Realignment Megathread (All The Moves)

[SCNCY]

Years down the road, I wouldn’t be surprised one bit if there’s a 30 for 30 where the Big10 and SEC knew of each others’ deals. Felt like they were setting it up to announce together. But, they would have had to keep the schools out of it for FOIA reasons. Just the two commissioners sitting down at the country club making moves like they were chess pieces. Then TAMU screwed up their plans.

I think the SEC knew that USCLA was going to the Big10, only because of the rumor that the SEC approached USCLA about joining. At which point, both schools approached the Big10 saying ‘if you don’t take us now, we’re going to the SEC.’ The Big10, probably wanted to protect the rose bowl affiliation and tradition had to act on it. And this was all ESPNs plan to lock down big brands under their control while they were negotiating the new SEC media deal.

 

[isucy86]

I think the SEC knew that USCLA was going to the Big10, only because of the rumor that the SEC approached USCLA about joining. At which point, both schools approached the Big10 saying ‘if you don’t take us now, we’re going to the SEC.’ The Big10, probably wanted to protect the rose bowl affiliation and tradition had to act on it. And this was all ESPNs plan to lock down big brands under their control while they were negotiating the new SEC media deal.

Hard to tell.

Some podcasts have just USC approaching Big10 to garner interest. UCLA was added to the conversation later based on TV partner preference.

 

[SCNCY]

Hard to tell.

Some podcasts have just USC approaching Big10 to garner interest. UCLA was added to the conversation later based on TV partner preference.

Very well could be too.

I just don’t think it’s a coincidence that OUT and USCLA happened at the same time. I also base my opinion from articles that ESPN is trying to grab brands into their portfolio.

 

[exCyDing]

You continue to focus on a written agreements to join a new conference being up front. Go back and look at the process for OuT to join SEC. They didn't request to join and SEC didn't formally agree to accept OuT for many, many months after July 2021 when it initially broke in the media.

What you are missing is a university using intermediaries, boosters and consultants to do the legwork and get the table firmly set.

You mention that SDSU was burned. That's why they were burned- they followed the playbook of indirect contact to feel confident they were Pac bound.

If a school is going to rely on dissolving their conference to circumvent their GOR and join a new conference, they are going to have smart enough lawyers to guide them on the process.

Listen to CU Chancellor's statements in the media. He is very careful with words. He hasn't "negotiated" with Big12. But do you think he doesn't know where CU stands financially if the jump to Big12?

A smart enough lawyer is going to tell them not to ******* do it if there’s any threat of violating their current league’s bylaws or getting left at the alter by their new conference.

That’s why it doesn’t get done.

Additionally, PAC schools are under contract for another year. Nobody’s going anywhere until after then. It’s not really the same situation, they’re negotiating for whatever their next deal is, not trying to get out of their current deal.

If OUT or USCLA had voted to dissolve their conferences and the motion passed, you can bet the schools voting on the losing side would have sued and alleged conflict of interest. And very likely won if there were deals in place.

USCLA and OUT both initially announced the departure dates for the end of the deals they were currently under. (And yes, I know OUT was hoping the B12 would fall apart). If the B10 or SEC backed out, there was still the PAC or B12 to go back to. If schools dissolve their conference, there’s no more conference.

 

[isucy86]

A smart enough lawyer is going to tell them not to ******* do it if there’s any threat of violating their current league’s bylaws or getting left at the alter by their new conference.

That’s why it doesn’t get done.

Additionally, PAC schools are under contract for another year. Nobody’s going anywhere until after then. It’s not really the same situation, they’re negotiating for whatever their next deal is, not trying to get out of their current deal.

If OUT or USCLA had voted to dissolve their conferences and the motion passed, you can bet the schools voting on the losing side would have sued and alleged conflict of interest. And very likely won if there were deals in place.

USCLA and OUT both initially announced the departure dates for the end of the deals they were currently under. (And yes, I know OUT was hoping the B12 would fall apart). If the B10 or SEC backed out, there was still the PAC or B12 to go back to. If schools dissolve their conference, there’s no more conference.

OuT didn't announce their departure at the end of their GOR. They announced it 47 months ahead of expiration.

OuT announced- July 2021
Big12 Media Exp- June 30, 2025

 

[exCyDing]

OuT didn't announce their departure at the end of their GOR. They announced it 47 months ahead of expiration.

