Smoke your cigars and enjoy the band while you can....

[john "teach me how to" dougie]

So Boise State gained absolutely nothing by moving to the Big East, right?

Increased travel expensive (more chances of their Semi blowing up cattle)

Boise and SDSU will go the MWC, likely that BYU will too.

Agree, Big East is going to be a Basketball conference with some football very soon.

I could see SDSU possibly getting into the PAC if they feel the need to expand.

you should consider visiting your local optometrist.

They already added Utah. Baby steps to SDSU.

[michigancat]

So Boise State gained absolutely nothing by moving to the Big East, right?

Increased travel expensive (more chances of their Semi blowing up cattle)

Boise and SDSU will go the MWC, likely that BYU will too.

Agree, Big East is going to be a Basketball conference with some football very soon.

I could see SDSU possibly getting into the PAC if they feel the need to expand.

you should consider visiting your local optometrist.

They already added Utah. Baby steps to SDSU.

Utah added a new market. They probably consider San Diego already had.

[Panjandrum]

Pac-12 doesn't need to expand.  They're fine as is.

[Panjandrum]

Fun fact:

KSU/Texas had better ratings than...

The Big Ten Championship game
The Pac-12 Championship game
The ACC Championship game

http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/2012/12/07/Media/Final-Ratings.aspx

[Willesgirl]

Twenty bucks says that all of the people that recognize that our game against Texas got better ratings than

The Big Ten Championship game
The Pac-12 Championship game
The ACC Championship game

those people all think it's because of Texas and not because of us. For the record, I think they're wrong, but... still.

[john "teach me how to" dougie]

So Boise State gained absolutely nothing by moving to the Big East, right?

Increased travel expensive (more chances of their Semi blowing up cattle)

Boise and SDSU will go the MWC, likely that BYU will too.

Agree, Big East is going to be a Basketball conference with some football very soon.

I could see SDSU possibly getting into the PAC if they feel the need to expand.

you should consider visiting your local optometrist.

They already added Utah. Baby steps to SDSU.

Utah added a new market. They probably consider San Diego already had.

Maybe, maybe not. SDSU is a big school that attracts students from all over the country, and most of those 10,000 graduates tend to stay in San Diego County. I would say 20% of my office of 130 are SDSU graduates. Yes, there are some USC and UCLA grads here, but they're rare compared to SDSU.

If there is any reason they wouldn't want to add SDSU is they would be losing a hotbed of recruiting. I would guess there are around 20-30 high school recruits that go to Pac12 schools each year. This is just an estimate after living here for more than 10 years now. A majority of those would stay in San Diego if SDSU were a Pac12 school, and just think of the national recruiting pull a Pac12 school would have in SD. They could become another USC in athletics.

[Katpappy]

So Boise State gained absolutely nothing by moving to the Big East, right?

Increased travel expensive (more chances of their Semi blowing up cattle)

Boise and SDSU will go the MWC, likely that BYU will too.

Agree, Big East is going to be a Basketball conference with some football very soon.

I could see SDSU possibly getting into the PAC if they feel the need to expand.

you should consider visiting your local optometrist.

They already added Utah. Baby steps to SDSU.

Utah added a new market. They probably consider San Diego already had.

Maybe, maybe not. SDSU is a big school that attracts students from all over the country, and most of those 10,000 graduates tend to stay in San Diego County. I would say 20% of my office of 130 are SDSU graduates. Yes, there are some USC and UCLA grads here, but they're rare compared to SDSU.

If there is any reason they wouldn't want to add SDSU is they would be losing a hotbed of recruiting. I would guess there are around 20-30 high school recruits that go to Pac12 schools each year. This is just an estimate after living here for more than 10 years now. A majority of those would stay in San Diego if SDSU were a Pac12 school, and just think of the national recruiting pull a Pac12 school would have in SD. They could become another USC in athletics.

I know you're sincere and all, but... 

[john "teach me how to" dougie]

So Boise State gained absolutely nothing by moving to the Big East, right?

Increased travel expensive (more chances of their Semi blowing up cattle)

Boise and SDSU will go the MWC, likely that BYU will too.

