NBCSports: Bowlsby says 'we don't have any imperative to get larger'

[WVBlue]

NBC Sports

These days, Big 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby can’t place his order at Starbucks without having to first clarify his stance on his league’s realignment status.

Which is quite odd considering he works at the behest of the league’s presidents and athletics directors and their first post-conference championship deregulation meeting doesn’t occur until next month.

But Bowlsby spoke to University of Texas students Tuesday and clarified — again — the Big 12 has no immediate plans to expand…. and if it they haven’t been revealed to him… and even if he was aware of them, he certainly wouldn’t divulge them.



LINK to article

http://collegefootballtalk.nbcsport...-dont-have-any-imperative-for-getting-larger/

 

[Buckaineer]

Always find it curious when Bowlsby makes statements like this:

But Bowlsby feels others are “probably all over the place still.”

He is the commissioner of the conference but doesn't have a firm grasp of the thoughts of each schools leaders?

It wasn't long ago that he was claiming no one wanted expansion. That is until OU's president condradicted that in a major way along with WVU's president.

They need serious discussion about communication at the next meetings because we (the public) are hearing two very different sets of info.

Too bad ESPN or FOX can't cover the meetings live

 

[Buckaineer]

And of course this:

"I just don’t feel like we’ll come to closure on it (CCG)."

Which reminds us just how similar to the Big East this conference is in terms of leadership.

Lots of talk, lots of delays and inaction.

WVU needs to be prepared.

 

[GetYaNumbersUp]

but but but, adding Uconn and Tulane will save the conference! Imagine how excited OU would be to play a football game in Storrs.

They go from playing rivals Nebraska, Mizzou, A&M, and Colorado to playing Memphis and Cincinnati. I'm sure their fans are going to thrilled.

 

[Buckaineer]

but but but, adding Uconn and Tulane will save the conference! Imagine how excited OU would be to play a football game in Storrs.

They go from playing rivals Nebraska, Mizzou, A&M, and Colorado to playing Memphis and Cincinnati. I'm sure their fans are going to thrilled.

Their fans will be thrilled if their conference is strong and making as much money as anyone and they don't have to worry about waiting for someone else to lose if they are good enough to make the playoffs as they did this year.
If they want to play Nebraska, Mizzou, A&M and CU they will do it OOC. Or if the BIG 12 doesn't accept change they will probably move on when possible.

 

[GetYaNumbersUp]

who did OU wait for to lose this year to make the playoffs?

 

[Round Hillbilly]

And of course this:

"I just don’t feel like we’ll come to closure on it (CCG)."

Which reminds us just how similar to the Big East this conference is in terms of leadership.

Lots of talk, lots of delays and inaction.

WVU needs to be prepared.

that's the second time i've heard that from you buck..."wvu needs to be prepared". i agree with you on this, but what does that mean? we've done good with getting the football stadium renovations rolling...new baseball stadium...new basketball practice facility, but we're still not making major waves in any of these sports. the population of wv is still below 2 million people. our education ranking is still around 175 and, yes, all of us know the us news rankings are total bs but for better or worse that is the defacto standard that is throw out there. i thought the wvu2020 strategic plan would help with this, that maybe we would climb a little and pass such schools like kent st and edgewood college and catch up to texas tech and louisville. chrissakes...i can't believe i just typed that...catch louisville. so how do you think we need to prepare, and for what? an acc/sec invite? a drop to fcs? and i'm not trying to be a tool here, but i'm frustrated with all that wvu has been through in the past and i thought we finally had a home where we didn't have to worry about expansion...teams being disgruntled and possibly leaving...stunted leadership...worrying what will happen to us now that our meal ticket is breaking apart. that's why i do not speak in negative terms about uconn, usf, cincy, etc. it's not too far fetched to think that we may be conference brethren again down the road.

