Realignment Megathread (All The Moves)

[isucy86]

LOL at the “B10 got it right” hot take. Fox got it right with their sublicense deals with NBC and CBS to offset what they pay to the B10 as 100% rights holder.

But you are correct that the NFL does things right with multiple rights holders all having access to premium brands and post season access unlike FBS FB who leaves billions on the table under the current setup to ESPN’s and Fox’s benefit with their obvious goal of additional brand consolidation to kneecap 25-30 B12/ACC football programs.

And your point about the NCAA MBB tournament is why the NCAA needs to outsource their media rights negotiations to optimize revenues. And CBS/Turner aren’t dictating realignment and destroying conferences like what ESPN and Fox have done with CFB.

What's wrong with FOX sub licensing inventory? They aren't ESPN, the worldwide leader in sports. In fact, until they launched FOX ONE a year ago FOX was the last large media company to have their own diversified streaming platform (BTN+ doesn't count).

So how does FOX maximize it's Big 10 equity? Unless FOX was going to show games at noon, 3:00 & 7:00 (which they have never done), sell the game inventory to CBS & NBC. CBS was in dire straights because ESPN outbid them for Sat afternoon SEC OTA game. And NBC wanted to enhance their Notre Dame media investment by going back-to-back with a Big 10 game.

Everything that is happening is result of open negotiations by willing partners. In other words, both conferences and media companies have their own consultants/in-house experts and lawyers to arrive at contract language and financial terms.

Do you have any corporate business experience?

 

[cykadelic2]

What's wrong with FOX sub licensing inventory? They aren't ESPN, the worldwide leader in sports. In fact, until they launched FOX ONE a year ago FOX was the last large media company to have their own diversified streaming platform (BTN+ doesn't count).

So how does FOX maximize it's Big 10 equity? Unless FOX was going to show games at noon, 3:00 & 7:00 (which they have never done), sell the game inventory to CBS & NBC. CBS was in dire straights because ESPN outbid them for Sat afternoon SEC OTA game. And NBC wanted to enhance their Notre Dame media investment by going back-to-back with a Big 10 game.

Everything that is happening is result of open negotiations by willing partners. In other words, both conferences and media companies have their own consultants/in-house experts and lawyers to arrive at contract language and financial terms.

Do you have any corporate business experience?

Yeah, I have got plenty of prior corporate business experience and the sublicensing done with B10 rights (to Fox’s benefit), CFP rights (to ESPN’s benefit) and B12’s rights (to ESPN’s benefit) doesn’t happen with the NFL who pool all of their rights, don’t have sublicensing of rights, and don’t leave billions on the table like CFB does where the leverage clearly resides with the networks and that obviously needs to change.

You continue to suggest the CFB status quo is okay and doesn’t need a complete overhaul and it obviously does so the more relevant question is do you have any corporate business experience?

 

[isucy86]

Yeah, I have got plenty of prior corporate business experience and the sublicensing done with B10 rights (to Fox’s benefit), CFP rights (to ESPN’s benefit) and B12’s rights (to ESPN’s benefit) doesn’t happen with the NFL who pool all of their rights, don’t have sublicensing of rights, and don’t leave billions on the table like CFB does where the leverage clearly resides with the networks and that obviously needs to change.

You continue to suggest the CFB status quo is okay and doesn’t need a complete overhaul and it obviously does so the more relevant question is do you have any corporate business experience?

30+ years in Finance/Operations. So I understand the reality of business environment, not a pipe-dream of what I hope it were. Also intimate with B2B negotiations and contracts.

I'd love if college sport revenue were equally shared & regional focus for contests. Bring back "conference games" against schools like Mizzou & Nebraska for Iowa State!

What your pushing is a fantasy, it's not going to happen because the money is too big. And people/entities that have a competitive advantage will do everything to keep it.

You are putting your hopes in a political solution. And you'll be VERY disappointed because any legislation will be a litany of compromises to get passed.

In the end, the legislation will provide guardrails governing the school/athlete relationship. But no restriction on Big10/SEC further expansion. And pooling will be voluntary.

