Realignment Megathread (All The Moves)

[MisterO]

It’ll be Washington tonight/tomorrow, Oregon and Arizona will then make the move early next week.

I hope you’re right!

 

[MisterO]

Nah they just want the invite, if the big ten wanted them they would already be members

I hope so- would love to have them in B12

 

[RezClone]

Everyone keeps bringing up Rutgers/B1G as a reason for adding UConn to the Big XII. The thing is I don’t think there’s a bigger case of buyer’s remorse anywhere in realignment than the Big 10 has with Rutgers. All I ever hear up here in Michigan is how Rutgers doesn’t fit culturally or competitively, and how it didn’t add the NYC market the way everyone thought it would (stunner). All i ever hear about up here is if the Big 10 could undo one decision it would be Rutgers.

True, but at the same time the similarities stop with football and location. Yormark's interview with Joel Klatt is pretty telling. He really values basketball, particularly its appeal and popularity with Gen Z and its international appeal.

1) Football expansion is a reshuffling domestic value that is probably close to being maxed out, and might even see an overall downturn as boomers are replaced with a much smaller Gen Z. Internationally is potentially even a bigger dead end for college football outside of possibly Mexico or Canada. When you have a growth/value added mindset like Yormark, anything that seems too big to fail is usually due for a pullback or stagnation that can open the door for disruption.

2) Basketball is arguably a net gain with ANY in-roads you make with Gen Z or internationally because they aren't already there with football. Yormark, who is close with Adam Silver, wants to Piggy back off of the NBAs international growth as much as possible. See below.

3)Basketball, in particular the NBA, is just seen as cool in ways that go beyond just the game. It's cultural and socially appealing for Gen Z that is probably undervalued in a boomer/millennial decision makers, but the institutions (conferences) have to be the ones to open the networks' eyes to it because why would you overpay for something you can't see.

4) Can you imagine a world where some of the top Euro talent, maybe not Jokic and Doncic at first (but close to it and maybe eventually), leaves club ball for a year or so and plays in the Big12 making comparable NIL money while getting US exposure pre-draft? Brett Yormark can, and UCONN would likely be at the forefront of that, where as Rutgers never will be.

UConn > Rutgers

 

[ISUCubswin]

New “Alliance” incoming. Many handshakes on it.

Arizona, Oregon, and Washington will not want to play in an alliance.

 

[Gunnerclone]

True, but at the same time the similarities stop with football and location. Yormark's interview with Joel Klatt is pretty telling. He really values basketball, particularly its appeal and popularity with Gen Z and its international appeal.

1) Football expansion is a reshuffling domestic value that is probably close to being maxed out, and might even see an overall downturn as boomers are replaced with a much smaller Gen Z. Internationally is potentially even a bigger dead end for college football outside of possibly Mexico or Canada. When you have a growth/value added mindset like Yormark, anything that seems too big to fail is usually due for a pullback or stagnation that can open the door for disruption.

2) Basketball is arguably a net gain with ANY in-roads you make with Gen Z or internationally because they aren't already there with football. Yormark, who is close with Adam Silver, wants to Piggy back off of the NBAs international growth as much as possible. See below.

3)Basketball, in particular the NBA, is just seen as cool in ways that go beyond just the game. It's cultural and socially appealing for Gen Z that is probably undervalued in a boomer/millennial decision makers, but the institutions (conferences) have to be the ones to open the networks' eyes to it because why would you overpay for something you can't see.

4) Can you imagine a world where some of the top Euro talent, maybe not Jokic and Doncic at first (but close to it and maybe eventually), leaves club ball for a year or so and plays in the Big12 making comparable NIL money while getting US exposure pre-draft? Brett Yormark can, and UCONN would likely be at the forefront of that, where as Rutgers never will be.

UConn and Rutgers

#4 is where it’s at.

 

[FriendlySpartan]

idk... i have seen a lot of chatter about washington and oregon being vetted and approved by the big 10 who is waiting for the pac to fully unravel and swoop in. this could be just that and be chatter, but i think this mystery non-corners team is Cal.

You should hope it isn’t Cal. Those schools were looked at but I never heard anything about them being approved. The presidents have come out repeatedly against further expansion.

