Realignment Megathread (All The Moves)

[BillBrasky4Cy]

The BIG isn't dumping Maryland or Rutgers any time soon. Too many cable subscriptions. The Big Ten has generally expanded for subscriptions. The SEC has generally expanded for football quality. Missouri was actually good when they went to the SEC.

I was reading something awhile back but both Maryland and Rutgers were really close to the break even line and were projected to be net negatives in the next few years. The B1G DRASTICALLY over valued what the cable companies in the New York and DC areas were willing to pay for BTN.

 

[BCClone]

I was reading something awhile back but both Maryland and Rutgers were really close to the break even line and were projected to be net negatives in the next few years. The B1G DRASTICALLY over valued what the cable companies in the New York and DC areas were willing to pay for BTN.

Rutgers is also, for the first time this year IIRC, is getting a full share of the big ten money. Maryland was a couple years ago. I know they paid off some debt for them, but if they were these huge money earners, the big ten conference basically extorted them to pile in money for themselves with the TV markets. The USC and UCLA ones I think will take care of themselves, but the last 3 teams the big ten added before the LAs are not going to.

 

[BryceC]

Maryland and Rutgers yes but not Nebraska. Say what you want about the bug eaters but they are a huge draw.

They are actually the perfect add. A program that draws ticket sales and eyeballs, but is no challenge to the established order in the conference.

 

[FriendlySpartan]

The NCAA tourney, the big ten has been way off 8/9 good ones. Been one of the weaker leagues the last several years. Generally goes down in a ball of flames first round also.

Oh the big ten has been a dumpster fire in performance but it is still putting a lot of teams in so it is getting a cut of that money.

 

[FriendlySpartan]

I was reading something awhile back but both Maryland and Rutgers were really close to the break even line and were projected to be net negatives in the next few years. The B1G DRASTICALLY over valued what the cable companies in the New York and DC areas were willing to pay for BTN.

I would love to see that article be aside everything I have ever read has talked about how they did their job and secured BTN into those markets in the first place.

 

[jcyclonee]

I would love to see that article be aside everything I have ever read has talked about how they did their job and secured BTN into those markets in the first place.

I can see where subscriptions in those markets have probably dropped to a point that it may be getting close to break-even. Those two certainly aren't going to create a ratings draw to drive ad revenue.

 

[jcyclonee]

They are actually the perfect add. A program that draws ticket sales and eyeballs, but is no challenge to the established order in the conference.

The first year that Nebraska joined the Big Ten, the game against Wisconsin was a huge deal. It seemed like these two would be battling it out for leadership of the BTW for years to come. This year, I can't imagine anybody will watch it other than a significantly less-than-normal number of both Wisconsin and Nebraska fans.

 

[FriendlySpartan]

I can see where subscriptions in those markets have probably dropped to a point that it may be getting close to break-even. Those two certainly aren't going to create a ratings draw to drive ad revenue.

Oh I totally agree with that point but tying subscriptions and cable packages to those two schools a decade+ later is silly. Adding Rutgers and Maryland did exactly what it was supposed to do in securing those markets when cable was king and elevating the big ten to the top of the media revenue market. Now today with everything that’s changing it’s east to say we don’t need them but they did what they were supposed to when they were added.

 

[PickSix]

I’ve heard Tony Altimore make the claim that the other B1G presidents love having Rutgers and Maryland, because it helps them fundraise with alumni in DC and Wall St. Away games there serve as networking opportunities to milk the donors.

Not sure how accurate that is, but if so, there could be value there too.

 

[LLCoolCY]

Hmm…

 

[FriendlySpartan]

Hmm…

I’m very excited to see what kind of numbers the Big12 comes back with. Will really help determine if any other teams are moving and their are so many unique market factors at play.

 

[AuH2O]

I’ve heard Tony Altimore make the claim that the other B1G presidents love having Rutgers and Maryland, because it helps them fundraise with alumni in DC and Wall St. Away games there serve as networking opportunities to milk the donors.

Not sure how accurate that is, but if so, there could be value there too.

I would guess the impact in this regard is minimal to zero. So, Big 10 college X has some prospective donors in DC and NY. President of College X's ability to meet up with them at a road game at Rutgers or Maryland is going to be the difference in getting a big donation? No way.

