Superconferences & Realignment

[Pops Freshenmeyer]

Wow, it was one thing when Colorado left. Arizona has been a member of the PAC for 45 years.

 

[Rockin’Irish]

https://athlonsports.com/college-football/big-ten-expansion-rumors-clemson-florida-state-oregon-washington

It’s getting crazy……..

 

[IrishLax]

Yeah Big Ten is not adding those schools this week. No way.

 

[Rockin’Irish]

Yeah Big Ten is not adding those schools this week. No way.

I sure hope not but just the rumor swirling is disconcerting.

 

[Pops Freshenmeyer]

At the risk of looking like a fool, I see 0% chance this Barstool rumor is legit. ACC schools aren’t going anywhere right now and Barstool has no risk of reputational backlash for making shit up.

 

[BobbyMac]

Arizona is a good fit in the Big 12. Basketball first school. Zona KU, Baylor finished #2-3-4 in the final poll in '21-'22 and last year it was Houston #2, KU #4, (UT #5) Zona #8 & Baylor #11.

Plus, no sense waiting on ASU now that they have the AAU membership to go along with their 5M+ Midwest transplants.

 

[Rockin’Irish]

At the risk of looking like a fool, I see 0% chance this Barstool rumor is legit. ACC schools aren’t going anywhere right now and Barstool has no risk of reputational backlash for making shit up.

I wouldn’t bet against you, just thought it was crazy seeing a rumor like that one sitting out there. One of my buddies who is a huge IU bball fan sent it to me.

 

[Irish#1]

Yeah Big Ten is not adding those schools this week. No way.

Probably not, but if the rumor is out there, it probably means some discussions are being had.

 

[Pops Freshenmeyer]

Probably not, but if the rumor is out there, it probably means some discussions are being had.

I think it just means there is a receptive audience. There were all sorts of rumors about the B1G and SEC hoovering up another half dozen teams each in the immediate aftermath of UCLA/USC. Of course nothing happened.

I’m sure the PAC is in crisis mode but that doesn’t mean the B1G or SEC have any reasons for being spurred into action. Except Stanford. They will get the welcome mat anywhere they want.

 

[IrishLax]

At the risk of looking like a fool, I see 0% chance this Barstool rumor is legit. ACC schools aren’t going anywhere right now and Barstool has no risk of reputational backlash for making shit up.

The ACC is going to collapse all at once or not at all. About a third of the conference REALLY wants out, another third is waffling, and the final third is praying it doesn’t happen. The “Grant of Rights” is insane because of how bad their media deal is… if they had a good deal no one would care, but they don’t.

 

[Blazers46]

The ACC is going to collapse all at once or not at all. About a third of the conference REALLY wants out, another third is waffling, and the final third is praying it doesn’t happen. The “Grant of Rights” is insane because of how bad their media deal is… if they had a good deal no one would care, but they don’t.

ACC seems to be that Jenga piece that once pulled it all goes. Setting up 2 super conferences in the SEC and BIG”10”

 

[NDohio]

The ACC has an absolutely horrendous TV contract, maybe they need to "merge" with another conference. That may be their only chance to get out of that horrible TV contract.

 

[tko]

What if these dominos fall? What happens to ND? Where is Jack besides brokering a UA deal for his son?

 

[IrishLax]

The ACC has an absolutely horrendous TV contract, maybe they need to "merge" with another conference. That may be their only chance to get out of that horrible TV contract.

Correct, and I keep thinking the PAC12 is that conference... the only reason that they won't is that the moment they do all of the big earning teams bolt. So you'd merge and then FSU, etc. would all immediately jump ship.

 

[Blazers46]

What if these dominos fall? What happens to ND? Where is Jack besides brokering a UA deal for his son?

I am sure Jack has a third cousin that works for the WAC or CUSA

 

[Sea Turtle]

People on Clemson and FSU boards are saying this is Fox. They will help with exit fees ad this is aimed at ESPN.

 

[IrishLax]

People on Clemson and FSU boards are saying this is Fox. They will help with exit fees ad this is aimed at ESPN.

There are no "exit fees" though you literally don't have the rights to your shit. People assume it'll get negotiated out and not end in a Mexican standoff but this is uncharted territory!!

