Conference expansion talks

[Raiderball]

Big 10/12 in expansion talks with Maryland and Rutgers.

[Bleeding Red]

Rutgers brings the NJ and NYC market.

Other than that, if it aint broke dont fix it. I dont see the need to bring them in and both programs are so up and down it would be like inviting the clone of Iowa into the conference. What good is it going to do besides expand the market.

[abuck76]

Keep in mind, academics must be a right fit first and foremost before they think about inviting anyone........ :12224

[Bleeding Red]

Right

[dazed&confused]

The University of Maryland is in serious negotiations to join the Big Ten Conference, sources told ESPN on Saturday.
If Maryland goes from the ACC to the Big Ten, Rutgers of the Big East is expected to follow suit. The addition of Maryland and Rutgers would give the Big Ten 14 members as the league gears toward negotiations on a new media rights deal when its first-tier rights expire in 2017.
No date has been set for a potential announcement, though it could come as soon as Monday.
Maryland president Wallace Loh has been handling the conversation with Big Ten officials, a source said.
If Maryland goes to the Big Ten, Rutgers of the Big East is expected to follow suit. The addition of Maryland and Rutgers would give the Big Ten 14 members as the league gears toward negotiations on a new media rights deal when its first-tier rights expire in 2017.
One source told ESPN that Maryland athletic director Kevin Anderson has informed key staffers that there are ongoing discussions.
One stumbling block for Maryland could be finances. Maryland's athletic department has recently dropped sports because of budget issues, and the ACC recently raised its exit fee to $50 million.
Maryland and Florida State were the only two of 12 schools that voted against a $50 million exit fee out of the ACC, but lost the vote. Loh was quoted in the Washington Post on Sept. 13 that he was against the hike from $20-50 million on "legal and philosophical" grounds. The Post reported that Loh said Maryland planned to be in the ACC for years to come.
A source told ESPN that the Big Ten has been itchy about further expansion since Notre Dame made its official move to the ACC two months ago in all sports other than football. The source said the Big Ten can justify Maryland and then possibly Rutgers since they are all contiguous states to the Big Ten footprint.
One source told ESPN that Loh and Anderson don't have ACC ties so there wouldn't be a strong emotional pull to stay with the conference. Loh is a former provost at Big Ten member Iowa.
However, the chancellor of the Maryland system, Brit Kirwan, has been on the Maryland campus for 30 years and has strong affiliation for being a charter member of the ACC, according to a source.
One source with Maryland ties said there is a strong affinity for the ACC and making the move to the Big Ten may not be a unanimous decision among the school's board of regents.
Big Ten officials did not respond to numerous requests seeking comment. ACC officials also did not respond to a request for comment. Maryland officials would not comment when asked after the Terps' football game on Saturday.
If these dominoes were to fall then Connecticut would emerge as the most likely candidate to fill Maryland's spot in the ACC. The ACC will be at 14 members in 2013-14 with the addition of the Big East's Pittsburgh and Syracuse and 15 in all sports except football when Notre Dame joins, which could be as early as fall 2013. Rutgers' exit fee from the Big East would be less expensive. The buyout to leave the Big East is $10 million if the school provides 27 months' notice. However, the league has allowed West Virginia, Pitt and Syracuse to leave the league without honoring the 27-month requirement by paying a higher exit fee.
The Scarlet Knights would be the ninth member of the Big East to leave or announce they were leaving the league since 2004. Six of those defections have occurred in the past year -- Pitt, Syracuse and Notre Dame to the ACC; TCU and West Virginia to the Big 12 and Rutgers to the Big Ten.
The Scarlet Knights were charter members of the Big East's football conference, which began in 1991.
Maryland also was a charter member of the ACC, one of eight schools to start the league in 1953.
Both Maryland and Rutgers are members of the AAU (Association of American Universities), something vital to Big Ten presidents.
The addition of the two East Coast schools would dramatically stretch the Big Ten's footprint. With Maryland holding down the Beltway, Rutgers offering up the New York market and Penn State's strong eastern ties, the league has a solid anchor in the mid-Atlantic states.
Maryland and Rutgers also would make the nation's richest conference even wealthier. Last season, each Big Ten school received a record $24.6 million in shared revenue, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported. One source said the success of the Big Ten Network is an intriguing factor for Maryland.
If the two schools join the Big Ten, it would reopen what many thought was a stable time in the conference realignment process. The Big Ten joins the SEC as a legitimate 14-team superconference, while the ACC drops to 13 football members and likely will pursue another all-sports member to get back to 14.
ACC commissioner John Swofford said at ACC media day and during the news conference when the Irish were added that the league wouldn't go beyond 14 football members and could easily exist with an odd number (15) in men's and women's basketball. But if a football member were to leave, the ACC would likely have to make a move. Maryland, meanwhile, will become only the second school to leave the ACC. South Carolina was the other, leaving in 1971 to become an independent. The Gamecocks are now members of the SEC. In the past few years, the nation's top five conferences -- SEC, Big Ten, Big 12, Pac-12 and ACC -- have added a total of 10 new members, causing a domino effect throughout the college landscape from coast to coast.


