Conference Realignment: Big East Authorizes Expansion To 12 Team Model
by Mengus22 on Oct 10, 2011 12:14 PM EDT
in Big East Expansion
Email
PrintThe Big East released a statement today informing the media that at this morning's meeting, the conference approved a plan to expand the football side of the conference to 12 football playing members. The move would obviously be aimed at creating a conference championship game and bulking up on football inventory ahead of next year's renegotiation of its television deal with either ESPN or perhaps other network suitors like Comcast. The statement reads:
On a teleconference earlier today, our Presidents and Chancellors authorized the BIG EAST Conference to engage in formal discussions with additional institutions and are considering moving to a model that includes 12 football playing schools.
89 comments
|
recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
UofL
I think Louisville needs to jump all over this BIG 12 situation if they can. It would be great for both football and basketball (as long as OU and Texas stay).
Sorry
UofL and WVU “expected to stay”
by Patrick_the_Ruminator on Oct 10, 2011 12:28 PM EDT up reply actions
And by "expected to stay"
he means “has no where to go”
Go Bulls!
by Leavitt Town on Oct 10, 2011 1:16 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Plus when the PAC16 happens in 6 years
the Big 12 is going to implode. You’d be leaving one implosion for another.
Go Bulls!
by Leavitt Town on Oct 10, 2011 1:16 PM EDT up reply actions
Sure, but I can think of two Eastern teams
*cough*UConn and Rutgers*cough* that would leave for that without packing a suitcase.
by Patrick_the_Ruminator on Oct 10, 2011 2:19 PM EDT up reply actions
Sorry, no way.
UL’s next in line for the B12. If Mizzou goes (and there has been no indication that they won’t). UL’s going to jump.
"Morgan Newton sucks!"
- Victor Anderson
Welcome to Conference USA
And about as relevant.
West Virginia fans hate everybody. They remember every snub and joke and bit of snark. And they never forgive, and they never, ever forget. In other words, they're a lot like West Virginians in general.
by Kid Tenderloin on Oct 10, 2011 12:25 PM EDT reply actions
with Cincinatti, USF, WVU, and hopefully an improved Louisville team
it wont be as bad as Conference USA. Two of those teams should be ranked every year and hopefully another one or two from the rest of the league could managed to be ranked as well.
Simple solution
Basketball adds no value to the TV contract. Tell the basketball schools to go @@@@ in their hats.
West Virginia fans hate everybody. They remember every snub and joke and bit of snark. And they never forgive, and they never, ever forget. In other words, they're a lot like West Virginians in general.
by Kid Tenderloin on Oct 10, 2011 12:31 PM EDT reply actions
No value?
You really think they bring no value? C’mon…those bball schools probably bring in more $$ alone than C-DOA even makes altogether.
by thuggishpuppet on Oct 10, 2011 12:38 PM EDT up reply actions
But see this quote
“We always keep our television partners close to us,’’ (DeFilippo) said. "You don’t get extra money for basketball. It’s 85 percent football money. TV – ESPN – is the one who told us what to do. This was football; it had nothing to do with basketball.’’
West Virginia fans hate everybody. They remember every snub and joke and bit of snark. And they never forgive, and they never, ever forget. In other words, they're a lot like West Virginians in general.
by Kid Tenderloin on Oct 10, 2011 12:48 PM EDT up reply actions
What value does adding these teams add to an already bad (and worsening) conference?
by Mike Nascarella on Oct 10, 2011 12:38 PM EDT reply actions
Alright Mike
Who do you bring in? And don’t say just let the BE die because they are not going to let that happen.
by Vinnie Giordano on Oct 10, 2011 2:25 PM EDT up reply actions
Top Candidates
If any current BE Teams leave, other candidates would be Army, Villanova…but need to give them time to become competitive before joining
I want
Temple, Army, Navy, Air Force, Boise State, ECU
draftdatabase.wordpress.com
Follow @steelersrule124
As my coach, Coach Toal says, "if your tougher than them and you play harder than them and you whoop their ass but only win by six, I don’t give a shit. You still won the game. The media might not like it but we don’t give a fuck about the media, all we care about is winning."
by seton hall and steelers on Oct 10, 2011 12:48 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
ECU can be replaced with Houston, SMU, or UCF
draftdatabase.wordpress.com
Follow @steelersrule124
As my coach, Coach Toal says, "if your tougher than them and you play harder than them and you whoop their ass but only win by six, I don’t give a shit. You still won the game. The media might not like it but we don’t give a fuck about the media, all we care about is winning."
by seton hall and steelers on Oct 10, 2011 12:48 PM EDT up reply actions
it seems strange but
I get the feeling they won’t delve back into Texas for a team now that TCU is gone.
