Realignment Megathread (All The Moves)

isucy86

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Can anyone explain to me why the Big 12 has to expand? Why can't we just let OU and Texas leave, add the other 4, and just stay at 12? Is that not sustainable?

I just look at how the B1G has become a much worse product over the years by adding too many teams. Iowa fans get to see Iowa play tOSU like once every 6 years now or something ridiculous like that. Just dumb.

I guess I can see why the Big 12 would add someone like Oregon, it would definitely add clout and likely per team payouts as well.... but adding UConn (for both football and basketball) seems just beyond stupid. The UConn MBB and WBB don't add enough most likely to increase per team payouts, right? UConn football provides nothing.

I guess I just don't see adding teams just to add teams.
It is a provoking thought because I've always felt 10 or 11 team geographic based conferences was the ideal. Play everyone annually, create strong rivalries and short road trips for fans.

Maybe conference consolidation was inevitable- seems to be how big business works around the world and media companies are part of that world.

I don't find issue with 20-24 team conferences. But think it's a mistake to have a small number of "protected rivals". I would prefer to play 5 or 6 division/protected rivals annually. I would rather play schools like KU, KSU, OSU, CU and Cincy annually. If we play WVU, UCF or BYU once every 4-5 years, I'd prefer that in football.
 
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werdnamanhill

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Eastern IA -> Raleigh, NC -> Madison, WI
I live in KC and have literally never had that happen other than with one person at work, and she doesn’t watch any sports.
I was shocked when I moved to Madison how few people had any idea what Iowa state was. Of course, cfb fans did, but casual UW fans or non sports fans almost all thought I meant the hawkeyes. It's only like a 5 hour drive!
 

JimmyChitwood

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I live in KC and have literally never had that happen other than with one person at work, and she doesn’t watch any sports.
Hell, I fly around the country for work all the time and wear ISU garb at all times.
People are always saying to me GO Cyclones.
In fact, I was in Australia a month ago and a dude in the elevator looked at my shirt and said Iowa State right?
Of course with his accent.
ISU is known, we only need consistency within our programs
 

RustShack

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Can anyone explain to me why the Big 12 has to expand? Why can't we just let OU and Texas leave, add the other 4, and just stay at 12? Is that not sustainable?

I just look at how the B1G has become a much worse product over the years by adding too many teams. Iowa fans get to see Iowa play tOSU like once every 6 years now or something ridiculous like that. Just dumb.

I guess I can see why the Big 12 would add someone like Oregon, it would definitely add clout and likely per team payouts as well.... but adding UConn (for both football and basketball) seems just beyond stupid. The UConn MBB and WBB don't add enough most likely to increase per team payouts, right? UConn football provides nothing.

I guess I just don't see adding teams just to add teams.

You might think the B1G isn’t a good product, but the media companies do and that’s what matters. Stability in numbers. More teams equals more teams with more wins. More teams with more wins equals more playoff spots.

More teams is good for the Big12.
 
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cycloneML

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I was shocked when I moved to Madison how few people had any idea what Iowa state was. Of course, cfb fans did, but casual UW fans or non sports fans almost all thought I meant the hawkeyes. It's only like a 5 hour drive!
I grew up in WI. The ones who went to UW would have a clue. The rest of the residents are fairly dopey and can’t see past the packers, badgers, deer stand, ice shantee, snowmobile, and Brandy Old Fashioneds.
 

HFCS

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I’ve never understood why this point keeps getting brought up. What’s it hurt? You realize we are in the Big12 and don’t have the B1G Network right? The B1G Network is literally the only reason the B1G invited the likes of Rutgers and Maryland.

I wasn’t saying “this is how it is”, I’m pointing out I have never gotten clarification on it from Yormark or any other decision makers recently.

Some of you seem like you know conclusively. Do you all know for sure? I don’t either way.

Do we have some statement like:
“We want to make sure we get the best athletic departments even if it means we overlap in the same markets we already fully have.”

That’s quite a gigantic leap from just a few years ago if that’s the reality. I’m not against that if it’s true, I just don’t have confirmation of it.

If anything I’d love the truth to be that adding Utah while we already have BYU is critically important because it bodes well for Iowa State that shares a small market with another major conference team. I think it’s heading there and will get there, I’m skeptical it is. Would love the conclusive information everyone seems to have.

Do we know conclusively that Utah/AZ/ASU/CU gets media partners to pay more money per school than just AZ/CU? How does everyone know this and fill me in on the quotes/links. I’d love it if true, great for ISU.