Is that a winning solution for you or status quo? IMO if legislation is passed, it will be status quo after a lot of wasted energy, time & money. But I'm sure Cruz, Cantwell, Campbell will be patting each other on the back.

 

[CyCrazy]

30+ years in Finance/Operations. So I understand the reality of business environment, not a pipe-dream of what I hope it were. Also intimate with B2B negotiations and contracts.

I'd love if college sport revenue were equally shared & regional focus for contests. Bring back "conference games" against schools like Mizzou & Nebraska for Iowa State!

What your pushing is a fantasy, it's not going to happen because the money is too big. And people/entities that have a competitive advantage will do everything to keep it.

You are putting your hopes in a political solution. And you'll be VERY disappointed because any legislation will be a litany of compromises to get passed.

In the end, the legislation will provide guardrails governing the school/athlete relationship. But no restriction on Big10/SEC further expansion. And pooling will be voluntary.

Is that a winning solution for you or status quo? IMO if legislation is passed, it will be status quo after a lot of wasted energy, time & money. But I'm sure Cruz, Cantwell, Campbell will be patting each other on the back.

This, pooling is just flat out not going to happen. It sounds great and all but wont happen.

 

[CyCrazy]

Friday Five: Top Targets for Big Ten Conference Expansion

Gopher Gazette's Dan Owen names the five schools the Big Ten should target for conference expansion in case the Protect College Sports Act triggers a scramble for one last round of conference realignment.

247sports.com

We don't make the cut.

 

[HouClone]

Friday Five: Top Targets for Big Ten Conference Expansion

Gopher Gazette's Dan Owen names the five schools the Big Ten should target for conference expansion in case the Protect College Sports Act triggers a scramble for one last round of conference realignment.

247sports.com

We don't make the cut.

We wouldn't make the cut if they expanded the list to 20, maybe 30 teams. SEC? No on that too. Big 12 baby!

 

[Kinch]

This, pooling is just flat out not going to happen. It sounds great and all but wont happen.

The only way it happens is through an anti trust lawsuit, if Sankey and his Big 10 minions don’t get protection. Big 10, SEC, ESPN and Fox have really exposed themselves on several fronts. Their NIL contract, women’s athletics and realignment. If the next round of TV contracts further separates the P2 by a margin that is unacceptable, I can see an antitrust lawsuit not just from the Big 12 and ACC but the players Within the P2. It may not win, but the flip side (and biggest risk for P2) is a the courts may blow up the SEC and Big 10 too, which would be cool.

 

[fsanford]

The only way it happens is through an anti trust lawsuit, if Sankey and his Big 10 minions don’t get protection. Big 10, SEC, ESPN and Fox have really exposed themselves on several fronts. Their NIL contract, women’s athletics and realignment. If the next round of TV contracts further separates the P2 by a margin that is unacceptable, I can see an antitrust lawsuit not just from the Big 12 and ACC but the players Within the P2. It may not win, but the flip side (and biggest risk for P2) is a the courts may blow up the SEC and Big 10 too, which would be cool.

Agree Big 10 and SEC do not want this to get to the courts.. We saw what happened to the NCAA when they thought they would win against athletes. You do not want it left up to the courts and you want some sort of compromise

 

[CyCrazy]

The only way it happens is through an anti trust lawsuit, if Sankey and his Big 10 minions don’t get protection. Big 10, SEC, ESPN and Fox have really exposed themselves on several fronts. Their NIL contract, women’s athletics and realignment. If the next round of TV contracts further separates the P2 by a margin that is unacceptable, I can see an antitrust lawsuit not just from the Big 12 and ACC but the players Within the P2. It may not win, but the flip side (and biggest risk for P2) is a the courts may blow up the SEC and Big 10 too, which would be cool.

You are talking about many dominoes to fall in place for it to happen. Could it? Sure, will it? Doubtful college athletics don't move the needle enough in the wider public to actually get it done.

 

[Kinch]

You are talking about many dominoes to fall in place for it to happen. Could it? Sure, will it? Doubtful college athletics don't move the needle enough in the wider public to actually get it done.

Agreed. I am doubtful too. It all depends on the next tv contracts AND whether there is someone in disneys legal team that points out all the way Disney has exposed themselves. If the University of Illinois sees it, my guess is it’s on Disneys radar screen.