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
by TheMattROb on Oct 10, 2011 12:51 PM EDT up reply actions
Same list I had too
Rutgers, UConn, Army, Navy, Air Force, Temple
WVU, Louisville, Cincy, South Florida, East Carolina, Boise
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
by TheMattROb on Oct 10, 2011 12:50 PM EDT up reply actions
typo in list. typed it first. sry
swap ECU and Air Force.
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
by TheMattROb on Oct 10, 2011 12:54 PM EDT up reply actions
I hope they don't go west.
Look at the maps of conferences. We need to head towards Florida before we head towards Idaho.
I was thinking the same thing.
If Chris Petersen leave Boise State and they stop being a Top 10 team, that is a pretty long flight to justify. But they are on my list b/c of the report from yesterday here at BECB. I’d rather see UCF.
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
by TheMattROb on Oct 10, 2011 1:03 PM EDT up reply actions
We are already in Florida. And, we would get more money adding a Texas school.
by Green Bull on Oct 10, 2011 3:13 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I don’t think I mentioned USF in this thread, only from a conference perspective. But since you asked, recruits would transfer to UCF or other nearby schools; and it would become more likely to increase government budget cuts against USF in the future. I honestly think developing football teams and even conferences need some space to fulfill their potential.
by Green Bull on Oct 10, 2011 4:25 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I just don't see any downside in adding UCF
Given that it provides a serious rival in conference to USF, it’s a huge draw w attendance, and also USF kills them every time.
perfect time to define what "makes a good conference"
ie, no far out west schools like Air Force, TCU (already gone), Boise… with this mindset, they’ll be inviting Hawaii soon enough.
Keep it Eastern, and build up rivalries.
That means USF shouldn’t block UCF (only the latter was ranked at the end of last year).
No military academies.
Poach Big 12 members—at least try. That’s what it means to be on offense, Big East.
Grab eastern CUSA members.
Stay outta Texas!
How about
Schools that are good at football that people want to see on television.
West Virginia fans hate everybody. They remember every snub and joke and bit of snark. And they never forgive, and they never, ever forget. In other words, they're a lot like West Virginians in general.
by Kid Tenderloin on Oct 10, 2011 1:05 PM EDT up reply actions
You mean....
Schools that aren’t interested in being in the Big East, or are trying to leave it?
by drothgery on Oct 10, 2011 1:06 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
This
Furthermore, if you have teams that are geographically linked, it makes it harder to pull out for somewhere else.
We want to have more than just good teams, we want rivalries and tradition.
I've said this before
IBeing in the Big East os so great, how come five schools have left and three more will probably leave at the first chance they get?
Rivalries and tradition follow quality, not the other way around.
West Virginia fans hate everybody. They remember every snub and joke and bit of snark. And they never forgive, and they never, ever forget. In other words, they're a lot like West Virginians in general.
by Kid Tenderloin on Oct 10, 2011 1:35 PM EDT up reply actions
Your first statement ignores everything written above regarding strengthening the conference
besides just grabbing the “hot right now” schools.
Your second statement… so you’re saying no rivalries exist except for those in the SEC, B10 and ACC?
I can see it now, the super Boise vs. USF rivalry… that’ll last.
AAdding a bunch of crap from C-USA
Makes you….C-USA.
How many folks watch C-USA games on TV? Or even know (or care) that they’re on?
All this talk is just re-arranging the deck chairs on the Titanic, with John Marinatto and his Providence buddies play “Nearer My God, To Thee”.
West Virginia fans hate everybody. They remember every snub and joke and bit of snark. And they never forgive, and they never, ever forget. In other words, they're a lot like West Virginians in general.
by Kid Tenderloin on Oct 10, 2011 1:50 PM EDT up reply actions
And other than doomsaying, what is your suggestion for
the current Big East schools?
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
by TheMattROb on Oct 10, 2011 1:53 PM EDT up reply actions
Leave at once.
