Cracks in the B1G?

[FinalFourCy]

Maybe consolidation helped, not sure that’s true, but would require more analysis. No question the demo and technological habits have impacted viewership.

Take the “Best Week 1 ever!” With a grain of salt. It’s not apples to apples anymore since the measurement methodology changed. It is potentially more accurate now at least.

It was a great week regardless of which methodology

This isn’t complicated. The networks are making moves that make them money. A big part of that is improving or preserving ratings

I understand the cope behind fans of a lower tier brands like us thinking the networks made a mistake in determining how to get better (preserve) ratings. It’s unlikely they did, and so far nothing suggests they have

 

[FriendlySpartan]

He didn't give a flat "No". That's news.

No it’s not it’s media training. Never give a definitive answer is one of the first lessons. This way no one is upset it’s legit a perfect answer

 

[theshadow]

Basically you miss the old conference but just want to add Wisconsin, Illinois and Minn instead of OUT? I don’t blame ya but that’s big ten west level easy which I thought we made fun of (which I agree) on here?

I'd love to be able to decide on a whim on Friday that I wanted to attend a road conference game, and just hop in the car and go -- instead of having to book flights, etc.

For example, ISU's conference road schedule in 2005 was Nebraska, Kansas, Mizzou, and A&M. Three of those are within "Hey, wanna go? Sure!" distance.

 

[FriendlySpartan]

So you believe top schools want to exploit wealth advantages, and not give them up

I agree- RIP to Big 10 equal tv revenue sharing.



The same unequal revenue scheme can occur in a superleague, with all schools still making more than now due to cutting into the profit of the networks

You’re talking about 2 different kinds of super leagues that’s why I asked you earlier and why you dodge my point about top teams leaving the big ten

 

[FriendlySpartan]

I'd love to be able to decide on a whim on Friday that I wanted to attend a road conference game, and just hop in the car and go -- instead of having to book flights, etc.

For example, ISU's conference road schedule in 2005 was Nebraska, Kansas, Mizzou, and A&M. Three of those are within "Hey, wanna go? Sure!" distance.

Yeah that’s legit awesome

 

[coolerifyoudid]

Why wouldn't they push for a bigger cut? Where are the likes of Iowa or Indiana going to go? Yeah, they're sitting at the table with the big boys, but what are they going to do when the big boys demand they hand over more? Are they going to stick around as long as they're making more than the B12/ACC, even if it's a nominal amount? Probably. Will their fans talk themselves into believing it's a phenomenal deal? Probably.

Anything is possible, but I'd be surprised if Ohio State put other conference members in a financial position worse than what they would get if they moved to the Big 12 or ACC. Texas? Absolutely. But I'm giving Ohio State the benefit of the doubt that they wouldn't do that large of a heel turn.

I think they would join a super conference or go independent first. Just my opinion of course. As I said, anything is possible and I wouldn't get surprised any more.

 

[Cyhig]

I'd love to be able to decide on a whim on Friday that I wanted to attend a road conference game, and just hop in the car and go -- instead of having to book flights, etc.

For example, ISU's conference road schedule in 2005 was Nebraska, Kansas, Mizzou, and A&M. Three of those are within "Hey, wanna go? Sure!" distance.

That’s the pure essence of collegiate sports. Playing teams regularly with close geographical proximity

I’m sure @FriendlySpartan isn’t too thrilled with the start time when Michigan State plays USC. Now imagine having that start time knowing USC will make much more money than MSU for the game

 

[exCyDing]

Anything is possible, but I'd be surprised if Ohio State put other conference members in a financial position worse than what they would get if they moved to the Big 12 or ACC. Texas? Absolutely. But I'm giving Ohio State the benefit of the doubt that they wouldn't do that large of a heel turn.

I think they would join a super conference or go independent first. Just my opinion of course. As I said, anything is possible and I wouldn't get surprised any more.

The Super League happens when the B10/SEC have-nots don't have anything else to give.

 

[SCNCY]

I think any kind of revenue sharing vote in the Big 10 is interesting. For it to actually happen, the schools would have to vote in favor of it; not sure what the threshold is, but assume a 3/4 or something similar is needed?

