USC & UCLA to B1G by 2024; conferences react; TV contracts thread

rudedude

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Oct 6, 2021
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Thinking that this is gonna hurt us with the "eye test".
3 Stooges Comedy GIF

Here’s yer eye test!!
 

TiogaLion

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Oct 31, 2021
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Got a text from a friend who had copied a Tweet from Brett McMurphy that Big Ten is finalizing it's media rights with CBS, NBC and Faux, thereby eliminating their
40 year relationship with ESPN. This is the first time ever that Big Ten will not be on the Four Letter.

Can't access twitter, so if someone has the tweet, please provide.
Why can't you access twitter?
 

mrmk5110

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Oct 12, 2021
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IF the $$ figures getting reported are accurate, the B1G is making a boatload more money from this deal than the SEC is from the ESPN deal. $350mil from CBS for the 3:30 timeslot (along with more basketball) is crazy.
 
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PSUFTG

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With the additions of Oklahoma and Texas (and maybe some more? who knows), it will be interesting to see how things shake out for the SEC moving forward.
The SEC certainly doesn't have the geographic market proximity of the Big Ten (or, at least at this point, the Basketball content), but, on the football side, they have a lot more high-end content.
Which will win out - high-end content, or market (geographical) proximity? Football content vs Basketball content (obviously, at least in the current market, Football is a lot more lucrative than basketball - but will basketball, at some point, at least enter the equation as a significant component, or not)?
A lot yet to shake out, for sure.
 

psuro

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Why can't you access twitter?
I just could not do it at my office computer. I don't think it's blocked. When tried to click on his tweet from the computer, it asked me for a password for twitter - which I don't have.
 

Thus Spake Mainer

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Oct 13, 2021
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Big Ten media rights contract will be released shortly

Rumor has it (from the SiriusXM guys) is that ESPN and ABC will be totally out.

FOX, CBS (and possibly NBC) and a streaming partner only. Does not bode well for Big Ten teams appearing on GameDay.
 
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CyphaPSU

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Thinking that this is gonna hurt us with the "eye test".
This is a valid concern. The next step would be for the B1G and other TV networks to wrestle Disney out of exclusive TV rights to the CFP, especially when they likely expand.

I'm concerned about having no presence on ESPN, despite their sins. They still dominate sports news coverage on TV and they certainly have a history of minimizing entities they no longer have contracts with. Despite what some of you may think of someone like Herbstreit, he was one of the biggest cheerleaders on the national level for our Whiteout (and student section). Depending on how the hierarchy of choice of games goes week-in and week-out, will our games with opponents we typically do the Whiteout for forever be doomed to the noon timeslot? That's the issue with FOX in the driver's seat of the negotiations.

I also hope the news will not include Apple TV+. I'm worried that CBS and especially NBC have ambitions to throw some games exclusively on their streaming platforms.
 

psuro

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This is a valid concern. The next step would be for the B1G and other TV networks to wrestle Disney out of exclusive TV rights to the CFP, especially when they likely expand.

I'm concerned about having no presence on ESPN, despite their sins. They still dominate sports news coverage on TV and they certainly have a history of minimizing entities they no longer have contracts with. Despite what some of you may think of someone like Herbstreit, he was one of the biggest cheerleaders on the national level for our Whiteout (and student section).

I also hope the news will not include Apple TV+. I'm worried that CBS and especially NBC have ambitions to throw some games exclusively on their streaming platforms.
Well, not to go back on my comment (which I said in jest), but Herbie does cheerlead Bama, UGA and some programs traditionally not on ESPN. But, then again, those programs (in the CFP era) have history.

Wonder if OSU now will pass "the eye test".
 

MontereyLion

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Some guy did the math. If the B1G stays at a 9 game conference schedule and does away with divisions (which I really hope they do) the best schedule lineup is 3-6-6. Each team plays 3 "rival" teams each year. Then 6 teams one year and the other 6 teams the next. Every school would play every other schoool atleast one home and away, every 4 years. I like it. I hate the scheduling we have now. We've played Nebraska like 2 times in 10 years. That was maybe an exaggeration. But not by much. Means every year we would likely play USC or UCLA. Plus we wouldn't play Iowa every year. Who the hell makes these schedules anyway?
 