 

[Buckaineer]

that's the second time i've heard that from you buck..."wvu needs to be prepared". i agree with you on this, but what does that mean? we've done good with getting the football stadium renovations rolling...new baseball stadium...new basketball practice facility, but we're still not making major waves in any of these sports. the population of wv is still below 2 million people. our education ranking is still around 175 and, yes, all of us know the us news rankings are total bs but for better or worse that is the defacto standard that is throw out there. i thought the wvu2020 strategic plan would help with this, that maybe we would climb a little and pass such schools like kent st and edgewood college and catch up to texas tech and louisville. chrissakes...i can't believe i just typed that...catch louisville. so how do you think we need to prepare, and for what? an acc/sec invite? a drop to fcs? and i'm not trying to be a tool here, but i'm frustrated with all that wvu has been through in the past and i thought we finally had a home where we didn't have to worry about expansion...teams being disgruntled and possibly leaving...stunted leadership...worrying what will happen to us now that our meal ticket is breaking apart. that's why i do not speak in negative terms about uconn, usf, cincy, etc. it's not too far fetched to think that we may be conference brethren again down the road.

One would hope the leaders of WVU are doing what Oliver Luck and a few others did--reaching out and opening doors "behind the scenes" and selling WVU and its athletics--like others appear to be doing.

On an academic level its time for the institution to move forward in some of these academic standings-in whatever ways that is possible, rather than largely ignoring them. Sports programs need to be succesful as possible. Fans need to be fans again or move on--nothing is more damaging than the constant negativity and lack of support WVU has received these past five years. The Morgantown community needs to ramp up its efforts to be an attractive destination for fans and visitors.

Things are beginning to look very much like the old Big East and this time for WVU there likely won't be any place to go but down-unless they've opened some doors now shut.

If nothing is done then fans should prepare themselves. Those that have bitched up a storm over BIG 12 P5 membership are going to still be bitching about travel, but rather than going to play OU and UT it might be to visit Tulsa and SMU or something similar.

 

[topdecktiger]

that's the second time i've heard that from you buck..."wvu needs to be prepared". i agree with you on this, but what does that mean? we've done good with getting the football stadium renovations rolling...new baseball stadium...new basketball practice facility, but we're still not making major waves in any of these sports. the population of wv is still below 2 million people. our education ranking is still around 175 and, yes, all of us know the us news rankings are total bs but for better or worse that is the defacto standard that is throw out there. i thought the wvu2020 strategic plan would help with this, that maybe we would climb a little and pass such schools like kent st and edgewood college and catch up to texas tech and louisville. chrissakes...i can't believe i just typed that...catch louisville. so how do you think we need to prepare, and for what? an acc/sec invite? a drop to fcs? and i'm not trying to be a tool here, but i'm frustrated with all that wvu has been through in the past and i thought we finally had a home where we didn't have to worry about expansion...teams being disgruntled and possibly leaving...stunted leadership...worrying what will happen to us now that our meal ticket is breaking apart. that's why i do not speak in negative terms about uconn, usf, cincy, etc. it's not too far fetched to think that we may be conference brethren again down the road.

The big problem here is this idea that somehow the Big 12 is in trouble. It is not.

 

[Buckaineer]

who did OU wait for to lose this year to make the playoffs?

Stanford and Notre Dame had to lose a second game or one of them would have gotten the fourth slot.

As it was, without the CCG OU dropped just as TCU and Baylor did last year.

 

[GetYaNumbersUp]

Stanford and Notre Dame had to lose a second game or one of them would have gotten the fourth slot.

As it was, without the CCG OU dropped just as TCU and Baylor did last year.

well Notre Dame isn't in a conference so that doesn't really help your case.

And a one loss Stanford vs a one loss OU would have been a toss up. Despite OU's TERRIBLE lost to an awful Texas team.

 

[Buckaineer]

well Notre Dame isn't in a conference so that doesn't really help your case.

And a one loss Stanford vs a one loss OU would have been a toss up. Despite OU's TERRIBLE lost to an awful Texas team.

Its not my argument, its a disadvantage the BIG 12 faces-has nothing to do with me at all I'm simply discussing the situation as a WVU fan. If you were one too, you'd probably be a bit concerned about the conference having internal struggles.