The thing here is that the big schools can’t really threaten to leave for another conference if they don’t get their way. This is different than the PAC, Big12, and ACC where they had/have options in to joining either the Big10 or SEC. The schools who would benefit from an arrangement would need to coordinate with other schools of their caliber (SEC blue bloods) to break off as well and create their own conference.

 

[FriendlySpartan]

That’s the pure essence of collegiate sports. Playing teams regularly with close geographical proximity

I’m sure @FriendlySpartan isn’t too thrilled with the start time when Michigan State plays USC. Now imagine having that start time knowing USC will make much more money than MSU for the game

I personally don’t mind as I work nights so it’s ok but yeah you’re right where most of the other alumni I know range from annoyed to pissed to happy they live on the west coast lol

 

[Cyhig]

I personally don’t mind as I work nights so it’s ok but yeah you’re right where most of the other alumni I know range from annoyed to pissed to happy they live on the west coast lol

Can’t blame them. I know I had a hard time staying awake for the BYU game a couple years ago. And that finished around midnight central time IIRC. The MSU/USC game likely won’t finish until close to 2:30 AM eastern time

 

[cytor]

The big schools don't have to leave the conference.... they can get rid of the bottom feeders if they don't take the pay cut. They will get their way one way or another.

 

[SolterraCyclone]

It was a great week regardless of which methodology

This isn’t complicated. The networks are making moves that make them money. A big part of that is improving or preserving ratings

I understand the cope behind fans of a lower tier brands like us thinking the networks made a mistake in determining how to get better (preserve) ratings. It’s unlikely they did, and so far nothing suggests they have

Yes Week 1 was a great week. No argument.

I can’t say networks are making more money though. I can’t find average CFB viewership over a season by year (let me know if anyone can). So I picked 2008 and 2009, prior to realignment.

• 2008: CFB games averaged 2.8M viewers per game
• 2009: 3.0M viewers per game
• 2024 (which got all sorts of PR for how great ratings were): 1.9M viewers per game

Now, as I mentioned, I don’t think realignment is the primary factor for that, but we definitely cannot say it’s helping. Numbers indicate it may be hurting. It’s not cope. If viewership was trending up, I’d agree with you. Let’s see how 2025’s numbers with their new methodology shakes out.

 

[Gonzo]

The big schools don't have to leave the conference.... they can get rid of the bottom feeders if they don't take the pay cut. They will get their way one way or another.

You think a majority of university presidents would vote themselves out of the conference?

 

[cytor]

You think a majority of university presidents would vote themselves out of the conference?

Nope.... but they can vote out a bottom feeder if it positively affects their wallets.

 

[Gonzo]

Nope.... but they can vote out a bottom feeder if it positively affects their wallets.

Well it would take at least 10 votes to kick any one school out. You think 10 university presidents would vote to expel Northwestern or Purdue or Iowa?

 

[JEFF420]

i think some big10 people are finally getting on the train we've been on for 10+ years. you aren't special. they don't care. its money.

 

[FerShizzle]

Well it would take at least 10 votes to kick any one school out. You think 10 university presidents would vote to expel Northwestern or Purdue or Iowa?

not a chance. but it only takes 1 vote for a school to leave.

how much is each OSU game worth if they are selling them to the highest bidder? 25 million per or more? and in that scenario there are only 2 parties involved in the negotiation. the school and the network, and not 18 schools.

OSU has all the leverage here and can do whatever they want.

 

[FerShizzle]

You think a majority of university presidents would vote themselves out of the conference?

they could stay affiliated for other sports, agree to play 4 or 6 or whatever number of football games with the big 10, but the remainder of their games are theirs to sell to whomever.

again, they have 100% of the leverage here.

 

[FriendlySpartan]

not a chance. but it only takes 1 vote for a school to leave.

how much is each OSU game worth if they are selling them to the highest bidder? 25 million per or more? and in that scenario there are only 2 parties involved in the negotiation. the school and the network, and not 18 schools.

OSU has all the leverage here and can do whatever they want.

Yeah OSU isn’t going independent, come on now