Yormark nuggets from WBB/MBB Media Days

[isucy86]

Yormark is the expert on all this, but I'd wonder if some cable networks or streaming services might be interested in basketball, but don't want to put up the big bucks for football.

With the actors/writers strike ABC has televised MNF to make up for the content gap. Would be interesting to see what type a ratings a Big Monday basketball game would generate. I'm sure just a fraction of MNF, but TV is changing and ESPN's TV contracts with Big12/ACC/SEC are already a sunk cost.

But agree, with 16-20 team conferences that is 16-20 conference games a week. That's a lot of inventory. It will be interesting if ESPN & FOX want to corner the market or if its natural for a streamer like Apple or Amazon to jump in. After all, basketball provides inventory 7 days a week.

 

[1UNI2ISU]

Not debating your primary point, but old SWC members may consider themselves charter members of the Big XII as well.

Exactly. Texas Tech and Baylor are every bit the 'continuous member' that ISU, KU, KSU and OSU are.

 

[isucy86]

I just think that whoever owns football rights would complain about what they're paying if they lose basketball rights, which are 'free' currently. I don't know the ins and outs but it seems like a fairly obvious complaint to see if that occurs.

That could be why ESPN and FOX are trying to dominate the CFB market.

Yormark has a better chance to split the FB & BB contracts if there is competition between Networks, Cable Providers and Streamers for the next round of FB TV deals.

 

[Cyrealist]

Vegas seems like a non-starter to me for the simple reason it's west of EVERYBODY. It makes more sense to be along I-70 - Denver, KC, possibly St. louis. Dallas would be a possibility. If you have a conference spanning 4 time zones, lots of things aren't going to be driving distance.

 

[BWRhasnoAC]

That could be why ESPN and FOX are trying to dominate the CFB market.

Yormark has a better chance to split the FB & BB contracts if there is competition between Networks, Cable Providers and Streamers for the next round of FB TV deals.

I just worry that if he splits them, we're only get offered 30 mil instead of 40 mil for football and it's just a wash.

 

[Tailg8er]

Why wouldn't Utah fans want the MBB Tournament to continue in Vegas? It's the most drivable location for their fans. No different than reasoning Cyclone fans want the tournament to stay in KC. I love the idea of keeping the MBB Tourney in KC, but starting next year 8 of the new Big12 won't have experienced KC for hoops. IMO taking a "my way or highway" approach is wrong with the new members.

If we are looking to the future, some change/compromise is necessary. I've said it in other posts, I wouldn't mind the FB championship to be rotated between Dallas, Phoenix or Denver. With hoops a rotation of KC, Denver or Phoenix might be good on a trial basis. But the later two have big shoes to fill for a permanent rotation.

And how many Utah fans would attend the tourney if it was in their backyard anyway? They can't even sell out their home arena. KC is more central for the majority of the conference (don't forget at UCF/West Virginia/Cincy on the other side now). Denver/Phoenix/Vegas would be further for the majority of conference teams, and especially ones that will actually bring fans.

Beyond that, Power & Light and the way KC goes all out for the tourney makes it the obvious choice.

 

[isucy86]

I just worry that if he splits them, we're only get offered 30 mil instead of 40 mil for football and it's just a wash.

But that's where competition is important.

If ESPN/FOX attempt to split the same pie ($40M) into FB($30M) and BB($10M)- then having options is a good thing. Maybe Apple steps in and is willing to bid $40M per school for just FB.

In some ways it would have been beneficial for the Pac to stay together and signed a deal with Apple. It could have been proof of concept for streamers to make big bids on the next round of TV deals in 2030.

 

[Cyrealist]

I just worry that if he splits them, we're only get offered 30 mil instead of 40 mil for football and it's just a wash.

I think it's all in the exploratory stage right now and will only happen if F + B > FB. Another possibility is potential exposure to audiences outside the U.S.

