Let's hypothetically say that the B1G wanted to add schools in current areas

(ISU, Cincy, Pitt, ND, Temple)

Could they go to the schools unaffected by a new "neighbor" and say,"What can I give you to assure your vote for this?"

WHAT would teams ask for?

My guess is that they consult the school(s) who might consider it an encroachment on their marketing area to determine whether they want them and would welcome a regional/instate rival or if they would like to blackball them. Not all blackball carry the same weight though--Ohio St is definitely going to get their way and keep out Cincinnati but less politcally connected members might have their wishes overlooked in order to admit a particularly attractive prospect.

Commissioner really has nothing to offer. Revenue distribution formula is determined by school vote as is the location of championship events. TV determines the big schedule stuff. Commissioners hold very little power.

(10-05-2016 05:00 PM)arkstfan Wrote:  Commissioner really has nothing to offer. Revenue distribution formula is determined by school vote as is the location of championship events. TV determines the big schedule stuff. Commissioners hold very little power.

The job of a commissioner in this situation would not be to seek out ways to earn the vote, but to

A) Make sure a vote doesn't happen

OR

B) Keep the press out until the decision is already made by the conference and there can be a second "unanimous" vote.

One thing a commissioner might be able to do is guarantee divisional alignments that the offended team desires. Another possibility is a scheduling deal - team A doesn't like the idea of realignment with school B, but will be guaranteed a favorable home schedule for first two years of the new alignment, etc.