Non-Key Tweets

[NYUConn]

There is a strong possibility that ESPN would be in favor of ending the longhorn network (where they are bleeding $$$), replacing it with a b-12 network, using the expanded conference as an excuse to replace a money pit with what may be no better than a revenue neutral product.

I think what could happen is that ESPN/UT/Bug 12 cut a deal that basically turns the LHN into the Bug 12 network, but structures the payment in a way that for the first X years of the networks life UT gets a higher payout to offset the loss in revenue the school will face by shuttering the LHN (because while LHN is a disaster for ESPN, it has been profitable for UT).

 

[FDNY99]

Why is one exclusive of the other? It would be hard for ESPN to stand in the way if all 4 other P5 conferences have a Conference Network.

For the ACC to get their Network...their Tier 2 rights need to be bought back from Raycom...no way in this day and age ESPN is going to pay to produce the programming...buy the rights back from Raycom ...then pay the ACC more money for a ACC Network. This is the reason it hasn't been done so far..and with ESPN in major cost cutting right now, it won't be done anytime soon either. Stafford basically sold his schools an empty bill of goods about a conference network, and screwed them over when he sold the media rights to Raycom (which also employs his son). This problem has been well documented the past 18 months.
http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2013/05/20/Media/ACC-net.aspx

 

[CL82]

I think what could happen is that ESPN/UT/Bug 12 cut a deal that basically turns the LHN into the Bug 12 network, but structures the payment in a way that for the first X years of the networks life UT gets a higher payout to offset the loss in revenue the school will face by shuttering the LHN (because while LHN is a disaster for ESPN, it has been profitable for UT).

I agree that this makes sense. I have trouble seeing Texas making this concession.

 

[FfldCntyFan]

I think what could happen is that ESPN/UT/Bug 12 cut a deal that basically turns the LHN into the Bug 12 network, but structures the payment in a way that for the first X years of the networks life UT gets a higher payout to offset the loss in revenue the school will face by shuttering the LHN (because while LHN is a disaster for ESPN, it has been profitable for UT).

UT is the proverbial fly in the ointment with this and UT has made it clear, repeatedly over the years that their only concern is what is best for UT.

 

[NYUConn]

UT is the proverbial fly in the ointment with this and UT has made it clear, repeatedly over the years that their only concern is what is best for UT.

I think that giving UT a larger share of revenue to offset that loss from the network may make them feel better about it.

Texas knows this is a huge loss leader for ESPN at a time they cannot afford it. It's not going to last forever and when ESPN drops is I don't know how that they get it picked up elsewhere. The writing is on the wall for UT. Take what you can while you can.

 

[mavblues]

Wasn't this tweet about the MBB game tonight? Timing confuses me.

Yes, I thought the same thing - that's why I posted it. You had someone who covers the Big 12 (on the web) watching a UConn men's game and then thinking about the possibilities our women's team would bring to their league.

Kinda weird logic, but it also shows that women's Bball doesn't exactly have ZERO value in these considerations, as some people claim.

It's not from a huge source, I just thought it was interesting for someone (non-UConn) to think along those lines and also to Tweet it.

Timing is interesting for sure, and just adds (albeit slightly) to the smoke that's forming.

 

[upstater]

I think that giving UT a larger share of revenue to offset that loss from the network may make them feel better about it.

Texas knows this is a huge loss leader for ESPN at a time they cannot afford it. It's not going to last forever and when ESPN drops is I don't know how that they get it picked up elsewhere. The writing is on the wall for UT. Take what you can while you can.

It might make sense to transition to a more sustainable platform. All it would require is give-and-take, and actually if UT has other conferences in mind for the future, its best bet would be to maximize its current payout with current network, but if it intends to make the B12 more stable in the future, then it could see the dollars and sense in compromising.

 

[Chin Diesel]

Why would anyone from another conference care? Their take of the $$$ isn't effected by the big12 splitting their $$$ w two more teams.

Why would the other conferences care if the Big 12 is picking up the tab?

All this chatter may be a total fantasy, but if it doesn't happen, I am confident that the Pac 12 not wanting BYU or Cincinnati in a P5 conference will NOT be a factor. I can see the ACC not wanting UConn in a P5 league. On the other hand, they also want the Big 12 to split its playoff revenue more ways because right now the Big 12 has a cost advantage over the ACC.