Notre Dame doesn't have to be in a conference, if they win 12 games or go 11-1 they are more or less in the same position as the BIG 12 champ fair or not.

the media was heavily pushing Stanford-which rose in the polls while OU fell.

 

[Round Hillbilly]

The big problem here is this idea that somehow the Big 12 is in trouble. It is not.

i dig your optimism tiger, but i am one of the sufferers of blocked punt syndrome and i can't help but think of the old adage that you prepare for the worse and hope for the best. i would like nothing better than to look foolish for being concerned about the stability of the big12. i think it was absolutely the best move for wvu at the time and i love this conference, and i do not want to see it come apart. but when ou spouts off and makes a list of paths forward (demands if you will) for the conference, and nothing to this point gives you any hope that any of these proposals will be adopted, then you worry. what makes it worse is the other heavyweight in the conference wants the opposite. i believe that these things aren't to be taken lightly

 

[HurdyGurdyEer]

Be prepared?
Be prepared to do what .... join a conference that doesn't invite us?
Is there some kind of kind of "Conference Collapse Survival Kit" that WVU can order from Amazon and have on hand?

The only thing that WVU can do is what it did in the past .... make the best of the hand they are dealt at the time it is dealt. WVU's biggest problem is that it is in WV and nothing will change that.

 

[Buckaineer]

Be prepared?
Be prepared to do what .... join a conference that doesn't invite us?
Is there some kind of kind of "Conference Collapse Survival Kit" that WVU can order from Amazon and have on hand?

The only thing that WVU can do is what it did in the past .... make the best of the hand they are dealt at the time it is dealt. WVU's biggest problem is that it is in WV and nothing will change that.

No, you just keep on burying your head in the sand. WVU's leaders will take care of it hopefully. If not enjoy your trips to Greenville and Temple.

 

[GetYaNumbersUp]

No, you just keep on burying your head in the sand. WVU's leaders will take care of it hopefully. If not enjoy your trips to Greenville and Temple.

If it was up to you we'd be travelling to Greenville and Temple for Big 12 conference games!

 

[xWVU2010x]

No, you just keep on burying your head in the sand. WVU's leaders will take care of it hopefully. If not enjoy your trips to Greenville and Temple.

There is no such thing as being proactive when it comes to conference expansion. The ACC, the B1G, the SEC all know who is out there, they know who WVU is, our AD calling their presidents and "selling" WVU on them is not a realistic scenario.

If the Big XII collapses we will end up in a conference of similar caliber as the Big East circa 2004-2010. That is a letdown, but it doesn't throw us in the same lot as the current AAC which is universally recognized as midmajor while the Big East was recognized nationally as a tier above the rest but a tier under the other 5.

In a hypothetical doomsday scenario we would be trading Texas (B1G) and Oklahoma (SEC) for probably BYU and Cincy. While that would suck, it still beats the old Big East in terms of respect and strength of schedule.

 

[Buckaineer]

There is no such thing as being proactive when it comes to conference expansion. The ACC, the B1G, the SEC all know who is out there, they know who WVU is, our AD calling their presidents and "selling" WVU on them is not a realistic scenario.

If the Big XII collapses we will end up in a conference of similar caliber as the Big East circa 2004-2010. That is a letdown, but it doesn't throw us in the same lot as the current AAC which is universally recognized as midmajor while the Big East was recognized nationally as a tier above the rest but a tier under the other 5.

In a hypothetical doomsday scenario we would be trading Texas (B1G) and Oklahoma (SEC) for probably BYU and Cincy. While that would suck, it still beats the old Big East in terms of respect and strength of schedule.

Yeah, that's why WVU is in the BIG 12 instead of the AAC now--because nobody did anything back as the last realignment was coming around. At least WVU fans have the comfort of knowing you aren't in charge.

 

[Buckaineer]

If it was up to you we'd be travelling to Greenville and Temple for Big 12 conference games!

Up to me? You may not have noticed but the BIG 12 composition committee has identified schools--not me--and no, Greenville and Philly aren't on the list.

 

[xWVU2010x]

Yeah, that's why WVU is in the BIG 12 instead of the AAC now--because nobody did anything back as the last realignment was coming around. At least WVU fans have the comfort of knowing you aren't in charge.

