After thinking about what it took to get the Big Ten network off the ground and what makes it profitable, I now think that a Big East network has real possibillities. One thing you need, is big cities with lots of cable viewers, and the Big East has that in spades and would be even better if it added Dallas, Houston, Orlando and Philly to the football side.
So here's the 12 teams for FBS football with 20 teams for all other sports model I came up with. (You'll need the other sports for a full functioning network, eventhough right now it seems like a burden to add TCU, Houston, UCF and Temple for all sports)
FBS Football
-----
North
-----
Connecticut
Pittsburgh
Rutgers
Syracuse
Temple
West Virginia
South
-----
Central Florida
Cincinnati
Houston
Louisville
South Florida
TCU
Championship game at the home field of the team with the best conference record.
All other sports divisions
North East
-----
Connecticut
Providence
Rutgers
St. Johns
Syracuse
East
-----
Georgetown
Pittsburgh
Seton Hall
Temple
Villanova
Central
-----
Cincinnati
DePaul
Marquette
Notre Dame
West Virginia
South
-----
Central Florida
Houston
Louisville
South Florida
Texas Christian
Men's and Women's basketball - Play everyone in division home and away. 10 other games from remaining 15 teams. Will have some permanent rivalry cross-over games.
The number of big cities represented by this 20 team Big East are impressive. I hope something comes of it.
Does anyone have any information or link on the possibillity of a Big East network ?
You make a great point, the one thing you need to consider though when talking about having Olympic sports to fill the schedule (even though I think they will invite all the sports but basketball for those program) is that the plan for the Big East Network is for it to be a mostly sports network with entertainment such as concerts and movies to fill the gap. That's the preliminary plan right now. I'll find a link for you about that article, give me a few minutes.
not bad but i still like the 2 10 team league better
your teams seem good except temple not gonna make the cut :)
(11-07-2010 07:22 PM)ChrisLords Wrote: [ -> ]North East
-----
Connecticut
Providence
Rutgers
St. Johns
Syracuse
East
-----
Georgetown
Pittsburgh
Seton Hall
Temple
Villanova
Central
-----
Cincinnati
DePaul
Marquette
Notre Dame
West Virginia
South
-----
Central Florida
Houston
Louisville
South Florida
Texas Christian
As a Louisville fan I wouldn't like that set up. Louisville belongs with Cincy, Marquette, Depaul, and Notre Dame. Also it own the South if it were in that conference. (If ECU were to go instead of Temple I could see them in the South and West Virginia in East)
This isn't the article I saw but here's one for you Chris:
http://www.wvgazette.com/Sports/MitchVin...1005060933
Big East may look into its own TV beast
WHEN ONE LOOKS back on the history of television, there will always be the logo of CBS, aka the Big Eye.
By Mitch Vingle
The Charleston Gazette
Advertiser
WHEN ONE LOOKS back on the history of television, there will always be the logo of CBS, aka the Big Eye.
It had a tradition, a recognizability.
Some 83 years later, the Big Ten Network hit the airwaves. It is a network that learned to cash in on tradition and recognizability - to the point that it may cause a big bang in college sports.
Headquartered in Chicago, the BTN is the first internationally distributed network dedicated to a college conference. It beams approximately 350 live sports events a year - mostly in high definition. It operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
And, milking the ghosts of Woody Hayes and Bo Schembechler, it became a beast. One that apparently has an increased appetite.
Thus, talk of Big Ten expansion.
As those in these parts certainly understand, Big Ten expansion would set all of college sports on its ear, but perhaps especially West Virginia's league, the Big East, and, subsequently, Marshall's league, Conference USA.
Sure, expansion is all about money. But most of the money the Big Ten could reap - aside from a football championship game - would come via BTN. The reach of the successful network would widen, and a wider net would mean increased revenue.
Those involved in the possible Big Ten expansion and those potentially affected by it understand what's driving the study. It also has them thinking.
"Why couldn't we do more with television, and have a Big East television network?'' Big East commissioner John Marinatto has asked.
Good question. And it's a question those in the Big East office on Thursday said probably would be studied
"John Marinatto and Paul Tagliabue have both said it's something they are starting to explore to see what's involved,'' Mike Parsons, WVU's deputy director of athletics, said. Tagliabue, the former NFL commissioner, has been hired by the Big East as a special adviser for strategic planning.
It's a topic the other large conferences across the country will also be exploring. The Pac-10 is discussing the idea. Surely, all will in short order.
Big Ten officials were simply shrewd enough to put their network in play early. Advantage, that league.
WHEN ONE LOOKS back on the history of television, there will always be the logo of CBS, aka the Big Eye.
