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Message: [QUOTE="HtownOrange, post: 2696767, member: 622"] The B1G screwed the pooch when the only took Nebraska and stayed at 12. Pitt and SU were both voted on, as was Mizzou and a few others. There were at least two dozens schools in consideration, some more seriously than others. Pitt, SU and Mizzou (heavily named) were the most likely candidates outside of Nebraska but could not garner enough votes. PSU and the eastern schools (read tOSU, UM and MState) wanted more east teams. The western schools had no interest in SU or Pitt. Delaney assumed the ACC was too weak to do anything. After this, the B1G began to more seriously consider UVA, UNC, GATech and Miami. This was virtually all B1G fantasy as the southern schools would prefer their ACC then SEC over the B1G, all day, every day. The B1G was still playing with the northeastern schools (Rutgers included) but was in no hurry because they mistakenly believed that the ACC was too weak to do anything and that Pitt, SU and others would be there anytime they came calling. Neither SU nor Pitt fit the B1G formula, as noted above, the B1G is made up of large, land grant schools, except Northwestern (which survives probably due to history/long term relationships). However, both offered the history in major sports, dedication to academics and loyal fans. there were not many other schools on eh B1G list that met these requirements. You assertion that SU would be better than Rutgers and Maryland for the B1G is probably correct; however, the assertion that the B1G would be better for SU than the ACC is a stretch. I understand you concept of maximizing revenue for the AD, but you are using skewed numbers and are simply ignoring many other facts that are not the #1 consideration but are important and influential. Example: the SU fanbase is mostly located on the eastern seaboard, playing in the ACC guarantees easier access to SU alumni than does the midwestern conference. The ACC is located in nearly all of the SU recruiting grounds, Wisconsin, Nebraska, Iowa, et cetera are not exactly prime recruiting territory for SU. I could go on, but the point is made. One last point, don't be fooled by the numbers that get published regarding conference revenues unless you know what you are comparing. For instance, the B1G payouts COULD get to $50MM - down the road, but they don't show you that they share gate revenue (a major boon for Rutgers! but a loss for UM, tOSU and others); this means that they pay gate revenue into the B1G which then re-distributes the gate revenue. If the ACC, or any other conference did the same, their payouts would immediately realize a big jump! In truth, ACC teams siply keep their gate revenues and the payout is more accurate in the ACC, even though it looks smaller, the gap is NOT as big as talking heads pretend. The same applies to conferences that share apparel/souvenir sales. [/QUOTE]

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