I guarantee the Big XII would have taken WVU with or without Luck. We were the best option left standing, who were they going to take instead? Cincy?

You don't think Luck wanted to be picked ahead of Louisville when the ACC had the next selection?

The conferences with the money hold all the cards. If the SEC decided they want to obliterate the Big XII, they could do it in 5 seconds and WVU would be powerless to stop them because the Big XII is a decided #5 on the money totem pole, just like when the Big East was the decided #6 in 2003 and 2009. We were not "proactive" then, we were lucky as hell that Texas A&M, Mizzou, Colorado, and Nebraska opened up seats at the table for us, and we were similarly lucky as hell the ACC and B1G couldn't help their greedy selves from opening up seats at the table for Pitt, Louisville, Syracuse, and Rutgers leaving us and TCU the best options available for the Big XII. Oliver Luck had nothing to do with any of that, we were just the best remaining option for a league desperate to maintain a strong football reputation following a raid.

I cant believe you actually think the AD can just make a few phone calls and sell someone on WVU. If our AD actually shared your asinine way of thinking to do such a thing it would immediately spread like wildfire that WVU wants out and we risk destabilizing the Big XII which would be an astronomically over the top stupid thing for us to do considering our position in college athletics. If our AD ever did such a thing without knowing damn well the person he is calling will 100% accept WVU into their league then he should be fired effective immediately.

 

[michaelwalkerbr]

I guarantee the Big XII would have taken WVU with or without Luck. We were the best option left standing, who were they going to take instead? Cincy?

You don't think Luck wanted to be picked ahead of Louisville when the ACC had the next selection?

The conferences with the money hold all the cards. If the SEC decided they want to obliterate the Big XII, they could do it in 5 seconds and WVU would be powerless to stop them because the Big XII is a decided #5 on the money totem pole, just like when the Big East was the decided #6 in 2003 and 2009. We were not "proactive" then, we were lucky as hell that Texas A&M, Mizzou, Colorado, and Nebraska opened up seats at the table for us, and we were similarly lucky as hell the ACC and B1G couldn't help their greedy selves from opening up seats at the table for Pitt, Louisville, Syracuse, and Rutgers leaving us and TCU the best options available for the Big XII. Oliver Luck had nothing to do with any of that, we were just the best remaining option for a league desperate to maintain a strong football reputation following a raid.

I cant believe you actually think the AD can just make a few phone calls and sell someone on WVU. If our AD actually shared your asinine way of thinking to do such a thing it would immediately spread like wildfire that WVU wants out and we risk destabilizing the Big XII which would be an astronomically over the top stupid thing for us to do considering our position in college athletics. If our AD ever did such a thing without knowing damn well the person he is calling will 100% accept WVU into their league then he should be fired effective immediately.

Without debating any of the rest, the Big 12 paid out more per school than any other conference last year to those receiving a full share. I can prove it.

 

[topdecktiger]

Without debating any of the rest, the Big 12 paid out more per school than any other conference last year to those receiving a full share. I can prove it.

I'm not sure what you're actually referring to here. The numbers for last year are pretty clear. The Big 12 paid out $27 million to each school except TCU and West Virginia, who got reduced shares. The SEC and Big Ten paid out ~$30 million to each school. Where did the Big 12 pay out more per school?

 

[michaelwalkerbr]

You're including the network payout in the SEC and Big 10, the Big 12 schools each had their own. WVU was paid $6.6 million by IMG. Without including network income, the Big 12 was highest per school. Allow me a moment to look it up. Apples to apples, the Big 12 was highest. Give me a minute.

http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2015/05/sec_schools_to_each_reportedly.html

2013 - Big 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby has said Forbes.com projections of $26.2 million per school ($262 million split 10 ways) aren't exact but are “in the ballpark.” League sources with direct knowledge of Big 12 revenue plans agree but admit they don't know the origin of that figure.

The projections don't include third-tier television rights, which the schools control and, in some cases, garner serious side money. (Texas and West Virginia are both reportedly over $9 million per year.)