 

[Pope]

You are talking about many dominoes to fall in place for it to happen. Could it? Sure, will it? Doubtful college athletics don't move the needle enough in the wider public to actually get it done.

You said unequivocally it won't happen, and then you said it could happen but you're doubtful. Which is it?

 

[CyCrazy]

You said unequivocally it won't happen, and then you said it could happen but you're doubtful. Which is it?

Both? Anything is possible I guess.

 

[cykadelic2]

Weird and onerous conditions for additional ESPN/Fox brand consolidation:

 

[Al_4_State]

Weird and onerous conditions for additional ESPN/Fox brand consolidation:

My guess is that ESPN and Fox are telling them that there are only 4-5 schools (1 to the Big 10 and 3 to the SEC) that will add value for all members, so they probably don't actually want to go beyond that.

Those schools are likely: Notre Dame, Miami, Florida State, North Carolina, and either UVA or Clemson,

 

[1UNI2ISU]

My guess is that ESPN and Fox are telling them that there are only 4-5 schools (1 to the Big 10 and 3 to the SEC) that will add value for all members, so they probably don't actually want to go beyond that.

Those schools are likely: Notre Dame, Miami, Florida State, North Carolina, and either UVA or Clemson,

It's the first 5 from your list there and Notre Dame isn't joining a league. Clemson picked an awful time for the bottom to fall out.

The battle between the Big Ten and SEC for who goes where is going to be interesting. Miami and Florida State to the SEC and Carolina and Virginia to the Big Ten makes the most sense but we know that means nothing.

 

[Al_4_State]

It's the first 5 from your list there and Notre Dame isn't joining a league. Clemson picked an awful time for the bottom to fall out.

The battle between the Big Ten and SEC for who goes where is going to be interesting. Miami and Florida State to the SEC and Carolina and Virginia to the Big Ten makes the most sense but we know that means nothing.

If it's capped at 19, the Big 10 only has room for one.

Assuming Notre Dame Stays Independent, I'd say it's UVA to the Big 10 and Miami, FSU, and UNC to the SEC.

 

[1UNI2ISU]

If it's capped at 19, the Big 10 only has room for one.

Assuming Notre Dame Stays Independent, I'd say it's UVA to the Big 10 and Miami, FSU, and UNC to the SEC.

Agreed if something passes. I just don't see that provision passing if anything does at all.

The Big Ten and SEC are going to get what they want out of any legislation that makes it through. Just the nature of the beast once Congress got involved.

I think if anything passes, we'll at least get enough anti-trust protections to limit transfers but that is going to be the extent of it.

 

[Al_4_State]

Agreed if something passes. I just don't see that provision passing if anything does at all.

The Big Ten and SEC are going to get what they want out of any legislation that makes it through. Just the nature of the beast once Congress got involved.

I think if anything passes, we'll at least get enough anti-trust protections to limit transfers but that is going to be the extent of it.

I read Dellenger's tweet as the 19 team cap being a concession to get them to support it, indicating they are fine being capped at that number. If they're fine being capped at that number, it's because there are only that many programs that can increase their media deal and their bosses (ESPN/Fox) are telling them they don't want any more schools in those leagues.

 

[cykadelic2]

I read Dellenger's tweet as the 19 team cap being a concession to get them to support it, indicating they are fine being capped at that number. If they're fine being capped at that number, it's because there are only that many programs that can increase their media deal and their bosses (ESPN/Fox) are telling them they don't want any more schools in those leagues.

Sure but five years of independence (presumably for all sports) is a very real hurdle to go through to qualify. The likes of Miami are better off merging the ACC and B12 and engaging new TV partners (I.e. Paramount/Amazon) with rational realignment amongst those 33 schools and reducing the payout gap between them and B10/SEC.

 

[BMWallace]

If it's capped at 19, the Big 10 only has room for one.

Assuming Notre Dame Stays Independent, I'd say it's UVA to the Big 10 and Miami, FSU, and UNC to the SEC.

The B1G will keep that seat open for ND as long as ND remains independent. So they will just stay at 18 until the ACC explodes. And the ACC won't explode unless the SEC goes raiding.