 

[NDohio]

There are no "exit fees" though you literally don't have the rights to your shit. People assume it'll get negotiated out and not end in a Mexican standoff but this is uncharted territory!!

Yeah, the Grant of Rights deal locks the ACC teams in. Even of they leave the ACC the Grant of Rights guarantees that the league continues to get the revenue from these team's home games.

 

[Pops Freshenmeyer]

People on Clemson and FSU boards are saying this is Fox. They will help with exit fees ad this is aimed at ESPN.

In which case ESPN would have a huge incentive to renegotiate the ACC’s deal rather than watch it blow up and go to the B1G or Big 12.

 

[Sea Turtle]

In which case ESPN would have a huge incentive to renegotiate the ACC’s deal rather than watch it blow up and go to the B1G or Big 12.

Espn isn't doing so well. Make them pay a whole lot more for the ACC can't b a bad thing for Fox.

 

[stlnd01]

What if these dominos fall? What happens to ND? Where is Jack besides brokering a UA deal for his son?

We are where we’ve been since last summer, with a standing invitation to join the Big Ten, which is the obvious and correct move should the dominos fall in a way that makes our key priorities (scheduling, playoff access, bowl access) untenable as an independent.

Until then, as long as we can negotiate a competitive TV contract and fill a quality schedule, we’re fine. Say what you will about Jack but he has navigated conference realignment for us quite well.

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

B12 takes the two weakest PAC schools?... will more follow?

Weakest how? They're getting the Denver and Phoenix markets with these additions. It obviously isn't Texas and OU, but they're preserving their survival by adding two schools from fairly decent markets in terms of population and proximity.

The PAC 12 is totally screwed unless they pull a rabbit out of the hat.

 

[pumpdog20]

ND needs to stop messing around and go B1G!

 

[indianamouse]

ND needs to stop messing around and go B1G!

Go for 1 year, win the conference, claim having a championship for 2 conferences in 2 years

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

ND needs to stop messing around and go B1G!

I keep looking at all of this and am trying to see what the end game is for ND. I am really leaning toward this now more than ever.

And FFS, because this comes up constantly regarding said topic, Fritz Crisler hasn't coached since 1947 and he's been dead since 1982. I seriously don't give a shit about what he did to ND before my parents were even born. Getting to kick Michigan's ass every year would be worth it.

 

[calvegas04]

Weakest how? They're getting the Denver and Phoenix markets with these additions. It obviously isn't Texas and OU, but they're preserving their survival by adding two schools from fairly decent markets in terms of population and proximity.

The PAC 12 is totally screwed unless they pull a rabbit out of the hat.

UA is in Tucson, ASU has Phoenix. Denver cares about CU as much as they do about CSU. If CSU has the same Pac schedule they would have the same ratings.

 

[Some Irish Bloke]

ND needs to stop messing around and go B1G!

They really don't, with the playoff expanding to 12 teams, they'll be just fine. If push comes to shove, and there are two super conferences that are officially formed (SEC and "B1G"), either or would gladly accept ND.

 

[Pops Freshenmeyer]

I keep looking at all of this and am trying to see what the end game is for ND. I am really leaning toward this now more than ever.

And FFS, because this comes up constantly regarding said topic, Fritz Crisler hasn't coached since 1947 and he's been dead since 1982. I seriously don't give a shit about what he did to ND before my parents were even born. Getting to kick Michigan's ass every year would be worth it.

I also suspect that's the end result. But I don't see any reason for ND to rush in and do it now. There's no harm in keeping their options open as long as possible.

 

[stlnd01]

UA is in Tucson, ASU has Phoenix. Denver cares about CU as much as they do about CSU. If CSU has the same Pac schedule they would have the same ratings.

Phoenix and Denver are both pro sports towns with a high share of transplants and newcomers. But you’re still talking about flagship universities in two of the faster-growing states in the country.
If you want to grow the market share and visibility of your athletics conference, adding them is a good move.

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

Phoenix and Denver are both pro sports towns with a high share of transplants and newcomers. But you’re still talking about flagship universities in two of the faster-growing states in the country.
If you want to grow the market share and visibility of your athletics conference, adding them is a good move.

Exactly.

This isn't a terribly complicated process for the Big 12. They will lose UT and OU. They've gone out and added UC, UH, UCF, BYU in response to that. Now they're getting Colorado and Arizona who are already P5 schools.