The Big 12 makes about $200 million per year from television deals with Fox and ESPN that kicked in this year and go for 13 seasons. NCAA tournament credits and bowl revenues add to the pot.

Kansas State, the conference's lone BCS bowl recipient last season, gets a reward of around $900,000 after selling its full allotment of 17,500 Fiesta Bowl tickets. In this case, the Wildcats get to keep 100 percent of the sales from 25 percent of the allotment (4,375 tickets).

West Virginia and Texas Christian won't get full revenue shares until 2016 when they are fully vested. The two schools receive partial membership payout until then.

I'm try to get more updated figures for the Big 12 because they increased since 2013. They may not be first, but per school are far from last of the power 5.

 

[michaelwalkerbr]

Big 12
50 million for CFP
6 million for Oklahoma (Final 4)
40 million for Sugar Bowl
around 13,862,500 for the other bowls (Alamo, Texas, Orlando, Liberty and Cactus)
300,000 APR money

110,162,500 total from above

This is just the bowl and playoff money. All of that above is divided by the 10 teams in the league evenly

This does not count the ESPN/FOX TV Deal, which is around 200,000,000 (20 mil per year)
This also does not county the NCAA Tournament money, which is usually around 2 million..

 

[Orlaco]

I'm starting to think that most people don't even understand the meaning of, 'Imperative'.

 

[Darth_VadEER]

I guarantee the Big XII would have taken WVU with or without Luck. We were the best option left standing, who were they going to take instead? Cincy?

You don't think Luck wanted to be picked ahead of Louisville when the ACC had the next selection?

The conferences with the money hold all the cards. If the SEC decided they want to obliterate the Big XII, they could do it in 5 seconds and WVU would be powerless to stop them because the Big XII is a decided #5 on the money totem pole, just like when the Big East was the decided #6 in 2003 and 2009. We were not "proactive" then, we were lucky as hell that Texas A&M, Mizzou, Colorado, and Nebraska opened up seats at the table for us, and we were similarly lucky as hell the ACC and B1G couldn't help their greedy selves from opening up seats at the table for Pitt, Louisville, Syracuse, and Rutgers leaving us and TCU the best options available for the Big XII. Oliver Luck had nothing to do with any of that, we were just the best remaining option for a league desperate to maintain a strong football reputation following a raid.

I cant believe you actually think the AD can just make a few phone calls and sell someone on WVU. If our AD actually shared your asinine way of thinking to do such a thing it would immediately spread like wildfire that WVU wants out and we risk destabilizing the Big XII which would be an astronomically over the top stupid thing for us to do considering our position in college athletics. If our AD ever did such a thing without knowing damn well the person he is calling will 100% accept WVU into their league then he should be fired effective immediately.

Bribes would help and I'd be surprised if money weren't changing hands off the books at some point during this process - or at least offers.

Luck and Clements did a fine job but in the end WVU was accepted on its own merits. Steve Pedersen might be the worst AD in the country and Pitt still got into the ACC despite him.

University presidents have conversations with other representatives and counterparts all the time. Loyalty is for suckers.

 

[topdecktiger]

You're including the network payout in the SEC and Big 10, the Big 12 schools each had their own. WVU was paid $6.6 million by IMG. Without including network income, the Big 12 was highest per school. Allow me a moment to look it up. Apples to apples, the Big 12 was highest. Give me a minute.

http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2015/05/sec_schools_to_each_reportedly.html

2013 - Big 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby has said Forbes.com projections of $26.2 million per school ($262 million split 10 ways) aren't exact but are “in the ballpark.” League sources with direct knowledge of Big 12 revenue plans agree but admit they don't know the origin of that figure.

The projections don't include third-tier television rights, which the schools control and, in some cases, garner serious side money. (Texas and West Virginia are both reportedly over $9 million per year.)

The Big 12 makes about $200 million per year from television deals with Fox and ESPN that kicked in this year and go for 13 seasons. NCAA tournament credits and bowl revenues add to the pot.

