Big Ten Expansion possiblities

[elcheato]

Big Ten expansion buzz has league adding Mizzou, Nebraska, Pitt, Rutgers and Syracuse and splitting into four, four-team divisions.

http://twitter.com/TomDienhart

 

[bestkeptsecret13]

Ewww... I hope this isn't really gonna happen.

 

[DMJ]

I think we're on our way to 4 superconferences of 16 teams each. Not that the above rumor is necessarily going to happen anytime soon but by the end of the B10's expansion, the Big East will probably fold and in the next 15 years we will be left with the Pac-16, the SEC, the Big 16 (former Big 10 but hopefully with a cooler name), and the ACC.

FWIW, as a Pitt fan I'd love to see them move to the Big 10. Right now it looks like they'd accept the offer if they got it as I'm sure Rutgers and Syracuse would do too since the Big East looks to be falling apart.

 

[elcheato]

The Big 12 has drawn a line in the sand for at least two member schools.

The conference, amid a chorus of story lines that would all significantly change the face of big-league college sports, has imposed a deadline of Friday for Nebraska and Missouri to state their intentions on whether they intend to bolt for the Big Ten, with the possibility of an extension for a decision by next Tuesday, The Austin American-Statesman has reported, citing two sources.

The Big 12's university presidents decided on imposing the ultimatum, two highly placed officials within two of the conference schools said, according to the newspaper.

"Nebraska has until 5 p.m. on Friday to tell us what they're going to do," one school official said, according to the The American-Statesman. "The same deal for Missouri. They have to tell us they're not going to the Big Ten."

A Dallas Morning News report also cited a deadline for the Cornhuskers but said it was within two weeks.

"I've talked to the Pac-10," said the Big 12 school administrator, according to the Austin newspaper. "There is an invitation. When it comes, it'll come fast."

Another political figure connected to Texas told The American-Statesman: "I know the war drums are beating. This is way beyond gossip."

Pac-10 commissioner Larry Scott, speaking at meetings in San Francisco, laid out several scenarios Friday to its schools' athletic directors, one of which would include adding six Big 12 schools, with Texas among them.

Scott was to brief school presidents and chancellors Sunday morning.

Big 12 commissioner Dan Beebe said Friday he is "comfortable" the league will remain intact.

Beebe said a "process" had been put in place by Big 12 presidents to ensure the long-term viability of a conference that has greatly increased revenue for its members, but still not kept pace in television dollars with the other big leagues.

The Big 12 presidents are scheduled to meet again in October. It could hardly be longer away than February, when they meet just before Beebe begins negotiations on a new cable deal with Fox.

"I am comfortable," Beebe said as four days of Big 12 meetings in Kansas City, Mo., wrapped up. "There's still a process we're going through but based on the conversations we had I think we're in a very good position."

He would not discuss how the process will keep the Big 12 intact.

"The process that has been set is firm. But I'm not going to engage in what that is," he said.

As a sales pitch to keep the league together, Beebe spent the week explaining that he expected huge increases in rights fees from both Fox and ESPN. Unfortunately for those wanting to keep the Big 12 intact, its more lucrative contract with ESPN runs through the 2015-16 academic year.

The greatly staggered contract dates are not working in the Big 12's favor as it seeks to keep up with other leagues.

"We have had analysis and projections that look like we're going to be every bit as well compensated in the future," Beebe said.

Under their present television deals, Big 12 members received between $7 million and $10 million each last year, depending on how many appearances each school made. The Big Ten, enriched by its Big Ten cable network, distributed some $22 million to each member last season.