Big East contacts Fresno State and UNLV about joining

[NYBuckeye96]

http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootbal ... n-football

Big East contacts Fresno State and UNLV about joining in football

By Dennis Dodd | Senior College Football Columnist
December 19, 2012 4:05 pm ET

The Big East has “reached out” to both Fresno State and UNLV to join the league on the football side, CBSSports.com has learned. In addition, BYU and Big East commissioner Mike Aresco have at least had informal conversations.

UNLV and Fresno have “definitely” talked to Aresco, according to a source. However, the talks are being kept as secret as possible to keep from “offending people,” such as regents and boards of regents and trustees at those schools.

Aresco is aggressively trying to assemble a group of football-playing schools to keep under the Big East banner. The problem: Uncertainty on all fronts. The Big East doesn't know how -- or even if -- it will proceed in football. The 10-team Mountain West hasn't made a move to expand because of its uncertainty in its TV contract with CBS. The 10-year contract runs through the 2015 season, paying what is believed to be $8 million to $12 million per year. However, one source said conference schools are hoping to gain control of some second and third rights (or games).

Those rights could be owned by the schools (re: pay-per-view) or bundled by the conference to a rights-holder. Either way, the idea is to televise as many games as possible.

“The only reason the Mountain West hasn't moved [is] because of the TV thing,” a source said. “The TV thing is really puzzling.”

There is no certainty on the membership clause that is included in all such contracts. Of the nine-team Mountain West that existed in 2005, only five of those schools would remain in the 10-team league for the 2013 season. BYU just completed its second year of independence after leaving the Mountain West. Current members San Diego State and Boise State are due to join the Big East on July 1.

“That's the bone of contention, membership change,” the same source said.

That membership change is the heart of the issue moving forward. Below the five power conferences, there is uncertainty over which entity would be that No. 6 conference with the upper hand in chasing the playoff bowl berth in most years. The highest-ranked champion among the Group of Five (MAC, Big East, Conference USA, Mountain West, Big East) will get that berth each year beginning in 2014.

The Mountain West almost stayed out of the BCS because of access concerns. Two sources told CBSSports.com the MWC went up until the last minute before signing the current BCS four-year contract with ESPN. The TV package was vetted both with and without the MWC. There was no change in value. Mountain West presidents eventually decided to sign on. The current BCS deal began in 2010 and ends in 2013 before the playoff era begins.

Mountain West presidents met Dec. 10-11 without resolution on its next move. There is widespread speculation that Boise State, San Diego State and BYU could join the league. ESPN.com reported previously that all three schools had discussions with the Mountain West.

Ajersey.com reported this week that a “western group” of Big East football programs could include Houston, SMU, Boise State, San Diego State and either Air Force, BYU, Nevada, UNLV or Fresno State.

The Big East has 12 teams due to play football in 2013.

[VegasEagle]

This would be Good for UNLV living out here in Vegas and having the chance to go watch them play... I have to say the games are sub par in the MWC I think if they wanna be a National power again a move to a bigger conf is a must

[NYBuckeye96]

This would be Good for UNLV living out here in Vegas and having the chance to go watch them play... I have to say the games are sub par in the MWC I think if they wanna be a National power again a move to a bigger conf is a must

Is the new Big East really a better conference though? I see it as being on even footing with Conference USA, Mountain West, Sun Belt and MAC by the time realignment is all said and done. Cincy, UCONN and USF have all three made it clear they want out of the Big East.

The only advantage the Big East would have over those other conferences is media markets.

[YOU'RE TIGER BAIT]

GLAD THEY ARE STICKING TO TRADITIONAL EASTERN POWERHOUSES, THIS LEAGUE IS HOLDING ONTO THE LAST KNOT IN THE ROPE, AND WOULD TAKE ANYBODY SEMIREPUTAL AT THIS POINT.MY HOW TIMES HAVE CHANGED.

[YOU'RE TIGER BAIT]

THIS IS GONNA KEEP UP WITH THESE CONFERENCES UNTIL WE HAVE TO GO TO PAY PER VIEW TO SEE OUR TEAMS, I SMELL IT COMING.

[Raiderball]

http://espn.go.com/college-sports/story ... g-big-east

[Raiderball]

http://www.courant.com/sports/college/h ... 8875.story

[YOU'RE TIGER BAIT]

THANKS.
I'M A BIG TEN GUY, BUT LIKE THE MAC AND BIG EAST AS WELL.