Where we are headed

[Townie72]

It seems pretty obvious that what we are seeing develop before our eyes is a concentration of power. The number of “haves” appears to be decreasing and the number of “have nots” is increasing. The “haves” are getting more money, more visibility and more power. And the “have nots” are being relegated to the back waters.

And the really bad news is that there is no way to stop it from happening.

It seems pretty obvious that there are two groups driving this … the larger TV networks and the power conferences. But why, you might ask.

It’s pretty simple to understand what’s driving them when you look at the numbers. If you are a TV network what would you rather have, a single game that draws 20 million fans (e.g. LSU vs AL, 11/2011) or 11 Big East games that draw about the same number of total viewers composed of many of the same people?

The profit maximizing position for the TV networks is to have college football resemble the NFL. Many fewer teams, bigger regular season games and a play-off tournament. And the Networks have most of the money.

The financial bonanza for the few “have” schools will be huge and they will be unable to resist.

The NCAA might try and stop it. All the “haves” need to do is withdraw from the NCAA.

That’s where we are headed, folks. Next step along the path is a National Championship mini-tournament.

 

[MaxwellCuse]

We are headed to Congressional investigations. We are headed to a multitude of multi-million dollar lawsuits. We are headed toward a plethora of 60 Minute-style investigative pieces about rules-breaking, Southern Scofflaw "institutions of higher learning" that put serving as the NFL's bitch, err minor league, ahead of their core mission.

College football is rapidly becoming the national cesspool. Some sharp, ruthless young politician is going to slide into the White House on a trail of muck containing the fetid remains of guys named Slive, Delaney and Dodds.

 

[texascpa]

Most of these are public institutions, both haves and have-nots. You can bet, piss off the wrong congressman, and there will be a way to stop it.

 

[Townie72]

We are headed to Congressional investigations. We are headed to a multitude of multi-million dollar lawsuits. We are headed toward a plethora of 60 Minute-style investigative pieces about rules-breaking, Southern Scofflaw "institutions of higher learning" that put serving as the NFL's bitch, err minor league, ahead of their core mission.

College football is rapidly becoming the national cesspool. Some sharp, ruthless young politician is going to slide into the White House on a trail of muck containing the fetid remains of guys named Slive, Delaney and Dodds.

I actually think the politics of this works the other way.

Most Americans are going to like this concentration of power and the big games and the tournament and the Championship games.

A small minority are really going to dislike it ... the fans and alumni of the schools that are pushed aside.

 

[SmilinBob]

1%er's are uniting in all faucets of the game!

 

[MaxwellCuse]

I actually think the politics of this works the other way.

Most Americans are going to like this concentration of power and the big games and the tournament and the Championship games.

A small minority are really going to dislike it ... the fans and alumni of the schools that are pushed aside.

We disagree. I believe that the fans and alums of those schools that will be disqualified from competing for the national championship are the majority. The problem is, many of them are/have been to-date a silent majority. I don't believe they will remain silent much longer if Slive and Neinas and Dodds try to push their luck.

 

[Toga]

Townie - enjoy reading your recent posts and agree with much. But under the assumption that ACC teams all stand pat - I just don't think a conference will be left out which is comprised of:
Florida State
Miami
Virginia Tech
Clemson
N. Carolina
Pitt
Virginia
Syracuse
Maryland
Boston College
N.C. State
Ga. Tech
Wake
Duke

 

[SmilinBob]

College football has always been a political animal, just one look at the polls will tell you that...people vote or watch the name that they know. The more tv exposure these 4 "supers" get the more the others will be forgotten and thrown to the side and never be considered a real serious threat to the super powers. If ND joins them and x amount leave the ACC it's game, set and match.

 

[Townie72]

Townie - enjoy reading your recent posts and agree with much. But under the assumption that ACC teams all stand pat - I just don't think a conference will be left out which is comprised of:
Florida State
Miami
Virginia Tech
Clemson
N. Carolina
Pitt
Virginia
Syracuse
Maryland
Boston College
N.C. State
Ga. Tech
Wake
Duke

Thanks, Tioga.

But the question is could FSU or whoever resist the pull of all this money?

 

[rottweiler44]

From a pure business perspective there would need to be allot more streamlining before we truly see have and have nots.
Why stop at just conference expansion? Wouldn't the next logical step be that conferences be optimized by purging the weakest members?

Why should schools like Iowa St, Kansas, Kansas St., Miss. State, Oregon St., Northwestern, Washington St., Purdue, Texas Tech be grandfarthered into the "haves" when potentially you could have schoold like Syracuse, UNC, Pittsburgh, UVA, MD sitting in the "have nots". If this were all business, wouldn't we see this type of shift starting soon? Conferences moving to maximize their media footprint and power base..

Personally don't think we will get there, but the question still holds...

