Leverage with the "superconference" model

[Buckaineer]

Something to consider if the end game really is the "superconferences" that some seem to be trying to get to:

A bit of leverage the 8 core BIG 12 members may still have.

There seems to be a network war going on mainly between ESPN and FOX.

ESPN just negatively impacted FOX's investment with the BIG 12 and swiped two major properties--OU/UT from their inventory.

ESPN is also trying to do the same with the core remaining BIG 12 members by trying to stick them in the G5 AAC and take that inventory away from FOX's.

FOX is expected to land all of the Big Ten's rights as they renew in 2023. The PAC 12s rights are up in 2024 and with the BIG 12 essentially eliminated after 2025, PAC 12 rights are likely going to be more valuable now as the networks battle for them.

ESPN seems to be trying to control all of major college football and neuter the competition. Rumors are out there of attempts to poach even Big Ten teams to put them into ESPNs inventory and away from FOX--PSU to the ACC rumors are all over lately and even Ohio State/Michigan to the SEC? Of course such moves would leave FOX with even less valuable inventory to work with.

The B10 and PAC commissioners have both pushed back--calling for a pause on letting the college football playoff grow to 12 after the deceptive moves to move more major teams into the SEC to artificially put more SEC teams in, while everyone else thought more inclusion was what was being discussed and agreed to. Now the B10 and PAC sides also want to have open bidding for the rights considered--so one media company doesn't hold a monopoly to manipulate all the pieces in college football. Also B10 and PAC rights can be devalued here--i.e. Gene Smith said what's the incentive for other networks to bid on rights if they have no piece of the championships for that sport?

Ideas such as an ACC/SEC merge are also being pushed by ESPN out in the open.

So ESPN 16 + 14 teams =30--plus maybe Notre Dame under contract, while if the Big Ten/PAC and FOX do work together they currently have 14 +12 schools =26.

The BIG 12 is still a power or "autonomous" conference as defined by the NCAA (there is an upcoming meeting suddenly scheduled to address lots of these issues).
Whoever the BIG 12 schools go with is going to have more voting power in all of this. If they stick together and go as a block which they will at least for some years yet no matter what--then they may have some bargaining chips to play to secure their futures.

26 plus 8 schools = 34 working with or adding all BIG 12 schools puts the Big 10/PAC over the top in power decisions and there is alot of reason to do that after the backstabbing that just happened.

Will be interesting to see how this all shakes out.

 

[WVUALLEN]

Big 12 is dead. Get over it.

 

[Buckaineer]

Obviously not only is the BIG 12 not dead, it will continue as is until June 30, 2025 by contract at minimum.

In the meantime the existing membership has to do what they can in the landscape theyve found themselves in. After all you cannot go somewhere else if you havent been invited anywhere else.

Sitting on their @$$ saying “ the BIG 12 is dead” is not going to help anyone- they have to take actions to do as well going forward as possible.

What they do now will go a long way in determining what happens to each one down the road.

 

[sixtieseer]

agree with Buck

 

[WVUALLEN]

Obviously not only is the BIG 12 not dead, it will continue as is until June 30, 2025 by contract at minimum.

In the meantime the existing membership has to do what they can in the landscape theyve found themselves in. After all you cannot go somewhere else if you havent been invited anywhere else.

Sitting on their @$$ saying “ the BIG 12 is dead” is not going to help anyone- they have to take actions to do as well going forward as possible.

What they do now will go a long way in determining what happens to each one down the road.

There is no guarantee it last until 2025.

 

[topdecktiger]

Obviously not only is the BIG 12 not dead, it will continue as is until June 30, 2025 by contract at minimum.

In the meantime the existing membership has to do what they can in the landscape theyve found themselves in. After all you cannot go somewhere else if you havent been invited anywhere else.

Sitting on their @$$ saying “ the BIG 12 is dead” is not going to help anyone- they have to take actions to do as well going forward as possible.

What they do now will go a long way in determining what happens to each one down the road.

I'm not sure why you are trying convince people on a message board. We can't do anything about it.

I get discussing it, but the "rally the troops" mentality makes no sense.