NBC should aggresively go after both conferences. They will need inventory for Tu/We/TH/FR & all day Saturday. They will need at least 2 leagues to fill up all that time.

Should also seriously consider going after the MAC when their deal is up w/ESPN. ESPN pays the MAC small $ so getting them to jump shouldn't take that much. Why the MAC?

1) Starting in 2012 the largest New England university playing in the FBS will be a MAC program (UMASS)
2) The 2nd largest FBS university in PA is a MAC program (Temple)
3) The largest New York university in the FBS is a MAC program (Buffalo)
4) The 2nd largest FBS university in Illinois is a MAC program (NIU)
5) MAC significantly strengthens NBC's presence in Ohio and Michigan.

Getting the MAC away from ESPN helps NBC make up for the Eastern teams that have left the Big East.

Won't the TV deals from C-USA and MWC still be valid with the alliance?

(12-12-2011 12:29 AM)stever20 Wrote:  Won't the TV deals from C-USA and MWC still be valid with the alliance?

Not if all of the current members withdraw from both conferences and form a new one that's a separate legal entity.

Apparently such a plan is at least under consideration, since there are reports that the members are weighing the benefits of being able to strike a brand new TV deal against the downside of losing their men's basketball autobid for eight years (which is how long a brand new conference would have to wait to qualify for an autobid).

If I'm the executive for NBC/CBS I'd sign the Alliance.

Why?

Pretty sure I'd get all-sports contract for dirt cheap.

More teams, more games.

The schools in the Alliance would be willing to play during the week; as an exec, I'd want at least one game every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. Maybe even Monday.

Balanced amount of teams East and West. So, there's the possibility of getting two games on the same week night.

Having Hawaii in the conference is a big plus for that late night Saturday game when no other network will have one.

Not having a bidding war for Alliance TV rights with another sports network would also be a factor.

(12-12-2011 01:11 AM)HawaiiMongoose Wrote:  

(12-12-2011 12:29 AM)stever20 Wrote:  Won't the TV deals from C-USA and MWC still be valid with the alliance?

Not if all of the current members withdraw from both conferences and form a new one that's a separate legal entity.

Apparently such a plan is at least under consideration, since there are reports that the members are weighing the benefits of being able to strike a brand new TV deal against the downside of losing their men's basketball autobid for eight years (which is how long a brand new conference would have to wait to qualify for an autobid).

I thought the story was they were going to go (and expected to get) the waiver route in terms of a new conference, since they were two conferences of autobid schools that are not really changing their make-up?

Quote:The schools in the Alliance would be willing to play during the week; as an exec, I'd want at least one game every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. Maybe even Monday.

Dont' think that's happening... That was one reason C-USA jumped to FOX.. no more Tuesday/Wednesday games... Every coach in C-USA pretty much ripped ESPN for sticking us on Tuesday nights. No way do the C-USA half of the alliance backtrack on that one (IMO)... and right now (if the alliance happens) C-USA schools have the numbers on their side.

I do think it's more likely NBC makes an offer to the MAC, but I"m not sure they'd jump from ESPN unless it's for more cash.

(12-12-2011 02:14 AM)DaSaintFan Wrote:  

(12-12-2011 01:11 AM)HawaiiMongoose Wrote:  

(12-12-2011 12:29 AM)stever20 Wrote:  Won't the TV deals from C-USA and MWC still be valid with the alliance?

Not if all of the current members withdraw from both conferences and form a new one that's a separate legal entity.

Apparently such a plan is at least under consideration, since there are reports that the members are weighing the benefits of being able to strike a brand new TV deal against the downside of losing their men's basketball autobid for eight years (which is how long a brand new conference would have to wait to qualify for an autobid).

I thought the story was they were going to go (and expected to get) the waiver route in terms of a new conference, since they were two conferences of autobid schools that are not really changing their make-up?

No doubt if they start up a new conference they'll seek a waiver from the eight year requirement. I haven't seen anything indicating what their expectations of success are though. You'd think they could make a good case, but then, this is the NCAA we're talking about... you know, the "No Clue At All" guys.

