Report: Expansion would add money to Big Ten

[JonLP24]

<snip>

An analysis prepared by a Chicago-based firm looked at whether the addition of five schools would generate enough revenue to make expansion worthwhile, according to the Chicago Tribune.

"The point was: We can all get richer if we bring in the right team or teams," a source told the Tribune.

According to the newspaper report, the source said the five schools evaluated by the firm William Blair & Company were Pittsburgh, Notre Dame, Missouri, Syracuse and Rutgers, though others also could be considered.

The singular issue is money, and whether the conference's current membership would be able to earn more than the $21 million to $22 million it earns per school each year.

At the same time, the current Big Ten schools want to make sure they don't lose money if the conference expands.

"You just don't jump into the league and get a full share of what everyone else in this league has established over time," Wisconsin athletic director Barry Alvarez told The Associated Press. "I think someone has to buy their way into the league."

The Tribune reported that according to sources, a Big East school joining the Big Ten would have to pay $5 million as a "loyalty clause" fee.

<snip>

But among those not likely to join Penn State's efforts is Notre Dame athletic director Jack Swarbrick, who told the Tribune in December that the Fighting Irish valued their independence, and that "our strong preference is to remain the way we are."

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/news/story?id=4959107

[Auggie]

1. "The singular issue is money"...

when is that never that case? Ever?

"Screw sportsmanship. Screw competition. Screw what the fans want. Let's all get richer."

[hughee99]

2. Notre Dame values it's TV contract

when that's up, let's see how much they value their independence. I don't think the networks are going to flush any more money down that toilet just so they have exclusive rights to broadcast irrelevant games to a diminishing fan base.

[Condem]

3. The funny thing, hughee.

ND would make MORE $$$ on TV revenue joining the Big Ten.

[hughee99]

4. They'd make more getting a share of the big 10

then they're making now? Or what they would make given they're no longer a top team and their next contract won't be as lucrative (if there even is one)?

They're getting about $9 million a year now.
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=3452161

Is the big 10 really getting more than $100 million per year?

[Condem]

5. LOL, hughee.

242 million donuts. Really.

[hughee99]

6. Holy shit!

I had no idea it was that much.

[Condem]

7. SEC at 210. Because of eSECpn.

Add the Big 12, PAC-10, ACC and the Big East. Together. Doesn't equal the Big Ten. Hey, Upton. What the fuck did you just say??

[JonLP24]

8. You know a lot of the money is through TV contracts?

including broadcast deals made with ABC/ESPN. In fact almost every week the first game on ESPN on Saturday mornings(west coast time) is a Big 10 game. Not that I mind, I like ALL college football but I'm unsure what eSECpn refers to? I'm guessing it's broadcast deals that all the major conferences have with ABC/ESPN. :shrug: :hi:

[Condem]

9. ESPN financed the SEC channel, Jon.

Simple as that.

[JonLP24]

10. Well the Big 10 Channel is 49% owned by Fox

so can we refer to Fox as Big 1F0X? :P

[LisaM]

11. This would be horrible

What would happen to the traditions?

I say, kick out Penn State. They can form a league with those other schools.

[LisaM]

12. PS - is the Big Ten POOR?

or is this just greed?

[JonLP24]

13. Probably looking into adding another school

so they can have 2 divisions and a championship game so the winner of that game can get an artificial boost like those in the Big 12 and SEC. From looking at membership history they looked into the idea for the past 20 years since adding Penn State.

[LisaM]

14. That would really suck

we already don't play every school in the league, which is ridiculous, since we've gone to 12 games.

Michigan didn't play Minnesota this year, and their trophy game goes back to 1916. We don't play them next year either.

If the ADs don't respect tradition, why don't they go to some bush league and leave our traditions alone?