Dana O'Neil, Brett McMurphy and Andy Katz are all college sports reporters for ESPN. ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg and Heather Dinich contributed to this report.

[seofan_via_dublin]

It's about market and cash.
Adding Rutgers and Maryland means adding two teams that at best might compete with Noethwestern for 6-7 placed finish in conference in football.
Men's basketball gets marginally deeper with Maryland, and women's basketball gets a great add with Rutgers.

But most importantly the conference gets the NYC and DC market.
They will get a major boost in cable provider fees from BTN with a team in the actual market.
They get a giant raise from ESPN when the contract is renegotiated next year.
And they get a substantial recruiting market boost in Football from coastal Virginua and DC, and NYC in basketball.

[frank-n-beans]

Other than academics, Rutgers brings NOTHING to the table to the BIG. The Terps only bring BB credibility.

[seofan_via_dublin]

Women's basketball and the NY/NJ TV market.

[LoganElm_grad09]

And the hits keep coming for the Big Least. Wonder what the domino effect would be about this?

[NYBuckeye96]

If you read the articles out there, this will be HUGE MONEY for the B1G. I think it's a done deal. I don't think this would have been made public if it was not a done deal. Delany would have egg on his face if Maryland votes no.

[NYBuckeye96]

http://espn.go.com/blog/bigten/post/_/i ... g-ten-move

Maryland regents approve Big Ten move

November, 19, 2012
Nov 19

10:31

AM ET

By Adam Rittenberg | ESPN.com


The University of Maryland Board of Regents unanimously approved a move to the Big Ten on Monday, a source tells ESPN colleague Brett McMurphy.

An official announcement is expected at 4 p.m. ET at the school's campus in College Park, Md.

Maryland must officially apply for Big Ten membership, and needs a yes vote by at least nine of the 12 Big Ten presidents/chancellors (80 percent required) for admission. This is basically a formality.

After two decades of relative quiet, the Big Ten is poised to expand for the second time in two and a half years. Rutgers is expected to follow Maryland, giving the league 14 members.

Much, much more to come ...

[NYBuckeye96]

http://espn.go.com/blog/bigten/post/_/i ... -expansion

Regular lunchtime links are coming up soon, but here is a sampling of what people are saying about the Big Ten expansion plans to add Maryland and Rutgers to the league:

Sports Illustrated's Pete Thamel: "According to a television executive familiar with the Northeast corridor, the move could ultimately be worth as much as $200 million annually for the Big Ten in cable subscription fees. This is a Pollyannaish figure that's unlikely to ever materialize, but it shows the scope of the potential value. The interesting part, considering the current cable climate, is that the potential move also comes with considerable risk.

"There are an estimated 15 million available households in the New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington D.C. markets. If the Big Ten Network got on basic cable in all those places, which is an enormous long shot, the per-household figure by the time Rutgers and Maryland joined the league would project in the neighborhood of $1.25 per month. That would equate to about $200 million per year.

"The risk comes because none of that money is guaranteed. Considering the struggles the Pac-12 has had with DirecTV and the distribution issues surrounding the Longhorn Network, it's clear cable subscribers automatically handing over distribution is far from a given."

The Chicago Tribune's Teddy Greenstein: "The additions of Maryland and Rutgers would be largely about one word: demographics.

"Delany studies population shifts. According to U.S. Census Bureau estimates, Michigan's population shrunk 0.08 percent from April, 2010 to July, 2011. It ranked 49th among U.S. states. Ohio was 47th. Illinois 42nd. Pennsylvania 41st. Wisconsin 37th. Indiana 34th.

"The District of Columbia had the nation's largest growth rate, at 2.7 percent.

"This is long-term thinking."

Yahoo!'s Dan Wetzel: "In flat-out terms, the Big Ten would be weaker than it currently is. Potential growth is still all about potential. Much of which never is realized.

"And sure, Big Ten Network money is nice, but at what is a lightly watched, if highly profitable, cable channel determining the direction of the Big Ten itself? This seems like the tail wagging the dog. It's not like Big Ten programs were hurting for revenue or resources. When is enough money enough? Does it really matter to students and fans if the athletic director's already opulent oversized office gets remodeled … again?

"Is that worth not having Ohio State come to town very often?"

The Patriot-News' David Jones: "Jim Delany knows what he's doing. And what he's doing is making money.

"When Michigan and Ohio State and Nebraska and Penn State start showing up on a regular basis in Piscataway and College Park, suddenly major-college football will have arrived. It will then be a legit contender for the local sports dollar -- especially when Penn State and Ohio State fans are driving in.

"Nothing like it has ever happened in Eastern major metros. Name-brand college football has not been part of the landscape here on a regular basis since Red Blaik was running the great Army teams up and down the I-95 corridor (before there was an I-95 corridor). It will be fascinating to watch.

"Effects on Penn State? I can think of one major one right away: Two of the Nittany Lions' major recruiting gardens will be tougher to cultivate."