Nits74

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Some guy did the math. If the B1G stays at a 9 game conference schedule and does away with divisions (which I really hope they do) the best schedule lineup is 3-6-6. Each team plays 3 "rival" teams each year. Then 6 teams one year and the other 6 teams the next. Every school would play every other schoool atleast one home and away, every 4 years. I like it. I hate the scheduling we have now. We've played Nebraska like 2 times in 10 years. That was maybe an exaggeration. But not by much. Means every year we would likely play USC or UCLA. Plus we wouldn't play Iowa every year. Who the hell makes these schedules anyway?
I like this. But, we'll likely open conference play on the road every year.
 

psuro

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Some guy did the math. If the B1G stays at a 9 game conference schedule and does away with divisions (which I really hope they do) the best schedule lineup is 3-6-6. Each team plays 3 "rival" teams each year. Then 6 teams one year and the other 6 teams the next. Every school would play every other schoool atleast one home and away, every 4 years. I like it. I hate the scheduling we have now. We've played Nebraska like 2 times in 10 years. That was maybe an exaggeration. But not by much. Means every year we would likely play USC or UCLA. Plus we wouldn't play Iowa every year. Who the hell makes these schedules anyway?
Someone said a while back that the Conf created 6 game schedules between two teams in opposite divisions based on a W/L record. So, PSU was supposed to pick up another team in the West and play them 6 years in a row. Not sure if all of that is true, but that is what I recall. Looking at the history of some schedules, it made sense.

PSU has played Nebby three times since they joined the conference I believe.
 

WSTLion87

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Can someone please elaborate? I am having a difficult time reading ND and their motive. Would they prefer to stay independent long term? Are they saying they are staying independent but behind the scenes getting ready to join the B1G? Their AD said today, "They wish to remain independent." (I wish to win the Mega Millions.) I do resent that they get a "free pass" without playing a conference championship game only to go on and humble themselves in the CFP. I have no insight and this is only a guess... Once the almighty ND administration sees the money the B1G brings in from this massive tevelvision deal with CBS, NBC, and FOX (Apple/Amazon) they will change their minds about being independent. If they do decide "reluctantly" to give up independence then, I don't think they will surprise everyone like USC and UCLA did earlier this summer. Thus, joining the B1G they'll have this huge prime time announcement because they absolutely love the spotlight. What I have a hard time understanding is the importance conferences and networks continue to give them as their brand is nowhere near as relevant as it was at one time. In the words of Atty. Joe Miller (Denzel Washington from the movie "Philadelphia") please explain this to me like I am five years old. Thanks...
 

PSUJam

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Can someone please elaborate? I am having a difficult time reading ND and their motive. Would they prefer to stay independent long term? Are they saying they are staying independent but behind the scenes getting ready to join the B1G? Their AD said today, "They wish to remain independent." (I wish to win the Mega Millions.) I do resent that they get a "free pass" without playing a conference championship game only to go on and humble themselves in the CFP. I have no insight and this is only a guess... Once the almighty ND administration sees the money the B1G brings in from this massive tevelvision deal with CBS, NBC, and FOX (Apple/Amazon) they will change their minds about being independent. If they do decide "reluctantly" to give up independence then, I don't think they will surprise everyone like USC and UCLA did earlier this summer. Thus, joining the B1G they'll have this huge prime time announcement because they absolutely love the spotlight. What I have a hard time understanding is the importance conferences and networks continue to give them as their brand is nowhere near as relevant as it was at one time. In the words of Atty. Joe Miller (Denzel Washington from the movie "Philadelphia") please explain this to me like I am five years old. Thanks...
To me it says all things point to ND to the B1G. He gushed about the B1G TV contract, Olympic sports, and ease of travel, even pointing out how hard of a time it is for any of ND college teams to get to Tallahassee. He also mentioned the ND/NBC contract runs through 2025. If ND signs with the B1G now (for next year) there's a possibility that all of their games could still be on NBC through 2025.
 
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RockyMtnLion

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Swarbrick is likely correct, but I would add that maximum value may not have a long shelf life. As deals continue to be made, it may go down significantly if they delay in choosing sides.
 

PSUSignore

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Can someone please elaborate? I am having a difficult time reading ND and their motive. Would they prefer to stay independent long term? Are they saying they are staying independent but behind the scenes getting ready to join the B1G? Their AD said today, "They wish to remain independent." (I wish to win the Mega Millions.) I do resent that they get a "free pass" without playing a conference championship game only to go on and humble themselves in the CFP. I have no insight and this is only a guess... Once the almighty ND administration sees the money the B1G brings in from this massive tevelvision deal with CBS, NBC, and FOX (Apple/Amazon) they will change their minds about being independent. If they do decide "reluctantly" to give up independence then, I don't think they will surprise everyone like USC and UCLA did earlier this summer. Thus, joining the B1G they'll have this huge prime time announcement because they absolutely love the spotlight. What I have a hard time understanding is the importance conferences and networks continue to give them as their brand is nowhere near as relevant as it was at one time. In the words of Atty. Joe Miller (Denzel Washington from the movie "Philadelphia") please explain this to me like I am five years old. Thanks...
Basically if they can continue to make enough to survive as an independent and they keep having access to the playoff they see no reason to change. IIRC the current Big 10 media deal pays more than ND makes from NBC. It's not just a money making thing for them or they'd have moved already. The Big 10 signing with NBC will help ND to get more attention and higher ratings thanks to spillover views from Big 10 games and ads, meaning more NBC money that enables them to keep their independence longer. Until someone takes a hard stance about not letting ND in the playoff or not scheduling them during the season NBC seems poised to stay independent as long as possible.
 

