Recent realignment new and rumors pros and cons
There have been a lot of rumors and news that affects realignment the last few months. I think a lot of it might be strategic leaks to signal different conferences and schools to get on board with a possible consolidation to a power 4. Looking at the rumors/news and who it affects positively or negatively. Feel free to add your own rumors/news and pro and con to it or agree or disagree with me on mine. At the end I add my thoughts on what it might mean to each conference.
OU wants B12 expansion
Pro: G5 B12 expansion candidates, B12 depending on who they expand with and what they gain from the expansion
Con: Texas's B12 power (who wants 10), other power conferences with B12 schools as expansion candidates and adds 2 more schools into the pie, B12 and it's schools if OU knows this is never happening and is using it as political cover to leave later or if the adds are seen as weakening the B12
ESPN cutting costs
Pro: FOX and maybe NBC, CBS if they get serious with their future bids
Con: B1G T1, ACCN, LHN maybe
OU to the SEC
Pro: SEC, ESPN
Con: B1G, B12 schools and conference, PAC, FOX
OU and KU to the B1G
Pro: B1G, FOX/ESPN depending on who wins B1G T1, ACC
Con: SEC, PAC, B12 schools and conference, ESPN if they lose B1G T1, FOX if they do not gain B1G T1
KU and Texas to the SEC
Pro: SEC, ESPN, ACC if a P4 is the goal
Con: B1G, PAC, FOX, B12 schools and conference, possibly the ACC if they want Texas
ACCN continues to be a definite maybe
Pro: B12, B1G, SEC
Con: ACC and its schools, especially FSU and Clemson
USF and UCF to the B12
Pro: USF/UCF, FOX, B12 gains FL recruiting, a CCG and divisions
Con: All other G5 B12 candidates, Miami, possibly UF and FSU, AAC, ACC as Miami is the brand most likely to be eroded by UCF/USF
PACN not paying out what was hoped
Pro: ESPN, FOX, B12
Con: PAC and it's schools
B1G conference payout hits $32M especially with T1 increase looming
Pro: B1G, any B1G expansion candidates, FOX though the B1GN
Con: ACC, B12, PACN
SECN is a success and projected to become more profitable
Pro: SEC, SEC expansion candidates, ESPN
Con: PACN, ACC, B12
My thoughts on each conference:
1: PAC is being signaled to sell to a piece of their network to FOX/ESPN to get their help getting greater carriage though bundling and the power they can exert with their other channels. The B1GN (FOX) and SECN (ESPN) are doing great. Let us help you. They are also being signaled that they are not a player for any of Texas, OU, and KU with the status quo in realignment. The money is not there to entice and overcome the time zone/travel issues.
2: B12 is being destabilized once again. OU is talking once again about stability and that means there is little. Complaints from within about lack of a B12N/LHN. Obvious dissension about staying at 10 or going to 12. Not having a CCG hurting it with the playoff committee. Rumors of the 3 money schools (UT, OU, KU) going to the B1G and/or SEC. The B12 is being made to look weak at a crossroads in it's existence. Might be signaling the weaker schools to go along with what will happen and be happy we will find you a home somewhere.
3: ACCN still in limbo with ESPN cutting costs. ACC is the lowest paid with little chance of growth. Being threatened with B12 expansion into FL. Is the ACC being signaled by ESPN to take Texas and some B12 friends to get the LHN converted into an ACCN and increase it's payout to make it more competitive with the SEC/B1G financially. If they don't play ball, they face the chance of no network and no Texas to help with T1/T2. This is not a happy financial future for the ACC.
4: B1G is being signaled that they need ESPN for T1 or ESPN will work to move deny OU, KU, and Texas to the B1G by trying to move them into the ACC and SEC. The cost cutting could be a signal to the B1G and FOX (misdirection so FOX bids lower?) as well that the ESPN bid will be lower than expected, but I think that threat will be used more against the ACCN (not having cash/valuable content to start it) than the B1G T1 which is extremely valuable. The B1G is signaling to everyone that they have money and more is coming soon so get on board this train.
5: The SEC is sitting pretty and should come out a winner no matter what. ESPN will take care of them. They also have a lot of flexibility with who they could add and create value.
TLDR: Rumors, news, and speculation on realignment as usual.
(This post was last modified: 07-21-2015 12:00 AM by jhawkmvp.)
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