The Big 12 expansion groundswell

[Flattop]

You don't? Really?

Yeah, I don't. I'm not an SU fan.

[Coach McGuirk]

You want deets? Here's a morsel. I chat with a California contact most fridays, so have at it:

Unsurprisingly, BYU is being courted by the BEAST right now, who believes they can go to ten schools and preserve revenues.

This would include olympic sports, which given the BEAST is technically expanding, we can exit our WCC deal. It's a step up from indy, step up from the MWC, HUGE olympic sport step-up.

In addition, ND will sign a multi-year 1:1 with BYU. ND is not interested in the B12, from what I understand, but this sounds more like opinion than "info". It's not a fit for them, as it follows. ND is ND. They don't need anyone and are committed to the BEAST's strength.

I still think there's a chance non-olympic goes to B12 for ND. But this is an alternative route I'm relaying.


West Division:
BYU
BSU
AFA
HOU
SMU

East Div:
Cincy
UCF
RU
UCONN
UL

I still think B12 picks BYU but they will lose out unless they move. I think the B12 guys are smart enough to know this, but I also know that BYU isn't going to sit around.

Odds? Only a little more than 50% in favor of the B12, ultimately. BEAST is very likely, but less than 50%

That is what has you excited?

[splitbamboo]

You want deets? Here's a morsel. I chat with a California contact most fridays, so have at it:

Unsurprisingly, BYU is being courted by the BEAST right now, who believes they can go to ten schools and preserve revenues.

This would include olympic sports, which given the BEAST is technically expanding, we can exit our WCC deal. It's a step up from indy, step up from the MWC, HUGE olympic sport step-up.

In addition, ND will sign a multi-year 1:1 with BYU. ND is not interested in the B12, from what I understand, but this sounds more like opinion than "info". It's not a fit for them, as it follows. ND is ND. They don't need anyone and are committed to the BEAST's strength.

I still think there's a chance non-olympic goes to B12 for ND. But this is an alternative route I'm relaying.


West Division:
BYU
BSU
AFA
HOU
SMU

East Div:
Cincy
UCF
RU
UCONN
UL

I still think B12 picks BYU but they will lose out unless they move. I think the B12 guys are smart enough to know this, but I also know that BYU isn't going to sit around.

Odds? Only a little more than 50% in favor of the B12, ultimately. BEAST is very likely, but less than 50%

Not sure I see how this gets us an annual November date with Utah...

[Viking]

BEast revenue sucks. Isn't it like 2 million a year? Indy revenue is way better than that.

So, you prediction is 55% BYU to Big 12 and 45% BYU to the BEast?

Bold. Thanks for throwing that out there.

BYU revenue is less than $4MM with ESPN and there are performance outs (this is per a fellow I know; I should mention this is speculation). The BEAST bball revenues are much bigger than WCC and that makes up a lot.

Being left in the cold could bring years of big time financial strain in the AD.

[Scorcho]

You want deets? Here's a morsel. I chat with a California contact most fridays, so have at it:

Unsurprisingly, BYU is being courted by the BEAST right now, who believes they can go to ten schools and preserve revenues.

This would include olympic sports, which given the BEAST is technically expanding, we can exit our WCC deal. It's a step up from indy, step up from the MWC, HUGE olympic sport step-up.

In addition, ND will sign a multi-year 1:1 with BYU. ND is not interested in the B12, from what I understand, but this sounds more like opinion than "info". It's not a fit for them, as it follows. ND is ND. They don't need anyone and are committed to the BEAST's strength.

I still think there's a chance non-olympic goes to B12 for ND. But this is an alternative route I'm relaying.


West Division:
BYU
BSU
AFA
HOU
SMU

East Div:
Cincy
UCF
RU
UCONN
UL

I still think B12 picks BYU but they will lose out unless they move. I think the B12 guys are smart enough to know this, but I also know that BYU isn't going to sit around.

Odds? Only a little more than 50% in favor of the B12, ultimately. BEAST is very likely, but less than 50%

[Omaha 680]

Let the Legal Wrangling Begin

Following CBSSports.com’s report, the Big East and Big 12 released statements this morning within a few minutes of each other.

