The Big 12 expansion groundswell

[Jeff Lebowski]

Of course there’s fan interest for other schools. And those fans watch the 40-50 top teams because what happens to them has a large impact on their own teams. Why would someone, with no tie to an SEC or B1G team, continue watching college football at all if their team is no longer around? The NFL puts out a much better product.

Which brings me to the actual premise of my post, which you conveniently forgot. You said those top 40-50 teams would cut ties with academic institutions. That is what I was responding to. Why would those teams want to cut ties with the main thing that makes college football a huge profitable enterprise and the only thing that differentiates it from other minor league sports? It makes no sense at all.

When you reduce the size of the pie, each slice gets smaller. Of course there are always going to be some fans that watch no matter what because they just like football, in any context. But I think your mistaken if you don’t think a large portion of the general CFB audience only watches because of ties they have to their school or local team. Those people won’t continue watching if their team is no longer around.

Yeah cutting ties with universities is the craziest prediction in this entire discussion.

[Bo Diddley]

Of course there’s fan interest for other schools. And those fans watch the 40-50 top teams because what happens to them has a large impact on their own teams. Why would someone, with no tie to an SEC or B1G team, continue watching college football at all if their team is no longer around? The NFL puts out a much better product.

Which brings me to the actual premise of my post, which you conveniently forgot. You said those top 40-50 teams would cut ties with academic institutions. That is what I was responding to. Why would those teams want to cut ties with the main thing that makes college football a huge profitable enterprise and the only thing that differentiates it from other minor league sports? It makes no sense at all.

When you reduce the size of the pie, each slice gets smaller. Of course there are always going to be some fans that watch no matter what because they just like football, in any context. But I think your mistaken if you don’t think a large portion of the general CFB audience only watches because of ties they have to their school or local team. Those people won’t continue watching if their team is no longer around.

IMHO, college football is more exciting, though less so in recent years with less parity. Hopefully those making changes don't ruin college football. If they shortened the season and opened up the playoffs so that everyone had true access, they'd make money hand over fist. There's a lot of untapped potential.

[Uncle Ted]

Yeah cutting ties with universities is the craziest prediction in this entire discussion.

Yeah, that is a dumb prediction. College football attracts students to a school. In fact, some schools (like the UofUtah) actually collect revenue from each and every student for college athletics so everyone is paying for the privilege of having the full college experience. (I suspect the UofUtah athletic fee will be going up in the near future... Someone has to pay for Whitt'$ salary. These BYU trained coaches are not free and are in high demand.)

I could see the XFL and USFL drafting out players straight out of high school, however. Like say players that don't want to go to college but rather straight to the (semi-)professional level. The "Labron James" of football.

[Uncle Ted]

Clearly the Big 12 is the better conference...

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[Uncle Ted]

LOL...

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Maybe UT would stay if we got rid of Kansas.

[Art Vandelay]

I wish I was peripherally connected to one of the teams in the P12 or B12, solely to feed reporters or anonymous twitter dudes the most ridiculous things possible. "I'm hearing the B12 is strongly considering just adding Utah. Taking away the PAC premier team would be a death knell to the league, AND give the B12 and perennial playoff contender"

[Jeff Lebowski]

I wish I was peripherally connected to one of the teams in the P12 or B12, solely to feed reporters or anonymous twitter dudes the most ridiculous things possible. "I'm hearing the B12 is strongly considering just adding Utah. Taking away the PAC premier team would be a death knell to the league, AND give the B12 and perennial playoff contender"

What is stopping you? You are just as connected as most of these clowns.

[All-American]

What is stopping you? You are just as connected as most of these clowns.

Self respect.

[Bo Diddley]

Self respect.

[Art Vandelay]

What is stopping you? You are just as connected as most of these clowns.

Self respect.

True and TRUE!

[fusnik]

Of course there’s fan interest for other schools. And those fans watch the 40-50 top teams because what happens to them has a large impact on their own teams. Why would someone, with no tie to an SEC or B1G team, continue watching college football at all if their team is no longer around? The NFL puts out a much better product.

Which brings me to the actual premise of my post, which you conveniently forgot. You said those top 40-50 teams would cut ties with academic institutions. That is what I was responding to. Why would those teams want to cut ties with the main thing that makes college football a huge profitable enterprise and the only thing that differentiates it from other minor league sports? It makes no sense at all.

When you reduce the size of the pie, each slice gets smaller. Of course there are always going to be some fans that watch no matter what because they just like football, in any context. But I think your mistaken if you don’t think a large portion of the general CFB audience only watches because of ties they have to their school or local team. Those people won’t continue watching if their team is no longer around.

I don’t think they’ll cut ties. There will always be some affiliation. But with NIL and a move to super leagues the facade of these kids being student athletes will continue to be stripped. They’ll still be the Alabama Crimson Tide, but it’ll probably be under the auspices of a football college within the university.

Nobody cares if these kids go to class anymore. The kids who want to be division 1 athletes will go to BYU and will get NIL deals with protein bars that pay them 10 bucks a month on every box sold. The kids who are legit athletes will go to Bama, make a couple hundred grand a year work on their craft in anticipation of the NFL.

[tooblue]

I don’t think they’ll cut ties. There will always be some affiliation. But with NIL and a move to super leagues the facade of these kids being student athletes will continue to be stripped. They’ll still be the Alabama Crimson Tide, but it’ll probably be under the auspices of a football college within the university.

Nobody cares if these kids go to class anymore. The kids who want to be division 1 athletes will go to BYU and will get NIL deals with protein bars that pay them 10 bucks a month on every box sold. The kids who are legit athletes will go to Bama, make a couple hundred grand a year work on their craft in anticipation of the NFL.

The economics are certainly incredible when it comes to these proposed super leagues, but there are logistic and other factors which are not being fully contemplated. I know, I know—USC will just buy private plane and fly their athletes every where they need to go, from west coast to east coast. Of course, only one NFL team has its own private plane, so exactly how sustainable is such a convenience?

Also, who owns the stadiums in which these teams play? If they become a "pro" league more than they already are, that brings with it certain issues. What if after breaking with the NCAA, the university from which the team originates plays hardball on the stadium and even team mascot, colour scheme and branding (licensing). Will Alabama hold the city of Tuscaloosa hostage for a new Stadium? Will they continue to be called the Crimson Tide and how long will it be before they move to ...

Universities exist to do something other than field football teams.

[Flystripper]

USC and UCLA are looking at buying real estate in the Midwest which will act as a hub for travel to be used by all of their athletics during road swings. Its crazy

[tooblue]

USC and UCLA are looking at buying real estate in the Midwest which will act as a hub for travel to be used by all of their athletics during road swings. Its crazy

That would be an interesting strategy. Who benefits tax wise in such a circumstance—both the state of California and whatever state in which this hub is built ... with California tax payers money?

Edit: and what happens if they build the hub in a state with strict anti-abortion laws?

[Uncle Ted]

Good news everyone... The Big 12 championship game at Cowboys/AT&T stadium has been extended through 2025.

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I'll see y'all in Arlington in next year!