I don't think it matters because there are bottom feeders in the P2 leagues. Sure they are better than the teams you listed (for the most part), but whether you're "only" 20x worse than Ohio State or Alabama instead of 100x is immaterial other than maybe moving some betting lines by a few points.
So in the revenue/eyeball world it won’t matter if Bama plays Mercer or Vandy as long as W is the result
Yes, they will. Here's why. The P2 schools are not going to sign up for a full P2 schedule that results in more losses than they are used to. The most successful P2 schools built their fanbases by winning games over years and when they start to lose games and have tough seasons, the fans start to dwindle. Look at FSU as a case in point. Plus, the big P2 schools are not going to go for only 6 home games as losing a home game is a big hit to their bottom lines. Finally, individual state legislatures will get involved in scheduling if the P2s drop playing instate nonP2 schools.
They don't have to be subtle. They have the power. The stupid thing is thinking they won't do it
Not being subtle is moronic on their part.
Antitrust courts and agencies being what they are right now, yes indeed. They can get themselves into trouble easily.
The question is do they have enough legislative throw weight to counterbalance any blowback. I suspect the answer is yes, for a number of reasons, including the fact that football matters in some states more than others.
I don't think the P2 has the legislative weight. Why? Look at each of the states and count the number of P2 vs non-P2 schools. In Texas, there are 2 P2 schools and 10 non-P2 schools. In Florida, there is 1 P2 school and 6 non-P2 schools. In Ohio, there is 1 P2 school and 7 non-P2 schools. In Georgia, there is 1 P2 school and 4 non-P2 schools. In California, there are 2 P2 schools and 4 non-P2 schools. etc,... Look at the student populations of Florida schools:
List the schools, and then reevaluate in terms of intensity of fan support. Your analysis is legislators will act in support of G5 schools. In my opinion, they will do nothing so that they will not alienate the P2 schools fans. Taking action puts them at risk. Doing nothing does not.
Not just G5, P4s not in the P2. Think FSU, Miami, TCU, Baylor, TTech, Oklahoma State. They'd all be cooked.
Politicians don't need to do anything here. It all depends on how ballsy our agency heads are. The current ones are enforcing antitrust law.
Not if they don't want to be out of a job.
Here's how to think about this. The Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961 (NFL anti-trust) was passed by the House, Senate, and signed into law by the President. The P2 leaves out too many schools and states to be able to get legislation through Washington.
This is an arguement I've been making for a couple of years; if there is bi-partisan political will across numerous states that have non-P2 (D1-D3) impacted states (which is basically all 50 states), then it's going to be difficult for a P2 breakoff. Unless the FB P2 agrees to some sort of large March Madness concession. Maybe there are other concessions the P2 could make as well.
It is horrible news
