Phog is right at 20 pages on this subject. Not panic in the streets if this happens but the base is confused. One poster hoped that the "BIG might give them breadcrumbs" his words.
Conference Realignment
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The Galloping Ghost
- Washington, DC
So I grew up on the east coast and am current back there. I've never been to the true middle of the country. Despite living in a city with alums from pretty much everywhere, have never met a KU fan in the wild. So I will admit, I have a blind spot when it comes to KU. I understand theoretically that they must have fans since they have a blueblood basketball program. To those more knowledgable on the subject, does KU bring in the Kansas City market, despite, you know, the city being in a completely different state? Are there rabid KU fans, just not particularly in any place I've lived? I will say, despite their poor rankings, their AAU membership gives them a fighting chance on the academic front.
rivalry wise, sure. I was thinking more along academic prestige the B1G covets. UNC and UT are up there academically.
Illini92and96
- Austin, TX
I have lived in austin a long time. All my UT friends would identify more with the SEC than the BIG. SEC football perceived > BIG. Could play A&M and Arkansas again, and there are several road trip able games. Basketball is an afterthought.
those are the 2 schools I was thinking, along with maybe Virginia. high academic standards and not in scarcely populated states like Iowa or Kansas.
I don't think anyone can even argue that the SEC isn't superior in football. They're the best conference hands down. I thought UT made more sense in the B1G academically than the SEC. And although UT fans probably think they're still a powerhouse, not sure if the SEC is best for them football-wise. They could have joined the B1G and only OSU would for sure be above them. SEC might be rough for them.
Right. Virginia, North Carolina and Georgia Tech. All great schools with big research endowments in big, growing states with a ton of eyeballs for television sets.
DC, Atlanta and Charlotte are the 7th, 10th and 21st largest television markets in the US.
ETA - I’m not saying that the B1G will expand. I’m saying that were they to expand, this is the only direction that makes any sense from a sports, academic and financial standpoint.
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mattcoldagelli
- Script Illinois Enthusiast
To the KC market - yes. And, unlike Champaign/Chicago or Madison/Milwaukee, Lawrence is right there (I think it's like 25-30 min outside of KC).
If you look at the Big XII TV agreements, I think theirs is actually bigger than Oklahoma's, which is a testament to just how much interest there is in KU basketball, because that is arguably the worst P5 football program in America.
There's a lot about KU that just fits culturally with the B1G, too - despite where they are on the map, they've always felt more "Midwest" to me than Mizzou, who rightly went south. There is a *huge* contingent of suburban Chicago students there that likely plays a part in that (not that the B1G is hard up for Chicago alums, but it's not a bad thing).
The shorthand way to think about them is Basketball Nebraska, except the marquee program you thought you were getting actually delivers the goods.
Illini92and96
- Austin, TX
I agree SEC is best. UT fans think they are the best - the return is imminent.
I wonder if it’s even worth it for them. I’d be curious on the financials of the Big12 sans Texas and OU and how conference stability might factor into any calculations.
I mean let’s say Houston & Cinci do join but then we take Kansas. That’s not a super great spot to be in and arguably worse than the AAC and the Big12 is just gonna continue to get weaker until ACC, B10, SEC, and PAC settle into a final form.
The Galloping Ghost
- Washington, DC
Thanks for the info. I genuinely appreciate it @mattcoldagelli.
illini80
- Forgottonia
This is taking things a whole different direction I know, but the thing that enters my mind is: How would the courts rule on a challenge that the super conferences are shutting out (monopolizing) college sports in a way that is anti-competitive? I know little about the law in this regard, so if anyone wants to shut this idea down feel free.
Joel Goodson
- dawgville
not a laywer, but no chance
This might loom large over the coming season...
There’s a possible earthquake in the College Ball World. A newspaper account (and intriguing comments by made by interested parties) says that Texas and Oklahoma have reached out to the SEC about joining up.
