Realignment/Conference News 10/19/14

Never believe any predictions, but interesting to read.

Of course, the ACC Network won't happen, that much is likely true.


Realignment/Conference News 10/19/14

Brian Ethridge
10/18/2014

"First of all, Ashley and I have talked to at least 10 sources near this and not all are Baylor sources. We've both been lucky to have made great relationships over our careers away from 247Sports which help us at 247Sports. All 10 have the same responses.
1. Realignment isn't dead, but it isn't active
And the meaning of active is breaking GOR and going to another conference. That isn't very likely to happen. But it isn't dead as schools from other conferences continue to jockey for a position in the major conferences.
2. Conference news:
ESPN has asked to take the LHN from a singular school and transform into the Big 12 Network. The success of Oklahoma's Tier 3 rights on Fox and other schools growing competitiveness in Tier 3 has created a void in the Southwest which is dominated by schools in the Big 12. While trying to push the SEC Network into those states the question kept coming up as to why the Big 12 didn't have their own. The answer is no longer at Texas.
a. The new AD at Texas sees the network as a burden.
b. Charlie Strong sees the network as a nuisance.
c. Rick Barnes sees the network as hindering his time.
d. Only coach that likes it is Garrido.
e. Texas doesn't need the money for the trouble it has become.
3. Leaks/Publically Talking About Network
Baylor's AD Ian McCaw has hinted about this at least three times on David Smoak's show and we began gathering info after the first mention. Baylor sources we have talked with were caught off guard on our first mention and said they didn't know anything about it. Now that has changed as the idea has been bantered around more.
4. ESPN Behind The Curtain
ESPN wants to have this completed for the 2015 football season. One caveat is for all schools to not play FCS schools any longer and attempt to pick up other P5 schools. This may not be possible at this time for 8 schools to get out of their games and find other opponents, but it is being attempted. In 2016 the scheduling would occur.
5. ACC Falling Behind
The ACC Network dreamed about with the ACC GOR has not materialized at this point. The ACC continues to fall behind financially from the other four conferences. With several members discussing dropping football if stipends were instituted, the cracks have started to show in the choices to expand. Boston College, Pittsburg, Syracuse, Wake Forest, and Miami have balked at paying players stipends or offering healthcare for players post college career.
6. Future
With the ACC Network not currently happening, several schools have kept open ties to the conferences they wish to join. The schools solidarity remains solid in a public setting, but the BiG, Big 12, and SEC have remained in contact. The GOR will be up in 10 years and movement will start in 7-8 years for Division 4.
7. Timetable
A timetable for the newly formed Big 12 Network by ESPN is for the 2015 season. The network would bring an additional 120 million to the conference. The extra 12 million per team will again further the financial landscape from the BiG, SEC, and Big 12. The Pac 12 has not seen the financial reward from their conference network at this time with lower carriage rates than expected, but they also remain far ahead of the ACC.
8. Which schools are looking to leap?
With Maryland being $33 million lighter, the reward for going now isn't as great as 2012, but this amount would be made up in 3 years by any ACC school moving conferences. The Tobacco Road foursome of Wake Forest, UNC, NC State, and Duke remain solid to keep their tradition alive. UVA, VT, Clemson, Florida State, Louisville, and Notre Dame listen to money not currently being made by their conference.
9. What stops this from happening?
The ACC Network happens and equals the revenue generated by the SEC, BiG, Pac 12, and Big 12 networks."