for whatever reason


2. the LHN deal (which is failing, by the way)--but there are some obstacles to rolling it in

UNC and Texas both have sent back positive signals.....we will see.....

[Wild Hoss]

I really don't believe that they do possess more potential than Misosur does T, neither individually or collectively. To each his own.

And you can go to hell for making stick up for Missouri, you dirty bastard.

[Hannibal]

Maybe. Mizzou, though, isn't a plum addition. From what I understand, the SEC only took Mizzou because they really wanted aTm, and other alternatives were vetoed. Mizzou, IMO, is only marginally better than Maryland. As an overall fit, I think they're comparable.

Missou is a much better fit than Maryland. At the very least, they have a built-in rivalry with Illinois, and there is a more dense college football following there. Geographically, they are better too Not even close. In terms of history and fan following, they are roughly equal, but there's some value added with Missouri. Absolutely no value added whatsoever with Maryland.

I don't see how Maryland could be considered a "safe" pick either. They'd have to double the revenue that they generate for their conference for this to be a merely breakeven proposition. They have some upside too, but so do South Florida and the University of Houston.

Wild Hoss has it right. There is no urgent need to grab Maryland or Rutgers. This is RichRod's 3* recruiting in conference expansion form. The fears of the B1G getting left out of a national picture involving the PAC-12, SEC, and ACC are laughable. It would never happen.

[iam416]

At the very least, they have a built-in rivalry with Illinois

To be fair, Maryland-PSU are automatic rivals with a longstanding history.

[Hannibal]

That said, I'd consider that a net win.

In terms of finances or football quality?

Finances -- maybe. Texas would lose money coming to the Big Ten, unless they get a special exemption that lets them take more than an equal share, in which case the system would be engineered to be breakeven. UNC? Meh

Football quality -- I still have yet to see anybody try to argue this, and I have yet to comprehend how college football's pot is supposed to get bigger when every change that is made is unanimously disliked.

[Wild Hoss]

I don't think you can go wrong with UNC. That is a big, stable and financially well-off fanbase, and a great school.

Even if they don't win a lot of hardware in football, they would be an asset to the any conference IMO.

[entropy]

would texas lose money??

[iam416]

North Carolina is a national brand, IMO. And they would command the state, which is a good-sized market. In particular, Carolina hoops would be enough to drive the BTN onto basic cable.

Also, from what I understand, the BTN makes more off of advertising dollars than carriage. As WM was mentioning, inventory is huge. As I mentioned, sports are one of the last bits of programming that are watched live. My guess is that Carolina hoops on the BTN is a coup.

And it's not a shitball program, either. Carolina is every bit the program, IMO, that Mizzou is.

Now, I don't think, for a second, it will happen. I do think the B10 is targeting those two, though.

[iam416]

would texas lose money??

I don't think so. As is, they might. But if the B10 adds UNC and Texas, they're going to paid in a huge way in 2017.

[entropy]

UNC>Misery>Maryland>Rutgers

[entropy]

Texas doesn't have a long term option with the LHN.

[iam416]

And, just to be clear, I'm against this whole thing from a tradition perspective. I disagree with you guys a bit on the financial side, which is obviously driving the bus.

As I said, right now my best hope is that this is but an initial round of expansion; the next round(s) actually add value across the board; and OSU and M end up in the same division.

[Hannibal]

Also, from what I understand, the BTN makes more off of advertising dollars than carriage.

If that's the case, then it means that expansion is extremely stupid like I have been saying, since the inventory that Maryland, Rutgers, and UNC bring to the table is not better than the mean of the Big Ten.

[iam416]

quantity > quality