West Virginia fans hate everybody. They remember every snub and joke and bit of snark. And they never forgive, and they never, ever forget. In other words, they're a lot like West Virginians in general.
by Kid Tenderloin on Oct 10, 2011 2:04 PM EDT up reply actions
Fool
Now I know why your avatar is wile e coyote. He was a fool just as much as you are. Kind of a great representation for ya! Where is WVU going? if they were so great they would have gotten an invite. So they are stuck!
by Vinnie Giordano on Oct 10, 2011 2:29 PM EDT up reply actions
so, your original points are toast
and now…?
How many of the current BE teams WERE CUSA teams at one point?
So what is YOUR point?
The Big East would have been much better served had they held on to Virginia Tech, Miami and BC. They could have expanded by four with those 3 still on board and had something good going for football, but they hybrid nature of the BE worked against that, since the Seton Halls and Providences of the world have nothing in common with West Virginia or Virginia Tech other than granting degrees.
TCU isn’t in the Big East, if you hadn’t noticed. Army couldn’t win in C-USA, (and still don’t) so now they are a good candidate for an AQ conference?
Who’s left?
West Virginia fans hate everybody. They remember every snub and joke and bit of snark. And they never forgive, and they never, ever forget. In other words, they're a lot like West Virginians in general.
by Kid Tenderloin on Oct 10, 2011 2:10 PM EDT up reply actions
Let's stick with the last one
Look at the schools that were in CUSA that are now in the Big East… also look at TCU—almost in the BE, and Army—now being considered for BE membership.
If teams leave the BE, they’re flat out screwed.
There's no one left
and nowhere for WVU to go. Not a great position to be in.
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
by TheMattROb on Oct 10, 2011 2:16 PM EDT up reply actions
Give Tenderloin a break
he’d rather see WVU shut the doors than play another game in the Big East.
by Patrick_the_Ruminator on Oct 10, 2011 2:21 PM EDT up reply actions
What I Want
Is for WVU to be in a stable, well-managed conference. The Big East as it is now constituted is neither. My long-standing and public opinion is that hybrid conferences do not work, since the members are pursuing different agendas, especially (in this case) regarding football.
The proof is that 5 school will have left in less than a decade and 3 more can’t wait to get out.
West Virginia fans hate everybody. They remember every snub and joke and bit of snark. And they never forgive, and they never, ever forget. In other words, they're a lot like West Virginians in general.
by Kid Tenderloin on Oct 10, 2011 2:26 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Everyone keeps bringing this up
but there was never any kind of on-the-record word spoken about it. Just rumor and “sources: reports.”
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
by TheMattROb on Oct 10, 2011 2:47 PM EDT up reply actions
yeah
No one (except ECU) ever applies to join a conference unless it’s pretty much a done deal. The SEC has either made up its mind to add Mizzou or still doesn’t know what they’re doing depending on which rumors you believe, so I’m sure WVU hasn’t formally applied yet.
And WVU knows quite well that the dynamics of the ACC mean it’s very unlikely they’ll ever join that league. Hence I’m sure they haven’t applied. They almost certainly made some exploratory contacts anyway just to be sure (because, really, I’m sure the ‘eers want to be in the same conference as Pitt and SU — and Penn State, but that’s neither here nor there — if they can).
I want WVU to be somewhere stable too
I just think pragmatism and patience will make this whole annoying process easier to handle, as a fan, than “Notre Dame/Ohio State/Texas/Florida/WVU/Penn State superconference” wishlisting or “well, we’re screwed. Nothing can be done. My life is over.”
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
by TheMattROb on Oct 10, 2011 2:49 PM EDT up reply actions
still looks like Mizzou is going SEC
Which means the non-Pitt Ohio Valley schools (Louisville, Cinci, WVU) are heading Big 12, or certainly should be, given that BYU and Air Force aren’t interested.
Didn't Texas A&M, Pitt, and Syracuse disregard geography?
What about Texas A&M? They were more geographically linked to the Big 12 than the SEC. They are also risking very deep (century long-type) rivalries by their departure; but they did anyways. A big factor was hopes to eventually get ahead of the UT Longhorns. Syracuse and Pitt also left their practical conferences for a southeastern conference in the ACC.
by Green Bull on Oct 10, 2011 3:22 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Yes
although unlike some situations that are brought up there is at least geographic continuity – PA & NY are technically on the Atlantic coast, and border existing ACC states (MA & MD). Same for A&M – TX shares borders with AR & LA. Not quite as absurd as having a TX, CO or ID school in the Big East, which already has lost it’s “Eastness” by reaching in FL, WI, IN and IL.
