RE: Discussion with Mike Slive
Here's a theory on the idea of "very, very large leagues."
The 4 major leagues already have networks, but only the PAC doesn't have the stabilizing force of a media partner. At some point, they will have to sell though. Who do they sell to and why?
I'll start with this...Cecil Hurt once told me that the SEC would bide its time and pick apart the Big 12. Not that I have some sort of real connection to him or anything, we were simply tweeting about some thoughts on expansion a while back. He later deleted the tweet and I think that's likely because he didn't want to start any rumors. I'm taking it to the bank though...lol
Let's say this all starts by the SEC grabbing Kansas, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, and Texas. The SEC will have captured the Southwest essentially and secured the four biggest products on the board.
The B1G doesn't really have any options left, however.
At that point, the PAC is in trouble. They don't have any major brands to add on their borders and their network doesn't have great distribution.
My theory then shifts to the idea that the PAC sells their network to FOX. Why FOX? They already own half the BTN whereas ESPN doesn't co-own anything. FOX is willing to buy half the PAC rather than all of it because they badly need the content and have a history of investing in fledgling regional networks. The alliance between the PAC and the B1G grows even stronger. The PAC protects themselves from being raided. Instead, the two leagues merge in full partly at the behest of FOX. They also add Iowa State due to politics and to create even divisions.
West: Washington, Washington State, Oregon, Oregon State, Stanford, California, UCLA, USC, Arizona, Arizona State
Central: Utah, Colorado, Rice, Nebraska, Iowa, Iowa State, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Northwestern
East: Indiana, Purdue, Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State, Penn State, Maryland, Rutgers, UConn
The SEC and ACC respond by merging under the banner of ESPN. They also make some strategic additions...
West: BYU, Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas
Central: LSU, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Alabama, Auburn, Tennessee, Vanderbilt, Kentucky, Louisville
South: Florida, Florida State, Miami, Georgia, Georgia Tech, South Carolina, Clemson, Cincinnati, Virginia Tech
North: Notre Dame, North Carolina, NC State, Duke, Wake Forest, Virginia, Pittsburgh, Syracuse, Boston College
|