What media outlet would be willing to pay that much to a confernce with the bulk of the states being "flyover" country?
This reeks of pure desperation by Bebe to keep his job.
Even if some sports network shells out the big bucks to keep the Big 12 a float what happens if they don't get the returns (ratings) on thier inverstment?
But what you are forgetting is the impact the Super Conferences will have on the current TV situation.
CBS just inked a HUGE long-term contract to keep the NCAA tournament.
You really think they are excited to hear that chatter about the 4 super conferences starting their own tournament and basically making the NCAA the NIT? Talk about losing billions.
You really think ESPN who just paid big bucks to get the BCS games is excited to think the Super conferences could start their own Bowl series?
You really think all the networks are excited about all these super conferences starting their own cable networks?
The answers to all these questions is a resounding NO!
It seemed to me we all saw a lot less of the 3rd, 4th, 5th tier Big 10 games last year. It used to seem like those Purdue/Minnesota football games were on ESPN2 on Saturday morning/afternoons. Maybe it's just me but I don't remember seeing as many last year. Why? Because the Big 10 Network needs games as well. If all of a sudden you have 4-5 Super conferences with their own networks that gives ESPN & the networks less games/programming. Sure they will still get the top games but the lower tiered games fill valuable programming for them.
I can't imagine the networks are too excited at the possibility of all these changes and renegotiations.
If the Big 12 sticks together it probably delays the Super Conferences years.