I'm viewing this like a country club membership. There's some inequity amongst the existing members regarding playing for the club championship. Different factions within the country club have varying levels of clout. Some of the factions want to bring in new members to equal out the power within the club.

Some members in the club are buffoons, but they're still in the club. Their membership isn't getting revoked no matter how little they contribute to the club. All they do is show up for the free buffet and open bar. They're sponges, everyone knows it, but they're not leaving (BCU, Vandy, Northwestern, Wash St, Texas Tech, etc)

UConn isn't a part of the club and it needs someone to sponsor them.

The member who is considering sponsoring UConn to shore up their power base within the club, says it like this. "Look either we can redistribute our power within bringing in any new candidates or here's our new member." Other club members say, "That's fine. They're coming in at your expense and it has no bearing on us." Sponsor says, "Okay. Don't come bitching when they end up in your foursome or reception (bowl games)."

I get that some people don't understand power bases and irrational human decision making. No problem. But it's real.

 

[nelsonmuntz]

I'm viewing this like a country club membership. There's some inequity amongst the existing members regarding playing for the club championship. Different factions within the country club have varying levels of clout. Some of the factions want to bring in new members to equal out the power within the club.

Some members in the club are buffoons, but they're still in the club. Their membership isn't getting revoked no matter how little they contribute to the club. All they do is show up for the free buffet and open bar. They're sponges, everyone knows it, but they're not leaving (BCU, Vandy, Northwestern, Wash St, Texas Tech, etc)

UConn isn't a part of the club and it needs someone to sponsor them.

The member who is considering sponsoring UConn to shore up their power base within the club, says it like this. "Look either we can redistribute our power within bringing in any new candidates or here's our new member." Other club members say, "That's fine. They're coming in at your expense and it has no bearing on us." Sponsor says, "Okay. Don't come bitching when they end up in your foursome or reception (bowl games)."

I get that some people don't understand power bases and irrational human decision making. No problem. But it's real.

Yep. THAT is what is going on. Great catch.

 

[FDNY99]

G R E G S W A I M SHOW ‏@GSwaim 3m3 minutes ago
G R E G S W A I M SHOW Retweeted Matt Schonvisky

While #UConn late to #Big12 discussion, this last week Husky talk caught fire...big talk in Glendale yesterday!!

 

[gampelcrazies]

I don't get a good feeling about the B12 anymore

 

[UC1995]

Come on guys.. the fate of Uconn's Future Conference hinges on this poll...

 

[Hoophound]

Lol. Swaim poll? So, 12 Bearcat votes and 4 Husky votes. Not a big enough sample.

 

[jostar1]

Greg Flugaur ‏@flugempire · 1h1 hour ago
Greg Flugaur Retweeted Chuck Carlton
…
Boom!!!

Greg Flugaur ‏@flugempire · 1h1 hour ago
In other words Big 12....if you want CCG got to do it in divisional play.
Again..BTM told us Big 10 perception..and it was correct again.

Greg Flugaur ‏@flugempire · 1h1 hour ago
Big 12 Expansion Train is well down the tracks. Most have finally caught on.
Final negotations...start...January 16.

David Belding ‏@Frogman87 · 1h1 hour ago
@flugempire I've read some are saying BYU is a lock with UC and UConn as the other two. Based on your info is BYU back in play?

Greg Flugaur
‏@flugempire @Frogman87 No.

Greg Flugaur ‏@flugempire · 1h1 hour ago
SEC commissioner Greg Sankey basically just told the Big 12 it's time for you to reform...to grow up.

Greg Flugaur ‏@flugempire · 1h1 hour ago
And for those who have been spouting this ridiculous notion that Big 12 & SEC have this diubke secret truce..
...another Dude delusion.

Greg Flugaur ‏@flugempire · 58m58 minutes ago
Boren has won.
If Texas stops this reform/expansion..it will cause a current Cold War in Big 12 to blow up into real War inside Conference

Greg Flugaur ‏@flugempire · 56m56 minutes ago
But in reality..Boren has won.
Big 12 now has a chance to survive beyond 2026 in current + 2 form.
Footprint/Branding will expand

Greg Flugaur ‏@flugempire · 41m41 minutes ago
You need to consider the following:
As we reported in the Summer it had become B10 perception way back then that B12 would expand for "17"

Greg Flugaur ‏@flugempire · 37m37 minutes ago
Why did it become B10 perception in Summer of 2015?
Because Amendment of CCG with only Div Play was a card B10 knew they would play.

