More Big East talk

[GiddyUp]

http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootbal ... -expansion

[ponyte]

Sounds like the Big East has set itself up for limited growth in football by having a basketball heavy commitment. It may be a BSC conference but one wonders at its ability to grow and attract TV audiences.

[PonyKai]

I wonder who voted for us? Was it Mr. Foley?

[No Quarter]

Looks to me like there is an argument that they are pretty well set in the NE and nearby and a little farther with Connecticut, Pittsburg, Syracuse, and West Viginia, maybe Louisville, with some recruiting presence in Florida and (after TCU) Texas.

Patterson's argument seems a little self serving. I am reminded of SMU's objections to having TTU as a SWC member long ago.

[EastStang]

I really don't think that the BE is going to look at SMU seriously. I was a bit surprised at the interest in UCF by football coaches. They did however, win CUSA last year and O'Leary probably has some friends. Whether that translates up to the AD level is a huge question. AD's have to consider basketball and allsports. If it was a football only invite, then its a different matter. However, I've never thought our lot was going to be with the BE. i think it lies somewhere in the Big 12 (now 10) mess. Whether its because the other kids pick up their toys and leave UT to its independence or whether its because UT leaves to be indy is the question. That is where I think our long term future lies. In the meantime, CUSA is a decent conference and will have moved to the top of the heap after the MWC destruction is complete.

[West Coast Johnny]

There is no doubt that among my fellow TCU allum that there is a strong sentiment against adding any Texas schools to the Big East. Of course, TCU and SMU were on the receiving end of the back stabbing that occured during the formation of the Big 12. Now the prevailing attitude among all schools in Texas is to beggar-thy-neighbor. I for one believe that this attitude will someday come back to haunt TCU as we need to build a coalition of similar local institutions to survive the next round of conference realignment - and we will need local conference rivals. Therefore, I would support whole-heartedly the Big East's evaluation of SMU on its business and athletic merrits - especially in comparison to Villanova which I consider a D2 team.

I would also support an evaluation of Baylor as a Big East team as I feel the B'East is a better fit for the folk in Waco than the Big 12. The Whorns seem dead set on allowing the Big 12 to die on the vine, rather than expand. This brings into question the long term viability of the league and the have-nots such as Kansas, Kansas State, Iowa State, Missouri, Oklahoma State, Texas Tech, Baylor, etc. My preference is for Baylor, TCU & SMU to be united in one conference some day.

Oh, and eF Houston. I never liked coogar-high.

[StallionsModelT]

TCU in the Big East secures them a presence in DFW. Adding Houston would be a logical move as well. I agree w/ EastStang that the Big East doesn't seem like a likely fit for us in any way. A few months back when all of this was going down I suggested the best case scenario for us is the following:

Texas leaves the Big 12 (10) and becomes an independent OR Big 12 (10) decide they've had enough of eating UT's scraps and decide to go elsewhere. I could see a Big 12 that looks like this in the near future:

Big 12 (10) North - Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, Missouri, Oklahoma State
Big 12 (10) South - Texas Tech, Baylor, SMU, TCU, Houston

I think TCU would jump at the opportunity to join a more regional conference that still had an automatic BCS tie-in for the very unpredicatable future of the Big East.

What if that doesn't happen? Then I think our best bet is to explore the CUSA-MWC merger idea floated back in the summer where the winner of CUSA and the winner of the MWC play each other in a championship game for an automatic BCS bid.

You just have to hope that we continue to get our sh*t together b/c the dominoes will start to fall soon.

[smitty329]

Huh. I thought TCU joined the Big East to boost its Men's Lacrosse program. Especially since the dominant Syracuse looks to be somewhat human after being beaten by Maryland - with no trick plays necessary.

Regional rivalries via conference play look good on a map - and prior to the media growth of the late 20th century. Ease of travel and the lure of big bucks will be what drives everyone to be independents and do whatever it takes. That's why before long I be watching Texas vs. Notre Dame played in Mexico City streamed in HD on my LCD 40" somewhere in the middle of Lake Texoma.

[West Coast Johnny]

After Pac-12 deal, Big East puts expansion on hold
By Brett McMurphy
CBSSports.com Senior Writer
May 23, 2011

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. -- Only a few weeks ago the Big East nearly committed to a media rights deal with ESPN, multiple sources told CBSSportscom. On Monday, though, Big East commissioner John Marinatto said the league will now wait until closer to 2013 to finalize its media rights when its current contract expires.

The Big East's deal with ESPN expires after the 2013 college football season. The other five automatic qualifying BCS conferences have recently signed long-term agreements, leaving the Big East as the last AQ conference on the market.

And the Big East plans to take advantage of that. Big time.


"There's a distinct advantage in going last and with the marketplace continually resetting ... the Pac 12 has reset the marketplace once again," Marinatto said. "It's setting the stage for us providing we're deliberate and aggressive in order to monetize our rights in a fashion that's as similar to what they've done."

Because of this decision, there is no longer any urgency for the league to expand, sources said. "There is no [monetary] incentive to expand right now," a source said. "Now the Big East can take their time."

This delay could affect several schools, hoping to land a spot in the Big East if and when the league expands.

Villanova received an offer last year to move from FCS to FBS and apparently was prepared to announce the move in April. However, the Big East put its invitation on hold, in large part, because of unknown issues with where Villanova would play its home games. Because of a two-year transition period in moving from FCS to FBS, if Villanova does not receive a bid before June 1, the earliest the Wildcats could join the Big East is 2015.

