Conference Realignment thread

[aztech]

On 1/3/2024 at 12:30 PM, Beaver-Poke said:

OSU/WSU have a two-year agreement with the WCC. If that works, I can certainly see OSU (which I care about, I don't care about WSU) petitioning for full-time membership in all applicable sports, while staying independent in baseball, and finding affiliate conferences for T&F, wrestling and gymnastics , which the WCC don't sponsor (I would have no problem playing WCC baseball, but it's not my call).

OSU and WSU football would then petition to join the MWC as affiliate members for football, like Hawaii, and be eligible for the conference championship and the bowl tie-ins.

The predicted breakup of the ACC would have no impact on the West Coast, except for Stanford and Cal possibly looking to return to a conference that better suits them geographically. OSU has no desire to partner with the ACC leftovers from the Carolinas, Kentucky and the Northeast. 

PS: I would also have no problem with a full, across-the-board merger with the Mt. West, under the Pac-12 banner. 

If they want the huge leftover monies from the Pac then I think that's what they'll do.  That 2 year window in the WCC will also allow Stanford/Cal to reconsider returning, if the Big 10 doesn't invite them during that time.   I just can't see them staying in the ACC.  Dumb move. 

[RamSack]

On 1/3/2024 at 1:30 PM, Beaver-Poke said:

OSU/WSU have a two-year agreement with the WCC. If that works, I can certainly see OSU (which I care about, I don't care about WSU) petitioning for full-time membership in all applicable sports, while staying independent in baseball, and finding affiliate conferences for T&F, wrestling and gymnastics , which the WCC don't sponsor (I would have no problem playing WCC baseball, but it's not my call).

OSU and WSU football would then petition to join the MWC as affiliate members for football, like Hawaii, and be eligible for the conference championship and the bowl tie-ins.

The predicted breakup of the ACC would have no impact on the West Coast, except for Stanford and Cal possibly looking to return to a conference that better suits them geographically. OSU has no desire to partner with the ACC leftovers from the Carolinas, Kentucky and the Northeast. 

PS: I would also have no problem with a full, across-the-board merger with the Mt. West, under the Pac-12 banner. 

I don't see the MW allowing them to join for football only. 

[Motown Monty]

On 1/3/2024 at 12:53 PM, aztech said:

If they want the huge leftover monies from the Pac then I think that's what they'll do.  That 2 year window in the WCC will also allow Stanford/Cal to reconsider returning, if the Big 10 doesn't invite them during that time.   I just can't see them staying in the ACC.  Dumb move. 

ACC is very unstable right now.  Florida State wants out which could set a chain reaction

if it collapses you have to think Stanford, Cal, Oregon State, and Wazzu will partner on reforming the PAC12, if they can get a half decent TV deal

SDSU and others will of course be mentioned for this

[Bruininthebay]

On 12/29/2023 at 12:19 PM, sactowndog said:

I don’t get the extent that everyone discounts Stanford.   At the end of the day Stanford will be somewhere.  They have too much power and influence to not be and the Bay Area is too big of a market.  

I think Cal could be on some trouble but not Stanford. 

Dog - you are generally in touch with Northern California even if I don't agree with your take but if you compare the situations of Stanford versus Cal I don't agree that Cal is the Bay Area university with the biggest challenges to having a successful football team going forward.

Yes, Cal has been bad for a long time but that is primarily because the pro sports teams moved to Oakland as they saw Cal athletics doing very well from the teens through early 60s.  Now with the A's leaving Oakland,  Cal has a huge ability to grow in the East Bay and become the top ticket for athletics in the East Bay (as well as being easier to drive to from the North Bay or the Central Valley).

Stanford used to be the premier athletic ticket in the South Bay and there was no competition from MLB, the NFL, or the NBA.  While the Sharks and Earthquakes had some effect, the 49ers moving to Santa Clara had a significant affect on Stanford before NIL happened.

Stanford also has a unique brand - to a casual fan they are a great opponent but they don't really inspire fans without a direct connection to the institution.  If Stanford football or basketball is good then causal Northern California fans will watch their games but most of these fans want to see Stanford lose rather than Stanford win.

In kayfabe terms, Stanford works heel. 

[OzzyOzz]

On 1/3/2024 at 6:10 AM, renoskier said:

no you didn't...you were a warm body in the right place at the right time

America has made it very clear that WSU is a garbage school, I know. 

Thank God I left. 

America is a garbage place in general tho so it isn't surprising. Glad it dies, WSU is a symptom not a cure.

[smithy]

On 1/3/2024 at 1:32 PM, Motown Monty said:

ACC is very unstable right now.  Florida State wants out which could set a chain reaction

if it collapses you have to think Stanford, Cal, Oregon State, and Wazzu will partner on reforming the PAC12, if they can get a half decent TV deal

SDSU and others will of course be mentioned for this

They couldn't get it done when they had the defectors months ago...doubt the media will give them any further interest now. The MW has the leverage with CBS/FOX for late games and in two years, that contract is up and hopefully the nPAC/MW can come together for a new deal. But 2026 may be a whole different scenerio and will have to address it then.