Yes we don’t have a cable network but every round of realignment has still been about if additions add or subtract dollars and looking at new markets vs markets you already have huge presence in is part of that as well…at least until sports is pure pay per view.

Was it a big mistake to not add USF and UCF together?
 
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HFCS

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Id also estimate that Iowa or Nebbie have at least 3x the fanbase size as us. When I lived in NC I'd see tigerhawks and Ns semi-regularly, and hardly ever saw any ISU gear.

It's all anecdotal I know, but from living outside of Iowa, I think a lot of posters on here have a very inflated view of our brand compared to Iowa

I saw a CA license plate in LA that read “HAYDN FRY”. There’s even a standard black and yellow plate for trucks so it really screamed at me.

You can also tell from the Rose Bowl travelers which national teams have lots of fans and which are just so so. It’s going to be hilarious/terrifying seeing Hawkeyes and Skers here randomly some fall weekend. My wife had no idea why she was surrounded by loud white Southern women at a mall when Auburn was here.
 

HFCS

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How does what happens in Iowa City impact ISU's upside? We share very few fans. If a state like Alabama can have Alabama & Auburn, no reason Iowa can't have ISU & Iowa.

Some analysis show Utah and BYU have about the same # of fans but that’s after the best 20-25 years of Utah football and BYU being consistently average in that time. I’m pretty sure BYU would be the clearly bigger fanbase if you flipped results. It does matter, ISU doesn’t need amazing success but it cannot afford another 80s to mid 90s era in fb.
 
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isucy86

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I wasn’t saying “this is how it is”, I’m pointing out I have never gotten clarification on it from Yormark or any other decision makers recently.

Some of you seem like you know conclusively. Do you all know for sure? I don’t either way.

Do we have some statement like:
“We want to make sure we get the best athletic departments even if it means we overlap in the same markets we already fully have.”

That’s quite a gigantic leap from just a few years ago if that’s the reality. I’m not against that if it’s true, I just don’t have confirmation of it.

If anything I’d love the truth to be that adding Utah while we already have BYU is critically important because it bodes well for Iowa State that shares a small market with another major conference team. I think it’s heading there and will get there, I’m skeptical it is. Would love the conclusive information everyone seems to have.

Do we know conclusively that Utah/AZ/ASU/CU gets media partners to pay more money per school than just AZ/CU? How does everyone know this and fill me in on the quotes/links. I’d love it if true, great for ISU.
I don't think it's black & white.

State overlap can work if both school's fanbases enthusiastically support their teams. Because those fanbases are unique audiences for media companies. I don't know any rabid fans of both ISU & Iowa. When I lived in Indiana, the Hoosiers and Boilers were unique fanbases.

IMO it all comes back to viewership data. Does Utah or CU or ASU or UA bring more viewers than WSU, OSU, Cal, Stanford, SDSU or UConn.
 
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madguy30

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I was shocked when I moved to Madison how few people had any idea what Iowa state was. Of course, cfb fans did, but casual UW fans or non sports fans almost all thought I meant the hawkeyes. It's only like a 5 hour drive!

It's bizarre how many really don't know much about ISU or other conferences/teams in general and is a good example of the limitations of the 'B1G fans are really informed about the sport' narrative.

That said, when ISU is doing well I do get positive comments and they also really don't care nearly as much about Iowa as Hok fans think.
 

2speedy1

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I was shocked when I moved to Madison how few people had any idea what Iowa state was. Of course, cfb fans did, but casual UW fans or non sports fans almost all thought I meant the hawkeyes. It's only like a 5 hour drive!
Well in the grand scheme, a lot of people today probably couldnt pic out the State of Iowa on a map.

Some people confuse Iowa with Idaho, some Ohio, others no idea what Iowa is.

Its almost unbelievable when you see questions like this being asked to random people and they have no clue. Some of this is basic knowledge, common sense stuff and people have no idea.

I recently watched a video of someone on a prominent college campus asking students what time a standard clock said. The answers made me worry about our future, they were so bad.

Kids today cant read a clock unless its digital, cant read cursive, cant label all the states on a map, let alone countries, cant do simple math without a calculator, it is really terrible how we dont teach basics anymore.
 

KnappShack

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Well in the grand scheme, a lot of people today probably couldnt pic out the State of Iowa on a map.

Some people confuse Iowa with Idaho, some Ohio, others no idea what Iowa is.