OuT announced- July 2021
Big12 Media Exp- June 30, 2025

Correct. They announced it ahead of time, but it was to start when their current deal was up. They weren’t leaving early, they were leaving when they were no longer contractually bound. Ditto with USCLA.

 

[CysRage]

Correct. They announced it ahead of time, but it was to start when their current deal was up. They weren’t leaving early, they were leaving when they were no longer contractually bound. Ditto with USCLA.

OU/UT absolutely wanted to leave early even if they didn’t publicly say it for contract and Big 12 bylaw reasons. There’s a reason they tried to cause a panic by funneling other Big 12 teams to the American. Bowlsby caught ESPN/The American in the act and sent the cease and desist to ESPN. If the panic fleeing would have worked, OU/UT and the others leaving to the American could have voted to dissolve the Big 12 allowing those teams to leave immediately and cheaply even if there was a GOR. The only winners in that scenario was OU/UT. Texas A&M thwarted this by leaking the OU/UT news before anyone wanted, a move the rest of the Big 12 should be very thankful for.

 

[JHUNSY]

Not sure if it’s been asked, but does the NCAA DI Council approval to allow conference championship games (2016) for conferences smaller than 12 teams also extend down to a 9-team conference as well then?

That would be a material source of revenue that I’m sure they do not want to risk losing (if they lost a team and really had to weigh all options on expansion).

 

[Clonehomer]

A smart enough lawyer is going to tell them not to ******* do it if there’s any threat of violating their current league’s bylaws or getting left at the alter by their new conference.

That’s why it doesn’t get done.

Additionally, PAC schools are under contract for another year. Nobody’s going anywhere until after then. It’s not really the same situation, they’re negotiating for whatever their next deal is, not trying to get out of their current deal.

If OUT or USCLA had voted to dissolve their conferences and the motion passed, you can bet the schools voting on the losing side would have sued and alleged conflict of interest. And very likely won if there were deals in place.

USCLA and OUT both initially announced the departure dates for the end of the deals they were currently under. (And yes, I know OUT was hoping the B12 would fall apart). If the B10 or SEC backed out, there was still the PAC or B12 to go back to. If schools dissolve their conference, there’s no more conference.

The issue for OU/UW is the next contract. If the PAC pulls this together and puts a contract out there good enough to sign a GOR, those two teams will be looking for an out in case the Big10 comes calling. That out would be for other schools to leave for the Big12 and they all agree to disband the conference. Ultimately a tough sell and would certainly be a tricky court situation. But it would be one way to make them feel better about signing a GOR this year.

 

[isucy86]

Correct. They announced it ahead of time, but it was to start when their current deal was up. They weren’t leaving early, they were leaving when they were no longer contractually bound. Ditto with USCLA.

IMO that is half right USC/UCLA timed their departure to be nice about their departure and when Pac12 deal ended.

But with OuT, I will always believe OuT expected the Big12 to implode in 2021 and they would be in SEC by now. And not be on hook for $100M to Big12.

 

[cytor]

Disney has no plans of selling ESPN as of now. They interested in selling some of what they own, but ESPN is not one of them.

Disney is in a bad tailspin right now. It will be interesting to see what happens next for them.

 

[CysRage]

Not sure if it’s been asked, but does the NCAA DI Council approval to allow conference championship games (2016) for conferences smaller than 12 teams also extend down to a 9-team conference as well then?

That would be a material source of revenue that I’m sure they do not want to risk losing (if they lost a team and really had to weigh all options on expansion).

They eliminated the minimum altogether so a 9 team Pac could still have a championship game.

 

[jctisu]

Disney is in a bad tailspin right now. It will be interesting to see what happens next for them.

It will be interesting to see how knee jerk they are with everything. Right now is not a good time for most companies. Disney was hit hard with COVID from a park standpoint, and now they have a lot of money tied up with rights deals or acquisitions. But everything is cyclical and Disney will be fine just like the other fortune 100 that have been around for decades. Disney in the late 90s and early 2000’s with Eisner was in a tailspin and then had a run that was crazy good under Iger.

In today’s world everyone is so quick to doom and gloom everything. Just like the stock market goes up and down, these massive companies will get things figured out one way or another and when the good years are good, nobody will say anything. When the economy and everything is bad, then it’s “it’s all ending!”