Agree, Big East is going to be a Basketball conference with some football very soon.

I could see SDSU possibly getting into the PAC if they feel the need to expand.

you should consider visiting your local optometrist.

They already added Utah. Baby steps to SDSU.

Utah added a new market. They probably consider San Diego already had.

Maybe, maybe not. SDSU is a big school that attracts students from all over the country, and most of those 10,000 graduates tend to stay in San Diego County. I would say 20% of my office of 130 are SDSU graduates. Yes, there are some USC and UCLA grads here, but they're rare compared to SDSU.

If there is any reason they wouldn't want to add SDSU is they would be losing a hotbed of recruiting. I would guess there are around 20-30 high school recruits that go to Pac12 schools each year. This is just an estimate after living here for more than 10 years now. A majority of those would stay in San Diego if SDSU were a Pac12 school, and just think of the national recruiting pull a Pac12 school would have in SD. They could become another USC in athletics.

I know you're sincere and all, but... 

In recruiting, conference affiliation is as important as the school itself, and locale can trump both.

[Panjandrum]

San Diego State will not be a part of this conference.  It's not even worth debating.

[john "teach me how to" dougie]

San Diego State will not be a part of this conference.  It's not even worth debating.

If the Pac12 ever decides they need to expand again, for whatever the reason, they will again be considered.

[MakeItRain]

San Diego State will not be a part of this conference.  It's not even worth debating.

If the Pac12 ever decides they need to expand again, for whatever the reason, they will again be considered.

yep in the same way the Big 12 considered Houston 2 years ago, which is to say not so much

[TheHamburglar]

So the Pac12 commish was just toying with SDSU and Boise when two weeks ago he said both schools by name when discussing future expansion if they were ever forced to grow?  I don't think they would get in, but you can't just easily dismiss them when two weeks ago the commish was talking about them.

[Pete]

Twenty bucks says that all of the people that recognize that our game against Texas got better ratings than

The Big Ten Championship game
The Pac-12 Championship game
The ACC Championship game

those people all think it's because of Texas and not because of us. For the record, I think they're wrong, but... still.

ESPN and their $15M a year Long Horn Network investment disagree with your assessment.

[john "teach me how to" dougie]

San Diego State will not be a part of this conference.  It's not even worth debating.

If the Pac12 ever decides they need to expand again, for whatever the reason, they will again be considered.

yep in the same way the Big 12 considered Houston 2 years ago, which is to say not so much

Geographically, the Pac12 is much more limited than the Big12.

[EllRobersonisInnocent]

San Diego State will not be a part of this conference.  It's not even worth debating.

Half the crap in this thread isn't worth debating but here we are 950 pages later 

[MadCat]

Lonely Aztec in the window.

[kim carnes]

Twenty bucks says that all of the people that recognize that our game against Texas got better ratings than

The Big Ten Championship game
The Pac-12 Championship game
The ACC Championship game

those people all think it's because of Texas and not because of us. For the record, I think they're wrong, but... still.

It is because of Texas you rough ridin' idiot.

[Panjandrum]

Twenty bucks says that all of the people that recognize that our game against Texas got better ratings than

The Big Ten Championship game
The Pac-12 Championship game
The ACC Championship game

those people all think it's because of Texas and not because of us. For the record, I think they're wrong, but... still.

ESPN and their $15M a year Long Horn Network investment disagree with your assessment.

My point wasn't K-State's value vs. Texas' value.  My point was that our game, which was one of four Big 12 games that day, outdrew every conference title game but the SEC, which shattered the rest.

And our ratings at least tripled those of the FSU/GT game on ESPN at the same time, FWIW.

What I'm ultimately trying to say is that everyone dogs us for our small footprint, small market schools, etc., but what people want to watch on T1/T2 is good football.  More people watched KSU face a down Texas team for a game that had no bearing on the national title than they did any non-SEC CCG.  That means something.

[KITNfury]

Twenty bucks says that all of the people that recognize that our game against Texas got better ratings than

The Big Ten Championship game
The Pac-12 Championship game
The ACC Championship game

those people all think it's because of Texas and not because of us. For the record, I think they're wrong, but... still.