It had a tradition, a recognizability.
Some 83 years later, the Big Ten Network hit the airwaves. It is a network that learned to cash in on tradition and recognizability - to the point that it may cause a big bang in college sports.
Headquartered in Chicago, the BTN is the first internationally distributed network dedicated to a college conference. It beams approximately 350 live sports events a year - mostly in high definition. It operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
And, milking the ghosts of Woody Hayes and Bo Schembechler, it became a beast. One that apparently has an increased appetite.
Thus, talk of Big Ten expansion.
As those in these parts certainly understand, Big Ten expansion would set all of college sports on its ear, but perhaps especially West Virginia's league, the Big East, and, subsequently, Marshall's league, Conference USA.
Sure, expansion is all about money. But most of the money the Big Ten could reap - aside from a football championship game - would come via BTN. The reach of the successful network would widen, and a wider net would mean increased revenue.
Those involved in the possible Big Ten expansion and those potentially affected by it understand what's driving the study. It also has them thinking.
"Why couldn't we do more with television, and have a Big East television network?'' Big East commissioner John Marinatto has asked.
Good question. And it's a question those in the Big East office on Thursday said probably would be studied.
"John Marinatto and Paul Tagliabue have both said it's something they are starting to explore to see what's involved,'' Mike Parsons, WVU's deputy director of athletics, said. Tagliabue, the former NFL commissioner, has been hired by the Big East as a special adviser for strategic planning.
It's a topic the other large conferences across the country will also be exploring. The Pac-10 is discussing the idea. Surely, all will in short order.
Big Ten officials were simply shrewd enough to put their network in play early. Advantage, that league.
"The Big Ten was a natural [to start its own network] because of its history,'' Parsons said. "It has much more history in all sports than others. Plus, its members are spread out. It has a strong fan base and population.''
The question is, can the Big East pull off a similar move? Can it put together its own network?
"Can it be done? Absolutely,'' Parsons said. "Remember, the Big East was one of the innovators in college basketball television. It had its own network before eventually folding in with ESPN.''
Establishing such a network, however, is a tough gig. The Big East has premier basketball, but setting up a network is anything but a slam-dunk.
"The ACC, all the other conferences, are in the same boat [as the Big East],'' Parsons said. "We have the content, but you also have to have distribution. That was an uphill battle even for the Big Ten.
"You have to have demand, subscriber demand. Then there are other factors that come into play. There are existing [television] contracts. There are a lot of variables.''
The Big East contracts with ESPN and ABC in football and ESPN and CBS in basketball extend through 2013-14.
Of course, in all likelihood, such contracts would remain in place with modifications. The Big Ten still gives CBS and ESPN first dibs in football and basketball. After that, however, is where the BTN steps in, creating a large footprint - with the now very real possibility of shaking the ground of college sports.
The existing network is already a big success. According to the Sports Business Journal, BTN paid out $22 million to member schools in 2008. Big East schools are making around $4.5 million from TV.
"I'd be naïve to sit here and spout off what could be made [via a Big East network],'' Parsons said. "We have to find out if it can be done, if it does make sense. It's certainly intriguing, though.''
Indeed, something to keep an eye on.
(11-07-2010 07:37 PM)ULdave Wrote: [ -> ]As a Louisville fan I wouldn't like that set up. Louisville belongs with Cincy, Marquette, Depaul, and Notre Dame. Also it own the South if it were in that conference. (If ECU were to go instead of Temple I could see them in the South and West Virginia in East)
Ok, so a more louisville acceptable model would be to drop Temple and add ECU (since the Big East network already has Villanova, Temple isn't really needed) :
North East
-----
Connecticut
Providence
Rutgers
St. Johns
Syracuse
East
-----
Georgetown
Pittsburgh
Seton Hall
Villanova
West Virginia
Central
-----
Cincinnati
DePaul
Louisville
Marquette
Notre Dame
South
-----
Central Florida
East Carolina
Houston
South Florida
Texas Christian
Those do seem like more acceptible divisions. WVU should be with Pitt and Louisville sould be with Cincy and ND.
(11-07-2010 07:37 PM)papablastter Wrote: [ -> ]not bad but i still like the 2 10 team league better
your teams seem good except temple not gonna make the cut :)
Hahahahah you're such a hater
(11-07-2010 07:42 PM)CatsClaw Wrote: [ -> ]This isn't the article I saw but here's one for you Chris:
http://www.wvgazette.com/Sports/MitchVin...1005060933
Thanks CatsClaw but that was from May. It would make sense that the prospective data regarding what it would take to make a Big East network feasible would not be available to the press.