 

[xc84]

We are headed to Congressional investigations. We are headed to a multitude of multi-million dollar lawsuits. We are headed toward a plethora of 60 Minute-style investigative pieces about rules-breaking, Southern Scofflaw "institutions of higher learning" that put serving as the NFL's bitch, err minor league, ahead of their core mission.

College football is rapidly becoming the national cesspool. Some sharp, ruthless young politician is going to slide into the White House on a trail of muck containing the fetid remains of guys named Slive, Delaney and Dodds.

"Where's that money, you silly stupid old fool? Where's that money? Do you realize what this means? It means bankruptcy and scandal and prison! That's what it means! One of us is going to jail... well, it's not gonna be me! "

 

[CarolinaCuse]

Seriously, how can any system for determining a college football "nation champion" include only two schools on the east coast, north of South Carolina (Penn State and West Virginia) where such a large percentage of the population lives? No way.

 

[SmilinBob]

Seriously, how can any system for determining a college football "nation champion" include only two schools on the east coast, north of South Carolina (Penn State and West Virginia) where such a large percentage of the population lives? No way.

It'll be like elect-role votes only where the bigger college football imprints are.

 

[Townie72]

Seriously, how can any system for determining a college football "nation champion" include only two schools on the east coast, north of South Carolina (Penn State and West Virginia) where such a large percentage of the population lives? No way.

Because the population in these areas is not all that attached to their local teams. They would much rather watch LSU v. Alabama than Rutgers v. UConn. And they would much, much rather watch the Giants vs Eagles than almost any college game.

 

[Chip]

Thanks, Tioga.

But the question is could FSU or whoever resist the pull of all this money?

Seems like it's a question for ESPN. ACC is their asset for 1st and 2nd tier, Big 12 is only their asset for 1st tier. So do they want FSU to go to the Big 12? If not, do they step in and save the day for the ACC? (like they did for the Big 12).

 

[Admiral Koga]

Because the population in these areas is not all that attached to their local teams. They would much rather watch LSU v. Alabama than Rutgers v. UConn. And they would much, much rather watch the Giants vs Eagles than almost any college game.

Townie, I agree with a lot that you have posted. And I especially agree about the northeast watching the NFL vs college football. But wouldn't this affect the ratings? I can't imagine the draw in the northeast for LSU - Alabama being all the great...especially if/when it will be LSU-Bama two or three times a year every year, year after year. Wouldn't it reach a saturation point that would affect the profitability?

 

[chakka3421]

Actually what's happening is fewer people are watching college football (except alums) and more people are watching Pro Football. To me the NFL really has its act together - and at the same time make a lot of money - but arent perceived as money grubbing college elites. The NC game really should be played the weekend before the Superbowl when no other football game is being played. I would watch that just like I watch the Superbowl.

Pro football"s playoff system should be the model for college football - period.

 

[WickedOrange]

Hold the line ACC. Hold the line.

 

[orange03]

From a pure business perspective there would need to be allot more streamlining before we truly see have and have nots.
Why stop at just conference expansion? Wouldn't the next logical step be that conferences be optimized by purging the weakest members?

Why should schools like Iowa St, Kansas, Kansas St., Miss. State, Oregon St., Northwestern, Washington St., Purdue, Texas Tech be grandfarthered into the "haves" when potentially you could have schoold like Syracuse, UNC, Pittsburgh, UVA, MD sitting in the "have nots". If this were all business, wouldn't we see this type of shift starting soon? Conferences moving to maximize their media footprint and power base..

Personally don't think we will get there, but the question still holds...

We've been in no position to make fun of the have nots in quite some time.

 

[GoSU96]

It seems pretty obvious that what we are seeing develop before our eyes is a concentration of power. The number of “haves” appears to be decreasing and the number of “have nots” is increasing. The “haves” are getting more money, more visibility and more power. And the “have nots” are being relegated to the back waters.

And the really bad news is that there is no way to stop it from happening.

It seems pretty obvious that there are two groups driving this … the larger TV networks and the power conferences. But why, you might ask.

It’s pretty simple to understand what’s driving them when you look at the numbers. If you are a TV network what would you rather have, a single game that draws 20 million fans (e.g. LSU vs AL, 11/2011) or 11 Big East games that draw about the same number of total viewers composed of many of the same people?

The profit maximizing position for the TV networks is to have college football resemble the NFL. Many fewer teams, bigger regular season games and a play-off tournament. And the Networks have most of the money.

The financial bonanza for the few “have” schools will be huge and they will be unable to resist.

The NCAA might try and stop it. All the “haves” need to do is withdraw from the NCAA.

That’s where we are headed, folks. Next step along the path is a National Championship mini-tournament.

In 2010 D-1A football teams generated a total of $1.137B in cash, as in what was left after expenses.

The top 20 programs accounted for $760M of that. 10 SEC schools, 7 Big 10, 2 B12, and ND.

 

[Upstate]

Hold the line ACC. Hold the line.