ESPN and their $15M a year Long Horn Network investment disagree with your assessment.

My point wasn't K-State's value vs. Texas' value.  My point was that our game, which was one of four Big 12 games that day, outdrew every conference title game but the SEC, which shattered the rest.

And our ratings at least tripled those of the FSU/GT game on ESPN at the same time, FWIW.

What I'm ultimately trying to say is that everyone dogs us for our small footprint, small market schools, etc., but what people want to watch on T1/T2 is good football.  More people watched KSU face a down Texas team for a game that had no bearing on the national title than they did any non-SEC CCG.  That means something.

That means we're rough ridin' baller and can't be stopped. See that snowball rolling down the hill getting bigger and faster? Yea that's us bitch.

Sorry, I'm listening to rap right now.

[Emo EMAW]

^ 

[CNS]

Luked?

http://www.landthieves.com/board/showthread.php?46104-***Conference-Apocalypse-Part-IV-The-NeverEnding-Story&p=990713&viewfull=1#post990713

I got a interesting email

================================================

First, there are very few people who know I have a Twitter account. I do not want people to know as I am not looking for that kind of attention. Twitter is a way for me to discuss things without having hundreds scrutinize every post

The information I have came strictly from contacts within ESPN and FOX. No input from any source associated with a school. I wanted you to read it and let me know what you think. I would like to post it somewhere but am not sure how to do so as it goes against "insiders" agendas... please read when you get the chance and let me know what you think.

I have debated posting this for a while now. It is the realignment saga from a different perspective and even though we have discussed this at length it is very interesting when put together. I will not claim this is 100% accurate but valid enough to share here. It is the story of why we are here now and why no one really knows where this is going. I have worked diligently on this angle for a while now. I apologize in advance for the length

It is no secret that greed is the sole driving force behind expansion. Every conference is jockeying for the most revenue and biggest footprint. We have discussed and speculated at length what is going through the minds of Swofford, Bowlsby, Slive, and Delany. We have waited for that first domino to fall. However, we have seemed to overlook who is truly driving expansion.

Expansion as we know it today started with the Big East snubbing their noses at ESPN and shopping their media rights. ESPN vowed to destroy the Big East and from all accounts has done so by encouraging others to raid the conference. Every step of the way ESPN dictated the Big East's moves.

FOX

FOX is trying to gain a foothold in cfb. Their acquisition of the YES network has given them a bigger avenue to accomplish this goal. They have vested interests in both the big 10 and Big 12. There is an internal battle brewing between FOX and ESPN that many are not paying attention to. Where ESPN is trying to keep the status quo amongst all conferences FOX is trying to expand and increase their value.

ACC

ESPN owns everything ACC. Yes they lowballed the media contract but gave the ACC the five year look in as a way to increase the revenue if deemed necessary. Why would ESPN even put a clause into that contract? ESPN knew that they lowballed the conference and also knew expansion would change the face of the ACC, at least to a certain degree. The additional $2 million per school for Notre Dame was a way to increase the media contract without going back to the negotiation table. Despite the rumors ESPN has no desire to let the ACC falter. Especially to a conference such as the big 10 where their weight is much less prevalent. Speaking of the ACC, do not be surprised to see UConn as the next addition to the conference even if they do not lose anyone else. The governor of Conn has called in a favor. There has been speculation that ESPN received a large tax break from the state and is now being told it is time to return the favor. Just like Rockefeller did with WVU and McConnell did with UL. ESPN now sees the ACC as an eventual avenue to Notre Dame. Losing control of the ACC could potentially mean losing Notre Dame to the big 10. Just like every conference, ESPN feels Notre Dame is a big prize.

