The Big 12 expansion groundswell

[falafel]

Here is a plot twist. Some reliable sources now saying that remaining 4-corner schools have agreed to band together. I.e., all 3 or nothing. I am wondering if the only thing that would accomplish is to put pressure on UW/Oregon to jump first.

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That reads more like opinion than fact or even rumor. Plus, I posted that tweet on the last page.

[Uncle Ted]

Does anyone happen to know when BYU's grant of rights to the Big 12 expires? Does it expire in 2031 when the new TV deal expires or is the GoR longer than the duration of the conference's current media contract? I've tried searching online but haven't been successful finding a conclusive answer.

I would assume it expires with the ESPN/Fox contract in 2031... Which is one year longer than the B1G contract. So if Ore and UW comes over to the Big 12 there is maybe a possibility they get poached with the new B1G contract. And maybe by then the B1G would be interested in BYU too. The SEC contract expires in 2034. The ACC contract expires in 2036.

[Uncle Ted]

Here is a plot twist. Some reliable sources now saying that remaining 4-corner schools have agreed to band together. I.e., all 3 or nothing. I am wondering if the only thing that would accomplish is to put pressure on UW/Oregon to jump first.

We all know that the PAC schools are good with "pinky finger promises". BTW, how did that PAC/ACC alliance go?

[Pelado]

Here is a plot twist. Some reliable sources now saying that remaining 4-corner schools have agreed to band together. I.e., all 3 or nothing. I am wondering if the only thing that would accomplish is to put pressure on UW/Oregon to jump first.

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That is an interesting development. I wonder if it's really all three tied together or if it's more just Arizona and Arizona State (if push came to shove).

As for getting Oregon/Washington to jump first, Thamel doesn't really give the idea of Oregon/Washington to the Big 12 much of a chance:

Oregon and Washington don't want to go to the Big 12. If they are going to switch leagues, despite the hurdles, it's likely for the Big Ten.

Much in the same way Robbins doesn't want to be held responsible if the Pac-12 dissolves -- or gets reduced to an unrecognizable form -- the Big Ten presidents also don't want to look predatory...

Any addition of Washington and Oregon would counter the wishes of USC...

The idea of West Coast expansion is intriguing to UCLA, but they'd have to thread a political needle after Cal got left behind in the last expansion. As always, realignment is complicated.

There's a prevailing feeling Washington and Oregon could end up available for a cut rate.

I didn't give much credence to the idea that the B1G didn't want to kill off the PAC earlier, but maybe they are just waiting until the PAC goes under 8 members before offering a discounted pay rate to Oregon/Washington.

[Uncle Ted]

Please mock me for breaking my own rule, but his actually seems plausible:

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Big 12 at night!

[Uncle Ted]

Utah doesn't want to follow its 'big brother' to the Big 12:

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Yeah, the Big 12 might have to add Oregon and/or UW instead. Utah is forcing the Big 12's hand.

[LiveCoug]

Unfortunately it sounds like Utah may be getting that lifeline. Thamel is solid. Bummer.

[Jeff Lebowski]

Unfortunately it sounds like Utah may be getting that lifeline. Thamel is solid. Bummer.

Meh. I doubt it. Scheer thinks Thammel is speculating.

[Uncle Ted]

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[LiveCoug]

Pat Forde is on the Utah lifeboat source train.

https://www.si.com/college/2023/08/0...onference-duel

[Jeff Lebowski]

Pat Forde is on the Utah lifeboat source train.

https://www.si.com/college/2023/08/0...onference-duel

Interesting. I haven’t heard any of the Arizona sources indicate a concern that the board of regents would force them to take Arizona State as well. If that were a real issue, why wouldn’t people like Jason Scheer be talking about it?

[Uncle Ted]

Interesting. I haven’t heard any of the Arizona sources indicate a concern that the board of regents would force them to take Arizona State as well. If that were a real issue, why wouldn’t people like Jason Scheer be talking about it?

SI is talking about it... https://www.si.com/college/2023/08/0...onference-duel

In short, the Arizona board of regents may "tax" Arizona's athletic budget and give it to ASU's budget if Arizona ends up get more revenue in the Big 12, for example. I guess California is going to do the same with UCLA.

All of this tees up a dramatic decision in Arizona—and a potentially dramatic board of regents meeting on Tuesday. It's doubtful that the regents would let the University of Arizona make a move without a plan in place for Arizona State. Surely, if Wildcats brass is set on leaving, they have their own proposal in mind, whether that means lobbying for the Sun Devils to come with them or reaching a financial consideration. In a similar situation, a divided California board of regents allowed UCLA to go to the Big Ten, but only for a significant price. The regents forced the Bruins to agree to pay Cal, their sister Pac-12 public school in the UC system, between $2-$10 million per year. (Big Ten TV revenue will likely be at least double on a per-school basis than the Big 12’s.)

[Green Monstah]

Interesting. I haven’t heard any of the Arizona sources indicate a concern that the board of regents would force them to take Arizona State as well. If that were a real issue, why wouldn’t people like Jason Scheer be talking about it?

Same.

People always assumed Oklahoma's legislature would force OU and OSU to be a package deal. I do think there would be some pushback politically if ASU were left in the new Mountain PAC conference. I'm biased (Until I was in my 30s, I'd been to more ASU football games than any other college team), but in spite of ASU's current struggles, there is a ton of upside with football and other sports.

I don't know how Arizona governs its state universities. One of my best high school friends is an ASU fanatic and lobbyist in Arizona. I'll see if he's got the inside scoop politically.

[SteelBlue]

If that were a real issue, why wouldn’t people like Jason Scheer be talking about it?

He actually has as far back as early June:

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He revisited that tweet 3 days ago and said this:

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[Uncle Ted]

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So expect Arizona in the Big 12 this week.