Big Ten to Expand?

[HD MM]

The problem with the TV rights is the existence of the Big Ten Network. They developed an entire network to show their games and an NBC contract would make that a mess.

The national channels (ABC and ESPN) still seem to get first dibs on the elite Big-10 games of the week. I can't remember a significant Big-10 game EVER being on Big Ten Network.

If Notre Dame would join the conference, I'd imagine they'd work something out where NBC would get the marque games (that ABC and ESPN split now) and the Big Ten Network would get the scraps.

 

[anders5189]

The national channels (ABC and ESPN) still seem to get first dibs on the elite Big-10 games of the week. I can't remember a significant Big-10 game EVER being on Big Ten Network.

If Notre Dame would join the conference, I'd imagine they'd work something out where NBC would get the marque games (that ABC and ESPN split now) and the Big Ten Network would get the scraps.

Right. And Comcast is buying NBC, and they own the Big Ten Network (or half of it), so I doubt they'd have a problem.

 

[mdonnelly]

You show me a contract and I'll show you a lawyer that can break it.

Assuming the right amount of money changes hands.

 

[Curtis0620]

NEWSFLASH!!!

Notre Dame is not joining a conference. They will not share their revenue.

Move on.

 

[Derwin0]

The problem with the TV rights is the existence of the Big Ten Network. They developed an entire network to show their games and an NBC contract would make that a mess.

Not really.

The Notre Dame home games would just remain on NBC, and the Big 10 home games remain on their current contracts.

When 1 or both is up for renewel, Notre Dame would get folded into the overall Big 10 TV deal.

 

[Derwin0]

My guess is PITT.

I hope so, that way Penn St. wouldn't be able to keep dodging an annual game with them like they do now.

 

[yaz96]

A statement that says nothing--------- we're thinking about thinking about it, just like we have thought about it in the past.................


Big Ten Statement on Expansion

Dec. 15, 2009

The Big Ten Council of Presidents/Chancellors (COP/C) discussed the future of the Big Ten Conference at its winter meetings on Dec. 6 in Park Ridge, Illinois. The following statement is issued by the Big Ten office on behalf of the COP/C.

Penn State joined the Big Ten Conference in June of 1990 and its addition has been an unqualified success. In 1993, 1998 and 2003 the COP/C, in coordination with the commissioner's office, reviewed the issue of conference structure and expansion. The COP/C believes that the timing is right for the conference to once again conduct a thorough evaluation of options for conference structure and expansion. As a result, the commissioner was asked to provide recommendations for consideration by the COP/C over the next 12 to 18 months.

The COP/C understands that speculation about the conference is ongoing. The COP/C has asked the conference office to obtain, to the extent possible, information necessary to construct preliminary options and recommendations without engaging in formal discussions with leadership of other institutions. If and when such discussions become necessary the COP/C has instructed Commissioner James E. Delany to inform the Chair of the COP/C, Michigan State University President Lou Anna K. Simon, and then to notify the commissioner of the affected conference(s). Only after these notices have occurred will the Big Ten engage in formal expansion discussions with other institutions. This process will allow the Big Ten to evaluate options, while respecting peer conferences and their member institutions. No action by the COP/C is expected in the near term. No interim statements will be made by the Big Ten or the COP/C until after the COP/C receives the commissioner's recommendations and the COP/C determines next steps, if any, in this area.

 

[anders5189]

In layman's terms what they said was, yes, we know it's ridiculous that we have 11 teams, and we're sick of seeing other conferences have CG's that make lots of money while we foolishly finish our season right after Halloween. We're going to look at every possible option to persuade a certain school in bumf*ck Indiana to get off their high horse and join the conference. This may take 12-18 months because they are stubborn bastards, but we wanted to issue this statement to let you know that we are aware of the problem and are looking into it.

 

[Jimbo]

Wow. I'm quite surprised about this. The Big 10 (with 11 current teams) will now have 12 teams in it's conference? Weird.

I'm hoping for Notre Dame, but if they were the ones, you'd think the news would've leaked long before today's surprising announcement.

So far they are only talking about expansion, I don't think any teams have been offered or accepted.

I did hear rumors about Missouri as well.

 

[Jimbo]

The problem with the TV rights is the existence of the Big Ten Network. They developed an entire network to show their games and an NBC contract would make that a mess.

Not really, they (Big Ten) already have a contract with ESPN and ABC.

 

[HD MM]

In layman's terms what they said was, yes, we know it's ridiculous that we have 11 teams, and we're sick of seeing other conferences have CG's that make lots of money while we foolishly finish our season right after Halloween. We're going to look at every possible option to persuade a certain school in bumf*ck Indiana to get off their high horse and join the conference. This may take 12-18 months because they are stubborn bastards, but we wanted to issue this statement to let you know that we are aware of the problem and are looking into it.

lol. Good interpretation. :up

 

[HD MM]

According to the local paper here in Ohio-land, the potential 12th team will be: Syracuse, Rutgers, Pitt, Missouri, Nebraska or Notre Dame.

 

[HD MM]

According to the local paper here in Ohio-land, the potential 12th team will be: Syracuse, Rutgers, Pitt, Missouri, Nebraska or Notre Dame.

Based on locality, the only two that make sense is Pitt or Notre Dame.

 

[Derwin0]

According to the local paper here in Ohio-land, the potential 12th team will be: Syracuse, Rutgers, Pitt, Missouri, Nebraska or Notre Dame.

I can't see either Nebraska or Missouri leaving the Big 12 for the Big 10. There's no gain for them.

Rutgers, or Pitt would leave the Big East in a heartbeat, Syracuse though is a basketball school, they gain nothing by leaving the Big East and going to the Big 10.

Notre Dame, is a wild card though, they've turned down the Big 10 before.

 

[Paul Wozniak]

They could call the expanded conference BIG 10 +2

 

[Ramy]

They could call the expanded conference BIG 10 +2

 

[mdonnelly]

They could call the expanded conference BIG 10 +2

If they could count, it would be the Big-XI now, not the Big-X. No reason to change the name of your conference just because you add a team.

 

[david1314]

I can't see either Nebraska or Missouri leaving the Big 12 for the Big 10. There's no gain for them.

Rutgers, or Pitt would leave the Big East in a heartbeat, Syracuse though is a basketball school, they gain nothing by leaving the Big East and going to the Big 10.

Notre Dame, is a wild card though, they've turned down the Big 10 before.

The gain for Nebraska or Missouri would be vastly increased revenues.


The Big Ten thanks to their Own TV Network plus thier deals with ABC/ESPN makes far more money to hand out to their members than the Big 12 does.

I think the first most obvious choice would be Notre Dame but they probably can't get them.
After that Nebraska,Missouri and possibly a couple of others.

Only teams out of the Big East that would make sense would be Pitt or West Virginia. Rutgers brings nothing to the table whatsoever.

 

[Jimbo]

They could call the expanded conference BIG 10 +2

 

[Jimbo]

If they could count, it would be the Big-XI now, not the Big-X. No reason to change the name of your conference just because you add a team.

Wasn't the Pac 12 originally the Pac 8 ?