Big-12 / Pac-12 possible merger

[OregonCyclone]

I agree which is why I think a Pac-16 would be more likely to be a pod system than a 16-team B1G would be.

1. Washington, Washington St, Oregon, Oregon St
2. Cal, Stanford, USC, UCLA,
3. Utah, Colorado, Arizona, Arizona St
4. Iowa St, Kansas, Oklahoma St, Texas Tech

Play your full pod plus 2 of the 4 teams in each of the other 4 pods. Top 2 conference records play CCG.

Every non-CA school gets 1 game in California each year and another game at home vs. a California team. You could easily arrange it so that the game in California alternates between Bay Area and LA every year for every school in the conference.

That's what I've been thinking too. Play 3 games in your own pod and 2 games against teams in each of the other three pods. That's 9 conference games. Add 3 noncons and you've good a really good schedule. Rotate the teams in the other three pods so you'd play each of them home and away every six years.

I would realign the pods this way though:

2. Cal, Stanford, Utah, Colorado
3. USC, UCLA, Arizona, Arizona State

That way you've got a pair of California schools in two different pods. Play USC and Arizona one year, play UCLA and Arizona State the next, etc. Play Cal and Utah one year, Stanford and Colorado the next. Rinse and repeat.

Scheduling is a good argument for only four Big-12 members joining the Pac-12, not the entire Angry Eight.

 

[cyIclSoneU]

That's what I've been thinking too. Play 3 games in your own pod and 2 games against teams in each of the other three pods. That's 9 conference games. Add 3 noncons and you've good a really good schedule. Rotate the teams in the other three pods so you'd play each of them home and away every six years.

I would realign the pods this way though:

2. Cal, Stanford, Utah, Colorado
3. USC, UCLA, Arizona, Arizona State

That way you've got a pair of California schools in two different pods. Play USC and Arizona one year, play UCLA and Arizona State the next, etc. Play Cal and Utah one year, Stanford and Colorado the next. Rinse and repeat.

Scheduling is a good argument for only four Big-12 members joining the Pac-12, not the entire Angry Eight.

I don’t think Cal and UCLA will happily give up playing annually. Even if it was marginally better for the other Pac-12 South schools. But who knows. I think this a viable 16-team conference that should be 3rd most years among conferences in terms of on-field performance.

 

[SEIOWA CLONE]

I don't think the Big Ten taking PAC 12 teams makes sense on any level whatsoever. Not for the Big Ten, not for the PAC 12.

It makes sense for the Big 10 as a way to counter the SEC getting OU and UT at least for TV games and money wise for the conference. Give them games from 11:00 till midnight.

But its horrible for the teams and their fans that are traveling to the Eastern time zone a couple times a year. Remember noon games in the east are 9:00 AM in the West. Are USC fans going to be thrilled to watch their team playing @Maryland at nine in the morning? Cost of travel will eat the Pacific schools alive, just like it currently does with WV, and they have shorter flights.

 

[cymonw1980]

If the Pac-12 is only taking some Big 12 teams then WVU (geography), TCU and Baylor (religious and small fanbases) are likely to be first cuts. That leaves 5 schools and taking 4 makes the most sense. The smallest fanbase of the 5 is also in a state that would have to be shared and is the worst school of the 5. K-State would get left out and Tech, OSU, KU, and ISU would join the Pac-16.

understand. I think the question is do they expand at all? I think in the end they could get benefits of a merger (fb games) without the downsides (splitting revenue, adding schools they do not want in conf). So,understand why all the Big 8 schools want to get in…but I think we have to look at it from both sides. Depending on the money, they may be willing to take all/some of the schools. But if payouts are not what they need to justify adds may decide to stay at 12.

In that case a schedule alliance could be a good alternative.

 

[cytor]

It makes sense for the Big 10 as a way to counter the SEC getting OU and UT at least for TV games and money wise for the conference. Give them games from 11:00 till midnight.

But its horrible for the teams and their fans that are traveling to the Eastern time zone a couple times a year. Remember noon games in the east are 9:00 AM in the West. Are USC fans going to be thrilled to watch their team playing @Maryland at nine in the morning? Cost of travel will eat the Pacific schools alive, just like it currently does with WV, and they have shorter flights.

I just don't see the B1G and the Pac merging teams in any way. In the near future, I see the B1G going after ISU and KU or they sit for a bit.

 

[SEIOWA CLONE]

I just don't see the B1G and the Pac merging teams in any way. In the near future, I see the B1G going after ISU and KU or they sit for a bit.

