SEC Hoops?

[stoops4pres]

I really don't blame the conference heads, television networks, etc. Basically boils down to demographics and where the populations are located. Money is going to trump all in the end, it's inevitable without some sort of intervention. Either you get on the train and become proactive or you get left behind, complaining about the past.

I'm not an expert on this so someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I do think the Big 12's current state should be partly blamed on the conference leaders and their implemented television networks. If demographics/populations were the main factor, then the correlation wouldn't have the SEC flourishing like it is now; that conference's tv deals far surpass its relationship with demographics and population.

I'm not saying the Big 12 should have the best deal out there. But if the SEC could far exceed its tv deals relative to its populations, then the Big 12 should have been able to somewhat, and they didn't. That's why I think a good part of the blame lies in its leadership and lack of foresight.

 

[152219]

$1+ million per month is a lot of money and can do a lot of things for an athletic department.

If conference expansions were going to happen - and at this point, it's happening - the Big 12 and Big East are vulnerable. Not because they are bad conferences, but because the other conferences offer more money. As things stand right now, today, the Big 12 is a damn good conference. But will it be five years from now after the Big 10 and probably the SEC move to 14-16 teams? Maybe not. And if there are questions about the Big 12 and offers to move, any Big 12 team (aside from maybe UT) would be wise to take the offer.

No doubt Mizzou would be wise to take the offer. Outside of gaining the St. Louis and KC markets I don't see why the Big 10 would want the weakest athletic department in the conference (yes, Mizzou has the least number of conference championships since the league's inception).

 

[campbest]

I'm not an expert on this so someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I do think the Big 12's current state should be partly blamed on the conference leaders and their implemented television networks. If demographics/populations were the main factor, then the correlation wouldn't have the SEC flourishing like it is now; that conference's tv deals far surpass its relationship with demographics and population.

I'm not saying the Big 12 should have the best deal out there. But if the SEC could far exceed its tv deals relative to its populations, then the Big 12 should have been able to somewhat, and they didn't. That's why I think a good part of the blame lies in its leadership and lack of foresight.

Certainly agree that B12 leaders are not free from blame, however the main problem right now is branding. The SEC has a brand that no other conference can replicate, it's a goodwill amount that is difficult to put an exact price on but far surpasses all others. A large proportion of this can probably be attributed to the recent string of success the conference has had. If the Big 12 goes on a similar magic run over the past 5 years during this collegiate athletics boom which pursues higher revenues at every turn, it isn't crazy to think the Big 12 could have a similar deal. Lots of things just happen because of the timing.

I love OU but am also a realist. Without the state of Texas, the Big 12 is a joke from a business standpoint. It has strengths, but too many voids. The SEC on the other hand has a solid balance, and if I am Mark Slive, maybe I'm a bit hesitant to bring another team on board. That is why, in my opinion, the OU to the SEC move is so uncertain, because OU won't be coming alone.

The problem you're going to see eventually is these conferences are going to over-extend themselves in search of revenues, which is a common business problem that corporations run into (see Southwest Airlines ten years from now). Do the leaders of these conferences have the business accumen to realize a bad situation before it starts? I don't know.

 

[SilliSooner]

Why is this being discussed? Can't figure out the why.

If anything, OSU should join the Big 10 so there will be a TheOSU and TheOther OSU.

Secondly, if this is a raid your neighbor game, poach Iowa away from the Big 10 and swap them for Mizzou. Then you're still aligned geographically.

 

[Sawyer]

No doubt Mizzou would be wise to take the offer. Outside of gaining the St. Louis and KC markets I don't see why the Big 10 would want the weakest athletic department in the conference (yes, Mizzou has the least number of conference championships since the league's inception).

Conference championships are hardly the sole barometer for success.

MU is 42nd in the current Directors' Cup standings, which is 7th in the Big 12. That's around where MU has been for the past several years - not one of the elites, but not at the bottom, either. Mizzou isn't a great program, but they're better overall than several Big 12 teams. They won't be sweeping the table in either the Big 12 or Big 10 anytime soon, but they are competing well in just about everything.

 

[Sawyer]

Why is this being discussed? Can't figure out the why.

If anything, OSU should join the Big 10 so there will be a TheOSU and TheOther OSU.