Greg Flugaur ‏@flugempire · 36m36 minutes ago
A card the B10 knew would Trump the notion of total and complete deregulation which was B12 proposal.

 

[junglehusky]

When key and non-key collide...

 

[husky210]

When key and non-key collide...

Whoa

 

[mavblues]

Let's see what kind of response we get from Texas' mouthpiece...

Mavblues ‏@mavblues 20s21 seconds ago

@ChipBrownHD Chip, if the Big 12 decides to expand by 2, who do you think it will be? I've heard UCONN, BYU, Cinci, Houston all in the mix.

 

[FDNY99]

http://thisisuconncountry.com/2016/01/g r e g-s w a i m-big-12/
A COMPLETE 180 degree turn from a guy who was laughing at UConn to the B-12 just over a week ago. Nice job my Matt here...

 

[noeynox]

http://thisisuconncountry.com/2016/01/greg-s -big-12/
A COMPLETE 180 degree turn from a guy who was laughing at UConn to the B-12 just over a week ago. Nice job my Matt here...

link didn't work.

 

[FDNY99]

link didn't work.

try it now

 

[CL82]

“What’s going to increase the bottom line or certainly hurt it the least and also bring them more prestige?” Swaim asked. “Connecticut because of what their [men’s] basketball team has done. Obviously with Connecticut women’s basketball, nobody has done what Geno [Auriemma] has done. And football, Connecticut was in the Fiesta Bowl a couple of years ago, they got beat pretty good by Oklahoma, but I think Connecticut is a sleeping giant"​

Soooo, everything that didn't matter, now matters. That kind of 180 seems about right for CR.

 

[noeynox]

try it now

found it on twitter. thanks.

 

[IMind]

Yes, I thought the same thing - that's why I posted it. You had someone who covers the Big 12 (on the web) watching a UConn men's game and then thinking about the possibilities our women's team would bring to their league.

Kinda weird logic, but it also shows that women's Bball doesn't exactly have ZERO value in these considerations, as some people claim.

It's not from a huge source, I just thought it was interesting for someone (non-UConn) to think along those lines and also to Tweet it.

Timing is interesting for sure, and just adds (albeit slightly) to the smoke that's forming.

I actually think some of the ratings UConn women have been getting lately has made people open their eyes. Our women's basketball program is more valuable and gets better national TV ratings than most of the men's college basketball programs and a lot of men's football programs. A lot of people have said a lot about women's basketball not moving the needle with respect to CR... including me... but it's one hell of a tie breaker for us if everything else is even.

 

[noeynox]

I'm starting to get that impending feeling of doom, that someway somehow, this will not work out in our favor. God I hope I'm wrong.

 

[UC1995]

Whoa

Either our defining moment or the one that is going to cause an entire fan base to run their cars of the road.

 

[Jimdish255]

We may need to resurrect the CR flight tracker thread - Doomed!!!

 

[The Viking]

What is the reason again that the Big 12 can't just do 2 divisions of 5 without expanding? Is it because the conferences MUST have 12 to have a championship game with 2 divisions?

So is the compromise being discussed that they will allow the Big 12 to stick to 10 and have their championship game if they do 2 divisions of 5 each?

 

[jostar1]

Greg Flugaur ‏@flugempire · 4h4 hours ago
Bowlsby"if we could get a situation where we are not forced to play divisions and are not forced to expand, we will be OK"
You are not ok

Greg Flugaur ‏@flugempire · 4h4 hours ago
Again..B12(UT) wants all the advantages of a big conference(12+) and all the advantage of a small conference (10 members)
Not happening.

Greg Flugaur ‏@flugempire · 31m31 minutes ago
Need 8 votes to kill proposal of complete deregulation on determining Conf Champ..ie..CCG with 10 teams with no divisions.

