Realignment Megathread (All The Moves)

[2speedy1]

Again, I think it is a demographic play. You're not trying to CAPTURE college-sports fans, you are trying to MAKE them.

Lots of Latinos in the US, esp in Texas & southwest. Many of them go to college. Student population percentages:
Tech 30%
ASU 26%
TCU 11%
Baylor 17%
Houston 33%

All those kids have families. Many of those families have ties across the border. Over a generation, interest level in college sports in Mexico may be a lot different. There's no guarantee, but its a big, long-term, low-risk strategy.

What does having a game in Mexico bring to the latino population in the US? Nothing, unless they are going to it. I really dont see what a latino living in Lubbock is going to gain having a game even a Tech game far away in another country (that many left for greener pastures) even if it yours or your ancestors country.

It means no more to them, than having a game in Germany, Denmark or Wales would mean to me. Unless I am going to the game it means nothing, but honestly I would rather go to any of those places than Mexico for a game, but still would be against it.

Growth in population is going on a lot of places, and we are not pushing for games there. Hell if you want to go international Canada would probably be a better place because at least they have more familiarity to US college football.

Again it is not the NFL that can host basically an exhibition game there, that is preseason and means little or nothing. That also has a different type of fandom and tradition than College, which has a much more organic road to being a fan.

Im all for exploring new ideas, but this one is ridiculous and makes us look like a circus show.

I feel like the ones that have no issue with this are the ones that rarely if ever go to a game anyway, and could care less where the games are held as long as they get to watch them on TV. I am curious how they think this will make more money for the AD and not be a negative for many reasons. Including the new CyTown, Ames, and the University, etc, losing a huge money day.

 

[HFCS]

Hell, plenty of parts of the US dont really do college sports

My sdsu grad friends didn’t know they were in final four.

 

[HFCS]

What does having a game in Mexico bring to the latino population in the US? Nothing, unless they are going to it. I really dont see what a latino living in Lubbock is going to gain having a game even a Tech game far away in another country (that many left for greener pastures) even if it yours or your ancestors country.

It means no more to them, than having a game in Germany, Denmark or Wales would mean to me. Unless I am going to the game it means nothing, but honestly I would rather go to any of those places than Mexico for a game, but still would be against it.

Growth in population is going on a lot of places, and we are not pushing for games there. Hell if you want to go international Canada would probably be a better place because at least they have more familiarity to US college football.

Again it is not the NFL that can host basically an exhibition game there, that is preseason and means little or nothing. That also has a different type of fandom and tradition than College, which has a much more organic road to being a fan.

Im all for exploring new ideas, but this one is ridiculous and makes us look like a circus show.

I feel like the ones that have no issue with this are the ones that rarely if ever go to a game anyway, and could care less where the games are held as long as they get to watch them on TV. I am curious how they think this will make more money for the AD and not be a negative for many reasons. Including the new CyTown, Ames, and the University, etc, losing a huge money day.

You could ask how the Big Ten survived a greater reach 280 days ago. Did they lose billions?

 

[SCNCY]

Regarding playing games in Mexico, I think the comparison we need to look at is Notre Dames game in Ireland. Was that a positive for the school or not?

Didn’t Nebraska also do a game overseas recently?

 

[CascadeClone]

What does having a game in Mexico bring to the latino population in the US? Nothing, unless they are going to it. I really dont see what a latino living in Lubbock is going to gain having a game even a Tech game far away in another country (that many left for greener pastures) even if it yours or your ancestors country.

Oh I see your point now. Only people who physically attend games are influenceable, important, or relevant. You should let all the advertising and marketing people in the universe know this, so they can save their money and cancel all those TV contracts.

In case it isn't clear, Marge, I'm being sarcastic.

The whole point is to have an event that gains attention of non-fans, so that maybe you catch a few. And then a few more. And stay in the news cycle. And catch a few more. Yes losing a home game for someone bites. But it's a tradeoff.

If each team lost a home game for 12 years, but you ended up building enough of an audience in Mexico that got you another $100M per year in TV money, would that be worth it? What if you increase your audience in the US, by capturing more of the growing Latino demographic? That increases your viewership and value too. It is a long term play.