I agree, that is why if this merger looks like it going to happen, that could force the Big 10 to make a deal with ISU and KU before they are gone. Otherwise the Big 10 will be taking a risk by setting back and watching the SEC and this NEW Pac 12 grow in popularity. 10 to 15 years is a long time to sit and wait for the ACC schools to come back on the market, and by then the talk may be more of OSU, Mich, and Penn. State leaving as opposed to staying.

The Big 10 has always been in the cat bird seat when it comes to finance compared to the rest of the schools, they could always count on those schools loyalty, because that is where each school could make the most money. With this new SEC deal the Big 10 may fall behind by 20 to 30 million per school in what the league gives out each year. How long is Ohio St. going to be happy with their $70 dollar slice of the pie, when they see Mizzou and Arkansas getting $90 to $100 million a year?

 

[CysDoc]

I think I just need to get this off my chest and this thread is as good as any. ISU is in deep sh*t. I see only two realistic scenarios:

1) The BIG 12 adds 4 teams and gets the best deal it can and limps along at like $15-20 million a year until 2030 or whenever and then things get worse. I think this is the most likely.

2) Some sort of merger with the Pac 12 which may or may not include ISU. This is probably best case.

I don't see why Big 10 would add ISU or anyone else not named ND or USC or similar.

I'm going to go drink.

 

[cygrads]

I think I just need to get this off my chest and this thread is as good as any. ISU is in deep sh*t. I see only two realistic scenarios:

1) The BIG 12 adds 4 teams and gets the best deal it can and limps along at like $15-20 million a year until 2030 or whenever and then things get worse. I think this is the most likely.

2) Some sort of merger with the Pac 12 which may or may not include ISU. This is probably best case.

I don't see why Big 10 would add ISU or anyone else not named ND or USC or similar.

I'm going to go drink.

The only thing the Big10 can do now to try and match what the SEC did - get ND and USC - those two would come close to OU and UT but USC on their own from the PAC will never happen and ND doesn't need the big10 yet (as long as ACC is still together).

 

[Cloneon]

I agree, that is why if this merger looks like it going to happen, that could force the Big 10 to make a deal with ISU and KU before they are gone. Otherwise the Big 10 will be taking a risk by setting back and watching the SEC and this NEW Pac 12 grow in popularity. 10 to 15 years is a long time to sit and wait for the ACC schools to come back on the market, and by then the talk may be more of OSU, Mich, and Penn. State leaving as opposed to staying.

The Big 10 has always been in the cat bird seat when it comes to finance compared to the rest of the schools, they could always count on those schools loyalty, because that is where each school could make the most money. With this new SEC deal the Big 10 may fall behind by 20 to 30 million per school in what the league gives out each year. How long is Ohio St. going to be happy with their $70 dollar slice of the pie, when they see Mizzou and Arkansas getting $90 to $100 million a year?

I agreed with you all the way to $100 million per year. I believe there's a ceiling to ANY product. The SEC as a product onto its own has a pretty inflated ego. When these super star teams start coming in with mediocre records, their product may drop below the fans 'value point' and advertising revenue may decelerate to a point where $100 mil/year becomes an unbearable debt.

 

[CNECloneFan]

I'm still not sure I understand the value the Big 12 leftovers would bring to the Pac 12, other than potential central time zone games. I don't see us improving their TV revenue unless Fox Sports decides to go all in with a Western Half of the US Conference as one of the 4 super conferences.

 

[BCClone]

I don’t see USC and one other team going to the big ten. It would have to be 4-6 if they did. They will not want to be playing all but one of their games in the Midwest. They would also lose a load of power. I think they would prefer a merger/alliance where they get to play their west coast neighbors, play a blue blood or two and then a couple in the other group. Don’t think they would mind dumping UU and CU into the other group. I think UU and CU could be the hold ups due to this though.

 

[SEIOWA CLONE]

I agreed with you all the way to $100 million per year. I believe there's a ceiling to ANY product. The SEC as a product onto its own has a pretty inflated ego. When these super star teams start coming in with mediocre records, their product may drop below the fans 'value point' and advertising revenue may decelerate to a point where $100 mil/year becomes an unbearable debt.

You could be correct it may never get to $100 million, but that is number being thrown out by the Athletic and other sources by the end of the contract.

 

[Brodie0]

It makes sense for the Big 10 as a way to counter the SEC getting OU and UT at least for TV games and money wise for the conference. Give them games from 11:00 till midnight.

But its horrible for the teams and their fans that are traveling to the Eastern time zone a couple times a year. Remember noon games in the east are 9:00 AM in the West. Are USC fans going to be thrilled to watch their team playing @Maryland at nine in the morning? Cost of travel will eat the Pacific schools alive, just like it currently does with WV, and they have shorter flights.

