B1G - expansion candidates

[Knight Shift]

For whatever it's worth, if the link is correct, largest Sports Team Market Sizes. Granted Kansas City is in MO, but Kansas City, KS is 3 miles away. But it is still a small market. If the B1G did what it did last time for TV market, just take UCLA and USC for the $$$ (or one of Cal or Stanford). Or if the ACC implodes, two of UNC, UVA or Georgia Tech

1. NYC 7.5 million
2. LA- 5.7 million
3. Chicago 3.5 million
4. Philly- 3 million
5. Dallas - 3 million
6. San Fran/Oakland- 2.7 million
7. Atlanta 2.6 million
8. Houston- 2.6 million
9. DC- 2.6 Million
10. Boston- 2.5 Million
11. Phoenix- 2.2 million
12. Seattle- 2.1 million
13. Tampa - 2.1 million
14. Minneapolis- 1.9 million
15. Detroit- 1.9 million
16. Denver 1.8 million
17. Orlando- 1.7 million
18- Miami- 1.7 million
19. Cleveland- 1.5 million
20. Sacramento- 1.5 million
21. Portland 1.3 million
22. Charlotte- 2.3 million
23. St Louis- 1.2 million
24. Raleigh- Durham 1.2 million
25. Indianapolis- 1.2 million
26. Pittsburgh- 1.2 million
27. San Diego 1.1 million
28. Baltimore. 1.1 millon
29. Nashville- 1.1 million
30. Salt Lake City- 1.1 million
31. San Antonio- 1. million
33. Columbus- 1 million
34. Kansas City- 1 million
36. Cincinnati- 926,000

Major pro and college sports teams ranked by market size

See which pro sports cities rank as the biggest TV markets, according to Nielsen. New York, Los Angeles and Chicago are the top three.

www.sportsmediawatch.com

Major pro sports teams ranked by market size ​

Ranking the 115 U.S. based franchises in the "Big Four" sports leagues (NBA, NFL, NHL and Major League Baseball) by

www.sportsmediawatch.com

 

[TM94goRU]

Oy vey.

I hope it does not come to that. Then again our first thread on expansion, I was the one that floated my fever dream of a 20 team MAGA conference.
Losing OSU and Michigan would not be like losing Indiana and Minnesota. I hope it doesn't happen, but if it does, no MAC school, ISU, and KU will cut it, IMO.

 

[pawildcat]

If there is any validity to the OSU and Michigan rumor, the BIG has to be bold in this way. The only 2 brands that would make up for this are Clemson and ND. PAC 12 schools are on a bit of a downturn.
Now at the point the poach becomes official the BIG needs to offer UF, TA@M. This would coincide with going hard after Clemson, FSU, and Miami. If we can't get the Gators, I think we could, then substitute UCF. My plan is to have the Big 3 in Florida in the BIG. At that point try for Clemson. If Florida will not come, go after GA or LSU.
I think at this point ND would jump. Now this would bolster our chances when you add USC in the West group. In short, many of the rivals ND cares about. I also think Clemson would be swayed. Now if the SEC big move is to raid to get to 20, maybe we go 24 teams and national.
Let's say, 1. Clemson, 2.FSU, 3. Miami,4. Texas A@M, 5. UF ( or if not try for, GA or LSU. If all else fails UCF), 6. USC, 7. Stanford, 8. Colorado, 9. UCLA, 10. Oregon, 11. Washington, 12. Notre Dame.
Subtract 2 huge programs, add 12 more. I think this just might do it. No disrespect to KU, ISU, or any MAC school. If we lose Michigan, and especially OSU, like some rumors suggest, we have to at least try to go huge. My plan, would stop the SEC from owning everything.

Ohio State would be nuts to leave a conference where they're clear top dog in football at the moment and go to the SEC, inviting southern schools to come up and recruit in Ohio. But I suppose stranger things have happened. I'm becoming more addicted to small-college football, where there is much less drama.

 

[pawildcat]

If expansion happens, I wonder if the structure of the conference would move to 4 sub-divisions? If so - would that be a factor? Wouldn’t be a clear 4th team to fit with RU, PSU and Maryland.

You'd have to look at some way of realigning. I wouldn't want to be one of the Midwest schools stuck with constant travel to the West Coast and for all but the wealthier fans it would basically rule out trips to a lot of the away games, especially for non-football sports.

 

[Knight Shift]

and 5 and 6 😉

Open the gate and let Penn State and Nebraska run away from the B1G, and make room for others. They find ways to be unhappy about something with the B1G. 😉 [roll]

 

[MitchLL]

Can't imagine the backroom conversations that must be happening right now at so many levels.

Kinda enjoyable to speculate from a fan's standpoint, tho.