With fat TV $$$ swelling the athletic department budgets, travel becomes less of a constraint.
We will not rest until we see these capitalist octopuses annihilated.
-Che Marrone
you could make a decent case
that SU and Pitt filled out a hole in the ACC by connecting the rest of the conference to BC.
For similar reasons, I was somewhat gung-ho for adding the Big 12 North leftovers when it seemed like the Pac 16 was happening and before SU & Pitt left. Adding schools in Kansas and Missouri would have made TCU way less of an isolated school way out in Texas (not to mention that Kansas, K-State, and Mizzou had enough basketball cred that it wouldn’t have too disingenuous to argue that splitting at that pointwould not weaken basketball).
I'm sure it will be
Navy, Air Force, Temple, UCF, Houston, and SMU. Have to go with the larger markets so ECU is not going to make it.
ECU opens up the whole state of North Carolina. How is that not a big market?
by Green Bull on Oct 10, 2011 3:28 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Because it's the 5th school in a mid-sized state
And that’s if you’re not feeling generous to Appy State and Charlotte.
They do appear to the only school in North Carolina that actually cares about football
West Virginia fans hate everybody. They remember every snub and joke and bit of snark. And they never forgive, and they never, ever forget. In other words, they're a lot like West Virginians in general.
by Kid Tenderloin on Oct 10, 2011 3:56 PM EDT up reply actions
UNC and NCState care about football
they just care far more about basketball. As is right and proper (this is a Big East site, right?). And Wake appears to be actually okay at football, and almost certainly the best FBS team in NC.
Someone needs to explain
Why adding ECU would NOT be good for the Big East.
New market (so what if it’s not UNC?)
Rabid fans… more merch buying.
not sure about now
as it really depends what the Big East 3.0 (no Pitt, no SU, probably no Louisville, Cinci, or WVU edition) is going for. Previously…
- very small market (really, ECU’s fans like to claim most of NC and large parts of VA and SC are their market, but it’s as nutty as BC fans claiming they control the ‘New England market’); an extremely high percentage of their fans show up at their games, but that doesn’t translate to national TV viewers
- region dominated by the ACC (if we didn’t make any real inroads in VA/NC with a Virginia Tech that was competing for national championships — and we didn’t — ECU wasn’t going to help)
- terrible at basketball (not just Rutgers bad, we’re talking would-routinely-lose-to-DePaul terrible)
- has never even won CUSA at football
- would be the 5th AQ school in a small state
Regarding your last point, I don’t think they would be fifth in NC football for long, if given a chance at an AQ bid.
by Green Bull on Oct 10, 2011 5:10 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
North Carolina isn’t a small state, it is probably about moderate in population, and quickly growing. It also offers a big area for recruiting.
by Green Bull on Oct 10, 2011 5:12 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
still much too small for five AQ schools, though
Only CA, FL, and TX could pull that off (in fact those, and NC, are the only states with more than 2 AQ schools — and NC is way smaller and way less of a college football recruiting hotbed than they are). And none of them actually do yet (though TX will starting next year). NC really should only have two AQ conference football teams; if there had been a Big East equivalent in the southeast when the ACC was getting started, I don’t think Duke or Wake would be playing FBS football, they’d be Georgetown and Villanova south.
I read Somewhere, a conference’s network gets more money per a subscriber, if it has a school represented in a respective state. We would also get more Big East games presented in North Carolina and exposure to local recruits also. It doesn’t make any less sense than adding the fifth or sixth ranked football team in a state we already have.
by Green Bull on Oct 10, 2011 4:11 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I've always thought ECU would be a good add
They care a lot more about football than the ACC schools do, for sure.
West Virginia fans hate everybody. They remember every snub and joke and bit of snark. And they never forgive, and they never, ever forget. In other words, they're a lot like West Virginians in general.
by Kid Tenderloin on Oct 10, 2011 4:19 PM EDT up reply actions
and if you've got the Big Ten network
Then it does work like that. And the Pac 12 network should (though it’s entirely owned by the Pac 12). But the ‘SEC network’ and ‘ACC network’ are just re-branding of ESPN regional coverage; their contracts are worth more when national TV ratings are better.