Greg Flugaur ‏@flugempire · 28m28 minutes ago
8 votes needed out of 15 to kill proposal:

Voting No:
B10 = 2 votes
SEC= 2 votes
PAC= 2 votes
MAC=1 vote

Need 1 more G5 vote for "No"


Greg Flugaur ‏@flugempire · 26m26 minutes ago
I don't see MWC voting "yes" for the proposal of total deregulation..but not sure.
Last Summer MWC vote "Yes" internally to keep divisions

Hank ‏@BigBlueHank · 28m28 minutes ago
@flugempire where does ACC stand?

Greg Flugaur
‏@flugempire @BigBlueHank They would vote "Yes" for proposal of total deregulation = 2 votes

Greg Flugaur ‏@flugempire · 6m6 minutes ago
B10 language in their Amendment - CCG

"It is appropriate, however, to maintain the provision regarding matching up division winners."

Greg Flugaur ‏@flugempire · 8m8 minutes ago
With this said....where is there the room for a 11th hour compromise in keeping with what B12 wants...no divisions?

 

[jostar1]

Christopher Lambert ‏@theDudeofWV · 13m13 minutes ago
Editorial: It seems to me be Big 12 has always wanted to have its cake and eat it too in regards to conference expansion.

Christopher Lambert ‏@theDudeofWV · 13m13 minutes ago
They don't want to expand thanks to a TV deal that pays them a premium but lacks a clause to escalate payments for additions.

Christopher Lambert ‏@theDudeofWV · 11m11 minutes ago
Because of their TV contract they passed on FSU, Clemson, Louisville & Miami.

Christopher Lambert ‏@theDudeofWV · 11m11 minutes ago
Now the playoff committee has made expansion necessary the Big 12 is unhappy with the options available. Whose fault is that?

Christopher Lambert ‏@theDudeofWV · 10m10 minutes ago
Together with the ACC, who wants that FSU-Clemson annual CCG, decided to change the rules.

Christopher Lambert ‏@theDudeofWV · 9m9 minutes ago
Yes the NCAA regulation requiring 12 teams & 2 divisions is arbitrary. We get that....

Christopher Lambert ‏@theDudeofWV · 8m8 minutes ago
But the B12 would have a distinct advantage over the others if CCG rules are deregulated to allow them to have a CCG with 10 & no divs.

Christopher Lambert ‏@theDudeofWV · 8m8 minutes ago
It's simply not fair to Big Ten or SEC.

Christopher Lambert ‏@theDudeofWV · 7m7 minutes ago
The B1G amendment to require 2 divs was fair. The Big 12 could easily split into 2 five team divisions & hold a CCG.

Christopher Lambert ‏@theDudeofWV · 6m6 minutes ago
But doing so would likely put OU & Texas in the same div & all the permutations of problems it would mean regardless.

Christopher Lambert ‏@theDudeofWV · 5m5 minutes ago
Texas has never wanted to have to beat OU twice to win the Big 12. Nor did they want to be in separate divisions - Hubris indeed.

Christopher Lambert ‏@theDudeofWV · 4m4 minutes ago
But now that the playoff committee has clearly explained the 13th data point matters it appears the Big 12 will have no other option.

Christopher Lambert ‏@theDudeofWV · 3m3 minutes ago
If the ACC/B12 legislation is defeated or modified then the Big 12 must bite the bullet & add the best options available.

Christopher Lambert ‏@theDudeofWV · 2m2 minutes ago
The conference can't afford to gerrymander or make any decision on membership that doesn't make long term financial sense.

Christopher Lambert ‏@theDudeofWV · 2m2 minutes ago
To me, and I've researched the candidates for the past year, the two obvious choices are BYU & Cincinnati.

Christopher Lambert ‏@theDudeofWV · 51s52 seconds ago
But BYU's viability is harmed by their location & timezone. UC is under 400 miles from Morgantown but is that a solid metric?

Christopher Lambert ‏@theDudeofWV · 32s33 seconds ago
If I had to pick the two new members, after much thought, I would Add 4.

Christopher Lambert ‏@theDudeofWV · 1m1 minute ago
BYU & Memphis + UC & UCF.

Christopher Lambert ‏@theDudeofWV · 23s24 seconds ago
Adding Tennessee, Ohio & Florida to the Big 12 footprint is worthwhile from a recruiting perspective & ultimately money wise. C

 

[junglehusky]