Big 12

ESPN has repeatedly told the Big 12 they would not add any additional revenue no matter who was added, to include FSU. As we know ESPN, along with FOX, owes the vast majority of the media rights to the conference. Remember, ESPN made the finalization of the contract contingent upon the signing of the grant of rights. Is considered a way to ensure a solid long term media contract. What most of us overlook and frankly see as nothing more than a media contract is ESPN's role in the LHN. I am told, point blank, that this was a strategic move on behalf of ESPN. As I have stated in the past ESPN can not dictate the decisions of a school. However, ESPN has every right to dictate media contracts. By paying for the rights to the LHN ESPN has made UT and Dodds a puppet "per se". It has been relayed to me that ESPN has repeated told UT to block expansion. In return ESPN would put more effort into the LHN and grow it to what Dodds and UT always dreamed it would be. A few months ago Mack Brown complained of the LHN stating that "I never asked for it". You can read into that statement all you want. yes UT is only one vote but has for the longest time had it's finger on other schools within the conference. ESPN felt by controlling UT they could control expansion in the Big 12. I have also been told that ESPN was iatrical in getting A&M into the SEC. ESPN saw A&M as an equal power in the Big 12 and felt that as long as they were still a part of the conference that UT's desires could be trumped. FOX has informed the Big 12 that additions of FSU and Miami would yield returns that FOX is willing to pay. This is in direct contrast to what ESPN has stated. Big 12 expansion will be a result of necessity and FOX offering increased revenue. However, ESPN would more than likely pay the for the rights to the CCG, go figure.

big 10

This is the one conference that ESPN really has no say in. ESPN does have access to lower tier games but the big 10 has discussed even taking those away. ESPN had tried to negotiate with the conference stating they would make it worth their while to slow expansion or take schools ESPN felt would not negatively affect the ACC. ESPN, just like they did with the Big 12, recommended Big East schools. This is one reason Syracuse came up recently in discussions. Is also why UConn has been tied to just about every conference at one time or another lately. Syracuse in particular would be a win-win for ESPN. Football schools were not thrilled about their addition and if they were to leave for the big 10 the ACC would not lose.

SEC

ESPN was quick to jump on the new SEC network. In yet another attempt to solidify it's monopoly ESPN has already negotiated financials with the SEC. Again, it is speculation, but one reason the SEC has chosen to target UNC and Duke is because ESPN stated it would yield a hire return. Interestingly enough Slive, seeing dollar signs and buying that the SEC did not need to build an already strong football conference agreed it. No one will EVER admit to anyone getting the better of Slive, apparently he walks on water. However, ESPN has sold him on the two most difficult schools in the ACC to obtain. The only way Slive gets his money is for the total disintegration of the ACC, which ESPN is working against.

In conclusion, I just wanted to share this information as I found it interesting. Again, I am not proclaiming this as gossip. And I am sure I will be attacked by some "insiders" for sharing this as it goes against almost everyones agenda. However, I don't post with agenda's. I post what I have been told and share without bias. This is why I have not been so quick jump on the ACC demise bandwagon. I feel it is also a reason why so many deadlines proclaimed have come and gone. It is just not conference commissioners making the decisions. ESPN is doing all they can to keep their investments intact. There is so much more but I feel I have relayed the just of what I have gathered. And like the title states, much of this is considered a conspiracy theory but when look upon in context it does paint a picture.

[GoodForAnother]

after reading that, if I were in charge of the big 12, I would go add a bunch of schools, tell espn to go eff themselves and give fox tier 1 and 2

[ednksu]

You'd have to be pretty stupid to notice that ESPN is having its empire chipped away.  Erin Andrews and Dougie Gots skipping to rival networks is a big deal I think.  They are young talent, both for different reasons, but both the face of, or future face of major college sports. 

[ben ji]

You'd have to be pretty stupid to notice that ESPN is having its empire chipped away.  Erin Andrews and Dougie Gots skipping to rival networks is a big deal I think.  They are young talent, both for different reasons, but both the face of, or future face of major college sports.

Erin Andrews is not a "talent", at least not anymore and as she gets older...She is terrible on the fox pregame show.

You do have a point though regarding gottlieb and other talent leaving...A couple of months ago gottlieb was trashing ESPN while doing a radio show because they told everyone to talk "tebow" any chance you get. ESPN rules the roost for now but the market is itching for a decent competitor which I'm hoping FOX can bring to the table.

[Emo EMAW]

Does Yahoo have any outlets or partnerships with TV?  Seems like those guys have done some really impressive sports journalism lately.