 

[HFCS]

The B12 is looking for schools that add to the conference's bottom line. Also, just as an FYI, you can plan a vacation that doesn't including catching and ISU game. I mean, it is an option.

I only mentioned it with UCLA because it's like a perfect storm for Big Ten vacation road game scenario. Ideal weather, historic stadium they've all dreamt of, almost zero actual home fans of their own, they can take kids to Disney or Universal. What I'm really curious about is how long it lasts. The first time Nebraska plays @UCLA I'm gonna see Huskers everywhere just like visiting fans for the Rose Bowl...the third time Nebraska plays @UCLA is it going to just be back to an empty stadium?

Once around New Years my wife came home asking why the entire shopping mall was nothing but middle aged southern white women...Auburn in Rose Bowl.

Washington on game days is a different ballgame than UCLA, SDSU, Cal, Stanford. Seems world class regardless of opponent. I can buy that Washington brings legitimate fan interest from within their own fanbase.

 

[Nolaeer]

Followed closely by Maryland.

Maryland was a great add for the DC market. They beat Texas 2 years in a row in the BIG. they are decent in football, and very good in hoops, and other sports.

BIG has zero regrets on Terps.

 

[SerenityNow]

"In fact, you purchased the ticket for Ms. Cavanaugh."
"Doesn't mean I want her sitting next to me, does it?"

Fantastic Fletch reference. Well done.

 

[MartyFine]

Maryland was a great add for the DC market. They beat Texas 2 years in a row in the BIG. they are decent in football, and very good in hoops, and other sports.

BIG has zero regrets on Terps.

Yep, when I visit DC there is Terps gear everywhere.

 

[ISUTex]

Hawaii is a beautiful place to vacation. Doesn’t mean I want to add the U of Hawaii to the conference.

Agree. Just replying to the person who said Cal and Stanford weren't in an area people would want to go for a vacation/road game trip. I seriously doubt Cal and Stanford are looking at the Big 12.

 

[ISUCubswin]

SEC, B1G, Big 12 will all be at 16 by the end of next week.

ACC-PAC 12 will create an alliance.

This alliance will open the door for B1G, SEC to poach the top 8 in the ACC.

Big 12 will grab the best 4 remaining.

P3 will each have 20 teams.

 

[Gunnerclone]

Read this tweet. Live this tweet. Succeed in the foreseeable future with your realignment takes.

 

[FerShizzle]

the acc cant merge without simultaneously abolishing their GOR, which would free up a bunch of their schools to flee to the SEC and Big 10.

it is bordering on pathetic at this point how unaware the pac is of how this works. i honestly cant believe they havent fired GK yet. he is not a serious person.

 

[BillBrasky4Cy]

Better be WA or OR. Preferably OR. Everyone else is second rate.

My money is on UW, which would force Oregon to make a decision.

 

[Clonedogg]

Let's argue the four corner schools end up in the Big 12.

Wonder if the remaining 8 take SDSU, Tulane, SMU, and god knows who else just to keep P5 status and a playoff spot?

If all four of the corners go, it would be the remaining 6.

 

[ISUCubswin]

the acc cant merge without simultaneously abolishing their GOR, which would free up a bunch of their schools to flee to the SEC and Big 10.

it is bordering on pathetic at this point how unaware the pac is of how this works. i honestly cant believe they havent fired GK yet. he is not a serious person.

Florida State is believed to be exploring deals with B1G and SEC and looking to leave SEC. May be in ACC's best interest to lean into an alliance instead of fall for the same slow fate the PAC did

 

[BillBrasky4Cy]

I'm talking myself into believing the surprise is Washington. Just feels like they've got less leverage than Oregon at this point *cough PHIL KNIGHT cough* and may want to get out in front of this to assure their spot even if the Big Ten is the end goal.

I would bet good money they are the surprise. They can't afford to just ride this thing out like the Nike factory can.

 

[Gunnerclone]

I would bet good money they are the surprise. They can't afford to just ride this thing out like the Nike factory can.

Solid point.

 

[FerShizzle]

You should hope it isn’t Cal. Those schools were looked at but I never heard anything about them being approved. The presidents have come out repeatedly against further expansion.

i guess. i just dont think oregon and washington are realistic options. they will always be flirting with the Big 10 and have 1 foot out the door.