Kansas State, the conference's lone BCS bowl recipient last season, gets a reward of around $900,000 after selling its full allotment of 17,500 Fiesta Bowl tickets. In this case, the Wildcats get to keep 100 percent of the sales from 25 percent of the allotment (4,375 tickets).

West Virginia and Texas Christian won't get full revenue shares until 2016 when they are fully vested. The two schools receive partial membership payout until then.

I'm try to get more updated figures for the Big 12 because they increased since 2013. They may not be first, but per school are far from last of the power 5.

That's what I thought. You have to include the network for the SEC and Big Ten. That counts. The issue here is the payout each conference distributes. Well, excluding the network from the SEC & Big Ten's payouts is sort of denying reality, because those schools will have the money to spend when it comes time to hire coaches or build facilities. Let's say Arkansas and Texas Tech both want to hire a coach. Arkansas is going to have that extra $5 million from the network to spend on that coach, and Texas Tech won't. Trying to exclude the network money is just a way to try to make the Big 12's number look bigger.

You also mentioned the $6.6 million West Virginia got from IMG. That's not part of the conference payout. Therefore, it's not an apples to apples comparison. If you want to compare conference payouts, then you can only include money actually paid out by the conference. All the schools from the other conferences have deals with IMG (or Learfield) as well. If you want to include the IMG money for West Virginia, then you have to include the IMG (or Learfield) money for the other schools as well. If you only count it for one and not the other, that's an inaccurate comparison.

I agree with you that the Big 12 isn't the lowest paid conference, but they aren't the highest paid either.

Big 12
50 million for CFP
6 million for Oklahoma (Final 4)
40 million for Sugar Bowl
around 13,862,500 for the other bowls (Alamo, Texas, Orlando, Liberty and Cactus)
300,000 APR money

110,162,500 total from above

This is just the bowl and playoff money. All of that above is divided by the 10 teams in the league evenly

This does not count the ESPN/FOX TV Deal, which is around 200,000,000 (20 mil per year)
This also does not county the NCAA Tournament money, which is usually around 2 million..

That still doesn't put the Big 12 #1. Everybody gets the $50 million from the CFP. Everybody but the Pac 12 got the $6 million for the playoffs. The SEC also got $40 million for the Sugar Bowl. The SEC got $21.2 million from other bowls ( Texas, Birmingham, Belk, Music City, OUtback, Citrus, Taxslayer, Liberty). Don't know about the APR. That would total out to $117 million. That's also not counting the SEC's TV money or NCAA money.

I'm not trying to rag on the Big 12. I'm just pointing out that it's just as inaccurate to say the Big 12 is the highest paid as it is to say it's the lowest paid.

 

[michaelwalkerbr]

I have no argument with what you're saying as the best comparative figures I could find were for 2014 and the link would not copy. The reason I was not counting the network payout from other conferences was because that is the equivalent of what Big 12 schools receive from their third tier rights which was not included. That puts the SEC, Big 10 and Big 12 fairly close per school after all the money is counted. The SEC and Big 10 networks are doing quite well but the ACC is a disaster so far in that respect. Of course Texas brings in more income than anyone and Notre Dame is second. I don't know how anyone can overcome the LHN or convince Texas to give it up. I appreciate not being slammed for my unsuccessful research. My whole point was the Big 12 schools are not the weak sisters of the poor financially as some seem to think.

 

[Charleston Mountie]

I guarantee the Big XII would have taken WVU with or without Luck. We were the best option left standing, who were they going to take instead? Cincy?

You don't think Luck wanted to be picked ahead of Louisville when the ACC had the next selection?

The conferences with the money hold all the cards. If the SEC decided they want to obliterate the Big XII, they could do it in 5 seconds and WVU would be powerless to stop them because the Big XII is a decided #5 on the money totem pole, just like when the Big East was the decided #6 in 2003 and 2009. We were not "proactive" then, we were lucky as hell that Texas A&M, Mizzou, Colorado, and Nebraska opened up seats at the table for us, and we were similarly lucky as hell the ACC and B1G couldn't help their greedy selves from opening up seats at the table for Pitt, Louisville, Syracuse, and Rutgers leaving us and TCU the best options available for the Big XII. Oliver Luck had nothing to do with any of that, we were just the best remaining option for a league desperate to maintain a strong football reputation following a raid.