As for being a circus, well, kinda I agree with you there. The game is a stretch, but I suppose "there's no such thing as bad press" as long as they are talking about you.

And don't accuse me of not going to games; I had season tix for the past 12 years. It's just another away game. That's a red herring argument in any event.

 

[isucy86]

......

Fact is we season ticket holders will be losing out on a home game, unless somehow they added an extra home game in the years they go to Mexico. And for those of us that do have season tickets, and go to a bowl game each year, Adding another trip to someplace we really dont care to go, is not a bonus for us.

...

First of all, Iowa State might not even be in the rotation to play a "home" football game in Mexico. The money might be rich enough from the Big12 Conference that schools opt-in to play a home game in Mexico.

Second you keep bringing up as a season ticket holder you would be giving up a home game. Even if that was true it might be once a decade.

But remember ISU has been playing G5 road games like the Ohio game this fall. If the Mexico football series is incremental revenue for EVERY Big12 school, that might allow ISU to not have to play G5 road games every other year. So the reality is, as a season ticket holder you might get more home games. Play a home game in Mexico once a decade and NEVER have to play a G5 road game again.

Also think your lamenting the safety of playing in Mexico as misplaced. Hasn't the NFL been playing in Mexico for a number of years? I haven't heard of any issues. There are hoops tournaments played in Cancun, Bahamas, Hawaii, etc. Fans jump at the chance to spend big bucks to enjoy a novel event.

 

[KnappShack]

The only thing ISU should want is to be in the first Mexican game.

Plant that flag and win over lifetime fans. There's still Chicago Bears fans in London because the Fridge played there in '86.

There is zero downside to this. None.

 

[2speedy1]

You could ask how the Big Ten survived a greater reach 280 days ago. Did they lose billions?

No, but I dont think they gained billions either, from that ONE, game.

 

[RustShack]

The NFL keeps adding more and more games in different countries. Must not be too bad. If it was a big negative you’d think they would stop doing it, instead of doing jt more and more.

 

[2speedy1]

Oh I see your point now. Only people who physically attend games are influenceable, important, or relevant. You should let all the advertising and marketing people in the universe know this, so they can save their money and cancel all those TV contracts.

In case it isn't clear, Marge, I'm being sarcastic.

The whole point is to have an event that gains attention of non-fans, so that maybe you catch a few. And then a few more. And stay in the news cycle. And catch a few more. Yes losing a home game for someone bites. But it's a tradeoff.

If each team lost a home game for 12 years, but you ended up building enough of an audience in Mexico that got you another $100M per year in TV money, would that be worth it? What if you increase your audience in the US, by capturing more of the growing Latino demographic? That increases your viewership and value too. It is a long term play.

As for being a circus, well, kinda I agree with you there. The game is a stretch, but I suppose "there's no such thing as bad press" as long as they are talking about you.

And don't accuse me of not going to games; I had season tix for the past 12 years. It's just another away game. That's a red herring argument in any event.

But you were saying that the game would somehow mean something to the latino population in the US, because it is in Mexico. I have yet to see what benefit it would be, or how it would mean something more than it being a Circus side show, which after a few games the novelty will wear off.

As far as the number you are saying that is all just speculation, I personally dont think a bit of pandering to a Mexican audience is going to be that big of a windfall for the Big 12, both in money and in fans. I think their may be some increase in advertising for the game, but when you divide that up between the members, it will not be that much, and may not make up for the loss of income from a home game, plus the added costs to the school to attend.

My point with people going vs people not, is that the people that dont go to the games it makes no difference to them where the game is, as long as they can watch it on TV. So in turn the only people it affects in a significant way is those that go to the games.

Tell me how much CyTown will make on a home game weekend, then how much when we play in Mexico with no game home. Tell me how much Hotels in Ames will make, restaurants compared to a home game. Tell me all these places that will lose out on money, vs a huge income day. But it will be great ISU might get a few thousand dollars extra, each year after all the expenses are paid to go.

Lastly, a lot of people on here complain about paying $5 for a few months to get ESPN+, but many of those same people think this is great. But for the people that like going to the games, either losing a game (which we pay a lot for), or having to spend thousands of dollars to go to this is just great. It amazes me these same people go both ways, but then those same people care less because they wont pay for season tix, wont go to the game, and will whine they have to pay $5 to see it.

