http://espn1420.com/benson-tempering-tal...irds-nest/
Quote:Early Wednesday afternoon in a conference call with the media, Sun Belt Commissioner Karl Benson was, naturally, asked about further expansion.
And, because of the way the questions were asked, there were many who came away with the opinion more expansion was on the way.
Benson didn’t seem to rule out any possibilities.
But, in an exclusive interview later in the day on Bird’s Eye View, Benson gave me the impression the Sun Belt might be just about finished adding teams.
Quote:Benson, in the early presser, sidestepped questions about Texas-Arlington, a school widely speculated to be ready to join the Sun Belt in olympic sports. UTA does not play football.
In the later interview, Benson made it pretty obvious UTA would be a great addition to the league. The addition of UTA would bring the Sun Belt to twelve schools, ten of which play football. And, Benson spoke of how much better it is to schedule when you have twelve schools. He specifically spoke of a compact Western Division including Texas State, UTA, Arkansas State, Arkansas-Little Rock, Louisiana and Louisiana-Monroe.
He did NOT sound like a Commissioner who couldn’t wait to add more schools.
Quote:Benson, when reminded of his original presser when he said he’d like to see the league with twelve football schools and a conference championship game, today said he’s “tempering” those remarks, given the landscape of college athletics and where schools are being slotted.
I took that to mean there’s no one else Benson really feels adds anything to the league, at least for right now.
Benson mentioned other schools that would like to make the move to the FBS. He specifically mentioned Georgia Southern, Appalachian State, Liberty and Jacksonville State to the east and Lamar and Sam Houston State to the west.
He also said, if the CEO’s want to get to twelve football schools, New Mexico State and Idaho, both about to be FBS orphans, could be considered as “football-only” members, even though they are outside of the Sun Belt geographical footprint, which runs from Texas to the east coast, and as far north as Kentucky.
But, we all need to remember Benson is the commissioner of the league. He works at the behest of the CEO’s, who have the flnal call when it comes to membership.
Quote:So, while just about anything is possible, the reality is, unless the CEO’s decide to expand further, the Sun Belt is probably one announcement away from getting out of the expansion business, at least for the time being.
I would expect Texas-Arlington to be announced within the next two weeks. As part of the University of Texas system, they have a board to deal with, just as the University of Louisiana system schools do.
And then I expect the “no vacancy” sign to be put out.
I think it will be a grave loss if the Sun Belt doesn't go to 14 total and 12 football schools. There is no way that will hurt us unless it is Idaho and NMSU. They wouldn't help us out at all except in basketball, but if they are added as football only schools then that doesn't make any sense. I wouldn't mind FCS upgrades. I just want a championship game bad. I feel that would help with TV revenue and bowl tie-ins. Just my opinion.
(05-02-2012 09:28 PM)TroyBoy67 Wrote: [ -> ]I think it will be a grave loss if the Sun Belt doesn't go to 14 total and 12 football schools. There is no way that will hurt us unless it is Idaho and NMSU. They wouldn't help us out at all except in basketball, but if they are added as football only schools then that doesn't make any sense. I wouldn't mind FCS upgrades. I just want a championship game bad. I feel that would help with TV revenue and bowl tie-ins. Just my opinion.
I agree. I'd much rather see a champ game than not.
His 2:00 conference call was constantly praising the benefits of 12 football teams.
Benson is intentionally keeping everyone guessing.
He seems clear in the second interview
(05-02-2012 09:37 PM)panama Wrote: [ -> ]He seems clear in the second interview
Did you listen to the 2nd interview or are you referring to the writer's interpretation of it? I don't see where you can actually listen to the interview. It is amazing how differently two people can interpret the same thing. I would have to hear it for myself.
I'm just ready to see 12 football teams and 14 basketball/baseball teams and let some rivalries build and for the Sun Belt to be an established conference for everyone to stay and let it grow and move on up in the rankings as a unified conference.
I am referring to the exclusive interview with The Bird's Eye View w/Jay Walker the same guy who wrote article. That is what this thread is about.
(05-02-2012 09:41 PM)GSU Eagles Wrote: [ -> ] (05-02-2012 09:37 PM)panama Wrote: [ -> ]He seems clear in the second interview
Did you listen to the 2nd interview or are you referring to the writer's interpretation of it? I don't see where you can actually listen to the interview. It is amazing how differently two people can interpret the same thing. I would have to hear it for myself.
I didnt get that impression either. The article is obviously slanted in a particular direction, but nowhere did Benson say anything like that, its all "he didnt sound like," and "I took that to mean," and "I expect," who is he interviewing, Benson or himself?
Its a blog for heavens sake, not the encyclopedia brittanica.
(05-02-2012 09:47 PM)panama Wrote: [ -> ]I am referring to the exclusive interview with The Bird's Eye View w/Jay Walker the same guy who wrote article. That is what this thread is about.
Is there a recording of the interview? The article you posted is about the interviewer "reading between the lines" about what he thinks Benson is thinking. We all know Benson is going to be very careful about what he says.
(05-02-2012 09:30 PM)mtsufan561 Wrote: [ -> ] (05-02-2012 09:28 PM)TroyBoy67 Wrote: [ -> ]I think it will be a grave loss if the Sun Belt doesn't go to 14 total and 12 football schools. There is no way that will hurt us unless it is Idaho and NMSU. They wouldn't help us out at all except in basketball, but if they are added as football only schools then that doesn't make any sense. I wouldn't mind FCS upgrades. I just want a championship game bad. I feel that would help with TV revenue and bowl tie-ins. Just my opinion.