[HawaiiMongoose]

On 1/3/2024 at 10:24 AM, Billings said:

Same article mentioned the total value of the PAC resources is about $255 million and $60 mil of that is NCAA credits paid out over time.  They are not rolling in dough and that $$ will not last long given the absence of new revenue and paying $14 mill to MWC for football alone.   They will be bleeding cash.

Counting on their States to provide new funding is a reach imho. 

Is that $255 million before or after paying off the conference's legal liabilities?  If it's before, then once the lawyers are done there may not be a whole lot left to subsidize the OSU and WSU athletic programs.

[Billings]

On 1/3/2024 at 6:41 PM, HawaiiMongoose said:

Is that $255 million before or after paying off the conference's legal liabilities?  If it's before, then once the lawyers are done there may not be a whole lot left to subsidize the OSU and WSU athletic programs.

I think the just announced agreement with the departing 10 set up a fund to pay for any liabilities.  SO I am Guessing this is what is left of PAC assets and not for covering any lawsuit settlements.

[sactowndog]

On 1/3/2024 at 2:40 PM, Bruininthebay said:

Dog - you are generally in touch with Northern California even if I don't agree with your take but if you compare the situations of Stanford versus Cal I don't agree that Cal is the Bay Area university with the biggest challenges to having a successful football team going forward.

Yes, Cal has been bad for a long time but that is primarily because the pro sports teams moved to Oakland as they saw Cal athletics doing very well from the teens through early 60s.  Now with the A's leaving Oakland,  Cal has a huge ability to grow in the East Bay and become the top ticket for athletics in the East Bay (as well as being easier to drive to from the North Bay or the Central Valley).

Stanford used to be the premier athletic ticket in the South Bay and there was no competition from MLB, the NFL, or the NBA.  While the Sharks and Earthquakes had some effect, the 49ers moving to Santa Clara had a significant affect on Stanford before NIL happened.

Stanford also has a unique brand - to a casual fan they are a great opponent but they don't really inspire fans without a direct connection to the institution.  If Stanford football or basketball is good then causal Northern California fans will watch their games but most of these fans want to see Stanford lose rather than Stanford win.

In kayfabe terms, Stanford works heel. 

Fair points though I think the problem of inspiring fans is true for Cal and Stanford.  Both schools are elite enough that the average fan has zero connection to them.  For most of the conservative valley Cal is downright hated.  

Cal used to be on the premier radio stations up and down the valley.  My dad at one time listened to them in Hanford.  That just no longer is the case as Fresno has the top local radio station from Stockton to Bakersfield.  

Sacramento where I live is no man’s land for college football. High School football is bigger.  Cal just has very little penetration here.  Because the valley is really 49ers and High School their total addressable market is really just the 6M Bay Area. 

In Stanford’s case they are rich enough they can pretty much buy whatever they want.  Cal is wealthy but not that wealthy.  Neither school has an alumni base that into sports compared to USC or even UCLA.   

[818SUDSFan]

On 1/3/2024 at 2:40 PM, Bruininthebay said:

Dog - you are generally in touch with Northern California even if I don't agree with your take but if you compare the situations of Stanford versus Cal I don't agree that Cal is the Bay Area university with the biggest challenges to having a successful football team going forward.

Yes, Cal has been bad for a long time but that is primarily because the pro sports teams moved to Oakland as they saw Cal athletics doing very well from the teens through early 60s.  Now with the A's leaving Oakland,  Cal has a huge ability to grow in the East Bay and become the top ticket for athletics in the East Bay (as well as being easier to drive to from the North Bay or the Central Valley).

Stanford used to be the premier athletic ticket in the South Bay and there was no competition from MLB, the NFL, or the NBA.  While the Sharks and Earthquakes had some effect, the 49ers moving to Santa Clara had a significant affect on Stanford before NIL happened.

Stanford also has a unique brand - to a casual fan they are a great opponent but they don't really inspire fans without a direct connection to the institution.  If Stanford football or basketball is good then causal Northern California fans will watch their games but most of these fans want to see Stanford lose rather than Stanford win.

In kayfabe terms, Stanford works heel. 

Football is a sport best appreciated in the Deep South by good 'ole boys. The East Bay is not only thousands of miles from the Deep South, the number of Cal alumni and students who are good 'ole boys is probably one; well maybe two.

[renoskier]

On 1/4/2024 at 10:19 AM, 818SUDSFan said:

Football is a sport best appreciated in the Deep South by good 'ole boys. The East Bay is not only thousands of miles from the Deep South, the number of Cal alumni and students who are good 'ole boys is probably one; well maybe two.

wasn't Maynerd a "Cal" guy? 

