You do understand that straight population numbers isn't going to carry nearly the same value on the next contracts right? The networks have been able to gouge the cable providers who then pass the buck on to their subscribers for years. With the rapid pace of cord cutting the big TV money is going to move to a streaming subscription base, so it will really boil down to which fans are willing to pay money to watch their teams. The numbers won't be strong for Pro towns like LA, which IMO puts the Big 12 in a pretty favorable position.
I get it. But my question is;
Whether cable or streaming some entity owns the rights to the games correct?
So, let's say on one side you have a huge population league with marginal fan interest. On the other you have a marginal population league with huge fan interest. Wouldn't it be smart to put that peanut butter and chocolate together to make a delicious treat?
And for the umpteenth time it wouldn't be a f***ing merger (not talking to you Bill). It'd be a joint network we'd split proceeds from plus the added bonus of a Pac game (or two) on the schedule.
Like it or not, fair or not, the Big 12 is viewed as the weakest P5. An alliance with the Pac would assuage this.