The Cleveland Plain-Dealer's Doug Lesmerises: "For Ohio State fans, players, coaches, alumni and students, what's the cost of playing fewer games against Nebraska, Northwestern or Iowa in football? How much is losing a men's basketball game against Michigan State worth? Against Indiana or Wisconsin or Michigan?

"Because that's what's being sold in this deal. However many millions more are being taken in each season, Ohio State could be selling two of its eight conference football games against current Big Ten foes, and two or three or four of its current men's basketball games.
What if Ohio State every year in football played Rutgers, Maryland, Indiana, Purdue, Penn State and Wisconsin in the division and Michigan as a cross-division rival. The other six Big Ten teams (Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota, Northwestern, Illinois, Michigan State) could shuffle through a single opening in Ohio State's schedule.

"Congrats on adding Nebraska two years ago. Enjoy playing them twice a decade."

The Lansing State Journal's Graham Couch: "The Big Ten will almost certainly grow to 16 teams, furthering the evolution to four power conferences, and thus helping to secure its champion’s annual place in the upcoming four-team football playoff.

"Note: This is all about football. In the global scheme of college athletics, basketball is closer to field hockey, which is why Indiana, Kentucky and Kansas will never have a say in anything.

"Whatever the motivation to move now, the Big Ten is showing its teeth by potentially gobbling up teams from the Big 12, Big East and, most notably, Atlantic Coast Conference, over the course of the last three years."

[NYBuckeye96]

Check this out.........

News Corporation's minority purchase last week in the YES Network, a New York-based regional sports channel, could have played a role. News Corp. is the parent company of Fox, which also owns part of the Big Ten Network.

[NYBuckeye96]

Depending on how successful Delany is getting the B1G Network on basic cable in the NY and DC/Baltimore metro areas, the addition of Maryland and Rutgers could add anywhere from $100 million to $200 million in yearly revenue to the conference.

This would amount to an additional $7 million to $14 million per year for each of the 14 members on top of the already nearly $25 million each team now receives. Of course, these numbers will explode when Delany negotiatiates media rights when the current rights expire in 2017.

The B1G will soon have every team bringing in over $30 million per year in revenue. Think that won't catch the eye of say a Texas who might want to join the fold?

[Slim Jim]

How many teams does the big whatever need?

[pbuck]

This moves brings the New York/New Jersey & Washington DC markets to the B1G other than that I don't understand the move

[seofan_via_dublin]

I believe it is a huge money grab, and the first move in another realignment shift.
They secure the DC/NYC market with two teams that build depth, won't ever challenge for the top spot, but historically have nearly identical win % to Texas A&M and Mizzou.

Now that those markets are in, they make a play for two major teams, becoming the first 16 team conference, and getting the jump on the future.

This move isn't about the now.

Watch for Texas, Oklahoma, Kentucky, Georgia Tech, and UNC to get calls from Delany soon.
He's going for 16.

[seofan_via_dublin]

Another huge point to consider:
Friendship Academy (DC), Gilman H.S. (MD), and Good Counsel H.S. (MD) 3 powerhouse programs now in Big Ten recruiting footprint, and when Rutgers joins, Don Bosco Prep.

[NYBuckeye96]

http://www.freep.com/article/20121119/S ... basketball

Jim Delany: Big Ten schedules could grow to 9 in football, 20 in basketball

Commissioner Jim Delany has added another program to the Big Ten and sounds intent on adding more league football and basketball games.

"I think more is on the table," Delany said of a possible nine-game football schedule -- or could it be 10? -- when Maryland begins Big Ten play in 2014.

The league has had serious talks in the past about a nine-game schedule, but those died when a Big Ten vs. Pac-12 series was announced in late 2011. That series subsequently died, as various programs had difficulty making those games work.

Delany said the Big Ten wants to build new rivalries in its 13-team league -- soon to be 14 with the addition of Rutgers, per various reports -- and that "it may require more games."

He also said he would like to see more Big Ten basketball games. The Big Ten men increased to 18 games in 2007-08, and Delany did not rule out going to 20 or more.

"I like more, not less, but I know coaches think it's a very challenging league," Delany said. "But I just feel when we play each other more, it's healthy and good."

Delany indicated the Big Ten's football divisions will be changed, but as little as possible. He said the league athletic directors will be in charge of making those changes over the next few months.

[NYBuckeye96]

I really hope we go to 9 conference games now. Otherwise, Nebraska and the other Legends teams will only visit the Shoe once every 12 years in football.

There is talk Maryland AND Rutgers will both be in the Leaders and Illinois will move over to the Legends.

An 8 game league schedule would mean:

1. Indiana
2. Rutgers
3. Maryland
4. Purdue
5. Wisconsin
6. Penn State
7. Michigan
8. Rotating Game of Michigan State, Nebraska, Minnesota, Northwestern, Iowa and Illinois - 6 teams (1 home game every 12 years)

If we go to 16 teams like I think we will eventually, that would mean the Legends teams would never play Ohio State other than Michigan!