 

[NetflixAndClone]

we can compromise and host the big 12 hockey championship in Vegas.

 

[MugNight]

Vegas is about the most soulless place you could choose for college sports. The tournament would be just another event there, not the main attraction.

KC is beautiful because people are there for the basketball, shared fandom, and appropriately sized entertainment. People are there to watch the games and hang out with other fans. It’s drivable for most. It’s historic to the heart of this conference.

Frankly Utah, CU, and ASU don’t throw enough weight in basketball to call the shots. Arizona has an argument to put it in AZ but that would be silly.

 

[isucy86]

And how many Utah fans would attend the tourney if it was in their backyard anyway? They can't even sell out their home arena. KC is more central for the majority of the conference (don't forget at UCF/West Virginia/Cincy on the other side now). Denver/Phoenix/Vegas would be further for the majority of conference teams, and especially ones that will actually bring fans.

Beyond that, Power & Light and the way KC goes all out for the tourney makes it the obvious choice.

But we aren't just talking Utah. BYU, Arizona and Arizona State would probably all push for a western location for FB and/or BB Championship sites. Who knows, Colorado might be in the same bandwagon.

Not sure KC being "more central" matters for fanbases that fly to KC. It comes down to flight price and convenience.

There could also be the concern by other Big12 schools that KC presents too much of an advantage for KU.

 

[theshadow]

Vegas is about the most soulless place you could choose for college sports. The tournament would be just another event there, not the main attraction.

That was the problem with Dallas. Nobody knew (or gave a ****) once you got more than 2 blocks from the arenas.

In OKC, it was mostly the thing, but some of the infrastructure was lacking.

In KC, the tournament is THE thing.

 

[KnappShack]

But we aren't just talking Utah. BYU, Arizona and Arizona State would probably all push for a western location for FB and/or BB Championship sites. Who knows, Colorado might be in the same bandwagon.

Not sure KC being "more central" matters for fanbases that fly to KC. It comes down to flight price and convenience.

There could also be the concern by other Big12 schools that KC presents too much of an advantage for KU.

Then I vote for Orlando.

 

[isucy86]

Then I vote for Orlando.

That could be a reality if the Big12 adds ACC schools at some point.

 

[Cyclonsin]

Then I vote for Orlando.

I see a world where the Big XII tourney is eventually rotated between central (KC), western (Vegas, SLC, or Phoenix), and eastern locations (Orlando, Cincy, or Louisville).

This is assuming ACC additions at some point.

 

[Buster28]

Vegas has become a playground for the rich. It's not easy for the average Joe to go there and not break the bank anymore. We were considering going to Vegas to watch wbb play in the SouthPoint tournament for Thanksgiving, but ultimately decided against it as we've seen them play there before and it's just too pricey to fly around a major holiday and too expensive overall. Leave the Big 12 tournament in KC. Nowhere else is going to support our tournaments like Kansas City does.

 

[cyfan92]

ISU, KSU, KU, Colorado, OSU, TCU, Baylor, Cincy, and Tech are all about 10 hours or less from KC by driving and non of the travel is through the Rocky Mountains in Winter/Early Spring.

If Cuban can get a better arena and set-up like P&L, I wouldn't mind Dallas. But the combination of drivability, community support, and amenities make KC a no-brainer.

 

[CychiatricWard]

ISU, KSU, KU, Colorado, OSU, TCU, Baylor, Cincy, and Tech are all about 10 hours or less from Vegas by driving and non of the travel is through the Rocky Mountains in Winter/Early Spring.

If Cuban can get a better arena and set-up like P&L, I wouldn't mind Dallas. But the combination of drivability, community support, and amenities make KC a no-brainer.

I’m hoping you meant KC because I want to know how you drive to get to Vegas in under 10 hours!

 

[cyfan92]

I’m hoping you meant KC because I want to know how you drive to get to Vegas in under 10 hours!

Yes, fixed

 

[MartyFine]