(05-06-2016 10:01 AM)bigredmachine Wrote: NIU - Brings the 3rd largest TV market and a firm foothold in the midwest, a new market for the Big XII. Makes much more senses monetarily than several of the other candidates. Natural travel partner for Iowa State, W. Virg., and possibly Cinncinati or Memphis.
The Big 12 can not take any teams from P5 Conferences meaning it will have to look down. Next Conference up is the American then Mountain West or BYU.
Tier 1 A - SEC, Big Ten, Notre Dame
Tier 1 B - PAC-12, ACC, Big 12
Tier 2 - American, MWC, BYU, Army
Tier 3 - MAC, CUSA, Sun Belt, Rest of Indy Schools
Tier 4 - FCS
The Big 12 can not get anyone from their Tier so they must go down a tier to find schools Tier 2, however they are not going to take a team directly from Tier 3 or 4 makes the conference look bad.
The only schools from Tier 3 that can jump to Tier 1 is Rice and Buffalo because of AAU Status and Large Market.