Its almost unbelievable when you see questions like this being asked to random people and they have no clue. Some of this is basic knowledge, common sense stuff and people have no idea.

I recently watched a video of someone on a prominent college campus asking students what time a standard clock said. The answers made me worry about our future, they were so bad.

Kids today cant read a clock unless its digital, cant read cursive, cant label all the states on a map, let alone countries, cant do simple math without a calculator, it is really terrible how we dont teach basics anymore.

Playing devil's advocate

Could a case be made saying they don't need to know how to read a form of communication that is dying? Simple math? Who cares?

Like most folks don't know how to raise livestock or rotate crops. Those foundational elements are handled. Mastered to allow humanity to focus on new issues?

Edit: new issues like conference realignment!
 
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AuH2O

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I wasn’t saying “this is how it is”, I’m pointing out I have never gotten clarification on it from Yormark or any other decision makers recently.

Some of you seem like you know conclusively. Do you all know for sure? I don’t either way.

Do we have some statement like:
“We want to make sure we get the best athletic departments even if it means we overlap in the same markets we already fully have.”

That’s quite a gigantic leap from just a few years ago if that’s the reality. I’m not against that if it’s true, I just don’t have confirmation of it.

If anything I’d love the truth to be that adding Utah while we already have BYU is critically important because it bodes well for Iowa State that shares a small market with another major conference team. I think it’s heading there and will get there, I’m skeptical it is. Would love the conclusive information everyone seems to have.

Do we know conclusively that Utah/AZ/ASU/CU gets media partners to pay more money per school than just AZ/CU? How does everyone know this and fill me in on the quotes/links. I’d love it if true, great for ISU.

Yes we don’t have a cable network but every round of realignment has still been about if additions add or subtract dollars and looking at new markets vs markets you already have huge presence in is part of that as well…at least until sports is pure pay per view.

Was it a big mistake to not add USF and UCF together?
I think the number of markets the Big 10 could snap its fingers and add but don’t, suggests this shift of passive market to active audience has tipped to the latter. The Big 10 can cash in on market size unlike all the other leagues. They could add TCU, UA, CU and SDSU and add 4 top 20 markets.

I think the fact these markets are not getting so much as a mention suggests the market overlap with independent fanbases isn’t a major concern anymore. I think this still matters, but is losing importance.
 

HouClone

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Can anyone explain to me why the Big 12 has to expand? Why can't we just let OU and Texas leave, add the other 4, and just stay at 12? Is that not sustainable?

I just look at how the B1G has become a much worse product over the years by adding too many teams. Iowa fans get to see Iowa play tOSU like once every 6 years now or something ridiculous like that. Just dumb.

I guess I can see why the Big 12 would add someone like Oregon, it would definitely add clout and likely per team payouts as well.... but adding UConn (for both football and basketball) seems just beyond stupid. The UConn MBB and WBB don't add enough most likely to increase per team payouts, right? UConn football provides nothing.

I guess I just don't see adding teams just to add teams.
Strength in numbers in terms of perception, voting ability for rules/CFP, etc. Big 12 has gotten screwed through the years with 10 teams when the media (where recruits and fans watch and listen) talk about the # of bowl bids, # of draft picks, # of teams in the tourney, total revenue, etc. They rarely broadcast these things per average. The Pac will see this going forward unless they expand and don't lose anybody.
 
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Mr.G.Spot

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Playing devil's advocate

Could a case be made saying they don't need to know how to read a form of communication that is dying? Simple math? Who cares?

Like most folks don't know how to raise livestock or rotate crops. Those foundational elements are handled. Mastered to allow humanity to focus on new issues?

Edit: new issues like conference realignment!
Simple math....who cares? Are you joking?
 

cytor

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Can anyone explain to me why the Big 12 has to expand? Why can't we just let OU and Texas leave, add the other 4, and just stay at 12? Is that not sustainable?

I just look at how the B1G has become a much worse product over the years by adding too many teams. Iowa fans get to see Iowa play tOSU like once every 6 years now or something ridiculous like that. Just dumb.

I guess I can see why the Big 12 would add someone like Oregon, it would definitely add clout and likely per team payouts as well.... but adding UConn (for both football and basketball) seems just beyond stupid. The UConn MBB and WBB don't add enough most likely to increase per team payouts, right? UConn football provides nothing.

I guess I just don't see adding teams just to add teams.
If only the hoks actually did play tOSU that often. They play the easiest schedule in conference sports on an annual basis.