First, if someone is at the level of big donor, the expense to get to their alma mater in a manner where the time commitment is substantial, is not going to be a factor. If a big donor is in NYC, the time investment difference in getting on a private jet or charter to Ann Arbor vs. getting to Piscataway is probably not some big factor. Second, how much accommodation is a president from the visiting team going to get at a game? Are they going to get a catered luxury box at a road game?

This is more like someone grasping at a way that Rutgers and Maryland still have value. A president or member of the other Big 10 universities may say that, but it's more like, I want a free trip to NYC and I can say I'm meeting with big donors at a game to justify a 4 day trip. Kind of like Leath going to NC to hunt meet up with the boys, I mean, "fundraise."

Rutgers and Maryland's value was 99.99% jamming BTN on those cable providers while they did not get full media dollars. That's it. There were two possible outcomes. The hope by the big 10 was that exposure would greatly improve those programs to the point they would eventually bring real value. Then by the time they get full shares they aren't just a drain. The second outcome is what happened - make a bunch of money for a few years, then have that value degrade over time as they pay full shares to two dogs and cable/sat subscriptions decline.

 

[cyfan92]

That tweet from the conference about TV viewership for the BYU vs BU game is all you need to know about our TV rights contract.

We are going to be in the solid 3rd position.

 

[Jer]

That tweet from the conference about TV viewership for the BYU vs BU game is all you need to know about our TV right contract.

We are going to be in the solid 3rd position.

It will be a distant 3rd, but solid 3rd.

 

[Gonzo]

I’ve heard Tony Altimore make the claim that the other B1G presidents love having Rutgers and Maryland, because it helps them fundraise with alumni in DC and Wall St. Away games there serve as networking opportunities to milk the donors.

Not sure how accurate that is, but if so, there could be value there too.

The safe word with BF and I is ….. Punt.

I wouldn't doubt it, especially for schools like Michigan, Northwestern, Illinois. To a lesser extent the Michigan States, Iowas, etc. Having the university brass come to them would bring value. Fundraising and advancement at that level is 100% about building and growing relationships.

 

[CascadeClone]

I’ve heard Tony Altimore make the claim that the other B1G presidents love having Rutgers and Maryland, because it helps them fundraise with alumni in DC and Wall St. Away games there serve as networking opportunities to milk the donors.

Not sure how accurate that is, but if so, there could be value there too.

B1G has lots of alums in the bay area too. That gives stanford and even cal a bump in value from their perspective.

I continue to think they really wanted those two, UW, and ND. But ND just couldnt be got. Oregon just isnt a good fit for the B1G in terms of tv market size, academics, endowment, etc. Its a football only play, which is not what b1g has done in the past.

 

[Gonzo]

B1G has lots of alums in the bay area too. That gives stanford and even cal a bump in value from their perspective.

I continue to think they really wanted those two, UW, and ND. But ND just couldnt be got. Oregon just isnt a good fit for the B1G in terms of tv market size, academics, endowment, etc. Its a football only play, which is not what b1g has done in the past.

The safe word with BF and I is ….. Punt.

Wouldn't have thought that but yes, spot on. Apparently San Francisco is one of only four cities in the U.S. that's drawn more than 1% of alums from every current B1G university... (NY, DC, SF, LA). Not even Chicago has drawn more than 1% from every B1G school.

 

[alarson]

They are actually the perfect add. A program that draws ticket sales and eyeballs, but is no challenge to the established order in the conference.

Like Texas in the SEC

 

[FriendlySpartan]

Like Texas in the SEC

Bama might argue that one based on that nail biter win over a second string QB

 

[isucy86]

I’m very excited to see what kind of numbers the Big12 comes back with. Will really help determine if any other teams are moving and their are so many unique market factors at play.

Based on Pac12 getting low offer. Would be curious if ESPN (and Fox) will use that as a negotiating approach to encourage Big12/Pac12 consolidation. And down the line ACC consolidation into Big10, SEC, BigPac.

Fewer P5 conferences means fewer guaranteed bids to Conference Champs AND more of 12 bids available to Big10 & SEC. Fox & ESPN's favored children.