I agree. I'd much rather see a champ game than not.
I agree with those sentiments.
(05-02-2012 09:48 PM)GSU Eagles Wrote: [ -> ] (05-02-2012 09:47 PM)panama Wrote: [ -> ]I am referring to the exclusive interview with The Bird's Eye View w/Jay Walker the same guy who wrote article. That is what this thread is about.
Is there a recording of the interview so that it can be listened to?
I am looking and dont see any podcast
(05-02-2012 09:47 PM)Glassonion Wrote: [ -> ] (05-02-2012 09:41 PM)GSU Eagles Wrote: [ -> ] (05-02-2012 09:37 PM)panama Wrote: [ -> ]He seems clear in the second interview
Did you listen to the 2nd interview or are you referring to the writer's interpretation of it? I don't see where you can actually listen to the interview. It is amazing how differently two people can interpret the same thing. I would have to hear it for myself.
I didnt get that impression either. The article is obviously slanted in a particular direction, but nowhere did Benson say anything like that, its all "he didnt sound like," and "I took that to mean," and "I expect," who is he interviewing, Benson or himself?
Its a blog for heavens sake, not the encyclopedia brittanica.
The interviewer could be spot on.
He may be bad at reading people and be way off.
He could be writing it based on what he would like to happen.
Who knows at this point. With so many changes happening every day, even Benson doesn't know for certain what will transpire.
(05-02-2012 09:47 PM)panama Wrote: [ -> ]I am referring to the exclusive interview with The Bird's Eye View w/Jay Walker the same guy who wrote article. That is what this thread is about.
I actually listened to the interview on ESPN radio (the link was in another thread). This review of that interview, even though it's done by the interviewer, is clearly editorialized.
(05-02-2012 09:53 PM)Klak Wrote: [ -> ] (05-02-2012 09:47 PM)panama Wrote: [ -> ]I am referring to the exclusive interview with The Bird's Eye View w/Jay Walker the same guy who wrote article. That is what this thread is about.
I actually listened to the interview on ESPN radio (the link was in another thread). This review of that interview, even though it's done by the interviewer, is clearly editorialized.
Definitely. I don't see how Benson goes from being so non-commital and careful about every word he is saying at the 2:00 call to expressing strong clear direction an hour later.
(05-02-2012 10:03 PM)GSU Eagles Wrote: [ -> ]Definitely. I don't see how Benson goes from being so non-commital and careful about every word he is saying at the 2:00 call to expressing strong clear direction an hour later.
Must be running for office.
Guys...Guys...come on now, we should have expected this. It's clear as day Benson isn't going to splurge everything on a sports radio show. I expected it to be this way before even listening to it. The man simply worked his way around the questions. He wants to keep people wondering and like he said he still has to answer to the CEO's and chancellors's etc. so of course he more than likely doesn't even know himself. He has ideas...but thats it.
Everyone just needs to relax and enjoy the ride. It will all work out....unless NMSU & Idaho join
From what it sounded like to me Benson almost goofed and admitted the plan to expand to 12 in the Texas State presser. Its almost like someone got in his ear and reminded him that UNT and FIU hadnt left yet, and it would be a bad idea to comment on expansion until then.
So he gets in the 2nd presser, and makes this big deal about 12 football schools, only to realize that he basically admitted a plan to expand because the general public assumes UNT and FIU have their bags packed and are simply just paying the bills until moving day.
Then he gets to Bird's interview and a face he's familliar with, and tones the rhetoric down a bit.
My opinion of the Texas State presser was that it was horribly unplanned, and I place a lot of blame on Texas State's AD for that, he came out looking like a bumbling idiot in the last 5 minutes. My guess is that we decided at the last minute to announce before CUSA, so it looks like we are being proactive instead of reactive and that it forced harried speeches that came off as if they were written on the plane ride over from New Orleans.
My guess is that the SBC will be very noncommittal on everything until a decision is actually made. My gut says we want to add 2 more to get to 12, but dont have firm commitments from App or GSU, yet and dont want to advertise our plans too much in a landscape that will not calm down even after the CUSA adds are complete.
The SEC will not sit at 14 for long, and the Big 12 will not sit with West Virginia alone for very long either. Once they move, we begin the entire mess all over again.
I'm so glad we have a fair and balanced poster like panama to clarify this to everyone. Pack it up app and ga southern fans, panama made his all important statement with zero agenda.
2-3
(05-02-2012 09:53 PM)Klak Wrote: [ -> ] (05-02-2012 09:47 PM)panama Wrote: [ -> ]I am referring to the exclusive interview with The Bird's Eye View w/Jay Walker the same guy who wrote article. That is what this thread is about.
I actually listened to the interview on ESPN radio (the link was in another thread). This review of that interview, even though it's done by the interviewer, is clearly editorialized.
Totally agree.
Benson seemed very neutral in the interview, and that is the smart play. He probably realized it doesn't make sense to say "oh yeah, we definitely need to get to 12 in football!" What if he said that, and then the top choices didnt work out? Then the Belt is scrambling to add schools like Idaho or Liberty. By being neutral, he doesn't hurt the chances to expand to 12, but he keeps the conference from looking bad if they stay with 10. Win/win.
The recap of that interview was totally editorialized. That guy admitted that he thinks the conference should not expand any more. He took very neutral answers from Benson and twisted them into what he wanted to hear.