 

[2speedy1]

The NFL keeps adding more and more games in different countries. Must not be too bad. If it was a big negative you’d think they would stop doing it, instead of doing jt more and more.

The NFL is a different animal than College.

Its not like the NFL is playing a huge amount of Games in Mexico, they have played exactly 6 regular season games there in history, and will not play there this year. They have played 7 preseason games there, which are meaningless games no one goes to or cares about. If it was a Gigantic money maker to play in Mexico they would be not only playing there every year, but be adding them there rather than Europe.

But again, NFL is different than College.

Looking back at NFL's history in Mexico

The NFL is heading back to Estadio Azteca in Mexico City for a Monday Night Football game in 2022. Here is a glimpse at the league’s history in Mexico.

www.nbcsports.com

NFL announces designated teams for 2023 international games

 

[awd4cy]

The only thing ISU should want is to be in the first Mexican game.

Plant that flag and win over lifetime fans. There's still Chicago Bears fans in London because the Fridge played there in '86.

There is zero downside to this. None.

If the 3rd or 4th division English soccer league started playing matches in the US, do you think anyone would watch or care?

 

[Clonehomer]

If the 3rd or 4th division English soccer league started playing matches in the US, do you think anyone would watch or care?

The English don't have soccer teams.

 

[HFCS]

No, but I dont think they gained billions either, from that ONE, game.

That's what I'm saying. It's worth an incredibly minimal risk. ISU is going to play in it zero or one times per decade. Maybe the reward isn't great either, who knows, but there isn't this insane huge thing on the line as if we're going to lose a home game every single year. We might never even get to play in it.

If it was some catastrophe you'd be hearing about it from Neb/NW/B10 because the logistics/cost of going crossing seven time zones are far greater than a Big 12 team maybe taking a 90 minute flight in the same time zone. Other than making sure the team all has passports Houston would probably prefer this trip to most B12 destinations, it's a short hop. The game can slot into the exact same media windows.

Latin American immigrant communities can convert to American football pretty quickly. I'm not a sports fan hotbed but if I go to a bar on a an NFL sunday or when a UFC fight is happening the majority of fans will be latino. I used to play in a mostly Mexican soccer league in Chicago on Sundays as the only "gringo" on the team and most of the guys would go out and watch the Bears after our games ended.

 

[HFCS]

If the 3rd or 4th division English soccer league started playing matches in the US, do you think anyone would watch or care?

I'm still an AS Roma fan 23 years later because I studied abroad and went to games there. They aren't the greatest team and Serie A isn't the best league in Europe. Probably 4th or 5th best team in the 4th best European league. The games are on Paramount + now and I watch them with a subscription.

Do I think it's likely to create a bunch of college football/big 12 fans in Mexico? Probably not. Do I think it could happen for some? Sure. I'm failing to see this monumental gigantic loss people are panicking about. Did Northwestern, Nebraska and the Big Ten cancel football going forward? What happened? I missed the catastrophe.

 

[2speedy1]

The English don't have soccer teams.

But they created the word, so.....

 

[isucy86]

But you were saying that the game would somehow mean something to the latino population in the US, because it is in Mexico. I have yet to see what benefit it would be, or how it would mean something more than it being a Circus side show, which after a few games the novelty will wear off.

As far as the number you are saying that is all just speculation, I personally dont think a bit of pandering to a Mexican audience is going to be that big of a windfall for the Big 12, both in money and in fans. I think their may be some increase in advertising for the game, but when you divide that up between the members, it will not be that much, and may not make up for the loss of income from a home game, plus the added costs to the school to attend.

My point with people going vs people not, is that the people that dont go to the games it makes no difference to them where the game is, as long as they can watch it on TV. So in turn the only people it affects in a significant way is those that go to the games.

Tell me how much CyTown will make on a home game weekend, then how much when we play in Mexico with no game home. Tell me how much Hotels in Ames will make, restaurants compared to a home game. Tell me all these places that will lose out on money, vs a huge income day. But it will be great ISU might get a few thousand dollars extra, each year after all the expenses are paid to go.

