Conference realignment "Rumors" "tweets" "etc"

[raptorcj]

26 minutes ago, footnfan1 said:

Agree completely. If they add two, Florida will be left out which refreshes my opinion, that the B12 may just go poof like the B East.

I think they're going to do what they can to appease TX & OK. They're the pillars, so if they crumble then I agree the B12 is on life support.

[Apis Bull]

Screw it!  We should approach the ACC right now.  Just kidding...sort of.

[GaUSFBull]

Prepare to be assimilated into the realignment thread in 3 ... 2 ... 1 ... Must get to 1000 pages

[The Sheriff]

I can't stress how important the month of September will be for our football program. If we slay FSU at home, the world of college football will be watching if the Big 12 hasn't finalized their decision.

[Flowers4Heisman]

I'm just a little jacked up about expansion... Sorry for all these posts. You can ignore me in your profile.

(1) So, why did they suddenly change their mind about expansion?

* Their 2 consultants gave them the reports (ESPN). And I bet the ACC's TV move also didn't hurt.

* I'm shocked to read that it was a unanimous vote for moving forward with expansion.

(2) What's with the new language replacing "dilutive" and "taking our money"?

"We are looking for members that will grow over time as we grow," Bowlsby said. "That bring stability. That have a high top end." (ESPN)

*I think those reports have a lot to do with the change in the tone.

* PLUS, they intend to leverage the current TV contracts to keep the money intact. And I bet they are going to make more money by making the new teams take less.

But the rights fees money that once seemed to have dried up is still flowing. The Big 12 would exercise a clause in its contract that guarantees any new members receive pro rata -- an equal share as current members. ESPN and Fox agreed to the clause when the contract was negotiated in 2012.

As of now, the winners -- er, expansion schools -- would get an automatic annual revenue increase to approximately $30 million per year.

The Big 12's payout increases to $35 million next year and $43 million at the end of the football deal in 2024, according to a source.

"We intend to exercise the full prerogative of what we negotiated," Bowlsby said. "I don't think we have to make apologies for stipulations we both agreed to."

* I also think that this means going to 14 will make them more money. Great for USF!

My conclusion:

The reports say that they'd be dumb not to cash in on the current TV contracts, forcing the networks to either pay or renegotiate. This is why this new tone of "grow as we grow." It was always about the money and it is STILL ABOUT THE MONEY.

And I bet that whoever gets in will have to agree to take less, so the current B12 teams will make money with expansion, because they networks will pay full distribution fees to the B12 with each addition. This is where they got the unanimous decision from (including Texas!).

Look for them to add 4 teams and take the front-end money. And if they conference fails, they will have the money. And if it succeeds, they will have leverage to renegotiate for a better TV deal(s).

I think USF is looking dang good right now (our chances for getting into a P5).

"There's several teams in the AAC and Mountain West that were BCS teams just five years ago," Bowlsby said. "Those are just monickers."

CBSSports

CBSSports

[raptorcj]

Move it to the realignment thread! Al...most...there

[Flowers4Heisman]

1 minute ago, raptorcj said:

Move it to the realignment thread! Al...most...there

We only want to add posts that add to the subject: We don't want to be dilutive. And is there any financial gain by adding this thread to the other thread? I need evidence!

[Joe]

52 minutes ago, The Sheriff said:

I can't stress how important the month of September will be for our football program. If we slay FSU at home, the world of college football will be watching if the Big 12 hasn't finalized their decision.

They'll have their decision by then if they don't already. If they want schools for 2017, they're moving fast

[Flowers4Heisman]

Big 12 could earn an additional $1 billion through expansion.

DALLAS -- Big 12 administrators will be presented with information this week at the league's spring meetings that expansion could earn the conference at least an additional $1 billion over the length of its remaining TV rights contract, CBS Sports has learned.

If the league expands by four teams, provisions in its contracts with ESPN and Fox provide money for that benchmark. If the expansion is by two teams, the increase would be $500 million.

Those rightsholders are contractually bound to provide "pro rata" for any new Big 12 members. That is, any new members would be paid an equal share of the current Big 12 members -- approximately $23 million per year.[...]

CBSsports

[KevinUSF00]

The downside of them potentially going to 4  is that who ever is left out (USF, UCF, Cincy, UConn, Memphis) is in a world of hurt! (I think Houston will eventually land in the Pac 12 if not in the Big 12). Terrible TV contracts and a watered down league. The  fall would be toughest for USF, Cincy, or UConn since each has already had a taste of BCS life. Just terrible to even think about. I can't.....

Edited July 20, 2016 by KevinUSF00