Absolutely spot on. In fact, two years ago a certain individual told me this was going to happen. Furthermore, it happened as quickly as it did because, as he said, the SEC had approached USC & UCLA to make the SEC a true coast to coast league.
My assumption then was, as I asked, well, apparently neither school wanted to be part of the SEC. ONLY if the B1G had said no. How he could state that, I do not know, but, I accepted his statement as true.
Traditions as far as leagues sailed long, long ago.
Now, moving forward. He continued to state he learned that USC & UCLA are only the first to pop. He was told the end goal in the short term is 20 teams, but possibly 24 with the goal to add enough schools to bring ND on board.
I asked him about diluting the pool paid to the schools. He snickered and then said, the whole are greater than the sum of it's parts. He explained that by getting certain blue bloods from the east coast to the west coast, those who fill in to reach 24 will cause the whole to be worth more than by limiting the whole.
This is where Oregon, Stanford joining Washington, UCLA and USC in a western pod is more valuable when combined with the whole of the B1G. The same holds true with getting a strong academic school like RICE in Texas actually adds value and brings a massive recruiting region into the B1G.
There will be nationally ranked kids in Texas who would have slid into the SEC because of the level of their play. NOW with RICE in the B1G (example here) the top talent in Texas now can play nationally in the B1G and be seen on TV like the NFL, this is a game changer. This brings Oregon, Washington, Stanford & RICE to reach 20 schools in the B1G.
Continuing moving east the B1G can then reach 24 by reaching out to Miami, GT, one of UNC, UVA, FSU & the prize of ND.
With the B1G moving like this the SEC will most assuredly raid the ACC along with the B1G and their GOR can most assuredly be broken as long as ESPN decides to drop their ACCN media deal. With more than 50% of the ACC looking to leave the league, the argument that they are being denied the opportunity to earn 5-6 times what the ACC GOR pays will hold water, especially with ESPN wanting to drop or renegotiate the ACC media rights deal.
Consider how much more valuable the west coast teams will draw the addition of ESPN joining the B1G Media Rights deal on the west coast with potential games not only including USC, UCLA, WASHINGTON, OREGON, STANFORD. Now add the value of regular season games including Nebraska, Iowa, Wisconsin, ND, OSU, U-M, PSU, MIAMI and FSU. The value of these media properties will be astronomical financially. However, keep in mind it makes the media rights deal the B1G just signed will be that much more valuable, thus as was left open in the deal to renegotiate the deal due to the increased value of the new schools being added because of the markets they include.
IDNK, but, after this conversation, it made sense to me. Regarding Nebraska, these additions will open up fertile recruiting grounds increasing their competitiveness in the B1G, yet for the B1G as a whole.
I of course couldn't argue with what he had presented. This is why I believe that the end goal is 24 and not 20 or 28 schools. 4 regional pods with 6 schools per pod makes complete sense. We shall see as things move forward.
My assumption then was, as I asked, well, apparently neither school wanted to be part of the SEC. ONLY if the B1G had said no. How he could state that, I do not know, but, I accepted his statement as true.
Traditions as far as leagues sailed long, long ago.
Now, moving forward. He continued to state he learned that USC & UCLA are only the first to pop. He was told the end goal in the short term is 20 teams, but possibly 24 with the goal to add enough schools to bring ND on board.
I asked him about diluting the pool paid to the schools. He snickered and then said, the whole are greater than the sum of it's parts. He explained that by getting certain blue bloods from the east coast to the west coast, those who fill in to reach 24 will cause the whole to be worth more than by limiting the whole.
This is where Oregon, Stanford joining Washington, UCLA and USC in a western pod is more valuable when combined with the whole of the B1G. The same holds true with getting a strong academic school like RICE in Texas actually adds value and brings a massive recruiting region into the B1G.
There will be nationally ranked kids in Texas who would have slid into the SEC because of the level of their play. NOW with RICE in the B1G (example here) the top talent in Texas now can play nationally in the B1G and be seen on TV like the NFL, this is a game changer. This brings Oregon, Washington, Stanford & RICE to reach 20 schools in the B1G.
Continuing moving east the B1G can then reach 24 by reaching out to Miami, GT, one of UNC, UVA, FSU & the prize of ND.
With the B1G moving like this the SEC will most assuredly raid the ACC along with the B1G and their GOR can most assuredly be broken as long as ESPN decides to drop their ACCN media deal. With more than 50% of the ACC looking to leave the league, the argument that they are being denied the opportunity to earn 5-6 times what the ACC GOR pays will hold water, especially with ESPN wanting to drop or renegotiate the ACC media rights deal.
Consider how much more valuable the west coast teams will draw the addition of ESPN joining the B1G Media Rights deal on the west coast with potential games not only including USC, UCLA, WASHINGTON, OREGON, STANFORD. Now add the value of regular season games including Nebraska, Iowa, Wisconsin, ND, OSU, U-M, PSU, MIAMI and FSU. The value of these media properties will be astronomical financially. However, keep in mind it makes the media rights deal the B1G just signed will be that much more valuable, thus as was left open in the deal to renegotiate the deal due to the increased value of the new schools being added because of the markets they include.
IDNK, but, after this conversation, it made sense to me. Regarding Nebraska, these additions will open up fertile recruiting grounds increasing their competitiveness in the B1G, yet for the B1G as a whole.
I of course couldn't argue with what he had presented. This is why I believe that the end goal is 24 and not 20 or 28 schools. 4 regional pods with 6 schools per pod makes complete sense. We shall see as things move forward.