Secondly, if this is a raid your neighbor game, poach Iowa away from the Big 10 and swap them for Mizzou. Then you're still aligned geographically.

Why would any Big 10 team want to join the Big 12? They'd be taking a $15,000,000+ pay cut by joining the Big 12.

 

[stoops4pres]

Certainly agree that B12 leaders are not free from blame, however the main problem right now is branding. The SEC has a brand that no other conference can replicate, it's a goodwill amount that is difficult to put an exact price on but far surpasses all others. A large proportion of this can probably be attributed to the recent string of success the conference has had. If the Big 12 goes on a similar magic run over the past 5 years during this collegiate athletics boom which pursues higher revenues at every turn, it isn't crazy to think the Big 12 could have a similar deal. Lots of things just happen because of the timing.

I love OU but am also a realist. Without the state of Texas, the Big 12 is a joke from a business standpoint. It has strengths, but too many voids. The SEC on the other hand has a solid balance, and if I am Mark Slive, maybe I'm a bit hesitant to bring another team on board. That is why, in my opinion, the OU to the SEC move is so uncertain, because OU won't be coming alone.

The problem you're going to see eventually is these conferences are going to over-extend themselves in search of revenues, which is a common business problem that corporations run into (see Southwest Airlines ten years from now). Do the leaders of these conferences have the business accumen to realize a bad situation before it starts? I don't know.

I agree from a branding standpoint. Although the TV deals took place before the SEC won their last 2 titles in a row (August '08), the SEC's strength on the field does play a significant portion into their 15 year couple billion dollar deal. Be that as it may, I can't help but think the SEC would have struck some time of great deal if they didn't win the last 4 titles in a row (2 when the deal was made). Keep in mind that they had a stout TV deal beforehand, and I think a good portion of that is attributed to their leadership and foresight. And although it is not the sole reason, I think a good portion of the Big 12's problem is the lack of leadership and accumen from the powers that be.

I concur wholeheartedly on the state of Texas' worth toward the Big 12. That's why the Big 12 should pray that Texas and A&M don't jump ship.

 

[Sawyer]

The SEC's strength also lies with the fact that that entire region is nuts. A lot of those states have nothing else but college football (Alabama and Mississippi, for example). While they don't have as many TV sets as some other regions, you can bet 98% of them are tuned to the game on Saturday.

 

[Mr.B!!!]

I agree from a branding standpoint. Although the TV deals took place before the SEC won their last 2 titles in a row (August '08), the SEC's strength on the field does play a significant portion into their 15 year couple billion dollar deal. Be that as it may, I can't help but think the SEC would have struck some time of great deal if they didn't win the last 4 titles in a row (2 when the deal was made). Keep in mind that they had a stout TV deal beforehand, and I think a good portion of that is attributed to their leadership and foresight. And although it is not the sole reason, I think a good portion of the Big 12's problem is the lack of leadership and accumen from the powers that be.

I concur wholeheartedly on the state of Texas' worth toward the Big 12. That's why the Big 12 should pray that Texas and A&M don't jump ship.

The leadership of the B12 is not only lacking, it is stupid.

 

[stoops4pres]

The SEC's strength also lies with the fact that that entire region is nuts. A lot of those states have nothing else but college football (Alabama and Mississippi, for example). While they don't have as many TV sets as some other regions, you can bet 98% of them are tuned to the game on Saturday.

Very true. Growing up in Miss. I can attest that the passion for college football is just as big if not bigger there as it is in OK (if Ok. State was passionate about football as OU, then of course that wouldn't be the case). That's another reason besides their great front office work that the conference is doing so well.

 

[Mr.B!!!]

Very true. Growing up in Miss. I can attest that the passion for college football is just as big if not bigger there as it is in OK (if Ok. State was passionate about football as OU, then of course that wouldn't be the case). That's another reason besides their great front office work that the conference is doing so well.

I'm originally from Jackson, cool!

I still give credit to their front office moreso than sheer numbers.

 

[MsProudSooner]

The leadership of the B12 is not only lacking, it is stupid.

I wonder why the leadership of the Big XII has been so bad?

 

[stoops4pres]

I'm originally from Jackson, cool!

