Explosion: Hands untied--This May be For Real: Realignment by Conference not Teams

[liljoe]

Link: (notice where it is first announced: CBSSports.com)

http://www.cbssports.com/collegefoo...king-to-partner-up-with-acc-two-other-leagues

Per the cbssports.com article, wasn't it first announced in the on the statesman.com (the American-statesman)?

 

[All4SU]

Of course the Big 12 wants an alliance. They are the most vulnerable and they know it.

 

[arbitragegls]

newest update link below...now confirming discussions have be ongoing for a while:
"Bowlsby said the four leagues involved have had “multiple discussions” about this possible alliance, but that such talks have been “purely exploratory” so far. He added that the topic likely would be discussed during the Big 12 athletic directors meetings that begin Monday."

http://msn.foxsports.com/collegefoo...nsidering-alliance-with-acc-and-others-012513

 

[liljoe]

newest update link below...now confirming discussions have be ongoing for a while:
"Bowlsby said the four leagues involved have had “multiple discussions” about this possible alliance, but that such talks have been “purely exploratory” so far. He added that the topic likely would be discussed during the Big 12 athletic directors meetings that begin Monday."

http://msn.foxsports.com/collegefoo...nsidering-alliance-with-acc-and-others-012513

What's the update? This has all been out there since 4:30 this afternoon from the initial article...

http://www.statesman.com/news/sports/big-12-exploring-alliance-with-acc-two-other-leagu/nT7Bt/

"“It’s purely exploratory,” said Bowlsby, who added that the leagues involved have had “multiple discussions” about the subject."

 

[Toga]

Of course the Big 12 wants an alliance. They are the most vulnerable and they know it.

Maybe we're just getting some operatives in to lay explosives.

 

[PeteCalvin]

And then you get this out of OSU's Gee

The BiG is feeling the pressure. Sounds like the panic button may be pushed soon. If they think that Virginia and GaTech are coming, they are dreaming. Delaney may have created some enemies in Texas. Perhaps he reached out to one or two schools in the Big 12 and pissed someone off? Maybe Bowlsby saw that with the additions of ND and Louisville, the ACC was in a far more stable position than his own league? Maybe he felt that his old buddy Delaney couldn't be trusted? Seems like the two conferences who were seemingly left for dead are done playing possum...and the fool.

 

[Crusty]

The SEC is too arrogant to align with the B1G.

 

[AirForceOrange]

The SEC is too arrogant to align with the B1G.

Exactly...the sec doesnt think it needs anyone else...

Sent from Kindle Fire HD

 

[Devilsadvocate]

I think some are overreacting to this. Doubt this "ends expansion." This won't stop the SEC or BiG from poaching schools from either conference.

What it would do is prevent the B12 from taking an ACC school (which wouldn't happen anyway) and the PAC 12 from taking a B12 school (which is what we WANT to happen).

Don't think this is such great news, and not sure much will come of it. (And the story was broken by an Austin TX newspaper, not CBSsports.

 

[TheCusian]

I think some are overreacting to this. Doubt this "ends expansion." This won't stop the SEC or BiG from poaching schools from either conference.

What it would do is prevent the B12 from taking an ACC school (which wouldn't happen anyway) and the PAC 12 from taking a B12 school (which is what we WANT to happen).

Don't think this is such great news, and not sure much will come of it. (And the story was broken by an Austin TX newspaper, not CBSsports.

An alliance means they won't poach each other. I'm assuming there would be a financial advantage to not poaching.

If the 3/4 conferences band together and generate enough revenue to dwarf SEC and B1G, then they won't be as ripe for poaching from those schools. I think that's the idea.

 

[Crusty]

The only reason to change conferences at this point is money - if that gets equalized the incentive to leave goes away. Actually, the mere fact that this is on the table will give ACC schools pause.

 

[qdawgg]

The 2 reasons this is not overreaction if it proves feasible, is $ and stability. Schools only leave their conferences for more $... and only for more $. Schools are not going to leave their conference if the $ difference between conferences is somewhat small, it's only when the perception is that there is a potential payday of 5+ million (just throwing a number out) per year.

If these conferences align in some way, it would inevitably increase the amount of $ each conference would make. Would it be a windfall? Who the hell knows, most likely not. But, it would most likely be enough to create stability in the conference and close down the financial differences between the conferences that are able to poach and those that are poached.

Once that gap closes then schools who are thinking about leaving then have to weigh 1 - 2 things. Is the increased money we would make by going to the B10 (for example) enough to offset the following; distance and bottom feeder. Geographically changing conferences more often than not increases travel time and costs. This has a negative impact in many ways including; recruiting ability (potentially but not a definite), ability for Alumni to watch away games as easily -how does this impact the connection alumni have to their teams, and the rest of your sports dept. that is also going to increase their travel expenses above and beyond just the FB and BB teams. Sports that generate very little to no income will potentially end up losing money as a result, added up between all of the teams that could be significant to a large athletic dept.

Bottom feeder - Syracuse and UL are going into a conference where we will be competitive immediately, this is one reason why I think the ACC is in a much better position than other conferences who have added new schools. Look at RU and MD. Where is RU going to finish in the B10? We know the answer, what about MD? 1 spot above RU? When these schools are thinking of leaving, when the money is so much higher it doesn't matter how competitive they will be in the new conference. The $ is all that matters. But when $ gap begins to narrow schools then have to think, do we want to play in a conference where we will not be competitive? This wasn't a question really for RU, between the Big East and B10 you have to go to the B10. But MD, are they really going to benefit long-term from this, when all things are considered?

Going forward, any school considering leaving their conference has to weigh these options. It's not that these options weren't weighed before but the $ was so great it was an easier decision. Now if the poached conferences can continue to find ways to increase the $ they make, leaving your conference is a much tougher decision. This is why these talks matter and have potentially huge consequences.

