B1G

[WestHartHusk]

Eventually, when things settle down, all these conference schools are going to train their sights on their smallest members. schools like Baylor and Wake Forest and Northwestern and Indiana and BC are going to be asked to forego $$$. The logic of expansion turns into the logic of greed pretty quickly, and when manifest Destiny is not possible any more, you start extracting funds from the inside.

I think you just nailed it. At some point there are no new options then you look inward and say, hmmm, really, we are paying $80M to be in Indiana? Or Mississippi and only $40M to be in Texas and Florida?

 

[Marty Jackson]

Most people would consider southern NE to be CT, MA, RI. Northern NE is VT, NH, ME.

If they want southern NE, there's only UConn and BC, and BC is inferior unless they bring in ND with them.

couldn't be more wrong... That's actually spoken like you are not even from New England.

Southern New England is CT and RI. MA never ever refers to itself as Southern New England. As I've stated in other posts, MA usually refers to itself as simply New England (very annoying)...

You are correct about northern new england, but since there isn't many people up there, you don't here that region referred to very often...

 

[kyleslamb]

Please, please, please explain GT. Whatever do they bring to the B1G? Seriously.

Delany is waiting on UVa that is waiting on UMd. A $20MM exit fee is a lot easier sell to an executive committee than a $50MM one. If UVa make the committment today, they could get stuck with a $50MM tab even if UMd gets out cheaper. What's the hurry to sign up for a $30MM risk with absolutely no concomitant reward?

Tech does bring a lot to the Big Ten. Although it's disputed how much leverage a transient school in a transient city would bring in cable negotiations, they're still in a very large television market where pennies on the dollar could bring revenue. Being a transient city helps in this case, because there is a large Big Ten alumni base in Atlanta -- especially Ohio State, who is the foremost influence on the Big Ten's school of thought.

Georgia Tech has a research output of nearly three quarters of a billion dollars. In fact, after the Ivies, they're one of the premier research institutions in the nation. The other thing it has going for it is that merely having it in the Big Ten, they could have a footprint into a Southern recruiting base.

I have my doubts about Tech's inclusion, for the time being, because Delany seems to be aiming toward so-called 'contiguous' expansion for the time being, and I think he digs the Northeast corridor idea as well. Right now, Virginia, North Carolina and Notre Dame remain the targets. I think Georgia Tech, Connecticut, Boston College and possibly Duke are the variables on how to get the targets.

 

[AdamBC]

The other thing it has going for it is that merely having it in the Big Ten, they could have a footprint into a Southern recruiting base.

This is important, as the midwest is losing population while the southeast is growing. So not only is it good for athletic recruiting, it's good for keeping people in a growing part of the country interested in your universities.

 

[Husky25]

couldn't be more wrong... That's actually spoken like you are not even from New England.

Southern New England is CT and RI. MA never ever refers to itself as Southern New England. As I've stated in other posts, MA usually refers to itself as simply New England (very annoying)...

You are correct about northern new england, but since there isn't many people up there, you don't here that region referred to very often...

MA typcially refers to itself as regions and then distance/time by car from Boston (i.e. I'm from Worcester, about 45 minutes out side Boston). Doesn't matter if you live in North Adams, Mount Washington, or Chatham.

Then...if you live inside 128, you're FROM Boston. Charlestown? Newton? Brighton? Brookline? Dedham?...All Boston.

Howie Long refer to himself as being from Boston on last Sunday's pregame. He's may have been born in Charlestown, but he played football for Milford High, which is in Worcester County (albeit on the eastern part of Worc. County).

 

[Dooley]

I'm thinking Delany might feel a little pressure to extend his next 2 invites soon, especially if UConn is one of them. UConn is in a desperate state within its fanbase and PR wise. If word began to spread (true or untrue) that UConn is passing on the ACC while waiting for an offer from a different conference, this fanbase will go into full meltdown mode (kind of like what is going on in certain threads today). There is B1G pressure now. UConn can be added on the cheap, like an undervalued penny stock ready to explode on its future growth potential. I know Delany doesn't like to be forced into decisions, but if UConn is on his radar, he might need to expedite the process of an invite or risk losing UConn to the ACC and potentially tied up in litigation, ala Maryland.

 

[Chuck]

The only reason Delaney would feel any pressure to invit UConn would be if the preferred schools had all said no already. If UNC, UVa, GT... we're the preferred schools and they had said no "unless the FSU blows up the ACC. In that case UConn would potentially strengthen the ACC.

The B1G has no reason otherwise to pull UConn now vs pulling them from the ACC in any number of years. The $$ difference is so big, we'd take the invite in the future.