I still give credit to their front office moreso than sheer numbers.

That's tight, yeah since you're from Jackson, you know what I'm talking about.

And you're right about the front office part.

 

[Mr.B!!!]

I wonder why the leadership of the Big XII has been so bad?

Weiberg was a flunkie, this new retard is an even bigger flunkie. He is seriously sitting on his hands and humming, ignoring what is going on around him. In both instances, they were/are guys with the right "connections" not the right skill set. I'd label them on par with bowl representatives. On the other hand, OU (with Castiglione) went for qualifications. I P-R-A-Y that Joe C. can deliver us from this evil. B12 is run by buffoons, Joe is not one, I'm truly comfortable that he can get us out of this mess, but it will not be easy.

 

[HoHum]

What can the guy realistically do though? Teams inside the conference are being offered more lucrative deals, that Beebe can't match, because of the lack of a TV network. Any other BCS level school to fill in any gaps isn't going to be interested in the Big XII, because they'd be taking a pay cut or doesn't make geographical sense.

I'm not all that versed in the issue, but it seems like he's stuck between a rock in a hard place.

I just hope OSU goes where ever Texas goes, without them, recruiting in Texas would plummet, and recruiting nationally at a successful level would be very, very tough. They don't have the name recognition to get big time players down there without saying, "And you'll get to play in Texas every year."

 

[stoops4pres]

What can the guy realistically do though? Teams inside the conference are being offered more lucrative deals, that Beebe can't match, because of the lack of a TV network. Any other BCS level school to fill in any gaps isn't going to be interested in the Big XII, because they'd be taking a pay cut or doesn't make geographical sense.

I'm not all that versed in the issue, but it seems like he's stuck between a rock in a hard place.

I just hope OSU goes where ever Texas goes, without them, recruiting in Texas would plummet, and recruiting nationally at a successful level would be very, very tough. They don't have the name recognition to get big time players down there without saying, "And you'll get to play in Texas every year."

No doubt about it, its too late now to rectify the Big 12's current state.

 

[Mr.B!!!]

If anybody, it was Weiberg that ruined the potential of the conference regarding television deals...but what Bebee can do now is get proactive as a "mofo" and start making it clear NOW that he is going to do everything in his power to get better deals for our confernce and figuring out ways to keep the member institutions satisfied.

Going by what is being reported in the media, the guy is doing nothing (probably waiting for direction from the University of Texas to give him marching orders) and is reliant upon the "good faith" of the Big 10 to "let him know" before they approach Mizzou and NU. Love the proactive approach...were I him, I'd be pressing Mizzou and NU to affirm their comitment to the B12 if for no other reason than to help our television negotiations (which are seriously impacted by all of this talk of losing member institutions) and, in some form or fashion, making it clear to the B10 that they need to quit messing with our member institutions.

Maybe he is doing these things, but I doubt it. Were I him, I'd start talking to Utah and BYU about possibly adding them to the Big 12.

 

[SilliSooner]

Why would any Big 10 team want to join the Big 12? They'd be taking a $15,000,000+ pay cut by joining the Big 12.

Do you know what you're talking about? I guess you're going to need to explain that $ 15 Mil to me.

 

[Mr.B!!!]

Do you know what you're talking about? I guess you're going to need to explain that $ 15 Mil to me.

Particularly when some of the AD's in the B10(11) are starting mention less than equal shares of the existing revenue. See Barry Alvarez.

 

[MissouriFan]

No doubt Mizzou would be wise to take the offer. Outside of gaining the St. Louis and KC markets I don't see why the Big 10 would want the weakest athletic department in the conference (yes, Mizzou has the least number of conference championships since the league's inception).

I laugh every time I see someone post that stat like it means something. To the Big Ten or any other conference looking at expansion a pile of human feces is worth as much as a conference championship in wrestling, rowing, volleyball, baseball, women's basketball, soccer, track, skiing, or any other minor sport. The only two sports that mater are Football and to a slightly lesser extent Men's Basketball. And even those are only part of the equation. The rest comes from TV markets, the ability to increase TV ratings, increasing advertising revenue, and for some conferences academics and research. Mizzou is pretty far from the weakest program in football or men's basketball.