Conference Re-Alignment Thread Part Who Knows

[choadler]

Re: A&M to the SEC starting to blow up again on Twitter

No one is saying Texas is breaking the law. You asked one example of Texas showing it's power. Showing that it controls the Big 12 in someway. That is a legitimate argument.

The Longhorn Network is one of the big reasons UT came back to the Big 12 last season. In an effort to keep the conference together they bullied the other teams into accepting the fact that the cash cows of the conference would need it's own personalized network(s).

If the Big 12 had done it right, they'd have negated the deal seeing that it would give one team too much exposure over the others. But they couldn't do that. Why? Because they decided long ago it was better for the conference to stay together at whatever costs, than to split apart and the have not's be left in the cold. Which is what is playing out as we speak right now..

You want to be on the level of the SEC you promote the whole. You raise up the weakest links. You don't pimp out the the top draw and leave the bottom to decay. I think the guy said it best earlier. All the teams contributed their fair share in killing the conference. But the Longhorn Network is like the cherry on top to me. It is a symbol of what has become of the Big 12. It might be making them a ton of money, it might be helping them set themselves up for the not so distant future.. but to me it was a power play. It was a move that reeks of we don't need the Big 12 unless we can benefit from it and twist it to meet our needs, or we'll leave because we're Texas we have our own network and nationwide following.

That's why I said what I said about the ACC needing to stay away from UT. It does nothing for them and it does nothing to bring up their lower teams. Sure it might add a good football team at the top, but then you run into the situation that the Big 12 is in with the same teams winning over and over and a loss of partity. It be more beneficial to secure the Big East first bringing in multiple teams on your level in both major sports, and leave the Texas sweepstakes for another day.

If I am not mistaken, many of the schools in the SEC have their own tier 3 contract rights and that money is not split evenly amongst the other teams. The LHN is tier 3 rights.

[Bondgirl0072]

Re: A&M to the SEC starting to blow up again on Twitter

Sooners are apparently not angry or dissatisfied with any individual school left in the Big 12, but they are just tired of the drama and are seeking some stability.

I still say the best option for all teams involved is the Big 12 staying together. Everyone is so skiddish now, and the only reason further moves are possible is that everyone is afraid of being walked out on by another school. It's fear feeding more fear.

Do we really think Texas going to the ACC, or Kansas in the Big East, or Oklahoma in the Pac-12 makes the most sense? I guess I'm just too geography-focused.

every team wants stability. I believe every team is tired of the drama.

[untrugby]

Re: A&M to the SEC starting to blow up again on Twitter

I assume he means Nebraska/Oklahoma from the Big 8 and Texas/TAMU from the Southwest.

yes Neb/OU had 74 conf titles in 88 years and the SWC was more balanced with Tex/TAMU only having 44 in 80 years but they had the most money and power by far in the conference

[coogrfan]

Re: A&M to the SEC starting to blow up again on Twitter

If I am not mistaken, many of the schools in the SEC have their own tier 3 contract rights and that money is not split evenly amongst the other teams. The LHN is tier 3 rights.

If you and the rest of the teasips want to believe that there is no difference between those arrangements and UT getting into bed with the single most powerful sports media provider on the planet...well, that's your right. Just don't expect the rest of us to believe it.

[doom41]

Re: A&M to the SEC starting to blow up again on Twitter

If I am not mistaken, many of the schools in the SEC have their own tier 3 contract rights and that money is not split evenly amongst the other teams. The LHN is tier 3 rights.

True, but the SEC currently does not allow individual networks. They can sell their 3rd tier rights, but they can not start their own network. Also, all SEC football games are shown on CBS or an ESPN affiliate, so there are no football games included in any of the SEC members 3rd tier rights packages.

[choadler]

Re: A&M to the SEC starting to blow up again on Twitter

If you and the rest of the teasips want to believe that there is no difference between those arrangements and UT getting into bed with the single most powerful sports media provider on the planet...well, that's your right. Just don't expect the rest of us to believe it.

http://www.gatorsports.com/article/20080716/NEWS/938011258

So if Florida being offered $82M over 10 years with Fox (the 2nd most powerful broadcaster) is not a big deal compared to Miss St, Kentucky, Vanderbilt getting nothing? This doesn't create an unfair advantage in the SEC giving Florida a platform to promote its football team and olympic sports while the other teams don't? Is that why Kentucky, Miss St., Vanderbilt, Ole Miss are so competitive in the SEC because everything is so equal?

Just want to understand the double standard.