[818SUDSFan]

On 1/3/2024 at 5:23 PM, smithy said:

They couldn't get it done when they had the defectors months ago...doubt the media will give them any further interest now. The MW has the leverage with CBS/FOX for late games and in two years, that contract is up and hopefully the nPAC/MW can come together for a new deal. But 2026 may be a whole different scenerio and will have to address it then.

40 years ago, Cubs bleacher bums fans used a Shawon-o-Meter of 1-10 named after their shortstop to judge the quality of their team as a whole. Quality of the Pac-2 should be similarly judged by a Kliavkoff-o-Meter. Today, the K-o-M is at 10 but every month that goes by without the twins firing their commissioner, it will go down a point.

[818SUDSFan]

On 1/4/2024 at 10:21 AM, renoskier said:

wasn't Maynerd a "Cal" guy? 

Who? If you mean Jets Super Bowl WR Don Maynard, I just checked and that good 'ole boy attended Texas Western, now called UTEP.

[Spaztecs]

On 1/3/2024 at 1:30 PM, Beaver-Poke said:

OSU/WSU have a two-year agreement with the WCC. If that works, I can certainly see OSU (which I care about, I don't care about WSU) petitioning for full-time membership in all applicable sports, while staying independent in baseball, and finding affiliate conferences for T&F, wrestling and gymnastics , which the WCC don't sponsor (I would have no problem playing WCC baseball, but it's not my call).

OSU and WSU football would then petition to join the MWC as affiliate members for football, like Hawaii, and be eligible for the conference championship and the bowl tie-ins.

The predicted breakup of the ACC would have no impact on the West Coast, except for Stanford and Cal possibly looking to return to a conference that better suits them geographically. OSU has no desire to partner with the ACC leftovers from the Carolinas, Kentucky and the Northeast. 

PS: I would also have no problem with a full, across-the-board merger with the Mt. West, under the Pac-12 banner. 

 

Would OSU baseball not be better off in the BW or MW ?

I get they chose the WCC for basketball because of money. But, outside of Gonzaga and St Marys, there is not a lot of prowess.

 

 

[Spaztecs]

On 1/4/2024 at 11:30 AM, 818SUDSFan said:

Who? If you mean Jets Super Bowl WR Don Maynard, I just checked and that good 'ole boy attended Texas Western, now called UTEP.

  He's referring to        @Maynard Delecto

[Wyobraska]

On 1/4/2024 at 11:21 AM, renoskier said:

wasn't Maynerd a "Cal" guy? 

I think he was a Nintendo and In and Out guy.  

[utgrizfan]

On 1/3/2024 at 7:48 PM, Billings said:

I think the just announced agreement with the departing 10 set up a fund to pay for any liabilities.  SO I am Guessing this is what is left of PAC assets and not for covering any lawsuit settlements.

I think this is accurate, one of the main reasons for the Court shenanigans directly addressed this if im not mistaken 

[jdgaucho]

On 1/4/2024 at 10:43 AM, Spaztecs said:

 

Would OSU baseball not be better off in the BW or MW ?

I get they chose the WCC for basketball because of money. But, outside of Gonzaga and St Marys, there is not a lot of prowess.

 

 

 

Wait until they find out Pepperdine and USD basketball are at best mid programs who lost a combined five of six games to the BW this sesson.

Wait until they find out Pacific is in lovely Stockton - and that UOP enters league play with the nation's sixth worst NET ranking at 357.

[818SUDSFan]

On 1/4/2024 at 10:43 AM, Spaztecs said:

Would OSU baseball not be better off in the BW or MW ?

I get they chose the WCC for basketball because of money. But, outside of Gonzaga and St Marys, there is not a lot of prowess.

Yup, WCC for basketball and only basketball. The BW is a much better baseball conference than the MW so the Beav should be admitted to the BW only for that sport. The MW should admit Oregon State for football because, without Pac-12 and Jonathan Smith, the Beav football program will be another Utah State. Then OSU should place its other non-revenue sports in a league with these regional schools to save money on travel: https://www.sports-management-degrees.com/lists/five-great-athletic-teams-to-work-with-in-the-pacific-northwest/

It would be a win-win, win-win, win-win, and win-win all the way around.

[utgrizfan]

On 1/4/2024 at 1:29 PM, 818SUDSFan said:

Yup, WCC for basketball and only basketball. The BW is a much better baseball conference than the MW so the Beav should be admitted to the BW only for that sport. The MW should admit Oregon State for football because, without Pac-12 and Jonathan Smith, the Beav football program will be another Utah State. Then OSU should place its other non-revenue sports in a league with these regional schools to save money on travel: https://www.sports-management-degrees.com/lists/five-great-athletic-teams-to-work-with-in-the-pacific-northwest/

It would be a win-win, win-win, win-win, and win-win all the way around.

Would the MWC want/accept Wazzu and OSU as Football only members? I'm assuming it would still positively affect the MWC TV deal in 2026 (2 new States, Seattle Market ex.) but I'd imagine Full members would be more ideal for the MWC, especially in this age of large Conferences to increase survival.