The Big 12’s version:

“The Big 12 Conference Board of Directors have voted unanimously to accept West Virginia University as a full conference member effective July 1, 2012. The Mountaineers will begin competing in the Big 12 beginning with the 2012-13 athletic season.”

The Big East’s version from Commissioner John Marinatto:

“This move by West Virginia does not come as a surprise. League officials, members of our conference and the candidate schools to whom we have been talking were aware of this possibility. We have taken West Virginia’s possible departure into account as we have moved forward with our own realignment plans. West Virginia is fully aware that the Big East Conference is committed to enforcing the 27-month notification period for members who choose to leave the conference. We are confident that in the coming weeks we will complete our own realignment program, adding a number of high-quality members to remain among the top conferences in both football and basketball.”

So the Big 12 and West Virginia say West Virginia is joining the Big 12 next season, while the Big East says it “is committed to enforcing the 27-month notification period.”

Multiple Big East sources have said they have no indication that the league would change its 27-month notification rule. Marinatto has said previously he was prepared to have a 14-team football league, including Pitt and Syracuse along with its new members, in 2012 and/or 2013. If West Virginia doesn't leave next season, it conceivably could be a 15-team football league in 2012/2013.

This, my friends, could get interesting.

[YOhio]

That is what has you excited?

Yeah, odd. I'm also trying to figure out where the "play Utah in November and the P12 will like it" fit in. And what happened to the God's Conference stuff?

[Red Legger]

Funny line.

I still think B12 picks BYU but they will lose out unless they move. I think the B12 guys are smart enough to know this, but I also know that BYU isn't going to sit around.

I don't think there is anyone in a position of power in the Big 12 that is 'smart'. There hasn't been in a long time. Maybe Neinas but for the most part they've been loud mouthed bullies (Powers/Boren/Dodds/Pickens/Osborne/Deaton) and their stooges (Beebe/Tuberville/Tech's Chancellor). They lucked out on WVU/TCU.

Rock Chalk Jayhawk, Beat Mizzou

[Viking]

That is what has you excited?

Good grief. This is one of the alternatives on the table now. Not all.

If you are interested in hearing what I hear, PM me and I'll send a private note. No point posting publicly.

[Viking]

Yeah, odd. I'm also trying to figure out where the "play Utah in November and the P12 will like it" fit in. And what happened to the God's Conference stuff?

It's awesome for hoops. Better than Indy for fb.

No, it's not the scenario that has me excited. But it's there.

[Viking]

I don't think there is anyone in a position of power in the Big 12 that is 'smart'. There hasn't been in a long time. Maybe Neinas but for the most part they've been loud mouthed bullies (Powers/Boren/Dodds/Pickens/Osborne/Deaton) and their stooges (Beebe/Tuberville/Tech's Chancellor). They lucked out on WVU/TCU.

Rock Chalk Jayhawk, Beat Mizzou

Smart enough...that's a much lower bar to jump

[Coach McGuirk]

It's awesome for hoops. Better than Indy for fb.

No, it's not the scenario that has me excited. But it's there.

Nothing about that beast scenario has me excited one bit. It's horrible, and gets worse with time. I would like to think the powers at BYU are smart enough to not jump at that.

[Viking]

Nothing about that beast scenario has me excited one bit. It's horrible, and gets worse with time. I would like to think the powers at BYU are smart enough to not jump at that.

We dictate terms; this is basically our conference and it's AQ (will likely retain under the above scenario).

Can you imagine having ND, Gtown, etc., in the MC every year??!! Come on!

[lambdacoug]

Odds? Only a little more than 50% in favor of the B12, ultimately. BEAST is very likely, but less than 50%

So, let me get this straight. The odds of going to the Big 12 is >50%, but only a little. However, going to the Big East is very likely, but <50%.

You contradict yourself, my friend.

[Omaha 680]

We dictate terms; this is basically our conference and it's AQ (will likely retain under the above scenario).

Can you imagine having ND, Gtown, etc., in the MC every year??!! Come on!

That scenario would excite me for hoops. Rose and the boys deserve better than the WCC. I think it would be a definite step down for football, though. The Big 12 is obviously the best place for us to land.