 

[Knight Shift]

Rutgers should have waited for their invite to the SEC. :flush:

 

[Caliknight]

Delany was the best commissioner in the country. He was always a step ahead. We now have one of the worst.

Sadly, the acc hired the guy who was Delany’s heir apparent.

 

[rucoe89]

Delany was the best commissioner in the country. He was always a step ahead. We now have one of the worst.

Why do you think Delany helped hand picked Warren. Not defending the pick as Warren seems overmatched for the job based on what has been externally observed thus far, but Delany is no fool. He must have seen something in Warren.

 

[WhoRU?]

If you are going big... You can make a case for any of the AAU schools in the PAC (Colorado, Arizona, Utah, USC, UCLA, Cal, Stanford, Oregon, and Washington). Most of them are close to decent size media markets. If we took all of them, we'd be contiguous (sort of).

If the SEC then expands to keep up, it doesn't take much to have two major conferences with 25-30 teams each. The AAC schools might have enough support to dissolve the GOR so that Clemson, FSU, Miami, maybe Georgia Tech can head to the SEC. At that point, UVA, UNC, Duke, and maybe Pittsburgh (all AAU) come over to the B1G.

At that point, it's like the AFC v. NFC and they can cut their own media deal for a national championship.

 

[RUnTeX]

He must have seen something in Warren.

One would hope so but getting harder not to see it as a blunder by Delany on the way out.

 

[Mr Magoo]

Why do you think Delany helped hand picked Warren. Not defending the pick as Warren seems overmatched for the job based on what has been externally observed thus far, but Delany is no fool. He must have seen something in Warren.

Certainly does make you wonder. Of course, Delany will never look better in comparison.

 

[RUBlackout7]

Did I miss something, why does everyone think Warren is no good?

 

[TRU2RU]

These conversations have been going on for over 6 months. Too late and far along to reach out now. Warren was asleep at the wheel and is now forced to be reactive. No indication he is up to the challenge unfortunately though

Warren knows that the B1G Presidents will NEVER accept a school that is not a member of the AAU & since Oklahoma is not a member there is no point of trying to see if Oklahoma is interested.

 

[Ridge 22]

Warren knows that the B1G Presidents will NEVER accept a school that is not a member of the AAU & since Oklahoma is not a member there is no point of trying to see if Oklahoma is interested.

That is old rules thinking. If it was the right school that could add the most value, and it fit the mold otherwise, I assure you, AAU goes out the window.

 

[rutgersguy1]

That is old rules thinking. If it was the right school that could add the most value, and it fit the mold otherwise, I assure you, AAU goes out the window.

It would for ND who isn’t available but theoretically. There was a rumor though that Texas and OU approached both the B10 and SEC and the B10 was very interested in Texas but not OU cause of the lack of AAU so that nixed any further discussion. Not sure how true that is though.

 

[TRU2RU]

That is old rules thinking. If it was the right school that could add the most value, and it fit the mold otherwise, I assure you, AAU goes out the window.

Obvious you have no clue how University Presidents think they are not Athletic Directors. AAU status makes the B1G different from all other major conferences in the eyes of the Presidents

 

[Ridge 22]

It would for ND who isn’t available but theoretically. There was a rumor though that Texas and OU approached both the B10 and SEC and the B10 was very interested in Texas but not OU cause of the lack of AAU so that nixed any further discussion. Not sure how true that is though.

If that package was offered, it would have been accepted without question

 

[Ridge 22]

Obvious you have no clue how University Presidents think they are not Athletic Directors. AAU status makes the B1G different from all other major conferences in the eyes of the Presidents

I clearly get all that. I just think the rules have changed enough that it becomes more of a 'really like to have' vs a 'must have'. That said, it still needs to be a strong academic school and fit the mold otherwise. I don't see an Oklahoma State making the cut. I am talking about high end Pac 12 and ACC schools that are perfect fits otherwise (geography and GOR realities aside for a moment) and drive tremendous value. I can't see AAU status holding that up if the collection of schools in question makes the most sense. I get the importance of academics to the B1G and the amount it generates on that side of the house is a major factor. But if something makes sense financially and otherwise, it should and likely would happen, AAU or not.

 

[MozRU]

Did I miss thread? The B1G expanding? What about the SEC poaching OSU and Mich?

 

[MADHAT1]

That is old rules thinking. If it was the right school that could add the most value, and it fit the mold otherwise, I assure you, AAU goes out the window.

AAU already is out the window as a qualification for membership in B1G.
I beleive Nebraska lost it's AAU status because it failed to meet some of the requirements needed to be a AAU University and AAU members kicked them out by vote.
If the B1G refuses to admit a school in because of AAU status, it better tell Nebraska to stay B1G become AAU again
Rejecting OK because it wasn't AAU is a bunch of BS because the B1G isn't made up of all AAU schools , as l;ong as Nebraska doesn't qualify to be readmitted back into the AAU.