All indications are that bid won't come in the next week and Marinatto would not specifically address Villanova's situation or any other possible expansion candidates. The Big East's football coaches told CBSSports.com they preferred a 12-team football league .

"In terms of numbers, we've considered all of the models," Marinatto said. "Where we believe we can add value in terms of content, we will explore that even further. With all the work we've done in the past 12 months, we know what our options are and what those options bring to the table."

A college sports industry source told CBSSports.com he believes the league might expand in stages now. "They don't have to do both [expand and secure new media rights deal] at the same time. But there has to be a resolution to the Villanova question sooner than later.

"Any expansion beyond that doesn't have an urgent deadline. It will be gradual."

Last month the Big East nearly agreed to a new deal with ESPN. One source said the league's presidents had a verbal agreement amongst themselves to accept ESPN's offer. Another industry source said the deal was "very close" to being done but "there had been no 'i's dotted or t's crossed.' "

The SportsBusiness Journal reported ESPN had offered between $110 million to $130 million annually.

Ironically, the Big East decided not to pull the trigger on the deal with ESPN about the same time the Pac-12 was finalizing a new media rights deal with Fox and ESPN. The Pac-12 signed a 12-year deal worth $250 million annually, The New York Times reported.

"I'm very excited about what the Pac-12 was able to accomplish two weeks ago," Marinatto said. "Just like last year, how excited we were about with what the ACC was able to do. Because it keeps resetting the marketplace and it puts us -- because of the assets we bring to the table -- in a much better position moving forward.

"Specifically, for example, the Big East Conference represents 30 percent of the households in America. You look at the Pac-12 footprint. You look at the Big East footprint, look at the ACC footprint. Obviously we deliver much more in terms of our households.

"So 17 months from now, when we have the opportunity to sit down initially with ESPN, as part of the [existing] contract's requirements, and then potentially beyond that if we don't come to conclusion, I think we look at a very, very aggressive and potentially very strong future in terms as far as media market rights. That's one of the things we're preparing for now."

ESPN has an exclusive 60-day window to renegotiate with the Big East beginning in September 2012. If the two sides can't reach a deal, the Big East can entertain offers from other networks, as well as ESPN.

In essence, the league many predicted a few years ago would fold when it was raided by the ACC, could land a landmark media rights deal that would assure the long-term future of the conference.

Neal Pilson, former president of CBS Sports, said the league should benefit by waiting to finalize a new media rights deal.

"In a marketplace that seems to be growing, college football and college basketball is a growth market," said Pilson, president of Pilson Communication. "Now since there are several markets for Big East football I don't think they lose anything by waiting.

"I don't see that as a risk. The only major sports deal [coming up] is the [2014 and 2016] Olympics and I don't see that having much influence on Big East football, whether [the value] goes up or down."

Pilson said first the league must decide its expansion question.

"The Big East has to get their ducks lined up -- and I don't mean the Oregon Ducks -- and get their teams and membership [figured out], but they want to be careful who they bring into the conference," Pilson said. "I don't think delaying six months or a year will hurt them. ESPN will always be there."

By waiting, the Big East potentially could have ESPN, Fox and NBC/Comcast bidding for its rights. This, of course, would be financially beneficial to the league.

"Now that there are three potential bidders in the market place, it has changed dynamics as well," Marinatto said. "College [media] rights have been undervalued for a very long time. I think it's come to the forefront now that that's been the case given where everyone is ending up.

"Each and every time our competitors go to the table and test the market and then consequently reset it, it puts us in a positive position. Our future in terms of what we're able to do when the time comes 17 months from now is very, very optimistic. Obviously, we need to plan accordingly and make sure we're in a position to take advantage. "Our whole group feels very optimistic and pretty resolved in what we'll be able to do."

For more from Brett McMurphy, check him out on Twitter: @McMurphyCBS

[PonyKai]

Alright, so let's go 10-2 in football, break ground on Moody, announce an IPF, go 23-12 in hoops. Chop to it!

[LVPony]

I'm with StallionsModelT on this one although I would like to see the Big XXII-II with 12 teams rather than his suggestion of 10. I think it's just a matter of time before UT gets the go-it-alone bug and becomes an independent. I like the suggested North/South teams but would add Oklahoma to the North and A&M to the South (if either will stay). That to me would be a pretty decent conference which might stick together for awhile.

[Mexmustang]

I was never very high on CUSA, but it seems like a good place to stay put. The schools are getting more competitive, the state universities are growing, the other conference alterantives are unstable--the Big East? Mountain West? even the Big 12, and of course we don't have an invitation from anywhere else. Reading your articles and comments one thing did seem to stick out. How can the BCS defend themselves when they allow a school like Villanova with a 12,000 seat stadium, and no football tradition, suddenly becoming an automatic qualifier in its first year of Div 1 football--just doesn't seem defensible?

[One Trick Pony]

Zzzzzzzzz

[Mexmustang]

Hope you didn't get up early to read this garbage! I'm out of the country.

[Water Pony]

More interesting to me is a related article with comments by UConn's Calhoun: Should Big East split off the non-football schools? This might change the size and membership for the new FB/BB conference, while the BB only schools create their own conference:

http://college-football-blog.blogs.cbss ... 8/29531426