This would lead to the likely breakup of the Big 12. If so... who might the Big Fourteen pick up from the remainders? Do we want Kansas a yearly date on the Illini schedule? Iowa State? Maybe West Virginia? All of these make geographic sense and the League would love to add some National names to the existing league dance card for increased exposure – especially if the SEC pulls in these giant programs.
West Virginia joins the Big 10 East? Kansas the West? A good thing, or not?
There’s a possible earthquake in the College Ball World. A newspaper account (and intriguing comments by made by interested parties) says that Texas and Oklahoma have reached out to the SEC about joining up.
This would lead to the likely breakup of the Big 12. If so... who might the Big Fourteen pick up from the remainders? Do we want Kansas a yearly date on the Illini schedule? Iowa State? Maybe West Virginia? All of these make geographic sense and the League would love to add some National names to the existing league dance card for increased exposure – especially if the SEC pulls in these giant programs.
West Virginia joins the Big 10 East? Kansas the West? A good thing, or not?
I don’t actually think the Big 10 is going to do anything if Texas and Oklahoma make the move. If Kansas tries to move to the ACC, they might try to intervene. More likely, I think the Big 10 is likely to sit out of any expansion movement until the ACC grant of rights agreements get closer to expiring in the 2030s.
If the Big 10 does anything, I think revisiting the proposed alliance with the PAC 12 that was explored back in 2012 might be the most likely.
If the Big 10 does anything, I think revisiting the proposed alliance with the PAC 12 that was explored back in 2012 might be the most likely.
I actully think this is a pretty competitive market, especially when compared to professional sports leagues. In what other sport do you see 5 leagues operating side-by-side at roughly the same level? Heck, I doubt any of the conferences has anywhere near the market share of the college football $$ that Apple has of the phone market (somewhere in the 40-45% range), and that doesnt seem to have been an issie for them.
(Disclaimer: I am a lawyer, but not an antitrust lawyer, so my knowledge on this stuff is very surface level)
Forget Kansas imo
Part of the pride we have in the BIG is the academic excellence. The Big 10 smokes the SEC and the Big 12 re academic reputation and excellence. I would much prefer it stays with that level of selectivity.
illini80
- Forgottonia
I’m sure it was a stretch, but I do wonder how the smaller market schools will compete. Esp when they are not going to be allowed in the super conferences. Thanks for your comments.
altenberger22
- South Carolina
Anytime two prominent schools like Texas and Oklahoma make noise about prospectively changing conferences, Kevin Warren, the league office and the member AD's need to be discussing both (1) the impact ON the Big 10, and (2) potential opportunities FOR the Big 10.
I think this forum has accurately identified the universities we may be targeting, if that proves best for the Big 10 conference:
1. Notre Dame (should always be target 1-A)
2. Texas - Texas (probably target 2-A)
3. Northeast & Boston - Boston College
3. Mid-Atlantic & Charlotte - Virginia, Duke, North Carolina
4. Southeast & Atlanta - Clemson and Georgia Tech
5. West & Denver - Colorado (Personally, I don't like the idea of going too far west)
6. Lower Midwest & St. Louis/Kansas City - Missouri & Kansas
Time for a name change too --- The Big 20!!!! (North/South divisions OR East/West divisions)
I think this forum has accurately identified the universities we may be targeting, if that proves best for the Big 10 conference:
1. Notre Dame (should always be target 1-A)
2. Texas - Texas (probably target 2-A)
3. Northeast & Boston - Boston College
3. Mid-Atlantic & Charlotte - Virginia, Duke, North Carolina
4. Southeast & Atlanta - Clemson and Georgia Tech
5. West & Denver - Colorado (Personally, I don't like the idea of going too far west)
6. Lower Midwest & St. Louis/Kansas City - Missouri & Kansas
Time for a name change too --- The Big 20!!!! (North/South divisions OR East/West divisions)
Not surprised. This is very bad news for any program that gets stuck in the post-UT/OU Big Ten.
all the other schools in the B12 should be .
it will really change things up
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