ESPN offered The Big 12, ACC, and the Big East early contract renewals last springs... ACC ($155-million/year exclusive all-sport), Big 12 ($90-million/year non-exclusive), Big East ($130-million exclusive all-sport). ACC and Big 12 each accepted their contracts, but the Big East rejected theirs -- it was being said then, that the exclusivity undercut potential growth of current CBS deal, devalued Big East Basketball, and didn't adequately compensate for expansion and a championship game. Notre Dame brought NBC to the table with interest, CBS is on record saying they'd like to keep their take, and ESPN really doesn't want to get into a bidding war, they tried to get them signed on cheap, before the blockbuster Pac 12 deal. However, Boise State has been their go-to program lately, with great ratings success, they like being the home of college football and they fear in roads by NBC, so they'll at least want a share. The new NBC Sports will have a distinct advantage that other cable sports channels have never had going up against ESPN, and that is 19 days of OLYMPIC coverage next summer as part of an extended launch -- I think you'll see membership chat again right after the bowls, and the tv contract approached sooner rather than later after that. If there is a bidding war for Big East sports -- before Syracuse and Pittsburgh have left, watch them closely, after all they were jumping ship for television revenue.

(12-12-2011 12:29 AM)stever20 Wrote:  Won't the TV deals from C-USA and MWC still be valid with the alliance?

I am sure they can open it up with the loss of 5 members of Cusa/Mwc.

Cuse and Pitt, are jumping not just for TV reasons. They are going to what is percieved as a superior conf. Being connected with some of the ACC academic schools is a huge plus for them. They are both gone, If you have any fantasy of them staying you are completely off base.

The caveats that the OP stated answer the question. The Big 12 and ACC could plausibly raid the Big East. However, that also means that those Big East teams must have some real TV value. Even without. basketball included (which would then truly be a no-brainer), the football league alone is more valuable to the networks. Look at who is raiding whom. There's a clear pecking order, so to the extent that the Big East loses schools, it can go and pick off the best Alliance members, anyway. That's how it has worked in two straight major realignment even with the Big East on its literal deathbed both times (no matter how much some Alliance members keep telling themselves that it might be different the next time around).

(12-09-2011 04:09 PM)KnightNasty Wrote:  

(12-09-2011 04:08 PM)RonSwanson Wrote:  

(12-09-2011 04:06 PM)KnightNasty Wrote:  

(12-09-2011 03:56 PM)RonSwanson Wrote:  

(12-09-2011 03:48 PM)KnightNasty Wrote:  Why are ECU and Southern Miss not stared?

Where would we go? Sunbelt?

Dont give me the boo hoo. You are obviously a serious candidate for further BE expansion...

Link?

Both you and ECU are consistently mentioned. Continuing to win CUSA after UCF/Houston/SMU leave is only going to strengthen that...

Really? You think the leaving of those 3 affected anything.

C-USA Championships since 1996
Houston- 2 (Shared one with USM)
Southern Miss- 5 (Shared one with Houston)
Tulane- 1
Louisville- 3
TCU- 1 (Shared with Cincinnati)
Cincinnati- 1 (Shared with TCU)
Tulsa- 1
UCF- 2
ECU- 2

Houston and UCF are tied with ECU for Championships. USM has'em all beat. SMU has been to the 'ship once and lost.

So tell me again why we we will be winning more championships when those 3 leave?

(12-11-2011 09:27 PM)texasorange Wrote:  

(12-11-2011 07:20 PM)bitcruncher Wrote:  

(12-11-2011 06:50 PM)texasorange Wrote:  Hell, I'd go for the English Premier League soccer, Arena Football league, the WNBA and the PBA!!!

Not me. I'd go for the Lingerie Football League. Promoted properly, that could be a huge moneymaker...

Definately, add that too. And consider any dog show still available and a fishing show.

Storage wars, My big redneck wedding and American Pickers would be good to add along with them, might even toss in some reruns of Rosanne and Sex in the city to add value.