Realignment: The Super Conferece

[oden]

I think Texas is angling for a special TV deal that will let them form their own network, like Notra Dame. I think they would have already joined the Pac 10 if that was an option. I think it is a shame that they are willing to hang out potential rivals in the process but the almighty $ calls. However, the fate of TAMU is not their concern.

[TexTushHog]

It's about the fact that colleges no longer care about their traditional fan base of alumnae and regional supporters. They're just cash cows for the universities who exist only to provide programming for entertainment networks.

Traditional rivalries no longer matter. Which kids fans watched when they were in high school no longer matter. Fans who actually attend games in the stadium are not the target audience any more. Sad, but probably inevitable. Thirty five years ago, when games were for people who came and watched, and each conference had one game on a week, and people actually drove half way across the State to see their team, and talked about it all week, it was a much bigger deal. At least in fan's hearts.

I just wish that they would dispense with the hypocrisy and let the universities sell off the brands, pocket the cash, and run the teams as what they are -- professional minor leagues for the big major league professional teams.

[charlestudor2005]

Since we all agree that $$$ is the basis of the motive, it appears these "educational institutions" are more like providers than schools: they'll do anything for the almighty buck.

[Ansley]

Originally Posted by charlestudor2005

like providers than schools: they'll do anything for the almighty buck.

Careful there, Charles.

[MacTheKnife]

Originally Posted by barneyrubble

Money in the SWC was split evenly among all the teams.

EXACTLY my point.

The money should never have been divided EQUALLY.

There were too many TEXAS teams that NEVER contributed ANYTHING to the money pot because of their lack of athletic prowess.

Just like a partnership, when a rainmaker partner senses he is getting screwed by the other non-producing partners, a split-up will ALWAYS occur.

In simplistic terms, it's about MONEY.

That's why you are seeing the breakup of the Big 12 and other teams going with the Big 10 and Pac 10 conferences.

MONEY. Pure and simple.

[atlcomedy]

Originally Posted by charlestudor2005

Since we all agree that $$$ is the basis of the motive, it appears these "educational institutions" are more like providers than schools: they'll do anything for the almighty buck.

Originally Posted by Ansley

Careful there, Charles.

What? Charlie offend you by suggesting if you drove down to midtown that "everything" would be on the menu at the Georgia Tech foodcourt?

His crassness aside, really what is so wrong with this on a macro level? Sure many of us have a team(s) or institution(s) we care about and right now there is a great deal of uncertainty. I'm sure I'm not the only one on here that has been burning up the phone lines to senior folks at our institutions both out of concern and a desire to share our "wisdom."

As I reflect on my discussions this past week I offered little wisdom but just shared my concern (love) that at the end of the day we would end up in an accpetable place.

So at the end of the day, once the dust settles, assuming "your school" isn't the proverbial kid left standing when the music stops in a huge game of musical chairs, what is wrong with Universities aligning themselves in ways that they believe are in their best interests?

None of us are naive enough to think isn't about the money. We all seem to agree on this, but this isn't new news; it has been all about the money for at least decades now. As some have noted with reference to the dissolution of the SWC, this realignment is not new.

[pjorourke]

Originally Posted by TexTushHog

I just wish that they would dispense with the hypocrisy and let the universities sell off the brands, pocket the cash, and run the teams as what they are -- professional minor leagues for the big major league professional teams.

Word!

(Damn! This is twice in one week that I have agreed with TTH. Someone check the Teutonic plates.)

[atlcomedy]

Originally Posted by pjorourke

Word!

(Damn! This is twice in one week that I have agreed with TTH. Someone check the Teutonic plates.)

PJ - I always thought of you as more pragmatic than that

[pjorourke]

Originally Posted by atlcomedy

PJ - I always thought of you as more pragmatic than that

TTH's suggestion is quite pragmatic. Division IA football is not student athletics. Its professional football where the players happen to be loosely defined as students.

The schools would be better of monetizing the brands/stadiums and focus on being educational institutions. The teams could still play on campus to provide entertainment to the students/alumni -- perhaps with a revenue share to the schools. Its all a matter of how the deal is structured.

[atlcomedy]

Originally Posted by pjorourke

TTH's suggestion is quite pragmatic. Division IA football is not student athletics. Its professional football where the players happen to be loosely defined as students.

The schools would be better of monetizing the brands/stadiums and focus on being educational institutions. The teams could still play on campus to provide entertainment to the students/alumni -- perhaps with a revenue share to the schools. Its all a matter of how the deal is structured.

When I say pragmatic, I mean it is not going to happen so spending a lot of time thinking about it isn't productive.(Do you think TTH's firm would take up this effort strictly on contingency )

I'd also reiterate that for all this talk about money (and there is a lot of it - both money and talk), on a fully loaded basis, most (as you call them) Division 1-A (Now called BCS Subdivision) programs are actually money losers.

But if I was to consider this (that is essentially selling pro-like franchises) the question that is compelling is what would some of these billionaire alums pay to "own" their school's FB team? T Boone Pickens & OSU come to mind....but then again doesn't he kind of already own them?

[pjorourke]

Originally Posted by atlcomedy

When I say pragmatic, I mean it is not going to happen so spending a lot of time thinking about it isn't productive.

Of course its never going to happen -- it makes too much sense.

[oden]

Less is more, Texas stays put and launches its own TV network.

[Egrbvr]

Originally Posted by pjorourke

TTH's suggestion is quite pragmatic. Division IA football is not student athletics. Its professional football where the players happen to be loosely defined as students.

The schools would be better of monetizing the brands/stadiums and focus on being educational institutions. The teams could still play on campus to provide entertainment to the students/alumni -- perhaps with a revenue share to the schools. Its all a matter of how the deal is structured.

I have read blogs that liken college athletes to slaves. Since the predominance of players, particularly in the South, are African American, and because they are basically unpaid, and because most will never get chosen to play at the professional level, they are merely acting as "free" labor for the entertainment of rich (mostly white) alumni.

[discreetgent]

Originally Posted by Egrbvr

I have read blogs that liken college athletes to slaves. Since the predominance of players, particularly in the South, are African American, and because they are basically unpaid, and because most will never get chosen to play at the professional level, they are merely acting as "free" labor for the entertainment of rich (mostly white) alumni.

Of course that ignores the pesky fact that the athletes make a choice to go to a school and play football (basketball, hockey, etc) in return for a scholarship. Slaves didn't have options.

That being said when it comes to football and basketball at the top of Division I they should get rid of the charade and admit they are just minor leagues for the pros.

[pjorourke]

Originally Posted by discreetgent

Of course that ignores the pesky fact that the athletes make a choice to go to a school and play football (basketball, hockey, etc) in return for a scholarship. Slaves didn't have options.

Now DG, it is not nice to let facts get in the way of a good rant.

That being said when it comes to football and basketball at the top of Division I they should get rid of the charade and admit they are just minor leagues for the pros.

Word!