Realignment Megathread (All The Moves)

[2speedy1]

It doesn't matter to them at all. Lack of AAU status doesn't keep a team out, and AAU status won't get a team in. Other factors (media $) are used to make the decision as it related to sports.

As it related to sports -- Its a marketing talking point used by the conference to prop itself up as being academically superior, and an easy way to say no to schools they don't want in the conference for other reasons (media $).

Ok then, name a non AAU school that they have taken? (Nebby was AAU when they joined)

Then name a non AAU school that the B1G would be interested in. Keeping in mind FSU has stated they are actively pursuing membership.

You might say it doesnt matter, but in the end, there is no real way to prove that because all the evidence points the other way, and there really is not any non AAU schools that may possibly be available and that have enough value for the B1G to show any interest.

 

[cykadelic2]

Then why haven't they dropped to FCS if they want to play a 'true' national title and to save costs to fund their non-revs? Why did App State, Delaware, Western Kentucky, Georgia Southern, etc move up when they were always in contention for national titles in a cost controlled environment? Why would the Dakotas give their left nuts to move up when they are winning all the 'true' national titles?

LOL, you're being such an idiot on this topic. Any moves up to FBS from FCS were being done primarily for financial reasons and those reasons trumped a clear path to a national championship.

Both goals are accomplished with a separate G5 playoff and media rights pooling. G5 schools make more money AND they get clear and fair shots at a national championship.

 

[cyfan92]

Personally I am very ok with this. Outside of being an academic powerhouse with a rich alumni base Virginia doesn’t add really anything to the conference. Duke doesn’t bring it in football but you can sell that rivalry and other basketball matchups to make up for it while capitalizing on NC’s state growth.

Math might not math for the dealmakers but I don’t think many people in the conference would mind that add.

Football is king, no doubt. If there was a school(s) to at least consider CBB, it is UNC and Duke!

What I struggle with as a Big 12 fan is whether we should cheer the demise of the ACC. Sure we could go bargain hunting, but I think it strengthens the B1G and $EC more than it helps ISU/Big 12. If the ACC falls, I see a higher likelihood the Big 12 get demoted to the new PAC or AAC level than the big dogs sharing with us..

 

[FriendlySpartan]

It doesn't matter to them at all. Lack of AAU status doesn't keep a team out, and AAU status won't get a team in. Other factors (media $) are used to make the decision as it related to sports.

As it related to sports -- Its a marketing talking point used by the conference to prop itself up as being academically superior, and an easy way to say no to schools they don't want in the conference for other reasons (media $).

Hard to say as no schools without AAU status have ever really been considered and with what’s on the table none of the ACC schools without that status are on the radar.

Now if a school like Georgia, not an AAU member but a top 50 ranked university, we’re being considered I don’t think for a second that lack of membership would be looked at.

Honestly I think FSU’s endowment being so small is more of a dealbreaker (amongst many other things) then AAU.

 

[1UNI2ISU]

LOL, you're being such an idiot on this topic. Any moves up to FBS from FCS were being done primarily for financial reasons and those reasons trumped a clear path to a national championship.

Both goals are accomplished with a separate G5 playoff and media rights pooling. G5 schools make more money AND they get clear and fair shots at a national championship.

At least I'm living in the real world with statements made by real college sports administrators and not some fantasyland proposal from a billionaire who's super important in his own mind.

Project Rudy was a slam dunk. Oops. Now Cody Campbell is going to save college sports because he's given Trump enough money to get him to talk to him and we know how awesome Trump is at following through and keeping the same message from day to day. Can't wait for the next proposal that Mandel writes a column about that you take as gospel.

 

[Drew0311]

Ok then, name a non AAU school that they have taken? (Nebby was AAU when they joined)

Then name a non AAU school that the B1G would be interested in. Keeping in mind FSU has stated they are actively pursuing membership.

You might say it doesnt matter, but in the end, there is no real way to prove that because all the evidence points the other way, and there really is not any non AAU schools that may possibly be available and that have enough value for the B1G to show any interest.