 

[orangeinjersey]

Heres an idea, why not just have all the conferences create an alliance, and sell the rights like that professional football league does <smh>

 

[omniorange]

If nothing else, this would seem to indicate that the Big 12 is the conference in the more vulnerable position, despite the GOR.

In the past here are some of the conferences that have sought "alliances" with other conferences:

Big East (with ACC)
Pac (with Big Ten)
C-USA (with both Big East and MWC)
and if the last rumor prior to this new one was true in terms of digital networks, ACC (with SEC)

Cheers,
Neil

 

[DoctorBombay]

This alliance talk is a big deal, but it probably won't stop the threat of poaching, at least not immediately.
The B1G will still attempt to entrench its footprint to increase content for its BTN, as will the SEC for their new network.
In effect what you might see are the 2 mega-conferences duking it out to see who can acquire the "best product" out there.
As others have said, if the final $$ are within decent range, schools will stay put.
Therefore, its in the B1G/SEC's best interest, in the short term, to grab as many marbles as possible before the game ends.
If the +3 conferences can hang on in the short term, meaning their most valuable assets stay put, then things ought to stabilize.

 

[qdawgg]

This alliance talk is a big deal, but it probably won't stop the threat of poaching, at least not immediately.
The B1G will still attempt to entrench its footprint to increase content for its BTN, as will the SEC for their new network.
In effect what you might see are the 2 mega-conferences duking it out to see who can acquire the "best product" out there.
As others have said, if the final $$ are within decent range, schools will stay put.
Therefore, its in the B1G/SEC's best interest, in the short term, to grab as many marbles as possible before the game ends.
If the +3 conferences can hang on in the short term, meaning their most valuable assets stay put, then things ought to stabilize.

Completely agree. Two things have to happen if things are going to stay stable. The SEC and B10 are going to realize the implications of this and are going to act quickly; hopefully the schools that could potentially be swayed to leave realize they may be just as well off staying and happier long-term. The 2nd thing, the schools working on this agreement need to have a sense of urgency. I'm sure they do, they're probably smarter than me but this is a time for working quickly and being willing to compromise. Maybe they should read a book or two about the creation of the Constitution before they get down to serious discussions.

 

[IthacaMatt]

Okay, just received word from source that I can talk this...and to provide a link for you all to read. What is taking place is a forum of conferences to discuss possible alliance...and guess who the bedfellows may be: ACC, Big 12 and the Pac 12. I know, amazing if it comes about because it just may stop conference expansion! Apparently, as I have been told, this has been under consideration for a month or so and is a primary reason why nothing has been heard/leaked on the ACC's negotiation with ESPN. If something like this alliance was to take place, there would be little if any team movement but rather conference allignment to work together to maximize dollars for their alliance.
NOTE THIS IS NOT A DONE DEAL. I have been told by source, that the Big 12 will be discussing this coming week and that the ACC has already held preliminary discussions with its universities. This could become the BIGGEST COLLEGE SPORTS EVENTS OF THE NEW DECADE AND NEW BCS. Stand-by for additional updates.

Link: (notice where it is first announced: CBSSports.com)

http://www.cbssports.com/collegefoo...king-to-partner-up-with-acc-two-other-leagues

I see this as a defensive move by the Big 12. They don't have enough teams for future superconference requirements. Texas and Oklahoma, the 2 lynchpins, are susceptible to being poached. For all the talk of the Big 12 getting Florida State, etc., that to me seemed bluster. They are the weakest link.

 

[IHeartSUFball]

okay so if we all join up, it would still be seperate conferences but our non con games in football would be against big 12 or pac 12 teams?

 

[Jake]

Doesn't this potentially get more money how Texas without having to play a championship game? That seems to me to be the biggest deal here.

 

[Crusty]

If the three negotiate TV rights in the future they will have enormous clout. Perhaps, even bowl implications that are far ranging.

Another way to think of it is that between the two coast leagues they have large percentage of the population. This would be a very big stick indeed.

Interesting idea.

 

[DoctorBombay]

If the three negotiate TV rights in the future they will have enormous clout. Perhaps, even bowl implications that are far ranging.

Another way to think of it is that between the two coast leagues they have large percentage of the population. This would be a very big stick indeed.

Interesting idea.

Great point.
A Bi-Coastal Alliance between the PAC & ACC would be, what's the word...formidable!

 

[baggerbob]

ESPN is setting up the SEC network and putting up money, they also have LHN and ACC rights, the SEC needs to be in ESPN's good graces. Aligning the four conferences together, and creating 1 major network allows ESPN, SEC. Pac 12, ACC, Big 12 to checkmate the Big 10. It makes sense that the other conferences would do this, now that the Big 10 by adding Maryland has reached outside their footprint to pick a school.

 

[HtownOrange]

Why didn't the Dude see this coming? Is this why MHVer3 bailed?

What does this mean for WVU?

Oh -- the humanity!

Give them a minute or two. They will have a new reason for a $20MM/team increase for Big12 teams.

 

[HtownOrange]

Just a recap:

Schools left the CFA because they didn't get enough money.
Schools formed power conferences to get more money.
Schools change conferences to get more money.
Schools/conferences are now banding together in an alliance to get more money.

The more things change, the more they stay the same...

 

[HtownOrange]

Arb,

Does your source see this as Big 12 weakness?
Does he see it as favorable to the ACC?
Is this the possible precursor to the alleged new college sports association that will withdraw from the NCAA?
Is the ACC concerned with losing schools?

I like the idea of playing more BCS teams and high profile games, but there must still be bottom feeders. I ask the above, and have many more questions depending on the answers, with the real question in mind, what is the real end game?