 

[HeavenUniv.]

I just checked the rankings. Nebraska, which is the lowest ranked Big Ten School, is Number 306 in the world. Oklahoma is 392. Rutgers is ranked number 50 in the world.

 

[Ridge 22]

AAU already is out the window as a qualification for membership in B1G.
I beleive Nebraska lost it's AAU status because it failed to meet some of the requirements needed to be a AAU University and AAU members kicked them out by vote.
If the B1G refuses to admit a school in because of AAU status, it better tell Nebraska to stay B1G become AAU again
Rejecting OK because it wasn't AAU is a bunch of BS because the B1G isn't made up of all AAU schools , as l;ong as Nebraska doesn't qualify to be readmitted back into the AAU.

I just think there is zero chance the B1G ever rejects a Texas OU package if given the opportunity because OU is not AAU. And if they did, then that is really scary and we are all doomed, because Warren would be infinitesimally more inept than he is being portrayed to be. I really hope that is not true, otherwise the conference is in major trouble

 

[HeavenUniv.]

If we can get Texas, but don’t take them due to Oklahoma’s AAU status, then Warren is Fred Gruninger’s son.

 

[RUBlackout7]

Did I miss thread? The B1G expanding? What about the SEC poaching OSU and Mich?

SEC is not poaching OSU and Mich. I don’t think that was ever even a rumor.

 

[Source]

I propose we think out of the box on this and expand the B1G to include:

1) McDonald's
2) U.S. Treasury Department

Big Mac to the Big Ten makes perfect sense and Treasury can supply us with all the cash we need. We'll even stand a good chance of beating whatever teams they can form.

I'm lovin it.

 

[TM94goRU]

SEC is not poaching OSU and Mich. I don’t think that was ever even a rumor.

It is a rumor, put out by a producer at Barstool Sports. Some OSU fans support this, if you read their free message boards.

 

[RUBlackout7]

It is a rumor, put out by a producer at Barstool Sports. Some OSU fans support this, if you read their free message boards.

So a rumor with absolutely no legs and that makes zero sense

 

[TM94goRU]

What makes me think the reports, of the BIG rejected OU because they are not an AAU member are true, is because it was dropped when some were angling for OSU.
Now KW is in the hot seat. Even the former OSU GM told a tv crew how the search committee, did not give a list that had KW on it.
This leads me to think KW was the head of nixing the UT @ OU thing, presumably because of AAU membership. Those that were in favor of letting OU in are now letting there true feelings out IMO. No one outside of Stillwater Oklahoma, would think they would be a better fit than OU. There are 64 schools in the US with AAU membership. Look at the list, unless we can add a few ACC schools or the likes of Texas A@M in the SEC, it is not a pretty picture.

 

[TM94goRU]

So a rumor with absolutely no legs and that makes zero sense

It makes no sense to me. My feeling is it is crazy enough to maybe be true. I don't think the SEC is stopping at 16 teams personally. In the recent past Ryan Day has made some cryptic statements, regarding how different College Football is going to be 5 years from now. I hope there is nothing to it, but this time we are breaking all the rules like geography.

 

[krup]

What makes me think the reports, of the BIG rejected OU because they are not an AAU member are true, is because it was dropped when some were angling for OSU.
Now KW is in the hot seat. Even the former OSU GM told a tv crew how the search committee, did not give a list that had KW on it.
This leads me to think KW was the head of nixing the UT @ OU thing, presumably because of AAU membership. Those that were in favor of letting OU in are now letting there true feelings out IMO. No one outside of Stillwater Oklahoma, would think they would be a better fit than OU. There are 64 schools in the US with AAU membership. Look at the list, unless we can add a few ACC schools or the likes of Texas A@M in the SEC, it is not a pretty picture.

All of the PAC12 schools are AAU except for AZ St, Oreg St, and Wash St

 

[rutgersguy1]

So a rumor with absolutely no legs and that makes zero sense

Some rumors can have some grain of truth or you know could be somewhat plausible. OSU/Michigan to the SEC are unlikely and outlandish IMO. Texas/OU aren't OSU/Michigan in the sense they're not falling behind financially by staying in the B10...instead they're actually in the richest conference in the country. Even with the SEC additions they will still be in the richest conference in the country or close to it for the foreseeable future. So they have no reason to become isolated geographic outposts to the the SEC.

It's really beyond that future to solidify its place at the very very top with regards to finances, competing for championships, recruiting and demographics etc...that expansion comes into play towards the west and maybe east as well in a decade or so.

 

[TM94goRU]

All of the PAC12 schools are AAU except for AZ St, Oreg St, and Wash St

Yes, and ASU is about to get the book thrown at them. The other two Oregon State, not worthy of OSU, and WSU in Pullman which has roughly 30,000 people, would offer nothing!

