Hance-Expansion Simply Matter of Adding States/Population

[Stallion]

Texas Tech Chancellor discussing Big 12 Expansion before a private Texas Tech audience in recent days-words taken to their logical conclusion would tend to eliminate SMU, probably UH and even TCU. Perhaps he didn't get the secret handshake

http://mbd.scout.com/mb.aspx?s=188&f=1650&t=5937130

[East Coast Mustang]

Texas Tech Chancellor discussing Big 12 Expansion before a private Texas Tech audience in recent days-words taken to their logical conclusion would tend to eliminate SMU, probably UH and even TCU. Perhaps he didn't get the secret handshake

http://mbd.scout.com/mb.aspx?s=188&f=1650&t=5937130

Silly Stallion, only DeLoss Dodds got the secret handshake, remember? We're tied to Texas and going to either the Pac-10 or SEC with them once this all plays out, I heard it on the Boulevard!

[ALEX LIFESON]

Oh well, that's it fellas, it's over. What do we do now Stallion? Will you lead us?

[Stallion]

Look if don't want to participate in the discussion just do your cheer and move along. Kent Hance will have a vote on Big 12 Expansion if it occurs so it highly relevant and not reported on any other site as far as I know. Better yet why don't you make a persuasive argument about how this is going to turn out-but then again you are incapable of participating in a logical persuasive argument without getting your red and blue panties wet so just go away.

[couch 'em]

I don't see what SMU could possibly add to the Big 12 unless they get truly desperate, but since expansion is states & population (or in the case of a state the size of Texas - regions) would SMU not be able to argue their value to another conference who draws well and wants to try to break into the DFW market?

Not suggesting SMU to the SEC, but just as an extreme example, if SEC teams were playing in Jerryworld and/or Cotton Bowl every weekend would they not be able to grow a fan base/recruiting presence/TV market? I would think there would be plenty of fans unable to attend their #1 school's games might adopt a team that plays locally, either SMU or a team that visits every year.

Of course, if a BCS conference wanted a team in DFW, what does SMU have that TCU does not?

[Garret]

The Big 10 TV Network gets something like 86 cents per subscriber for each state in which they have a team and 8 cents for each state where they do not have a team. Both of those numbers will go up after they expand, but the ratio between states with and without a Big 10 school will stay approximately the same. They also get significant dollars from advertising revenue, but if you just focus on subscriber fees, you understand why they want to expand into different states! The contracts are already in place with cable and satellite systems and tax records are available, so this isn't just speculation.

For example, adding Rutgers will give the Big 10 network approximately $1 per satellite subscriber in New York state! Cable systems in NY that want the network will have to match that.

Adding Pitt brings *no* additional satellite/cable money since they already have a team in that state. Adding Missouri, Nebraska, and Rutgers does bring in extra subscriber money. Adding Notre Dame brings in additional advertising dollars of course and probably will help increase the per subscriber fee.

This is also why I figure that the Pac-10 will invite teams from different states (Utah and Colorado) and why the Big 12 will look for teams in different states to replace some of their losses in the North.

[Dwan]

Man, Tech is going to be in real pickle if major changes occur. They are not a fit for any of trhe major conferences except for maybe the Pac-10 and I can't imagine they would be higher than the 5th or 6th option for the Pac-10.

[Garret]

As is, the Big Ten Network rakes in an estimated 88 cents per cable/satellite subscriber in its eight-state footprint (Michigan, Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin) and six cents a subscriber elsewhere, according to research firm SNL Kagan.

http://www.annarbor.com/sports/um-football/big-ten-could-make-a-big-splash-with-expansion/

[EastStang]

The problem for Tech is that its UT's little brother. Whatever UT wants, Tech's future is at its whim. If the Whorns want to switch conferences, they don't have to scrape and bow before the Gov. and Legislature this time and Tech could be left out in the cold shivering unless the Whorns say, come into the tent with us. Tech is feeling what we felt when the first rumblings of the SWC break-up occurred. If the Big XII is going to try and jump states, then of course it will ask BYU, UNM, UNLV and CSU to join and then act like that made a coup. If instead they want to retrench and strengthen their flank, they ask the CUSA West schools like SMU, UH, Rice, Tulane, Tulsa or UTEP to join. Either way, the conference that looks like its going to be the carrion in this scenario will be the MWC. Utah and BYU will be going somewhere. TCU may be going somewhere. UNM, UNLV, and CSU may be going somewhere, unless they make a defensive move. The problem is that no one trusts them after the Denver Airport meeting and no one wants to jump into that conference unless they have some iron clad guarantees that no one is leaving. Its going to be a roller coaster guys.

[East Coast Mustang]

Of course, if a BCS conference wanted a team in DFW, what does SMU have that TCU does not?

Ding, ding, ding! We're not even the most attractive option within a 30 mile radius, that ought to tell you sunshiners something...but if I need to cut it up into small pieces for you, we're not going to get an SEC or Pac-10 invite. Our best case scenario is a depleted Big 12 scrambling and picking us up after losing 5-7 teams, but if Hance's comments are any indication, that's probably not going to happen either, considering even Tech probably controls more of the DFW market than SMU, TCU's getting an invite way before us, so then why would it make sense to add another small DFW private school, if the objective is adding states and population?

[Insane_Pony_Posse]

that ought to tell you sunshiners something...

and potential smu recruits...great daily message for ya'll to send "DONT COME TO SMU!"

ps: are June Jones & Steve Orsini "sunshiners"?..cuzzz i wanna know if i'm in good company

[mathman]

I don't have a clue what these guys are thinking of doing but once again I will ask this question. Suppose that you and 10 of your buddies are playing a game and you need one more guy to jump in and play. You have two candidates that would pay $100 to get in the game. One of the guys that wants to get in the game is way better than most of us and might actually win the game. The other guy is average and would probably wind up in the middle of the pack. All other things being comparatively equal, I know who I would invite to join us.

I know this is oversimplified but I am asking what is wrong with the logic. SMU and TCU would bring in the same market. Right now TCU travels better than SMU but what school is going to care about that. They will be selling out the game anyway with their own fans.

Again, I am just throwing this out there. I just think there is a possibility that the fact that TCU is as good as they are might hurt more than help.

[East Coast Mustang]

that ought to tell you sunshiners something...

and potential smu recruits...great daily message for ya'll to send "DONT COME TO SMU!"

ps: are June Jones & Steve Orsini "sunshiners"?..cuzzz i wanna know if i'm in good company

I'm referring to the general ignorance on this board towards our position in the realignment pecking order. These are the facts, and they're indisputable:

1. We are a small, private school with a small alumni/fan base
2. We have a tiny stadium by BCS standards and we never sell it out unless Tech or TCU are in town
3. We have no presence in our own local media market, with Texas, OU, A&M, and Tech dominating it
4. Our basketball program is god awful
5. We don't have a baseball team
6. If a major conference, for some reason, wants to add a small private school in the DFW area, they're absolutely, positively, taking TCU before us

[mathman]

Probably shouldn't use absolutes about any of this. Unless of course you are in the loop with these guys.

[mathman]

TCU has a problem getting any of the big boys to even play them OOC. They know there is a great chance TCU would beat them. Why add a team that is going to knock you out of a BCS game if all other criteria is comparatively equal? And I won't say they "absolutely, positively, wouldn't", but it is something to think about.