 

[upstater]

I'm thinking Delany might feel a little pressure to extend his next 2 invites soon, especially if UConn is one of them. UConn is in a desperate state within its fanbase and PR wise. If word began to spread (true or untrue) that UConn is passing on the ACC while waiting for an offer from a different conference, this fanbase will go into full meltdown mode (kind of like what is going on in certain threads today). There is B1G pressure now. UConn can be added on the cheap, like an undervalued penny stock ready to explode on its future growth potential. I know Delany doesn't like to be forced into decisions, but if UConn is on his radar, he might need to expedite the process of an invite or risk losing UConn to the ACC and potentially tied up in litigation, ala Maryland.

If anything, this would bring a smile to Delany's face. UConn being the trigger for upheaval in the ACC could land the B1G a couple of prime Mid-Atlantic properties. The more heat on the ACC, the better for the B1G. Unless of course the ACC sticks together for some bizarre reason.

I still say the B12 is very vulnerable. There are just as many dregs in that conference as in the ACC, and the Pac10 has its eye on the prime properties.

Because otherwise, they are looking at Boise St.

 

[Dann]

by uconn hanging on and watching th eleague blow up, this allows the b10 to ride out the acc fees more if the final 2 picks for now are uva and uconn. what the b10 can do is get uconn and ruty for next year at bascially no cost or very little and then tell md and uva to wait until 2014 and pay the least possible by staying and saying the acc blah blah to get the court fee reduced as much as possible. its now or never JD!

 

[Chuck]

by uconn hanging on and watching th eleague blow up, this allows the b10 to ride out the acc fees more if the final 2 picks for now are uva and uconn. what the b10 can do is get uconn and ruty for next year at bascially no cost or very little and then tell md and uva to wait until 2014 and pay the least possible by staying and saying the acc blah blah to get the court fee reduced as much as possible. its now or never JD!

I wanna believe your optimism, I really do. But why would UConn cost the B1G anything? Are you saying that we're holding out for a conference that would pay our exit fees? At this point we'd pay our exit fees, a partner team's exit fees and buy beer and pizzas for all B1G meetings for the next 20 years if that would get us in now.

 

[Oxford Bob]

If anything, this would bring a smile to Delany's face. UConn being the trigger for upheaval in the ACC could land the B1G a couple of prime Mid-Atlantic properties. The more heat on the ACC, the better for the B1G. Unless of course the ACC sticks together for some bizarre reason.

I still say the B12 is very vulnerable. There are just as many dregs in that conference as in the ACC, and the Pac10 has its eye on the prime properties.

Because otherwise, they are looking at Boise St.

Adding UConn doesn't trigger anything for the mid-atlantic properties. Remember Duke, UVa. UNC where on UConn's side last month. Every ACC President knows FSU is a phone call away from leaving the conference anyway.

 

[upstater]

Adding UConn doesn't trigger anything for the mid-atlantic properties. Remember Duke, UVa. UNC where on UConn's side last month. Every ACC President knows FSU is a phone call away from leaving the conference anyway.

The thought of losing a ton of money when FSU and Clemson depart versus gaining a ton of money from the B1G should sharpen those dull mid-atlantic minds.

 

[Dann]

guys the minute the acc adds 2 schools, they can get a gor by vote. so the southern schools wouldnt go anywhere in the shortterm. thats why its now of never for the b10, sec and b12 otherwise espn is going to strong arm the situation and make the acc the 1st to 16 and 1 of the have's.

 

[mavblues]

Two questions for the board:

1) Is BTN currently available in Boston, and if so is it part of basic/expanded basic?
2) Is BTN currently available in CT, and if so is it part of basic/expanded basic?

TIA

 

[kyleslamb]

Two questions for the board:

1) Is BTN currently available in Boston, and if so is it part of basic/expanded basic?
2) Is BTN currently available in CT, and if so is it part of basic/expanded basic?

TIA

It varies based on the cable operator. On average, there is roughly 20% coverage of the BTN outside of its footprint (that is to say that roughly 1 out of every 5 cable subscribers has it on their package). Some operators have it on their basic/expanded basic package. Some don't.

Among that 20% that have it, the BTN averages 10 cents per subscriber. Within Big Ten states/markets, it is roughly 80-85% coverage at an average of 85 cents.

 

[ctchamps]

I know it's crazy but I still believe UConn gets an invite to the B!G and gets into the BIG before Maryland. And HFD will become a Boneyard legend!!!

 

[Dann]

false, its over fleudslipcon. fishy and crew syas so. enjoy your dinner 2night. it may be your last one.

 

[specialisthusky]

I know it's crazy but I still believe UConn gets an invite to the B!G and gets into the BIG before Maryland. And HFD will become a Boneyard legend!!!

I'm rooting for this. Not because i think it is going to happen, I sure hope it is though, but because I just really want to see what HFD is like if/when a B1G invite is extended. Just make sure you stop in Hartford on your blackout tour I'm pretty sure I promised you free beer for a night like 2 months ago already.

 

[caw]

Someone lock up the thread, UConn is dooooooooommmmmmmmeeeeeeeeeeeedddddddddddd!