 

[krup]

Yes, and ASU is about to get the book thrown at them. The other two Oregon State, not worthy of OSU, and WSU in Pullman which has roughly 30,000 people, would offer nothing!

I am coming around to the idea that this SEC move (OU and Texas) plus rumors they want to get bigger, means we need to forget everything we are comfortable with regarding conference size.

The B1G needs to try and broker a merger with the nine PAC 12 AAU schools. If any of the three with a “State” problem balk, they can get left behind. If you end up with an odd number, invite Kansas to make it even.

You end up with a 20-24 team conference that spans the whole country. Take those TV rights to market and you end up having a better academic conference than the SEC and making more money than them.

 

[MozRU]

SEC is not poaching OSU and Mich. I don’t think that was ever even a rumor.

Is the SEC Creating a Super Conference?

The college football world is riddled with conference realignment talk. With the College Football Playoff expansion taking place, combined with TV rights

www.google.com

Latest conference realignment rumor states SEC in ‘serious contact’ with UM, OSU

Could you picture a Big Ten that doesn't include Michigan and Ohio State? That is apparently a possibility if you believe this latest rumor on conference realignment.

www.google.com

 

[Scarlet_Scourge]

OSU and Michigan are not going to take a pay cut to go to the SEC, come on now.

The two leading candidates for Big Ten expansion are USC and Washington.

Source CBS Sports:

 

[mdMoose]

I would disregard any comments that focus on being continguous (meaningless - we would have taken Texas by themselves) or being AAU (see Nebraska or Notre Dame) or public land-grant (again Notre Dame or even Stanford under the right circumstances) or being an academic peer (again see Nebraska) or being a blue blood (see Rutgers).

The only and deciding factor will be viewership, more specifically paid viewership. So it will come down to 2 factors.

1. What school will bring in the most cable subscriber (will be less important over time)
2. What school will bring in the most streaming subscribers (will become more important over time)

Based solely on those 2 factors, which schools will maximize revenues?

I imagine it would look something like this, but really haven’t analyzed each schools home/state market and national popularity so I am sure it’s not in exact order:

1. Notre Dame
2. USC
3. UCLA
4. Texas A&M (who would leave the SEC?, but maybe pissed off enough to move)
5. Cal
6. Florida School (not realistic unless you willing to take UCF)
7. Virginia school (UVA or VTech, but both have GOR)
8. UNC (unlikely for now - GOR)
9. Georgia Tech (GOR)
10. Arizona school
11. Kansas
12. Washington School
13. Colorado
14. Oregon

 

[TM94goRU]

I am coming around to the idea that this SEC move (OU and Texas) plus rumors they want to get bigger, means we need to forget everything we are comfortable with regarding conference size.

The B1G needs to try and broker a merger with the nine PAC 12 AAU schools. If any of the three with a “State” problem balk, they can get left behind. If you end up with an odd number, invite Kansas to make it even.

You end up with a 20-24 team conference that spans the whole country. Take those TV rights to market and you end up having a better academic conference than the SEC and making more money than them.

I concur, I floated a 24 school idea in another expansion thread. My only hesitation with having all PAC 12 teams is that the PAC 12 is not what they used to be. I would prefer the "raid" idea, to get the 4 to 6 PAC 12 teams that are most interested. Then try to pry Texas A@M and Mizzou, at least from the SEC, then see if we can land a school in Florida. This would give us a footprint nationally, and natural resources in the top 3 recruiting states. If we could land California and Texas, that would be huge.
The ACC agreement, will not hold if both the BIG and SEC raid them.

 

[krup]

I concur, I floated a 24 school idea in another expansion thread. My only hesitation with having all PAC 12 teams is that the PAC 12 is not what they used to be. I would prefer the "raid" idea, to get the 4 to 6 PAC 12 teams that are most interested. Then try to pry Texas A@M and Mizzou, at least from the SEC, then see if we can land a school in Florida. This would give us a footprint nationally, and natural resources in the top 3 recruiting states. If we could land California and Texas, that would be huge.
The ACC agreement, will not hold if both the BIG and SEC raid them.

I have no problem with those ideas except the Florida one. You can’t get any ACC schools and anyone else available there now is a reach.

I would sit tight for now, then try and swoop in for a few schools when ESPN inevitably orchestrates a blow up of the ACC years from now to try and make the SEC stronger.

 

[TM94goRU]

I have no problem with those ideas except the Florida one. You can’t get any ACC schools and anyone else available there now is a reach.

I would sit tight for now, then try and swoop in for a few schools when ESPN inevitably orchestrates a blow up of the ACC years from now to try and make the SEC stronger.

You may have to wait, that is why I hedged on Florida. However if the SEC lands any ACC schools, the BIG better at least try to get in there.