[doom41]

Re: A&M to the SEC starting to blow up again on Twitter

yes Neb/OU had 74 conf titles in 88 years and the SWC was more balanced with Tex/TAMU only having 44 in 80 years but they had the most money and power by far in the conference

OK, but that doesn't change the fact the it was a failed business plan, that was allowed by ALL members, that is most reponsible for the breaking up of the conference. Those top teams are all just a little richer now and will be off to bigger and better things, while the "junk" teams will be scrambling for their "AQ" lives, and they all have no one to blame but themselves. ALL of the Big XII members deserve the blame for what is happening right now, and you can't blame any of them for doing what they feel is in their own best interest. That is how the conference came together, and it will be how it falls apart.

[choadler]

Re: A&M to the SEC starting to blow up again on Twitter

True, but the SEC currently does not allow individual networks. They can sell their 3rd tier rights, but they can not start their own network. Also, all SEC football games are shown on CBS or an ESPN affiliate, so there are no football games included in any of the SEC members 3rd tier rights packages.

They broadcast replays of their games on Sundays. They have pregame and post game shows that feature Florida only (not unlike the LHN). They have talk shows with coaches, as well. They broadcast olympic sports. Sure sounds like it very very similar to the LHN, but it isn't call The Gator Network.

Would you guys agree that this give Florida a significant advantage over teams like Ole Miss, Miss St, Kentucky, Vanderbilt who can't do this?

[choadler]

Re: A&M to the SEC starting to blow up again on Twitter

OK, but that doesn't change the fact the it was a failed business plan, that was allowed by ALL members, that is most reponsible for the breaking up of the conference. Those top teams are all just a little richer now and will be off to bigger and better things, while the "junk" teams will be scrambling for their "AQ" lives, and they all have no one to blame but themselves. ALL of the Big XII members deserve the blame for what is happening right now, and you can't blame any of them for doing what they feel is in their own best interest. That is how the conference came together, and it will be how it falls apart.

Pretty much.

[coogrfan]

Re: A&M to the SEC starting to blow up again on Twitter

http://www.gatorsports.com/article/2...NEWS/938011258

So if Florida being offered $82M over 10 years with Fox (the 2nd most powerful broadcaster) is not a big deal compared to Miss St, Kentucky, Vanderbilt getting nothing? This doesn't create an unfair advantage in the SEC giving Florida a platform to promote its football team and olympic sports while the other teams don't? Is that why Kentucky, Miss St., Vanderbilt, Ole Miss are so competitive in the SEC because everything is so equal?

Just want to understand the double standard.

It's not ESPN. Which part of this is giving you trouble?

[choadler]

Re: A&M to the SEC starting to blow up again on Twitter

It's not ESPN. Which part of this is giving you trouble?

Ok, so if it was Fox then it wouldn't matter, is that what you are saying? So it isn't the money or that they have their own network, it is that they are affiliated with ESPN?

Please don't tell me this is the basis of your argument. You can do better.

[coogrfan]

Re: A&M to the SEC starting to blow up again on Twitter

They broadcast replays of their games on Sundays. They have pregame and post game shows that feature Florida only (not unlike the LHN). They have talk shows with coaches, as well. They broadcast olympic sports. Sure sounds like it very very similar to the LHN, but it isn't call The Gator Network.

It isn't being pushed by TWWL, nor is it attempting to go national. To claim that UF's package is even remotely similar to what ESPN/UT are trying for with the LHN is absurd.

[choadler]

Re: A&M to the SEC starting to blow up again on Twitter

It isn't being pushed by TWWL, nor is it attempting to go national. To claim that UF's package is even remotely similar to what ESPN/UT are trying for with the LHN is absurd.

So you don't think if Florida could go national that they wouldn't? So UT is suppossed to say no to this and just go regional? Should Florida have said no to it's third party distribition because Miss St, Ole Miss, Vanderbilt, Kentucky have no such power?

Is the LHN a better platform than Sunshine Sports, yeah, but Sunshine Sports is better than Miss St, Ole Miss, Vanderbilt, and Kentucky have. So if LHN is only ever picked up in Texas, it is ok?

Again, just trying to understand the double standard that is happening.

[choadler]

Re: A&M to the SEC starting to blow up again on Twitter

It isn't being pushed by TWWL, nor is it attempting to go national. To claim that UF's package is even remotely similar to what ESPN/UT are trying for with the LHN is absurd.

I don't know about you, but I get Sun Sports on my Direct Tv package. Sure sounds national to me. I live in California. It is also carried on Dish Network.

[coogrfan]

Re: A&M to the SEC starting to blow up again on Twitter

Ok, so if it was Fox then it wouldn't matter, is that what you are saying? So it isn't the money or that they have their own network, it is that they are affiliated with ESPN?

Please don't tell me this is the basis of your argument. You can do better.

It's a combination of all of these things, but imo the most troubling part is how this relationship could effect the sport as a whole. In an era where many critics are already worried that ESPN has gotten too big and wields far too much influence on cfb, the fact that ESPN now has a direct financial interest in the success of a single school's athletic programs should concern anyone who follows college sports.