78Cyclones
Well-Known Member
Of course, it is all about money both ways. No doubt about that.I'm cynical but IMHO all the conferences AND all the schools want is money. They may try to spin it in an altruistic way but anything can be rationalized.
Why would any PAC school look to move to the Big 12, B1G, SEC or ACC if not for money? No other reason makes any sense whatsoever. Why were the AAC schools trying to get into the Big 12?
Moving from the AAC to a P5 Conference is a no-brainer for any of the AAC schools, but it might not help the Conference that takes them in the long run. That is the conclusion that the Big Xii decided when considering UC, Memphis, etc. Once the Xii could have a CCG without expanding, that scenario ended right away. No AAC schools for the Xii. Expansion will only be for big fish that might be interested.
Additionally, at some point, more money is not as important as it might seem. B1G schools don't need more money. SEC schools don't need more money. It's nice, but they don't need it. So, if they expand, it should be to make the product better. Period. Then, the money will follow.
A&M opened the State of Texas to the SEC - which is HUGE. Mizzou by themselves wouldn't move the needle but as a #2 (like you mentioned), they were a solid add: AAU school with two big markets and the only FBS school in the state that people in the state follow.
With the other conferences, it is about stability and making sure the conferences do not implode or become irrelevant. For Texas and OU this might not matter, but it does for the other schools in the Big Xii. However, from the OU and Texas point of view, if they move to the SEC or B1G, they might make more money, but will it be worth losing their cushy situation they already have?
On the other hand, if the Xii can grab a couple of Pac schools, the new schools will become more secure, make more money, and OU and Texas can make more money, get some new attractive footprint for the Xii (including the Rose Bowl!) but not lose the edge they already have. So, at some point more money might not be worth a move for either of those two particular schools, but selective expansion could be good.
As for the B1G, they make more money with the addition of Maryland and Rutgers due to TV, but it is a long run loser due to diluting a very strong product. I just don't care for that move (I've lived in 3 B1G states and follow B1G football fwiw).
So, while money is a driver, both schools and conferences need to be careful with the decision they make. More money doesn't always mean a better product. I do believe that Washington and any other Pac school that comes with them would be great for those schools and the Big Xii, but would be a death-knell for the Pac.
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