Expansion Candidates

[cyIclSoneU]

Assuming it’s those schools with BYU instead of Memphis, I think you maybe go:

East: ISU, Kansas, Kansas State, Cincinnati, West Virginia, UCF

West: Oklahoma State, Texas Tech, TCU, Baylor, Houston, BYU

My initial impression was that the divisions would be imbalanced doing it this way but I think they’re fine really.

Work the scheduling so that everybody in the East gets at least one game in Texas every year.

I posted my take on this earlier with BYU subbed in for Memphis, and the West was BYU, KU, KSU, OSU, Tech, and TCU. The East was ISU, Cincy, WVU, UCF, Baylor, and Houston. Same reason as I just shared for chopping Texas across the divisions. Do protected rivalry games for ISU-KSU as well as Tech-Houston and BU-TCU at a minimum.

 

[isucy86]

That's been my worry when i've heard chris and blum talking about 'adding a few schools just to get by for 5-10 years'. Would other schools want to leave what they have (lower money but stable) for a conference where half the members are looking for the first exit out the door? Would they try to require a GoR to this conference that would make it harder for us to leave if a Pac\B1G invite came down the road?

It will be interesting if the Big10 goes after a shorter contract. Last go around, they did something like a 7 year deal.

The realignment train has slowed down in the media, but behind the scenes there has to be a lot analysis identifying if any potential schools are accretive to Big10 or Pac10 per school payouts. IMO if the Big10 is going to expand, that needs to happen in the next 4 months so the Big10 can earnestly negotiate their new media rights deal which starts with 2023/24 FY.

One option for Big12/8 is to enter into some scheduling deals with independent schools like BYU, UConn and Army without adding them to the Big12/8. Similar to Notre Dame's deal with ACC.

 

[Dolokaju]

My 4 are BYU(football only…) National following; UCF largest market in FL gonna have a ton of alumni in the years to come; Cincy successful program, good market, was P6; and Memphis has been good plus brings FedEx to the table…

 

[Win5002]

I’m not. Based on my online blogger and YouTube channel research, I hear a recurring theme of: the other Texas schools don’t really want them.

I also question the need for another Texas team. I’d rather expand into new territories.

If it's number of viewers per game I don't think there is a better add. This league needs the Houston media covering the league. I know it gets some from TT, TCU and Baylor but a team in town helps that.

 

[Win5002]

My 4 are BYU(football only…) National following; UCF largest market in FL gonna have a ton of alumni in the years to come; Cincy successful program, good market, was P6; and Memphis has been good plus brings FedEx to the table…

Memphis has good athletics and nice football attendance but have you looked at the median income of Memphis? That can't be good for advertising rates. I'm not sure they even can displace Vandy as 2nd team in TN.

 

[cykadelic2]

BYU is superior for $$$ reasons but this is a pretty solid looking conference of 12 schools that keeps a rivalry focus in division alignment:

No, that is one effed up conference that would absolutely be a killer for ISU. Any scenario with the leftover 8 that includes more than one AAC school is complete BS.

 

[Omaha Cy]

I went with BYU for the brand.
Cinci for the large population market (recruiting)
Also went with both Florida schools.

 

[Win5002]

I would think a bit bigger and go with 8 addditions. BYU/Cinn/UCF/USF/Houston to bring in schools with large alumni bases (and thus eyeballs) plus located in larger markets. I would also then add the 3 academies to bring in those games/viewership as well (plus some ND games via the academies). BYU/Cin/UCF have had successful football programs, and academies have generally been above average. Could go a pod system such as:

East - Army/Cinn/WV/Navy
South - UCF/USF/Houston/TCU
Mid - OSU/ISU/Kan/KSU
West - BYU/AF/Tech/Baylor

Would have some fun games, some national audience games, and some recent quality football (OSU, ISU, Cinn, UCF, BYU, TCU). This could maybe be sold to streaming given large fanbases and national interest.
Also maintains some acedemic rigor with BYU and academies added.

This of course assuming no PAC/BIG merger/invite.

Keep in mind Army vs Navy does huge tv numbers because its on a Saturday after CCG's where nobody else is playing. The date of that game is part of the tradition. I don't know how you fit the game in before a CCG and give it the stage it currently plays on.