I cant believe you actually think the AD can just make a few phone calls and sell someone on WVU. If our AD actually shared your asinine way of thinking to do such a thing it would immediately spread like wildfire that WVU wants out and we risk destabilizing the Big XII which would be an astronomically over the top stupid thing for us to do considering our position in college athletics. If our AD ever did such a thing without knowing damn well the person he is calling will 100% accept WVU into their league then he should be fired effective immediately.

Wrong. They would have taken Louisvlle and if Louisville went to the Big-12 the ACC would still not have invited WVU in. UConn would be in there now instead. WVU would be in the AAC suffering. No one is saying Luck made a few calls and got it done. Stop being a gadfly tossing out strawmen, you don't pull it off very well.

 

[Darth_VadEER]

Wrong. They would have taken Louisvlle and if Louisville went to the Big-12 the ACC would still not have invited WVU in. UConn would be in there now instead. WVU would be in the AAC suffering. No one is saying Luck made a few calls and got it done. Stop being a gadfly tossing out strawmen, you don't pull it off very well.

I think the networks preferred us over Louisville.

IMO, I think we would have gotten in the ACC. Clemson/FSU were making the call that time, not tobacco road. BC was firmly blocking UConn.

 

[Rootmaster]

The Big 12-2=10 is beginning to sound like they have adopted the "leading from behind" strategy.

 

[topdecktiger]

I have no argument with what you're saying as the best comparative figures I could find were for 2014 and the link would not copy. The reason I was not counting the network payout from other conferences was because that is the equivalent of what Big 12 schools receive from their third tier rights which was not included. That puts the SEC, Big 10 and Big 12 fairly close per school after all the money is counted. The SEC and Big 10 networks are doing quite well but the ACC is a disaster so far in that respect. Of course Texas brings in more income than anyone and Notre Dame is second. I don't know how anyone can overcome the LHN or convince Texas to give it up. I appreciate not being slammed for my unsuccessful research. My whole point was the Big 12 schools are not the weak sisters of the poor financially as some seem to think.

Which is why I say some posters are way off on this whole thing. The reality is that the 5 major conferences make lightyears more money that the G5 leagues, and as long as it's that way, all 5 will continue to exist. In reality, there is only one significant issue for the Big 12, and that's the 13th data point. That issue has now been resolved. The Big 12 is allowed to have a CCG. The only question is whether to do it with 10 or 12 teams. Either solution will work. There is just the relatively minor convenience of either having a guaranteed rematch, or taking on two schools that are essentially place holders. If it was me, I would just take the guaranteed rematch. Not really that big of a deal, since other leagues have rematches pretty frequently. It may look a little goofy, but who cares? It's not like BYU or Cincinnati are going anywhere if you need them in the future.

 

[Rootmaster]

It is not all about on field...it is however mostly about market coverage and media potential. Don't think so? Rutgers (NYC) in the Big 10. Maryland (Washington/Baltimore) in the Big 10. Again, the Big 12-2=10 sounds a lot like it is trying to lead from behind...the times.

 

[VaultHunter]

So the Big10 will take Rutgers but the Big12 shouldn't take UConn? Would you rather have UConn or Rutgers right now?

 

[xgunnx]

So the Big10 will take Rutgers but the Big12 shouldn't take UConn? Would you rather have UConn or Rutgers right now?

UCONN
-OR-
RUTGERS

Easy answer Rutgers.

 

[xWVU2010x]

Wrong. They would have taken Louisvlle and if Louisville went to the Big-12 the ACC would still not have invited WVU in. UConn would be in there now instead. WVU would be in the AAC suffering. No one is saying Luck made a few calls and got it done. Stop being a gadfly tossing out strawmen, you don't pull it off very well.