PSUFTG

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Can someone please elaborate? I am having a difficult time reading ND and their motive. Would they prefer to stay independent long term? Are they saying they are staying independent but behind the scenes getting ready to join the B1G? Their AD said today, "They wish to remain independent." (I wish to win the Mega Millions.) I do resent that they get a "free pass" without playing a conference championship game only to go on and humble themselves in the CFP. I have no insight and this is only a guess... Once the almighty ND administration sees the money the B1G brings in from this massive tevelvision deal with CBS, NBC, and FOX (Apple/Amazon) they will change their minds about being independent. If they do decide "reluctantly" to give up independence then, I don't think they will surprise everyone like USC and UCLA did earlier this summer. Thus, joining the B1G they'll have this huge prime time announcement because they absolutely love the spotlight. What I have a hard time understanding is the importance conferences and networks continue to give them as their brand is nowhere near as relevant as it was at one time. In the words of Atty. Joe Miller (Denzel Washington from the movie "Philadelphia") please explain this to me like I am five years old. Thanks...
I would be surprised if ND athletics are not affiliated with a conference (as a real member, not the ACC gobbledigook) within the next few years - and I would expect that the BigTen is the most likely destination.
That said, such a move would not be (from Notre Dame's end) about $$$. If $$$ was the primary factor, or even a significant factor, ND would have jumped into the BigTen a long time ago - the $$$ has been very, very, very much more attractive in the BigTen for quite some time. Even a deal where they could schedule a half dozen quality Big Ten teams each year would be a nice boost for ND - though I don't think that would even be a starter from the Big Ten's standpoint - and I would hope it wouldn't be.

And, yes, Notre Dame is a huge national "brand", still. Probably the only remaining reasonable option for Big Ten expansion that would be cash flow positive for the other members of the Conference. (I doubt if even the Florida schools - FSU/Miami - would be a positive fiscal move for the Big Ten, and certainly none of the other ACC/Big12/PAC12 schools would be. In fact, I would expect that even the USC/UCLA addition is pretty nebulous wrt whether it will be a fiscal positive, though I think the addition made some sense.)
 

VaDave4PSU

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The Big 10 signing with NBC will help ND to get more attention

The word is NBC is after the B and C Big 10 games for the prime time TV slot.

If anything, those games end up with better eyes being 1) on network TV 2) likely after ND plays their usual 230/330 game.
 
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Woodpecker

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The word is NBC is after the B and C Big 10 games for the prime time TV slot.

If anything, those games end up with better eyes being 1) on network TV 2) likely after ND plays their usual 230/330 game.
So the ND game would promote the prime time Big Ten game rather than vice versa - I love it!
 

VaDave4PSU

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So the ND game would promote the prime time Big Ten game rather than vice versa - I love it!
That's what was being written in the initial information that came out. Whether thats what NBC ends up with is yet to be determined, but it makes sense.
 

MontereyLion

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I heard a "rumor" that the Bigten would be OK with just adding Notre Dame. That they would be OK with having an odd number of schools in the Bigten. I would guess they did the math and it showed adding a school like Stanford with Notre Dame subtracted monies per school. If they did (down the road) just added Notre Dame, how would that affect the math that guy did about balanced scheduling without divisions? Well it looks like it would be an easy tweak. Assuming we stayed at a 9 game conference schedule with no divisions...each team would play 2 "rivals" each year and 7 other conference teams. Then the next year they would play the other 7 conference teams. Again, each school would play every other school in conference one home and away game, every four years. Examples...USC's rivals would be UCLA and Notre Dame. Michigan's would be Ohio State and Michigan State. You can just imagine what would our rivals would be. Adding just Notre Dame with no divisions is an easy scheduling fix and probably better to max out TV revenues.
 