The cost of travel would easily be offset by the increase in revenues. If the Big Ten adds USC, Oregon and a few other of the PAC-12’s most prominent members, those schools would easily double their current TV revenue. An extra $30-40 million easily offsets the additional travel costs.

It would be pretty easy to ensure that PAC-12 teams are always playing in a 2:30 CST or later time slot. And you could get creative with scheduling to limit the impact of traveling for some of the more minor sports (i.e. Wed/Sat or Th/Sun road trips).

 

[drmwevr08]

I just don't see the B1G and the Pac merging teams in any way. In the near future, I see the B1G going after ISU and KU or they sit for a bit.

This is one thing I don't see them doing.

 

[LLCoolCY]

I'm still not sure I understand the value the Big 12 leftovers would bring to the Pac 12, other than potential central time zone games. I don't see us improving their TV revenue unless Fox Sports decides to go all in with a Western Half of the US Conference as one of the 4 super conferences.

That and the number of the Irate 8 fans who would sign up for he PAC 12 network and make if viable.
Not sure merger is the answer but the PAC 12 does need a bold move to get the attention of the nation and Fox/Amazon/ESPH/Netflix for the new TV deal in 3 years.

 

[RustShack]

I think I just need to get this off my chest and this thread is as good as any. ISU is in deep sh*t. I see only two realistic scenarios:

1) The BIG 12 adds 4 teams and gets the best deal it can and limps along at like $15-20 million a year until 2030 or whenever and then things get worse. I think this is the most likely.

2) Some sort of merger with the Pac 12 which may or may not include ISU. This is probably best case.

I don't see why Big 10 would add ISU or anyone else not named ND or USC or similar.

I'm going to go drink.

ND isn’t an option for the B1G. And I’d be shocked if USC went to the B1G with only one other PAC team.

 

[SEIOWA CLONE]

The cost of travel would easily be offset by the increase in revenues. If the Big Ten adds USC, Oregon and a few other of the PAC-12’s most prominent members, those schools would easily double their current TV revenue. An extra $30-40 million easily offsets the additional travel costs.

It would be pretty easy to ensure that PAC-12 teams are always playing in a 2:30 CST or later time slot. And you could get creative with scheduling to limit the impact of traveling for some of the more minor sports (i.e. Wed/Sat or Th/Sun road trips).

Maybe, but you start doing Wed/Sat road trips and Thurs/Sun, that means feeding and hotels for a team eating into that extra money, plus the added impact of missing a whole of school for the kids.

I look at the Pac 12 schools like a business. They are a family own business that have been around for 100 years and are now struggling, they get and offer to sell out their best assists. Do they take it, or purchase another business in the same field that is going bankrupt and would double the size of your territory. You sell out, you are going to lay of people, meaning the other schools are in the same boat as the Big 12 remaining teams. Or do you purchase that bankrupt business and try to reboot your brand that is now enlarged and thereby you remain in control?

 

[CNECloneFan]

Maybe, but you start doing Wed/Sat road trips and Thurs/Sun, that means feeding and hotels for a team eating into that extra money, plus the added impact of missing a whole of school for the kids.

I look at the Pac 12 schools like a business. They are a family own business that have been around for 100 years and are now struggling, they get and offer to sell out their best assists. Do they take it, or purchase another business in the same field that is going bankrupt and would double the size of your territory. You sell out, you are going to lay of people, meaning the other schools are in the same boat as the Big 12 remaining teams. Or do you purchase that bankrupt business and try to reboot your brand that is now enlarged and thereby you remain in control?

Ugh...

 

[Wally86]

When I think Pac12-Big12 merger the most important aspect could be keeping two invites to the playoffs. Step 1 for the Big12 must be keeping an invite. That invite is a life line to relevance.

Another item is funding from non-tv network sources. Is this whole thing an espn move to tie up more teams before streaming gets in the bidding wars? Could streaming services bid as high or higher than espn? It really feels like another shoe is going to drop before we understand what new thing is in play. There is enough cord cutting and technology change something has to be changing.

 

[RezClone]

Perhaps I'll finally get to see my 'Clones play a game in the Rose Bowl Stadium!

And think about the possibility how the Rose Bowl pairs Pac12 - BIG teams, it's a dream to dream that we get Iowa on New Year's Day!

And finally, looks like USC get's to sell booze at their LA Memorial Coliseum games, which makes the long road trips tolerable:

USC to sell beer and wine during home football games at the Coliseum

USC announced it will expand beer and wine sales to all fans at home football games this season for the first time since 2004.

www.latimes.com

How long til they figure out we aren't chomping at the bit to call our team the Clones. Aside from ice cream at Hilton and username handles, it's actually used with a very light touch in Cyclone circles. Just a helpful hint for your next troll account.