Interesting Paterno quote

[Guinness]

Not sure if this has made the rounds yet. Can be interpreted a couple of ways.

“Things are changing and you’re not really sure what’s going to happen,” Paterno said. “I don’t know where we’re going to end up. There might be even some speculation that Penn State maybe ought to get into something different, or we ought to try to go out and get some people from the east to come into the Big Ten.”

LINK

 

[All4SU]

Reporter: What's the most pressing issue for you as a coach right now?

Paterno: Depends.

 

[44PRIDE]

Not exactly sure how much influence he carries any longer, but don't think for a second the idea of Penn State being part of a truly sustainable east coast league doesn't interest him.

Say what you will about Paterno, but there is no doubt he's an east coast guy.

 

[orange79]

Not sure if this has made the rounds yet. Can be interpreted a couple of ways.

“Things are changing and you’re not really sure what’s going to happen,” Paterno said. “I don’t know where we’re going to end up. There might be even some speculation that Penn State maybe ought to get into something different, or we ought to try to go out and get some people from the east to come into the Big Ten.”

Hard to believe PSU would consider leaving the B1G. Similar schools, CIC, stake in the BTN... These are major obstacles to overcome. Now, getting schools form the East to move into the B1G is another story. UConn and RU would jump in a minute if offered. They'd be a poor fit, IMO, but they'd leave the mortally-wounded BE in a heartbeat.

 

[44PRIDE]

Unfortunately, the chances of that happening were slim...and slim just left the building.

The only way PSU jumps is with ND. But with ND's newfound security as a member of the Big East, there is no further pressure on them to consider a football conference affiliation.

Obviously, the BE could crumble with the next wave of expansion...but who knows when that will be. And who knows if JoePa will still be around by then.

 

[JoeCollege]

The ONLY thing that should keep PSU tied to the Big 1G is the CIC. And if their "business model" is actually being a great and revered academic research institution, then they'll hold tight there forever.

But if they're looking from an economic, demographic, and cultural position, I am sure they'll run scenarios on other options. PSU is ultimately an East Coast school. They're the largest alumni base in the country- I believe the last I read was that 1 in every 700 Americans is a Penn State alum. Fortunately for them, their largest alumni base is NYC, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, DC- 4 of the top 25 media markets in the country, and the East Coast in general. Their media appeal is negligible in Chicago, St. Louis, and the midwest in general- an area of declining population and rising age. The smart move- long term- for PSU is to refocus on East Coast markets. They'll always hand-pick the top PA recruits, own NJ, and get top choice cuts of recruits from neighboring Ohio, the Baltimore area, and the Tidewater. But they'd be awfully well served to become a regular presence in North Carolina, Georgia, and Florida as opposed to Iowa, Indiana, and Michigan.

It would be interesting to see their cost/benefit analysis of the CIC vs. exposure to growing markets, concentrated TV rights in their more traditional (and heavily populated) areas, etc.

 

[dollarbill44]

Hard to believe PSU would consider leaving the B1G. Similar schools, CIC, stake in the BTN... These are major obstacles to overcome. Now, getting schools form the East to move into the B1G is another story. UConn and RU would jump in a minute if offered. They'd be a poor fit, IMO, but they'd leave the mortally-wounded BE in a heartbeat.

No way! Rutgers is far too loyal to leave the Big East, their fans even said so.