AAU matters zero if a big dog wants to join the big ten. If a team can increase the payout, the big ten would not flinch. AAU mattered in the 1980's and somewhat in the 1990's. However, it does not matter now. If Bama, Texas and Georgia wanted to join the big ten and they didn't have AAU, the big ten would take them in a heartbeat. No questions asked about AAU status. Same with the big 12 and SEC, it's no longer anything about academics. It's about money.

 

[2speedy1]

AAU matters zero if a big dog wants to join the big ten. If a team can increase the payout, the big ten would not flinch. AAU mattered in the 1980's and somewhat in the 1990's. However, it does not matter now. If Bama, Texas and Georgia wanted to join the big ten and they didn't have AAU, the big ten would take them in a heartbeat. No questions asked about AAU status. Same with the big 12 and SEC, it's no longer anything about academics. It's about money.

Cute that you use teams that will never be available for the B1G (and Texas is AAU), outside of catastrophic meltdown, in which case all bets are off on anything.

Can you actually name a school that is even remotely possible in joining the B1G that is not AAU? Being not in the SEC, and of interest to the B1G.

You can say it doesnt matter until you are blue in the face, but there is no evidence to show for it.

I also said if it came down to money or AAU, money would win out, but in the end AAU is for sure a factor when all things are considered and equal. B1G cares too much about the image they think they get from it, and like to brag about it. You forget that in the end the presidents make the decisions, and outside of astronomical money differences between an AAU vs NonAAU school, they 100% would take the AAU school.

 

[Drew0311]

Cute that you use teams that will never be available for the B1G (and Texas is AAU), outside of catastrophic meltdown, in which case all bets are off on anything.

Can you actually name a school that is even remotely possible in joining the B1G that is not AAU? Being not in the SEC, and of interest to the B1G.

You can say it doesnt matter until you are blue in the face, but there is no evidence to show for it.

I also said if it came down to money or AAU, money would win out, but in the end AAU is for sure a factor when all things are considered and equal. B1G cares too much about the image they think they get from it, and like to brag about it. You forget that in the end the presidents make the decisions, and outside of astronomical money differences between an AAU vs NonAAU school, they 100% would take the AAU school.

Money will win out regardless. You are dreaming if you think the Big 10 won't take a school that increases the revenues for each team if they are not AAU status. That isn't even a thought anymore. You are making a 1980's argument in 2025. It's actually a funny thing to argue about since AAU mean zero to sports anymore. Money is what matters. ESPN, Fox, and other streaming services who run the whole show, not the NCAA anymore, don't care if a team is AAU. If Florida State increases TV revenue for ESPN and the big ten, Florida State will be in the big ten.

 

[2speedy1]

Money will win out regardless. You are dreaming if you think the Big 10 won't take a school that increases the revenues for each team if they are not AAU status. That isn't even a thought anymore. You are making a 1980's argument in 2025. It's actually a funny thing to argue about since AAU mean zero to sports anymore. Money is what matters. ESPN, Fox, and other streaming services who run the whole show, not the NCAA anymore, don't care if a team is AAU. If Florida State increases TV revenue for ESPN and the big ten, Florida State will be in the big ten.

You struggle with reading comprehension, dont you.

 

[Drew0311]

You struggle with reading comprehension, dont you.

You struggle with understanding economics and modern world College sports. AAU means nothing anymore. Yet, here you are trying to hang on to some academic thing you think matters in college sports.

 

[2speedy1]

You struggle with understanding economics and modern world College sports. AAU means nothing anymore. Yet, here you are trying to hang on to some academic thing you think matters in college sports.

You didnt read what I said apparently, is the point. But hey you do you.

 

[FinalFourCy]

Appreciate the passion but you know this isn’t happening. Campbell isn’t saving anything and this will just fade away like all these other similar ideas.

Gotta ask, do you actually think this is going to happen? You have to know by now with all the other wrong calls you made regarding this specific issue that it’s not but I’m curious why you think this time is different.

You really shouldn’t talk about bad calls in realignment

 

[FriendlySpartan]

You really shouldn’t talk about bad calls in realignment

You mean the LA schools thing? Yeah that caught a lot of people off guard. This is a bit different as these are public plans that we know more of the details of not something happening in the background that no one knows about.