 

[NWICY]

Was OU, UT, USC, UCLA leaving common knowledge by their conferences before it was released by the media?

Those schools were all voting on all conference matters until their leaving went public.

So if there is a vote to dissolve the Pac10 or ACC, I'm confident every school will have a vote. Like I said, they know how to navigate around conference bylaws.

aTm blew the whistle on OUt they didn't want TX to the SEC.

 

[JCity]

It will be interesting to see how knee jerk they are with everything. Right now is not a good time for most companies. Disney was hit hard with COVID from a parka standpoint, and now they have a lot of money tied up with rights deals or acquisitions. But everything is cyclical and Disney will be fine just like the other fortune 100 that have been around for decades. Disney in the late 90s and early 2000’s with Eisner was in a tailspin and then had a run that was crazy good under Iger.

In today’s world everyone is so quick to doom and gloom everything. Just like the stock market goes up and down, these massive companies will get things figured out one way or another and when the good years are good, nobody will say anything. When the economy and everything is bad, then it’s “it’s all ending!”

Idk the entertainment side of Disney can't seem to make anything new and the Marvel cash cow is coming to an end. They also have priced their park out of reach for most people and missed out on what has been huge growth for the amusement industry this last year. And to tie back to media deals unless the sell ESPN they probably aren't adding anything that isn't a must have.

 

[CyCrazy]

I think the SEC knew that USCLA was going to the Big10, only because of the rumor that the SEC approached USCLA about joining. At which point, both schools approached the Big10 saying ‘if you don’t take us now, we’re going to the SEC.’ The Big10, probably wanted to protect the rose bowl affiliation and tradition had to act on it. And this was all ESPNs plan to lock down big brands under their control while they were negotiating the new SEC media deal.

USCLA makes less sense in the SEC, than the B10. And neither make sense.

 

[jctisu]

Idk the entertainment side of Disney can't seem to make anything new and the Marvel cash cow is coming to an end. They also have priced their park out of reach for most people and missed out on what has been huge growth for the amusement industry this last year. And to tie back to media deals unless the sell ESPN they probably aren't adding anything that isn't a must have.

We likely just don’t know what the move is that will boost them back up. Read up on Disney and the late 90s and you would have the same conversation basically with a few differences naturally. But then they bought Pixar and struck other deals and content (like Marvel). Let’s see what the company that has typically always figured it out does before burying them.

 

[GoldCy]

It will be interesting to see how knee jerk they are with everything. Right now is not a good time for most companies. Disney was hit hard with COVID from a park standpoint, and now they have a lot of money tied up with rights deals or acquisitions. But everything is cyclical and Disney will be fine just like the other fortune 100 that have been around for decades. Disney in the late 90s and early 2000’s with Eisner was in a tailspin and then had a run that was crazy good under Iger.

In today’s world everyone is so quick to doom and gloom everything. Just like the stock market goes up and down, these massive companies will get things figured out one way or another and when the good years are good, nobody will say anything. When the economy and everything is bad, then it’s “it’s all ending!”

Your showings your youth. For the record follow the link.

Only 52 US Companies Have Been on the Fortune 500 Since 1955, Thanks to the Creative Destruction That Fuels Economic Prosperity

What do the companies in these three groups have in common? Group A: American Motors, Brown Shoe, Studebaker, Collins Radio, Detroit Steel, Zenith Electronics and National Sugar Refining. Group B: Boeing, Campbell Soup Company, Colgate-Palmolive, Deere & Company, General Motors, IBM, Kellogg...

www.aei.org

 

[1UNI2ISU]

I saw a report from Mandel (who’s a **** reporter but has PAC 12 sources) that at least 2 P12 schools are against any expansion.

I’m assuming that’s Oregon and Washington, which, if that is the case, means there definitely won’t be any expansion for the foreseeable future. Those two are key to the league surviving, so the other schools really can’t afford to overrule them on schools like SDSU and SMU

It's Stanford and Cal. Who they associate with from a cultural/academic perspective is far more important that anything that happens in athletics.

 

[SolterraCyclone]

It's Stanford and Cal. Who they associate with from a cultural/academic perspective is far more important that anything that happens in athletics.

That’s very possible too. He also said “at least”. So there could be more