If the Big XII wanted Louisville, they would have invited Louisville, its possible Louisville knew the ACC would come calling and declined behind the scenes, well never know. Buckaineer literally thinks that WVU can somehow be proactive in finding a new conference, as if were sitting here hiding some unknown trump card, if he isnt asserting that Luck or our current AD can make cold calls and sell a new conference on WVU then I have no idea what he is asserting.

 

[xWVU2010x]

So the Big10 will take Rutgers but the Big12 shouldn't take UConn? Would you rather have UConn or Rutgers right now?

To be fair, UConn isnt dramatically out of the Big Ten's footprint. I dont think the Big XII would ever want either school unless its hand was forced.

 

[Buckaineer]

I guarantee the Big XII would have taken WVU with or without Luck. We were the best option left standing, who were they going to take instead? Cincy?

You don't think Luck wanted to be picked ahead of Louisville when the ACC had the next selection?

The conferences with the money hold all the cards. If the SEC decided they want to obliterate the Big XII, they could do it in 5 seconds and WVU would be powerless to stop them because the Big XII is a decided #5 on the money totem pole, just like when the Big East was the decided #6 in 2003 and 2009. We were not "proactive" then, we were lucky as hell that Texas A&M, Mizzou, Colorado, and Nebraska opened up seats at the table for us, and we were similarly lucky as hell the ACC and B1G couldn't help their greedy selves from opening up seats at the table for Pitt, Louisville, Syracuse, and Rutgers leaving us and TCU the best options available for the Big XII. Oliver Luck had nothing to do with any of that, we were just the best remaining option for a league desperate to maintain a strong football reputation following a raid.

I cant believe you actually think the AD can just make a few phone calls and sell someone on WVU. If our AD actually shared your asinine way of thinking to do such a thing it would immediately spread like wildfire that WVU wants out and we risk destabilizing the Big XII which would be an astronomically over the top stupid thing for us to do considering our position in college athletics. If our AD ever did such a thing without knowing damn well the person he is calling will 100% accept WVU into their league then he should be fired effective immediately.

WVU would not have been selected in the BIG 12 if Luck and others had not reached out to that conference and sold the conference on WVU. There were numerous schools in consideration at the time--several were approached before WVU such as Air Force and Brigham Young. Its commonly understood that Louisville was under high level consideration and had no one been actively working day and night to get WVU into the BIG 12 then Louisville would probably be in their now and WVU would be sitting in the AAC more than likely.

 

[Buckaineer]

If the Big XII wanted Louisville, they would have invited Louisville, its possible Louisville knew the ACC would come calling and declined behind the scenes, well never know. Buckaineer literally thinks that WVU can somehow be proactive in finding a new conference, as if were sitting here hiding some unknown trump card, if he isnt asserting that Luck or our current AD can make cold calls and sell a new conference on WVU then I have no idea what he is asserting.

and xWVU2010x thinks that WVU is going to have a chance to remain in a power conference by sitting on its @$$ and doing nothing to put itself in the best position compared to other programs should realignment happen again. This type of thinking will lead WVU straight out of major college athletics.

Of course WVUs leadership needs to meet with leaders of other conferences and sell WVU. If xWVU2010 didn't have his/her head buried in the sand he'd realize that is what is going on all the time with schools--several leaders of schools trying to get into the BIG 12 for example have been visiting in person with leaders in the BIG 12, selling their school and what they can bring. They have posted about these meetings on social media and elsewhere. To think that you can just sit back, do nothing and magically you'll be picked up is about as delusional a thought process as I've ever seen.

WVU and WVU's community has to be proactive--they are in competition with others. Oliver Luck understood that and worked hard along with others to make opportunities for WVU. Had he not, WVU wouldn't be in a major conference now. Depending on the outcome of meetings in the BIG 12 over the next several months WVU might find itself in a similar position in the next several years. There are many things that need improvement that will take time to improve and you don't just sit back and wait until its too late.

 

[Buckaineer]

To be fair, UConn isnt dramatically out of the Big Ten's footprint. I dont think the Big XII would ever want either school unless its hand was forced.

UConn is on the BIG 12's radar. Geography is about the only thing that doesn't work in their favor.