It SHOULD be Navy, Air Force, Boise State, UCF, ECU, and SMU
That would give the BE the best chance of survival. Obviously the first three would be football only, but that would add a lot of value and some new markets to the BE. Oh, and interchange Houston with ECU if that’s not good enough.
To get back at the ACC, we should consider breaking into North Carolina; and one or two from Texas for the Big 12 taking TCU away from us.
by Green Bull on Oct 10, 2011 4:18 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
I want to stay away from Texas right now,
but I like the idea of TRYING to poach Big 12 teams. Just to show aggressiveness.
+1
now is as good as any other time to step up to the plate
also AAU status unless i am mistaken (though i don’t think BE cares)
AAU, Closest thing to a flag ship that SUNY has...
The Budget is an issue (right now at 26 Million) but it has been going up over the past half decade.
School has 26K students on its way to 35K.
But unfortunately the jump to IA was crippled from 2000-2006
AAu membership is nice, but
Is somewhat flawed as an indicator. Some pretty good schools (e.g., Virginia Tech, Georgetown, Notre Dame) are not members.
The prime criteria is research, and some research counts more than others.
Just ask Nebraska and Syracuse, both of whom lost membership.
So it’s not that the schools in are weak, it’s more that some schools that are very good are not. If a public university concentrates more on classroom teaching than research, then it is penalized as far as an AAU invite goes.
West Virginia fans hate everybody. They remember every snub and joke and bit of snark. And they never forgive, and they never, ever forget. In other words, they're a lot like West Virginians in general.
Big East Catches a Break and might Survive!!!!
Seems like this issue has been ignored now that TCU has split for the Big 12, but it looks like the BE is going to get another reprieve thanks to the SEC. According to ESPN the SEC has decided to hold off on expansion for some time!
by Vinnie Giordano on Oct 10, 2011 8:32 PM EDT reply actions
More posturing from the SEC
They know they aren’t going to sit at 13 very long (though they may very well play next season like that). It’s a logistical nightmare. Just like they did with A&M, they’re going to officially deny they’re expanding until they’re ready to make an announcement.
I agree
However, I think Missouri might have screwed up when the whole Big 10 rumor started. Either the SEC did not vote to extend an invite at this time which means Missouri is going to stay in the Big 12 for a bit longer (or forever). I think the SEC will evaluate its options and will make a move during the Spring of 2012. Honestly I think they will go after an ACC school which makes me a little happy to see one of their better teams get taken away from them and to hear they cry boo hoo.
Does this save the BE? No. But it give the BE some time to regroup without WVU and Louisville splitting as the Big 12 said they would be happy to stay at 10 if Missouri stays. Maybe this will give the ADs some time to chill and up the exit fee, though I feel if the SEC calls a BE school even a $20 million buyout would not stop the school from leaving.
Overall this will allow the other BE schools to chill and will allow Navy and Air Force to feel okay to join as the conference will not collapse today. A year from now who knows? The SEC need 3 teams to get to 16, the ACC needs 2, and the Big 10 will need four. Within five years all of our schools could be in another conference.
by Vinnie Giordano on Oct 10, 2011 8:59 PM EDT up reply actions
13 is no nightmare the MAC has been doing it for 5 years...
It can work if you set the divisions right..
It's the MAC
No one cares about the MAC. Also, Temple is a football-only member (and UMass will be, too). No 13-team craziness for other sports.
Big East better move fast
If the Big East move sloooow in selection of there replacement. They better get back to Basketball. Big 12 already slap them. I’m proud of the UH program right…..just WIN!!!!
It is my hope the Big East adds your school, Houston. You are quickly rising in the rankings like TCU did in the recent past, and offer a similar market-in recruiting and viewership.
by Green Bull on Oct 10, 2011 11:36 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Big East gets a Failing Grade for MATH !!!
The Big East keeps shooting itself in the foot with stupid mistakes ! It needs to expand to 14 football teams not 12 AND also keep Pitt(#15) and Cuse(#16) for two more years (2012-2013). When those two teams leave(2014) both NOVA and U Mass will be football ready to replace them !!! Come on BE can’t you just get this right and plan for a 16 team conference !!!
by Lancaster O's Fan on Oct 11, 2011 7:44 PM EDT reply actions
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