 

[Husky25]

Two questions for the board:

1) Is BTN currently available in Boston, and if so is it part of basic/expanded basic?
2) Is BTN currently available in CT, and if so is it part of basic/expanded basic?

TIA

BTN is available on Comcast in Middltown as a HD Sports package add on.

 

[mavblues]

OK, my understanding from others is it is an add on in CT, but part of basic/expanded basic in Boston. Anyone in Boston to clarify?

 

[ctchamps]

false, its over fleudslipcon. fishy and crew syas so. enjoy your dinner 2night. it may be your last one.

It doesn't look good by any stretch of the imagination, so I'm not going to argue with those who say we are duck*ed. Cause it sure looks that way. But I believe Delaney is pushing Va to the B!G and he is going to put pressure on them and confusion into the ACC by taking UConn. UConn is a pawn but not a bad pawn. Together with Rutgers the coverage is decent in the NY metro area. The addition of UConn by the B!G will bring uncertainty to the ACC because they were convinced UConn would always be on the table. This creates internal bickering and Va has to be concerned that one of the other rumored schools jumps to the B!G for the final spot. With only one more spot Va could flinch. In the mean time while MD is fighting a lawsuit UConn, with no conference, is in the B!G next year with Ruty.

 

[kyleslamb]

OK, my understanding from others is it is an add on in CT, but part of basic/expanded basic in Boston. Anyone in Boston to clarify?

I already answered this question on the previous page. Your question cannot be answered that broadly. It completely depends on each specific cable provider. Some providers might have it on expanded basic in Boston. Others might have it as part of a sports tier. There is no one answer to your question. It's up to each provider to negotiate with the Big Ten.

 

[Dann]

lets revist that rumor a while back that nd and uconn were going to play a game in fenway in 2014. nd had joined the acc and had 4 acc games not 5 so far scheduled at that point to hit its quota. now fast forward and lville goes to the acc instead of uconn. remember all the espn stuff but the acc thought uconn was in the bag when the b10 acted and planned uconn-nd as its 5th game. now thats not possible any more as a acc game...get my drift...

 

[ScottBonz]

Yes?

 

[methodology]

What I dont get is the people who have come to the conclusion that UConn is doomed and is a mid major now. Do any of these people watch sports or play attention to sports? Silence is golden and usually is a sign of something good. If someone is pumping hte media and trying to get attention and pimp themselves out then they are worried and need the extra attention to make them look more attractive.

Did anyone hear anything about the Angels being interested in signing Josh Hamilton before today? Nope but I bet everyone thinks they just started talking last night, right?

Or when Mark Tbag signed with the Yankees... The Yankees were never mentioned as suitors until a couple days before he decided to sign.

Point is most of the time decisions that are made come out of the blue (based on public perception) but truth is those decisions have been in the works for some time and since they are so serious they are kept under wraps to prevent something from ruining the plans.

I don't think UConn is in a situation that they must make a rash decision immediately. They are in a pretty good place right now, even though most fans think otherwise, and will find a home when everything comes to an end. Whether thats in the B1G, ACC, or B12

 

[husky91]

Exactly what "decisions" do you think UConn has in front of it right now that are attractive?

I don't think UConn is in a situation that they must make a rash decision immediately. They are in a pretty good place right now, even though most fans think otherwise, and will find a home when everything comes to an end. Whether thats in the B1G, ACC, or B12

 

[specialisthusky]

Exactly what "decisions" do you think UConn has in front of it right now that are attractive?

according to Warde the choices are win big east championships, or win national championships, or lose in the big east. This is where we are until the next round. There are no decisions to be made; you are absolutely correct.

 

[tzznandrew]

What I dont get is the people who have come to the conclusion that UConn is doomed and is a mid major now. Do any of these people watch sports or play attention to sports? Silence is golden and usually is a sign of something good. If someone is pumping hte media and trying to get attention and pimp themselves out then they are worried and need the extra attention to make them look more attractive.

Did anyone hear anything about the Angels being interested in signing Josh Hamilton before today? Nope but I bet everyone thinks they just started talking last night, right?

Or when Mark Tbag signed with the Yankees... The Yankees were never mentioned as suitors until a couple days before he decided to sign.

Point is most of the time decisions that are made come out of the blue (based on public perception) but truth is those decisions have been in the works for some time and since they are so serious they are kept under wraps to prevent something from ruining the plans.

I don't think UConn is in a situation that they must make a rash decision immediately. They are in a pretty good place right now, even though most fans think otherwise, and will find a home when everything comes to an end. Whether thats in the B1G, ACC, or B12

Louisville would beg to differ, though.

 

[FfldCntyFan]

what does this mean? Didn't the ACC just band together in a formal alliance.

Yes, every member said "cross my heart and hope to die". Wake, Duke and BC didn't even have their fingers crossed behind their backs.