Lastly, a lot of people on here complain about paying $5 for a few months to get ESPN+, but many of those same people think this is great. But for the people that like going to the games, either losing a game (which we pay a lot for), or having to spend thousands of dollars to go to this is just great. It amazes me these same people go both ways, but then those same people care less because they wont pay for season tix, wont go to the game, and will whine they have to pay $5 to see it.

If playing in Mexico wasn't incremental revenue to the Big12 Conference and it's members, I have a hard time believing Yormark could sell the idea to Presidents and Athletic Directors. The games in Ireland are sponsored by the Dublin Tourism bureau. I am sure the set-up will be the same in Mexico. The game will be sponsored, subsidized and could be ESPN/FOX have agreed to televise.

You also keep bringing up loss of home games and impact on Ames community/Cytown. That's just wrong thinking!!

ISU typically plays 13 home games over a 2 year cycle or 65 home games over a 10 year window. With a bigger conference payout to each Big12 school, ISU wouldn't need to schedule home & homes with the likes of Ohio, UNLV, Arkansas State, etc. So even with Iowa on our schedule, ISU. could play 7 home games EVERY YEAR or 70 home games over a 10 year period. SO even if we have to give up 1 home game a decade- that's 4 more home games over the decade.

I saw where Jared didn't like the idea of KU and Houston hoops giving up a home hoops game. With at least twelve Big12 programs- the round robin schedule is over. Yormark could get creative with the basketball games and have a pre-season Big12 Tournament featuring 4 teams. Or just play a single day event in Nov/Dec and not have the games included in Big12 standings. UNC has played Wake Forest in football and games were non-con.

 

[2speedy1]

That's what I'm saying. It's worth an incredibly minimal risk. ISU is going to play in it zero or one times per decade. Maybe the reward isn't great either, who knows, but there isn't this insane huge thing on the line as if we're going to lose a home game every single year. We might never even get to play in it.

If it was some catastrophe you'd be hearing about it from Neb/NW/B10 because the logistics/cost of going crossing seven time zones are far greater than a Big 12 team maybe taking a 90 minute flight in the same time zone. Other than making sure the team all has passports Houston would probably prefer this trip to most B12 destinations, it's a short hop. The game can slot into the exact same media windows.

Latin American immigrant communities can convert to American football pretty quickly. I'm not a sports fan hotbed but if I go to a bar on a an NFL sunday or when a UFC fight is happening the majority of fans will be latino. I used to play in a mostly Mexican soccer league in Chicago on Sundays as the only "gringo" on the team and most of the guys would go out and watch the Bears after our games ended.

I dont think it will be some sort of catastrophe, I just dont think it will be some huge win for the Big 12. In the grand scheme, it may gain a little but by the time the expenses are covered and the teams divide any extra income, it wont amount to a lot and may not even cover the losses of a home game, for the team that has to go that year.

I think it is a loss for those that buy and go to the games, but not for others. I never said it would be a catastrophe. My feeling is it is little more than a circus side show, and I feel the same about other international games. Overall it wont move the needle that much, either way, but it will suck for those with season tickets. But I did admit that they may add a home game or change to make up the lost home game, if that is done then all is ok, but we will have to wait and see on that. On that not I think playing at Ohio this year sucks too, we should not have to visit G5 teams.

 

[HFCS]

I dont think it will be some sort of catastrophe, I just dont think it will be some huge win for the Big 12. In the grand scheme, it may gain a little but by the time the expenses are covered and the teams divide any extra income, it wont amount to a lot and may not even cover the losses of a home game, for the team that has to go that year.

I think it is a loss for those that buy and go to the games, but not for others. I never said it would be a catastrophe. My feeling is it is little more than a circus side show, and I feel the same about other international games. Overall it wont move the needle that much, either way, but it will suck for those with season tickets. But I did admit that they may add a home game or change to make up the lost home game, if that is done then all is ok, but we will have to wait and see on that. On that not I think playing at Ohio this year sucks too, we should not have to visit G5 teams.

You keep saying our conference will be a circus. The Big Ten is a circus?

 

[2speedy1]

You keep saying our conference will be a circus. The Big Ten is a circus?

I think the game is a circus sideshow. And yes I think the game in Ireland was last year too. Neb vs NU in Ireland, yep very much circus side show.

I also notice they didnt run to go back there this year.