NittPicker

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I heard a "rumor" that the Bigten would be OK with just adding Notre Dame. That they would be OK with having an odd number of schools in the Bigten. I would guess they did the math and it showed adding a school like Stanford with Notre Dame subtracted monies per school. If they did (down the road) just added Notre Dame, how would that affect the math that guy did about balanced scheduling without divisions? Well it looks like it would be an easy tweak. Assuming we stayed at a 9 game conference schedule with no divisions...each team would play 2 "rivals" each year and 7 other conference teams. Then the next year they would play the other 7 conference teams. Again, each school would play every other school in conference one home and away game, every four years. Examples...USC's rivals would be UCLA and Notre Dame. Michigan's would be Ohio State and Michigan State. You can just imagine what would our rivals would be. Adding just Notre Dame with no divisions is an easy scheduling fix and probably better to max out TV revenues.
I'd have no problem with that since it wouldn't prevent future expansion. I'm guessing "rival" schools for the most part would be grouped as geographically close as possible so yeah, we'd get Maryland and Rutgers. That would be OK since all others would cycle through the schedule fairly regularly.
 

MontereyLion

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Word is the B1G Presidents want Notre Dame and Stanford. Most of us have heard that. Word is also that the Presidents don't want to leave USC and UCLA on an island. To keep them happy, long term, they need to add more West coast teams. If they could do that the B1G would most likely keep divisions for basketball and Olympic sports and do away with divisions for football. That cuts down in travel for the LA schools. I think the perfect solution (if they could talk Notre Dame into it) would be to add Stanford, Cal and Notre Dame. Go to 19. USC and Stanford would make Notre Dame happy. Stanford and Cal would make USC and UCLA happy. Cal would make Stanford happy. Lastly Stanford and Cal would make the academic Presidents of the B1G happy. They are top academic Universities in the nation and world. Presidents like that ****. The population of the Bay Area is 8 million. Not chump change. Most of the students at Cal come from through out California. It is California's flag ship University. Most of Stanford's student come from through out the world. In going to 19 schools they would need to go to 10 conference games, per year. That would still ensure 7 home games as the 2 non conference games could be lessor school that would be will to play away for a pay day. The way it is now. Every school would have 2 rivals. They would play 8 teams one year and the other 8 the next. That would ensure every school would play every other school, a home and away, every 4 years. I think that would be the best outcome. However, if Notre Dame won't budge, add Washington, Oregon and Stanford to go to 19 and follow the same scheduling formula. Adding those 3 schools keeps the 2 LA schools happy for the long term. If B1G goes to 20 school the scheduling gets funky. 19 is the most they could have if exposing the student athlete and fans to all the schools in the conference over a relatively short time frame is important. And again I hate the way they have done the scheduling recently. Hearing they might be scheduling conference games only a year out concerns me. Here we go again. Another unbalanced schedule where we never play Nebraska and always play Iowa. I hope they balance the schedule out so we as fans can get to see our team play all the other teams in the conference in short order.
 
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Nits74

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Word is the B1G Presidents want Notre Dame and Stanford. Most of us have heard that. Word is also that the Presidents don't want to leave USC and UCLA on an island. To keep them happy, long term, they need to add more West coast teams. If they could do that the B1G would most likely keep divisions for basketball and Olympic sports and do away with divisions for football. That cuts down in travel for the LA schools. I think the perfect solution (if they could talk Notre Dame into it) would be to add Stanford, Cal and Notre Dame. Go to 19. USC and Stanford would make Notre Dame happy. Stanford and Cal would make USC and UCLA happy. Cal would make Stanford happy. Lastly Stanford and Cal would make the academic Presidents of the B1G happy. They are top academic Universities in the nation and world. Presidents like that ****. The population of the Bay Area is 8 million. Not chump change. Most of the students at Cal come from through out California. It is California's flag ship University. Most of Stanford's student come from through out the world. In going to 19 schools they would need to go to 10 conference games, per year. That would still ensure 7 home games as the 2 non conference games could be lessor school that would be will to play away for a pay day. The way it is now. Every school would have 2 rivals. They would play 8 teams one year and the other 8 the next. That would ensure every school would play every other school, a home and away, every 4 years. I think that would be the best outcome. However, if Notre Dame won't budge, add Washington, Oregon and Stanford to go to 19 and follow the same scheduling formula. Adding those 3 schools keeps the 2 LA schools happy for the long term. If B1G goes to 20 school the scheduling gets funky. 19 is the most they could have if exposing the student athlete and fans to all the schools in the conference over a relatively short time frame is important. And again I hate they way they have done the scheduling recently. Hearing they might be scheduling conference games only a year out concerns me. Here we go again. Another unbalanced schedule where we never play Nebraska and always play Iowa. I hope they balance the schedule out so we as fans can get to see our team play all the other teams in the conference in short order.
Like this, but would prefer the scenario without Note Dame. Don't need them or their arrogance. Given that, the Big should encourage Conference members to avoid scheduling them in the major sports.
 
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