Get your point but apples to oranges and I’ve also been spot on for just about everything else

 

[BMWallace]

If anyone is interested in the blueprint for the current path of major college sports, I highly suggest reading the book "The Club" by Joshua Robinson and Jonathan Clegg. It details the evolution of English Soccer in the 80s and 90s, the advent of the Premier League, and the massive influx of money that made the EPL one of the largest and most valuable sports entities in the world.

Greg Sankey, SEC Commissioner, has talked about this book being one of the most important books he has read regarding business and sport. Many of the major decision makers in college football see the formation of the EPL as the path that this sport is following.

 

[MartyFine]

Good? Bad?

Saturday’s Kansas State-Iowa State college football game from Dublin, Ireland, averaged 4.01 million viewers on ESPN — down about 20% from 5.0 million for Florida State-Georgia Tech last year

Viewership dips, but still strong, for college football's Ireland game

A lower profile matchup resulted in a smaller audience, but college football's Ireland kickoff game still did well in the ratings.

www.sportsmediawatch.com

Very good without Gameday lead in. Expectations more like 3 mil

 

[FinalFourCy]

You mean the LA schools thing? Yeah that caught a lot of people off guard. This is a bit different as these are public plans that we know more of the details of not something happening in the background that no one knows about.

Get your point but apples to oranges and I’ve also been spot on for just about everything else

LA, ACC schools being able to leave way before 2036, BIG support for revenue sharing, pretty much everything

Your Overton window is narrow. We’re in an era in which many outcomes are plausible

I don’t agree Rudy is the next step, or any step, but some level of Superleague with PE is plausible

Imo the P2 are basically doing that. These networks behind the P2 aren’t exactly immune from institutional investors

 

[FriendlySpartan]

LA, ACC schools being able to leave way before 2036, BIG support for revenue sharing, pretty much everything

Your Overton window is narrow. We’re in an era in which many outcomes are plausible

I don’t agree Rudy is the next step, or any step, but some level of Superleague with PE is plausible

Imo the P2 are basically doing that. These networks behind the P2 aren’t exactly immune from institutional investors

I’m not sure what you’re talking about with ACC schools leaving before 2036 or the big ten revenue sharing part.

I have been very anti super league for a number of reasons however many people on this page define super league very different from each other

 

[HouClone]

Football is king, no doubt. If there was a school(s) to at least consider CBB, it is UNC and Duke!

What I struggle with as a Big 12 fan is whether we should cheer the demise of the ACC. Sure we could go bargain hunting, but I think it strengthens the B1G and $EC more than it helps ISU/Big 12. If the ACC falls, I see a higher likelihood the Big 12 get demoted to the new PAC or AAC level than the big dogs sharing with us..

Cheer for a diminished ACC. It would be better for both conferences to be near equal. If the ACC has two brands left, it will be about equal. If they have 3 or 4 brands left, they may try to poach the four corners, Kansas, West Virginia, and/or UCF.

It would be better if the ACC and Big 12 work together such as a shared TV contract. But the ACC think that they are stronger even if they lose some brands due to their academics, tv channel, and reputation. Sounds like some conference we used to know? Thus, they have no interest in working with the Big 12. So I will take the lesser of two evils and hope for some brand defections to the Big 10 or SEC.

 

[ClubCy]

Cheer for a diminished ACC. It would be better for both conferences to be near equal. If the ACC has two brands left, it will be about equal. If they have 3 or 4 brands left, they may try to poach the four corners, Kansas, West Virginia, and/or UCF.

It would be better if the ACC and Big 12 work together such as a shared TV contract. But the ACC think that they are stronger even if they lose some brands due to their academics, tv channel, and reputation. Sounds like some conference we used to know? Thus, they have no interest in working with the Big 12. So I will take the lesser of two evils and hope for some brand defections to the Big 10 or SEC.

This will never happen voluntarily and I would put the odds at very minimal of teams getting booted.

Unless there’s a 24 team super league or whatever, which I also put at low odds happpening.

 

[Die4Cy]

I haven't stopped by the Megathread for a long time let's just see what's new...




Nothing. Nothing new. Exact same arguments and speculation as three years ago.