Why the Big Ten adding Rutgers may have been the worst realignment move in modern history.

[superjohn]

I recall during the height of the George Floyd protests there was a push albeit a small one to change the name from Rutgers (former slave owner) to something akin to University of New Jersey. The crazy thing about Rutgers (the man) is that he only donated the equivalent to $100K today and he was from NY to boot.

Whether you agree/disagree with the reason that prompted the discussion is one thing, but it absolutely should be changed on the basis of it being an idiotic name to begin with.

I didn't know any of that, always assumed the University was named after Rutger Hauer.

 

[ConnHuskBask]

In the late 80s it was proposed on the basis of a "State pride"/branding kind of a thing.

Yeah, as I'm sure you are aware, the block R came to be around the time of the block C. A fair amount of the earlier iterations of their logo made some reference to the state.

Always struck me as odd that NJ didn't have a bonafide flagship carrying the states name and that NY didn't have one either.

 

[Rufus]

Rutgers Big Ten Build

Rutgers Big Ten Build

www.rutgersbigtenbuild.com

 

[Dean Wormer]

SUNJ should have a 4 year NCAAT streak going right now if not for the COVID year and getting screwed by the committee this season.

As for football, there may not be a more difficult spot for a program to be put in besides the (old?) SEC West.

I'd argue Nebraska has been a bigger disaster.

No way. At least Nebraska has a history to fall back on and they have an excuse being out in corn land. What's Rutgers excuse?

 

[FriarJ]

where does it say that? It says Rutgers became a "fully vested" member in 2020.

Regardless, they've been in the conference for 11 years and are carrying that much debt, which the taxpayers of NJ are otherwise on the hook for, including the interest.

And you can't just say that's two and half years of revenue at full share because as the article points out, that's assuming the tv money is constant, which is insane to assume in the current cord cutting environment.

They took a loan out against future earnings so they are not fully vested for another 4 years or so.

 

[FriarJ]

No way. At least Nebraska has a history to fall back on and they have an excuse being out in corn land. What's Rutgers excuse?

Incompetence. It’s a thing now.

 

[ConnHuskBask]

No way. At least Nebraska has a history to fall back on and they have an excuse being out in corn land. What's Rutgers excuse?

Why would history matter? Nebraskas been to 1 NCAAT in like 30 years and hasn't been to a bowl since 2016?

At least SUNJ gives you exposure in the NYC DMA and access to NJ recruits.

 

[superjohn]

One of my questions about all of this is how is this enjoyable for the fans of these schools? Nebraska to the Big 10 has been a disaster for them on the field. It's going to suck for Oregon and Washington too. Do fans really love flying across the country to watch their once great teams suck in conferences they don't fit in. Do they brag at their tailgates about how great all this money that other people have is?

 

[Rufus]

And you can't just say that's two and half years of revenue at full share because as the article points out, that's assuming the tv money is constant, which is insane to assume in the current cord cutting environment.

The B1G has a signed media rights contract that says they will make that much in the final years of the contract.

 

[hoopsfan22]

One of my questions about all of this is how is this enjoyable for the fans of these schools? Nebraska to the Big 10 has been a disaster for them on the field. It's going to suck for Oregon and Washington too. Do fans really love flying across the country to watch their once great teams suck in conferences they don't fit in. Do they brag at their tailgates about how great all this money that other people have is?

The fans don't matter in any of this. That said, and despite our precarious position, it's much better for us than for 99% of the power schools. We'll keep filling our trophy case with trophies and enjoying parades while they fill theirs with TV money and tell themselves better luck next year for the 23rd season in a row and we all know their luck won't be any better next year.

 

[zls44]

Rutgers still isn't getting a full share of B1G revenue. They took out loans from the conference earlier when they were getting much less money and are still paying them off.

Ok. So explain Minnesota and Illinois and Maryland also having massive loans that they are NOT paying back despite getting (for Minnesota and Illinois) full shares?

They. Don’t. Get. Paid. Back.

 

[Patman]

Ok. So explain Minnesota and Illinois and Maryland also having massive loans that they are NOT paying back despite getting (for Minnesota and Illinois) full shares?

They. Don’t. Get. Paid. Back.

debt rots out all institutions eventually

 

[superjohn]

debt rots out all institutions eventually

America?