KENOSHA, Wis. — Conference realignment across the country has begun to settle somewhat with the Big Ten set to integrate Rutgers and Maryland next summer, bringing its membership to 14 universities.
But that doesn’t mean the NCAA’s power conferences aren’t watching one another.
The revenue from television contracts has increased dramatically. So while Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany said his priority is to integrate the conference’s newest members, he didn’t completely dismiss the idea that the conference could get even bigger.
“[Realignment] has settled a little bit, more than it was a year ago,” Delany said. “But I think everybody is alert to opportunities, and it’s probably good that it’s settled down. People can work on their integration.”
While the major conferences are already far-reaching, there has been speculation that the potential to make more money could motivate a conference to expand nationwide.
Considering the Big Ten was at the forefront of conference realignment and the development of a television network, there’s reason to speculate it could be a prime candidate to grow further.
But Delany wasn’t sure that would happen with any of the nation’s power conferences.
“I don’t know about a nationwide conference,” he said. “But I think we have a national reach — our television network, our bowl relationships, the recruitment. So I think if there’s a conference with national reach, it’s probably us as much as anybody else.”
http://www.suntimes.com/sports/2196...en-commissioner-jim-delany-eyes-policies.html
But that doesn’t mean the NCAA’s power conferences aren’t watching one another.
The revenue from television contracts has increased dramatically. So while Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany said his priority is to integrate the conference’s newest members, he didn’t completely dismiss the idea that the conference could get even bigger.
“[Realignment] has settled a little bit, more than it was a year ago,” Delany said. “But I think everybody is alert to opportunities, and it’s probably good that it’s settled down. People can work on their integration.”
While the major conferences are already far-reaching, there has been speculation that the potential to make more money could motivate a conference to expand nationwide.
Considering the Big Ten was at the forefront of conference realignment and the development of a television network, there’s reason to speculate it could be a prime candidate to grow further.
But Delany wasn’t sure that would happen with any of the nation’s power conferences.
“I don’t know about a nationwide conference,” he said. “But I think we have a national reach — our television network, our bowl relationships, the recruitment. So I think if there’s a conference with national reach, it’s probably us as much as anybody else.”
http://www.suntimes.com/sports/2196...en-commissioner-jim-delany-eyes-policies.html
