REPORT: No Big 12 expansion...this year at least
- Thread starter ChrisMWilliams
- Start date
Yeah, I didn't have numbers at the ready but I have seen where NIU has better TV ratings than many of the schools that are often mentioned. This post backs up what I've seen elsewhere. I think current numbers still reflect this.
Also something to consider, is that often NIU pulls in better ratings despite being relegated to a lesser ESPN channel, for example, NIU pulls in higher ratings on ESPN2 than some AAC schools pull in on ESPN. Given that these schools will be in the Big 12 and have access to better TV slots only helps their case. I think NIU is one of the candidates with the most "growth potential" which is being listed as a factor being considered.
I just think that people here blindly dismiss them because, I don't know, they're in the MAC? MAC...AAC...same difference. If looked at objectively, NIU is one of the better available candidates. Luckily, nobody here is making the decision.
I think the Big12 needs to explore a number of different avenues rather than jump on the easy option of adding schools like BYU, Cincy, UCONN, Memphis, etc. Other than BYU and Cincy- schools like Memphis, UCF, Temple and Houston see their published attendance fluctuate significanly between winning seasons (40k) and bad seasons (20k).
If I were the Big12 leadership, I would explore the following:
1) Not sure the SEC has a GOR. The Big12 should approach Mizzou. Sure the SEC TV contract for FB brings more money, but has Mizzou lost its relevance by moving to the SEC. It definitely has in basketball.
2) Approach a handful of Pac12 schools and see if they would be interested in joining the Big12. It looks like their GOR runs through 2023 or 2024, but are GOR's even enforceable? The obvious targets are schools in Arizona and California, but maybe a combined Big12/Pac12 (less WVU and maybe Utah, WSU and Oregon State)
3) If there is no synergy with the Pac12. The Big12 needs to determine if long term it makes more sense to expand east- adding Cincy, UConn, UCF and Memphis. Or to expamd west- drop WVU and add BYU, SDSU, CSU or Boise or New Mexico or UNLV. IMO adding BYU makes no sense, if the Big12 isn't going all in on expanding west. IMO in 2016 expanding east is the obvious choice. However, long-term is expanding west a better financial decision?
If I were the Big12 leadership, I would explore the following:
1) Not sure the SEC has a GOR. The Big12 should approach Mizzou. Sure the SEC TV contract for FB brings more money, but has Mizzou lost its relevance by moving to the SEC. It definitely has in basketball.
2) Approach a handful of Pac12 schools and see if they would be interested in joining the Big12. It looks like their GOR runs through 2023 or 2024, but are GOR's even enforceable? The obvious targets are schools in Arizona and California, but maybe a combined Big12/Pac12 (less WVU and maybe Utah, WSU and Oregon State)
3) If there is no synergy with the Pac12. The Big12 needs to determine if long term it makes more sense to expand east- adding Cincy, UConn, UCF and Memphis. Or to expamd west- drop WVU and add BYU, SDSU, CSU or Boise or New Mexico or UNLV. IMO adding BYU makes no sense, if the Big12 isn't going all in on expanding west. IMO in 2016 expanding east is the obvious choice. However, long-term is expanding west a better financial decision?
Dekalb is part of the Chicago TV market. This is not a matter of opinion, it is a FACT.
Here's another source, Comcast maps:
Small map:
Large Map:
You ramble non-stop and then cling to the one person who supports you. How about you present some (valid) links to back up your statements. You know, like you said, "link or it didn't happen"!
I think its funny on how set you are on adding NIU and how they "bring" the Chicago TV market.Dekalb is part of the Chicago TV market. This is not a matter of opinion, it is a FACT.
Here's another source, Comcast maps:
Small map:
Large Map:
Having lived in Chicago for the last 7 years, I can say, nobody cares about NIU. Nobody even cares about Northwestern. What is your connection to NIU? There has to be a connection, because no sane person would want to add NIU to the Big 12 if they have no biased opinions.
Who gives a damn if nobody will actually watch them. Nobody watches northwestern, they sure as hell arent watching NIU.
I could have told you that.
The Mormon population is mainly out west and mostly confined to Utah, southeast Idaho, southwest Wyoming, and eastern Nevada.
But that alumni network and ties to the Church of Latter Day Saints puts them on par with what Notre Dame means for Catholics.
Where is that info from. I call BS. How can teams that are never on TV or hidden draw more views than teams that are on every week? What is the total season viewership of the teams. The teams ISU plays is going to bring their average up over some of those schools that play no body week in week out.
LandThieves is in meltdown mode as reality is setting in that they are likely to sign a GoR extension in an expanded Big 12 conference and not be playing in B1G by 2022.
NIU brings Chicago like Rutgers brings NYC. It works for fees on your own network. It doesn't work to boost ratings and sponsor dollars.
Except Rutgers is a huge Tier 1 University, with great academics, and located in a the middle of a metropolis. They have the pull to raise cable subscription fees.
NIU on the otherhand is a second tier mid-sized University located in the middle of nowhere. They don't have the pull to raise cable fees on 3.5 million subscribers.
Just because a University is located in a huge TV market, doesn't necessarily mean they bring that market. Otherwise, NIU, Houston, Tulane, UCF, USF, UNLV, SJSU, SDSU, Temple, and many more D-1 Universities with football that are located in very large TV markets would have been in a P5 conference long ago when expansions were taking place to grab TV viewers.
Comparing Rutgers and the NY market with NIU and the Chicago market is not a good comparison. Northwestern bringing the Chicago market would be a better comparison. (and that's still a stretch)
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Do you know how many people watched last years ISUvOU game? Like 600k.. Thats' it.
Sports Media Watch. With the world of what we call the Internet and a simple google search do you think I just made all that up? You say teams that are never on tv? Like who? Step outside of our state for a second. A lot of games are regional and even though they may not be P5 they still have games on tv..
Since the MAC plays a lot of their nationally televised games during the week nights, they get more viewers just because the casual fan wants to watch college football on a Tues or Wed night. I think the MAC is the only show during those nights on ESPN/2. However, if any of those teams were to join a P5 conference and play their games on Saturday, their ratings would plummet.